PhD in Organization and Management – Leadership Drive Success and Inspire Change
60
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026
In the business world, change is constant. A successful leader is one who can take new technologies and trends and guide their company through change to come out on top. Are you a business professional who wants to teach the next generation how to effectively lead their companies? Through Liberty University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organization and Management – Leadership online degree, you can develop effective methods for research and contribute to the body of knowledge in the field of organization and management. You can study ways to evaluate current theoretical research and contribute your findings through your dissertation.
A PhD in leadership specialization focuses on how to be the catalyst for organizational change and how to use various leadership theories to create high-functioning teams that can excel in the modern workforce. Your organizational leadership education will be integrated with a Christian worldview that focuses on sound, ethical business practices.
Partner with us and see how far your experience and a PhD in management and leadership can take you in your professional and personal life!
Your officially conferred degree name will be Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organization and Management – Leadership.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
Our PhD in Organization and Management – Leadership program is offered online, and the classes have no set login times. You can earn your degree from the comfort of your home and easily access your course materials whenever you need them. Most importantly, you can stay invested in the things that matter most – like your family, job, and community – while pursuing your academic goals.
Our professors seek to equip qualified professionals like you with the knowledge, skills, and values to help impact the world and contribute to the greater good of society.
At Liberty, our mission is to Train Champions for Christ. That’s why an online leadership PhD is designed to integrate biblical principles with professional knowledge. In addition to honing your research skills and enhancing your business acumen, you can prepare to stand out as an ethical, value-driven professional.
A PhD in management and leadership program can help you use theory and research methods to address practical business challenges. You can build upon your previous knowledge and experience while preparing future generations of business professionals to excel. Whether you are looking for a future as an educator or a top-level executive, the skills and knowledge you could gain from this degree can help you on your professional journey.
Pursuing a doctorate in leadership through a PhD in Organizational Leadership and Management program can help empower you to become a transformative leader in the business world. This program is carefully crafted to blend advanced business courses with a deep dive into leadership theories and organizational management. By drawing on your professional experience, you can have the opportunity to contribute to the ever-evolving field of management and organizational leadership through your dissertation.
In this program, your core courses will cover essential topics such as risk management, managing contemporary organizations, strategy formulation, and human resource management. These courses are designed not only to expand your knowledge but also to sharpen your leadership skills, particularly in leading organizational change. You can engage with a curriculum that integrates cutting-edge research and theory with real-world application, helping to ensure you’re prepared to tackle today’s complex business challenges.
Additionally, our PhD program offers a comprehensive study of research methods, which can help equip you with the tools to develop a robust dissertation concept. Your dissertation can allow you to make a meaningful contribution to the body of knowledge in leadership and organizational management, potentially laying the groundwork for future advancements in the field.
The leadership specialization within this program delves deeper into 3 key areas – analyzing and applying leadership theories, mastering the art of leading and managing high-performing teams, and navigating ethical challenges with a Christian perspective. This holistic approach helps you prepare to lead with integrity and a profound understanding of what drives successful, ethical organizations.
Degree Completion Plan
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
| Doctoral Full Time | $610/Credit |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Part Time | $675/Credit |
Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $375/credit hour (learn more).
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
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Submit your application online or over the phone.
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
Military Tuition Discount
We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $375/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Absolutely! Pursuing a online PhD in Leadership is more than just earning another degree—it’s about transforming yourself into a leader who can shape the future. Whether you’re already in a leadership role or aspiring to take on new challenges, a PhD in Leadership can help equip you with advanced skills and knowledge to lead effectively in any industry. You’ll dive deep into research, explore ways to solve complex organizational problems, and gain a profound understanding of how to inspire and influence others.
Choosing to pursue a doctorate in organizational leadership is about more than just advancing your education—it’s about transforming the way you lead and influence the world around you. A doctorate in organizational leadership can help equip you with advanced skills to navigate and lead through the complexities of today’s ever-evolving workplaces. Whether you’re looking to lead a business, a nonprofit, a healthcare organization, or an educational institution, this degree can help provide the tools to inspire teams, drive innovation, and create positive change. You can learn how to develop strategies that align with organizational goals, manage diverse teams effectively, and lead with integrity in the face of challenges.
But it’s not just about acquiring knowledge—it’s about becoming a leader who can make a real impact. Throughout your doctoral journey, you can engage with cutting-edge research, analyze complex problems, and develop solutions that can be applied in real-world settings. You can also have the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and thought leaders, expanding your network and opening doors to new opportunities.
Great question! While both an EdD and a PhD in Organizational Leadership are advanced degrees designed to prepare you for leadership roles, they each have a unique focus and approach.
A Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership is typically geared towards those who want to apply leadership principles directly in educational settings, businesses, or other organizations. This degree is all about practical application—how to take the theories of leadership and use them to solve real-world problems. If you’re looking to make an immediate impact in your current role or climb the ranks within your organization, the EdD might be the perfect fit. You’ll engage in hands-on projects and case studies that prepare you to lead teams, implement change, and drive organizational success.
On the other hand, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organizational Leadership is more research-focused. If you’re passionate about diving deep into the study of leadership, exploring new theories, and contributing to academic knowledge, the PhD could be your ideal path. This degree is designed for those who want to explore the “why” behind leadership—why certain strategies work, how leadership impacts organizational culture, and how to develop new leadership models. Graduates often pursue careers in academia, research institutions, or high-level consulting.
In summary, if you’re driven by applying leadership theories in practical settings, an EdD is likely your best match. If you’re more interested in exploring and contributing to the field of leadership through research, a PhD is the way to go.
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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.