Ph.D. in Leadership Studies
Academic Excellence
Community
Lead with purpose. Saint Martin's Ph.D. in Leadership Studies prepares scholar-practitioners to lead ethically across education, government, business and nonprofit sectors- through a cohort-based, Benedictine-rooted doctoral program in Lacey, WA.
Why Saint Martin's University?
Application deadline and timeline
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | October 1 |
| Application deadline | February 1 |
| Interview days | Offered in February |
| Residency week | June 1-4, 2027 |
| Cohort program begins | Once a year in summer semester |
Why choose the Saint Martin's Ph.D. in Leadership Studies?
The world doesn't have a shortage of people in leadership positions. It has a shortage of leaders who know why they lead, and lead well because of it.
Saint Martin's created its inaugural Ph.D. program to meet that gap head-on to develop scholars and practitioners who can lead and innovate across education, government, business and nonprofit sectors, grounded in a Benedictine tradition of academic rigor, ethical leadership and service to community.
We built this program for people already leading who want to lead with more depth: more research, more reflection, more capacity to ask hard questions about power, change, and what leadership owes the people it serves.
How we develop leaders differently:
You stay working. We build around that. Designed for working professionals. The program combines hybrid coursework with a predictable schedule that allows you to plan ahead. You’ll meet with your cohort once a week on Wednesdays, typically between 1:30 and 6 p.m., and participate in weekend-intensive courses held Friday evenings and Saturdays four times each semester. Research and seminar courses use a hybrid format to support your continued professional work.
One cohort begins each summer, and you move through the program together — building a scholarly community that develops alongside your research and leadership practice.
You're never doing this alone. Students have access to a dedicated writing coach, a mentor (an upper-level student or alumnus), a weekly seminar built for support and enrichment and individualized advising from program leadership. Faculty are drawn from education, business, communications, leadership and the social sciences so your research is shaped by more than one discipline.
Theory meets practice, on purpose. The curriculum balances scholarly research methods with an applied leadership internship. You're steps from Washington's state capital, giving you direct access to networking and internship opportunities most doctoral programs can't offer. Every student completes the program with an original research dissertation grounded in real leadership questions.
What you will earn and where you can go:
The degree: Ph.D. in Leadership Studies — a hybrid doctoral program, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, based at our main campus in Lacey, WA.
Timeline: Most students complete coursework in two years, plus a self-paced dissertation. With a full graduate load, completion in three years total is possible.
Where it leads: Graduates go on to roles such as university/college professor, educational administrator, policy analyst, consultant, executive coach, C-suite business leader, and community or ministry leadership.
Ph.D. in Leadership Studies Requirements
Important: F1 and J1 status international students are not eligible for the Ph.D. program.
Applicants must submit all of the required materials for University graduate admission (see the graduate admission section of the catalog) plus the following program specific materials:
- Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- A minimum of three letters of recommendation sent directly from the letter writer to the University (two of which should be from faculty who can speak to academic readiness for a doctoral degree)
- A 750 word (or one and a half pages typed and double spaced) written statement of purpose in which applicants describe their preparation for the program, reasons for desiring entrance into the program, and career objectives
- A 1,000 word (or three to five pages typed and double spaced) written scholarly response to provided article
- Applicant interview
- 3 to 5 years of professional work experience
In addition to the application, applicants may send forms, fees, and letters of recommendation to:
Office of Graduate Studies & Admissions
Saint Martin’s University
5000 Abbey Way SE
Lacey, WA 98503-7500
gradstudies@stmartin.edu
Candidates plan courses of study in consultation with a program advisor. That course plan may not be changed without prior approval.
Degree candidacy is declared during the last semester of required coursework pending the requirements listed below.
To be a degree candidate, the student must complete the following:
- Have completed the leadership studies core curriculum with their cohort
- Be in good standing
- Have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.0
- Formed a dissertation committee (chairperson chosen and committee members identified with the chairperson)
Students will earn their degree through successful completion of all required courses and a completed dissertation in Leadership Studies. Dissertations are based on original research and details can be found in the Ph.D. Program Handbook.
A projected course schedule can be found below:
When are courses offered?
Leadership courses are offered in a weekend intensive format, with classes meeting four times per semester. These sessions are held on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The specific weekends for each semester are selected in advance, and students will be notified of the exact dates one semester prior to the start of the term. Additionally, research and seminar courses are held on Wednesdays, with the seminar running from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the research course from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Hybrid modality incudes both online and in-person classes.
Leadership core curriculum (18 credits)
- LD 801: Multi-disciplinary perspectives of leadership and practice
- LD 802: Philosophies of knowledge, acquisition and research
- LD 803: Political, economic and social understandings of leadership
- LD 804: Past, present and current leadership theories – future possibilities
- LD 805: Leadership through the lens of power, freedom and change
- LD 806: Crossing social boundaries in leadership studies
Internship & seminar (3 credits)
- LD 807: Applied leadership practices (doctoral internship)
- LD 808: Doctoral seminar (every fall/spring prior to dissertation)
Research curriculum (12 credits)
- LD 810: Applied statistics and quantitative research methods
- LD 811: Qualitative research methods
- LD 901: Advanced quantitative research methods
- LD 902: Advanced qualitative research methods
Dissertation research (9+ credits)
- LD 910: Dissertation]
How long does it take to complete the program?
The average time expected to complete the Ph.D. in leadership studies is two years for coursework with a self-paced dissertation to follow. With a full graduate load (six credits per semester and summer), it is possible to complete the program in three years (two years of intensive coursework and one year minimum for a dissertation).
Is the program accredited?
The Ph.D. program in leadership studies is accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
What jobs will program graduates be qualified for?
After graduation, students may choose to become university or college professors, educational administrators (preschool-12 or higher education), policy analysts, ministers, local leaders, evaluators, consultants, executive coaches, or business leaders (C-suite). Being located near the state capitol offers graduates the opportunity to contribute to our greater community as leaders across a variety of sectors.
What kind of support is available to Ph.D. students during their studies?
The Ph.D. program offers a range of support services to ensure student success. A dedicated writing coach is available to assist students with their academic writing. The program also features a mentor program, connecting students with upper-level students or alumni. Additionally, a weekly seminar course provides a space for rotating topics designed to offer further support and enrichment. Individualized advising by program leadership ensures that students receive personalized attention to assess their needs, discuss research interests, and navigate their academic journey.
What research opportunities are available within the Ph.D. program?
Students' main research project will be the dissertation. During coursework, there will be opportunities to work through research assignments and develop strong research and writing skills. Additionally, the seminar space will focus on supporting and developing research. Additional faculty research is dependent on faculty availability.
Can I pursue this Ph.D. program part-time?
The program is cohort-based and courses are sequential; therefore, part-time attendance is not possible.
Who are the faculty members involved in the Ph.D. program?
Courses in the Ph.D. program are taught by a wide range of full-time faculty from multiple disciplines, including education, business, communications, leadership and social sciences. You can learn more about our faculty by visiting their individual pages linked in the faculty section below.
What are the key dates for the Ph.D. program application process?
The application portal opens on October 1st each year, with application reviews beginning February 1st of the following year. Applications are due February 1st and interviews are conducted in February. The selected cohort begins their classes in May.
Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at a Glance
- Degree
- Ph.D.
- Program Type
- Postgraduate
- Campus
- Main (Lacey)
- Type of Instruction
- Hybrid
