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Ph.D. in Global Leadership Curriculum

The Ph.D. in Global Leadership with a Concentration in Organizational Behavior and Change or the Business Administration Concentration at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is a 60-credit-hour program. You will enroll in one course at a time over 8 weeks, completing the coursework in three years in addition to successfully completing the dissertation process. Participating in cultural immersions will increase your global mindset. Publications with the guidance of your individual mentor will better prepare you for the doctoral dissertation process. Students who have their MBA will receive 18 credit hours for the Business Administration concentration, leaving 42 hours needed that can be completed in two years.

This doctoral program will build your knowledge about global leadership. Learn to strategically lead a team of diverse people, and collaboratively analyze and address complex problems that transcend borders. Both scholarly and practical perspectives are threaded throughout the curriculum, ensuring that you will be poised to apply your knowledge directly to your career.

Course Catalog

Learn more about the program and view detailed course information in the course catalog.
Ph.d global leadership student Handbook

Ph.D. in Global Leadership Student Handbook

This handbook will guide you through the process from start to finish.

Immersive Virtual Format

New cohorts of students begin their Ph.D. in Global Leadership pursuit each August. The courses are delivered in an 8-week online format, including face-to-face virtual webinars, online discussions, immersive video materials and group projects. All students in the program will have access to an online database of current faculty and students that will help you network and get to know others in the program better.

SMWC has 40+ years of experience supporting online learners and provides direct access to professors and library staff who can help you succeed. You will also receive academic and personal support from your faculty mentor who is dedicated to helping you through each stage of this doctoral program.

Cultural Immersions and Publications

People at the WVLI interactive Presentation

Students will have the option to attend doctoral program engagement experiences on-campus, including an annual spring event that coordinates with the Global Leadership Institute of SMWC’s conference.

Each student will complete three cultural immersions prior to graduation, such as a faculty-led study abroad, virtual study abroad, training program, etc. Students in recent years have immersed in Ecuador, Greece, Ireland, and more locations throughout the world!

Each student will complete two publications in the form of presentations, virtual posters, journal articles (or another peer-reviewed option of your choice) with the help of your coursework and individual mentor.

Learning Outcomes

The program is divided into three, 6-course components. Students who complete with core Global Leadership and Research components will be able to:

  1. Differentiate between leadership and management of a diverse group of stakeholders and colleagues in global organizations.
  2. Design and conduct original ethical research creating new theories and knowledge in global leadership and disseminate their work visually to a global community of colleagues. 
  3. Demonstrate a holistic understanding of global leadership and culture by ensuring that the core value of “virtue” and “knowledge united” includes developing an ethical unbiased consciousness and the awareness of equality, diversity, inclusion and social justice within international organizational structures.
  4. Discover and use their personal strengths and global leadership competencies.

Upon completing the Organizational Behavior & Change concentration, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze and integrate the knowledge of organizational behavior in the context of social and political contexts to make decisions that enhance an organization’s performance.
  2. Develop and lead an innovative learning organizational environment to ensure adaptability in dynamic global settings. 
  3. Apply multidisciplinary theories across sectors to address global challenges to organizational success.
  4. Analyze and synthesize the influence of the three determinants (individuals, groups and structures) on global organizational effectiveness.

Upon completing the Business Administration concentrations, students will be able to:

  1. Exhibit a deep level of understanding about management knowledge and skills through interdisciplinary business competencies.
  2. Demonstrate an awareness of the global business community and a willingness to grow in an understanding and appreciation for world cultures.
  3. Participate, lead and manage a team of diverse members in a simulated and/or experiential learning role to implement personal strengths.
  4. Apply leadership and management theories using critical thinking and communication skills for career preparation.
  5. Identify, collect, analyze and translate empirical results through storytelling to make data-driven business decisions.