Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education Organizational Leadership
The Center for Leadership Studies (CFLS) is home to Northwest’s interdisciplinary Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in Organizational Leadership. These degrees prepare students to lead the leaders of our day across the fields of education, business, Christian ministry, and beyond.
The Center coordinates these programs and serves as a support base for our students, facilitating their success and dissertation completion.
Financial Support
The CFLS offers four types of financial assistance. In the first year, every student is eligible for merit-based funding. Non-profit employees can qualify for a discount matching their employer’s contribution. Also, grants are available for dissertation research and travel to professional presentations. View CFLS Scholarships
Two Degree Options
The Ph.D. focuses on scholarship, original research, and the generation of new theory. Our Ed.D. is shorter and more practical, helping students apply existing research to problems in the field.
Three Concentrations
Students have access to three Concentrations: Leading Ministry Organizations, Higher Education Leadership, and Business Leadership and Consulting.
Cohort-based
Our programs offer small, diverse cohorts. Students learn alongside peers who encourage and challenge each other to grow.
Hybrid Delivery
Students study in a mix of classes held on-campus, online, and “on the road” at major, field-specific professional conferences.
Distinguished Faculty
Our professors draw from both academic research and real-world professional experience to offer a holistic learning environment.
Integrated Faith and Learning
The programs integrate a Christian perspective that draws from the highest intellectual level and the depths of faith simultaneously.
Interdisciplinary Instruction
Bringing together diverse students with outstanding professors from a variety of disciplines produces a rich transformative learning experience.
Interlocking Schedule
Each term features Core, Concentration, and Dissertation classes so students are working on their dissertation research and writing skills from day one.
Unique Learning Environment
Northwest is located among many of the most influential business and non-profit organizations of our time, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, World Vision, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Admission Criteria
- Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Completed online application
- Three references including one academic reference
- Official (sealed) transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- GRE general test scores (taken within the last 5 years) for the Ph.D. program. Applicants to the Ed.D. are not required to take the GRE.
- Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Writing sample answering the essay prompts available on the CFLS online application.
- Application Deadlines:
- January term due by December 1st;
- July term due by June 1st.
Once potential students have submitted their completed application along with all the application materials, each applicant will have an individual or group interview with the Director of the CFLS.
Applicants who meet or exceed the above criteria must also exhibit qualities consistent with the ethos of the Center for Leadership Studies. The cohort model places great responsibility on faculty and students to work together to create a positive, supportive, and collaborative learning environment. Students must be committed to personal responsibility, time management, professional ethics, and interpersonal integrity to be successful in the program.
The CFLS Admissions Committee seeks to ascertain each student’s degree of readiness for this type of learning environment. It is the responsibility and authority of the Admissions Committee to determine an applicant’s degree of compatibility with the ethos of this program.
Credit Transfer
Students may be allowed to transfer a maximum of 12 graduate credits from other regionally accredited colleges and universities provided the CFLS can determine the credit equivalency of the coursework, and the transfer credits are awarded prior to registering for NU courses. There is no charge for transferred courses and transferred credits do not apply towards financial aid awards. Students must initiate credit transfer by contacting the CFLS office.
Program Transfer
A limited number of Ed.D. students may qualify for transfer to the Ph.D. program each academic year. Transfer applicants must have demonstrated academic excellence, a positive contribution to their cohort, and overall program fit. Transfers will be approved by the CFLS Admissions Committee.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of all required coursework for Ph.D. or Ed.D.
- Director’s recommendation for continuation in the program after each annual review
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Passing grade for all required comprehensive examinations
- Approval of dissertation proposal and dissertation final document by Dissertation Committee
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