Best Online Doctorates in Leadership and Management
Online PhD in leadership and management programs can be tailored for aspiring leaders across industries and instill the confidence needed to lead complex organizations. Explore program highlights and career prospects as you learn more about this online degree in this PhDs.me guide.
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Program Profiles: Online PhDs in Leadership and Management
Online PhD programs in leadership and management are designed to help maximize your efficiency and impact as a leader. These programs combine theory and practice to give you the tools you need for a deep understanding of leadership.
When it comes to choosing a program, you have a wide range of options. What research do you want to pursue? Is there any course you want to take or faculty you want to work with? How does the program fit into your schedule and budget?
Below we have selected a few programs that offer quality online education and a top-tier, accredited curriculum. Use these to compare and see what features may be best for you.
Liberty University
Through Liberty University’s online PhD in Organization and Management – Leadership degree, you can develop effective research methods and contribute to the body of knowledge in the field of organization and management. You’ll also learn to evaluate current theoretical research and contribute your findings through your dissertation.
Liberty’s program is designed to prepare you for the next step in your career, whether that’s as an educator or a top-level executive. Core courses include risk management, managing the contemporary organization, strategy formulation, and human resource management.
Program highlights:
- 60 credit hours
- Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Class type: 100% online, 8-week courses
- 8 different start dates throughout the year
- Can transfer up to 50% of the degree total
- Dissertation required
University of the Cumberlands
University of the Cumberlands offers another great option for experienced leaders. Their online PhD in Leadership Studies will give you the skills you need to guide and lead organizations and make a lasting impact in your community.
The program is a research-intensive doctorate that focuses on both the theory and practice of organizational leadership. You’ll learn how strategic leadership can help you guide, manage, and improve organizations.
The university also offers a variety of financial aid options. In fact, the average amount of financial aid for a student in this doctoral program is $10,400 — nearly a third of the cost.
Program highlights:
- 66 credits
- $415/credit hour
- 10 core courses, 1 elective research course, 6 specialization courses, and a capstone seminar
- Specialty areas include criminal justice, education, English, health profession, health science, business and IT
- Option to take additional coursework within the School of Education to obtain Kentucky Rank 1 certification
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona Global Campus offers a PhD in Organizational Development and Leadership from the Forbes School of Business and Technology.
In this degree program, you’ll learn how to assess organizations by relying on research, evidence, and critical thinking. You’ll also learn how to anticipate the impact of strategic initiatives and organizational change in an organization. Like other similar programs, you’ll pursue a research project based on evidence-based methods and practices that contribute to the field.
Highlights of the program:
- 62 credits
- Accelerated 6-9 week courses
- Transfer up to 30 approved credits
- $0 application fee
- Dissertation required
Leadership and Management PhD Admission Requirements
Once you’re serious about applying to a PhD program, you’ll want to start gathering your admission materials. Though they will vary by program, here are some common admission requirements you can expect:
- Completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your academic and professional character
- Statement of Purpose (each application will be different, so be sure to check the specific instructions for your program)
- CV/résumé
- Interview with faculty
- Writing sample that demonstrates your ability to communicate clearly and work with academic material at a high level
Some schools, like Eastern University, require additional written essays. This may include questions on your goals for pursuing a PhD, your research agenda, your leadership experience, and more.
Why Choose an Online Doctorate in Leadership and Management
If you’re an ambitious leader, you’re probably already juggling a lot of plates — from full-time work to community service and personal commitments. Maybe you’re ready to take the next step in your career but are unsure about the path forward.
An online doctorate in leadership and management can give you experience in evidenced-based research, as well as help you specialize your skill set. With online learning, you can do this on your schedule in a flexible environment.
Here are some of the top benefits you’ll find with an online PhD in leadership:
Freedom of Flexibility
If you want to continue working full time, you can do so while earning your doctorate. This is ideal for executive leaders or others who are further along in their careers. The courses are designed with flexibility in mind so you can fit your study and research around other commitments. All of this makes an online PhD in leadership and management much more accessible to potential students.
Theoretical Knowledge and Practical Skills
If you have many years of practical experience, you may want to go deeper in theory and research. Understanding strategic leadership can help you effectively guide, manage, and improve educational organizations, from companies to colleges to nonprofits. The courses, however, aren’t all theory. You’ll also be able to focus on the practical skills you need to become a better leader.
