La Sierra’s School of Education introduces new doctorate in leadership

Classes will begin in summer 2017, with an application deadline of Feb. 1, 2017. The program, a Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership, will launch with an intake of only 12 students in a face-to-face program in which they delve deeply into such areas as leadership in organizations, moral leadership, organizational communication and methods of research. Over the course of the program, students will collaborate closely with a close-knit group of faculty and classmates on research projects, submit at least one scholarly article for publication, and make presentations at academic and professional conferences. Students take a set of core classes, select courses from among three specializations depending on career goals, and cap their program with research culminating in a dissertation.

The Ph.D. program, currently pending WASC Senior College and University Commission approval, provides advanced education in leadership theory, practice and research across a broad range of organizational and community settings. It provides a significant opportunity for in-depth study, especially for individuals coming from fields such as education, nonprofit leadership, church administration, business and other areas. The academic program aims to produce graduates who will contribute from their research to the body of knowledge in the field of leadership, an increasingly popular topic in higher education.

The program is well-placed to serve the needs of candidates already in leadership roles and those aspiring to leadership both from the constituency of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southern California, and from other organizations interested in a Christian perspective in leadership studies. The School of Education’s Center for Research on Adventist Education, in particular, provides an opportunity for candidates who have a special interest in doing research that articulates with the center’s mission and goals.

Program leaders emphasize the advantage of La Sierra’s small, on-site classes in investigating the intricacies inherent in leadership roles and activities. In keeping with La Sierra University’s mission and values, the program also pays close attention to such areas as moral leadership and the study of leadership models that articulate with the Christian worldview.

“The leadership program is committed to the ideal of graduating people who have studied and chosen to espouse high moral and ethical standards,” says School of Education Dean Ginger Ketting-Weller. “The Christian ethic and the values of personal spirituality are integrated into all aspects of the curriculum as a way of undergirding this important commitment.”

The new doctoral program expands the School of Education’s offerings of master’s and professional doctoral degrees, teacher credential programs and certificate offerings.

The Ph.D. in Leadership degree requires applicants to possess a master’s degree and grade point average of 3.5 or higher; to submit a master’s thesis, journal article or other substantial academic paper; and to submit a personal statement. Applicants accepted to the program will be notified by the beginning of April 2017, and orientation will be held in July. For further information call 951-785-2266, email phdleadership@lasierra.edu, or visit https://lasierra.edu/phdleadership/.