Diversity of Faculty and Classmates
A major perk of an advanced degree is learning from other students and faculty in different disciplines. In a leadership and management program, you’ll be exposed to experts in executive leadership, academia, and HR. While you may share some of the same goals, you can learn from the different perspectives in these environments — another quality that will make you a stronger leader.
Expert Insight
Students considering an online doctorate in leadership should choose a program that supports both leadership development and organizational research skills. The most effective programs help doctoral candidates connect theory to practice by applying coursework and dissertation research to real leadership challenges within businesses, nonprofits, schools, or government organizations.
What Will You Learn: Leadership and Management Doctoral Programs
At the doctoral level, the curriculum will vary greatly between programs and your intended area of research. However, when it comes to online PhDs in leadership and management, there are some core areas you’ll cover.
You will also be able to explore how strategic leadership can help you effectively guide others as you research the theory and practice of organizational leadership. You’ll learn how to lead with empathy and insight to inspire others.
Full- or part-time study will impact the pace of your coursework and how you complete your research requirements.
Explore Popular Courses
The topic of leadership can be incredibly broad, affording you the opportunity to tailor your research interests and align your skills and impact. Here are some typical courses you may find in an online PhD in leadership and management program.
Leading Theory
This course focuses on the dominant approaches to leadership and how those approaches can inform leadership practice and outcomes. At National University, it is called Theory and Practice of Organizational Leadership.
Ethical Leadership
Ethics are a core component of quality leadership. In this course, you’ll explore organizational ethics and ethical leadership through critical analysis and research on ethical principles. You’ll also research and evaluate the consequences of unethical leadership and how to build and maintain a culture of ethics.
Organizational Change
In an online PhD program in leadership and management, you might encounter a course specifically focusing on organizational change. This course delves into the theories and practical strategies behind implementing change within organizations. Students learn about the dynamics of organizational change, resistance to change, and effective change management strategies.
Decision Making and Judgment
Another essential course in leadership and management PhD programs is decision-making and judgment. This course examines the cognitive processes involved in decision-making, including biases and heuristics. Students explore various decision-making models and techniques for improving judgment in complex situations.
Leadership Development
This course focuses on personal and professional growth as a leader, emphasizing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills. Students explore leadership styles, techniques for motivating teams, and strategies for developing future leaders within organizations.
Do I Need to Complete a Dissertation?
Yes, completing a dissertation is typically a requirement for earning a PhD in leadership and management. The dissertation allows students to conduct original research in their chosen area of interest, contributing new knowledge to the field. It is a significant component of the doctoral program, demonstrating your ability to critically analyze issues, conduct scholarly research, and make meaningful contributions to the academic community.
Specializations
You’ll typically have opportunities to specialize in your management and leadership program. At Walden University, for example, you can choose from specializations in 21st Century Finance, Human Resource Management, Information Systems Management, and more. These specializations can help tailor your research or help you further your career in a specific path.
Expert Insight
It’s important to evaluate how a program approaches the dissertation process. Leadership doctoral students often succeed when they select research topics tied to issues they already encounter professionally, since this can make the work more relevant, manageable, and immediately valuable to their careers.
About Online Doctorates in Leadership and Management
How long will it take to complete a leadership and management PhD online?
On average, it will take you three years of full-time study or longer if you enroll part-time. Some schools require that you finish your degree in under eight years.
Can I complete a leadership doctoral program 100% online?
Yes, some programs are available fully online. However, some have in-person residency requirements.
Why is program accreditation important?
Accreditation ensures that you’re receiving a high-quality education that’s on par with industry standards. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) grant accreditation to an organizational leadership program.
Financing Your Leadership and Management PhD
Earning a doctoral degree is a significant investment of your time and money, so it’s important to understand the financial commitments before you get started.
You have a variety of resources available to help fund your studies, including financial aid opportunities like private and school scholarships, fellowships providing tuition waivers or stipends, work-study programs, and employer tuition assistance.
Your program will also offer resources specifically for enrolled students. The average amount of financial aid for a student at the University of the Cumberlands, for example, is more than $10,000
Check out our guide to funding for doctoral students to learn more about your options.
How Much Can Your Degree Cost?
To give you a better understanding of what an online leadership PhD degree might cost, we’ve gathered a few examples. These can serve as a baseline in terms of credits and cost/per credit as you continue your research.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Total Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Cumberlands | 66 | $415/credit hour | $27,390 |
| Liberty University | 60 | $600/credit hour** | $36,000 |
| University of Arizona | 62 | $812/credit | $50,344 |
*Note: This will vary by residency requirements
**Part-time per-hour rate
Salary Outlook with a Doctorate in Leadership
A doctorate in leadership develops the theoretical depth, research skills, and practical wisdom needed to lead organizations through complex, high-stakes challenges. Graduates serve as chief executives, senior vice presidents, organizational change leaders, and executive coaches — applying evidence-based leadership practice to the most difficult questions organizations face. The credential is particularly sought after in sectors where adaptive leadership, cultural transformation, and mission-driven management are central to success.
Leadership executives with doctoral credentials operate at the upper end of the compensation spectrum, with chief executive roles in major organizations offering earnings that reflect the breadth and consequence of their decisions. The terminal leadership degree opens every senior organizational leadership role.
Browse the salary table to explore what chief executives earn across the country, and get a realistic picture of the financial potential of a doctorate in leadership.
Chief Executives
| Area | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $213,990 | $356,200 | $507,730 |
| Alabama | $166,420 | $222,490 | $317,400 |
| Alaska | $166,710 | $262,750 | $428,990 |
| Arkansas | $119,990 | $196,800 | $330,480 |
| California | $218,600 | $351,090 | $486,830 |
| Colorado | $213,370 | $302,380 | $402,230 |
| Connecticut | $295,120 | $456,890 | $680,080 |
| Delaware | $199,990 | $360,810 | $523,940 |
| Georgia | $208,180 | $378,450 | $517,910 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 | $394,780 | $493,870 |
| Idaho | $177,210 | $296,580 | $403,230 |
| Illinois | $331,920 | $428,710 | $589,720 |
| Indiana | $254,180 | $377,760 | $494,080 |
| Iowa | $211,190 | $331,660 | $365,320 |
| Kansas | $158,100 | $283,880 | $453,350 |
| Kentucky | $179,530 | $298,750 | $466,660 |
| Maine | $138,770 | $233,540 | $401,950 |
| Maryland | $248,660 | $396,650 | $486,860 |
| Michigan | $255,560 | $405,120 | $547,090 |
| Minnesota | $195,670 | $313,510 | $449,270 |
| Mississippi | $139,250 | $185,680 | $304,040 |
| Missouri | $172,320 | $275,660 | $416,060 |
| Montana | $182,340 | $312,050 | $432,240 |
| Nebraska | $214,680 | $335,760 | $515,360 |
| Nevada | $149,770 | $279,600 | $517,310 |
| New Hampshire | $168,590 | $232,570 | $397,850 |
| New Jersey | $310,440 | $448,910 | $666,030 |
| New Mexico | $123,500 | $195,970 | $302,440 |
| New York | $257,980 | $419,730 | $657,630 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 | $442,080 | $624,990 |
| North Dakota | $164,560 | $240,090 | $464,030 |
| Ohio | $176,440 | $350,670 | $484,820 |
| Oklahoma | $163,790 | $240,480 | $387,310 |
| Oregon | $341,630 | $520,980 | $772,840 |
| Pennsylvania | $232,560 | $397,100 | $528,200 |
| Rhode Island | $235,360 | $414,180 | $561,080 |
| South Carolina | $168,840 | $258,950 | $393,490 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 | $428,840 | $546,760 |
| Tennessee | $198,830 | $307,390 | $474,740 |
| Texas | $257,850 | $399,880 | $558,550 |
| Utah | $171,880 | $299,040 | $424,690 |
| Vermont | $175,070 | $303,920 | $428,080 |
| Virginia | $310,740 | $434,580 | $604,090 |
| Washington | $339,810 | $442,180 | $607,100 |
| West Virginia | $151,950 | $253,870 | $403,020 |
| Wisconsin | $208,350 | $318,910 | $426,290 |
| Wyoming | $147,940 | $205,620 | $276,940 |
Source: BLS, OEWS, May 2025
Showing 1 – 10 of 47 entries | Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.