Ph.D. in Leadership

The Ph.D. in Leadership seeks to prepare leaders capable of effectively addressing various challenges that cross disciplinary boundaries and sectors in a global context. Graduates of the Ph.D. in Leadership will be equipped with the expertise to lead within diverse contexts, from business and non-profit to government and community organizations, with knowledge and skills to work across disciplinary and sectoral boundaries, to facilitate productive dialogue towards consensus, to conduct research and evaluate research done by others, and to foster resilience and sustainability within the environment they lead.

The Ph.D. in Leadership builds upon the strong legacy of one of the first academic programs in Leadership in the world. It is a postmaster’s degree 72 credit hour program designed for experienced leaders who are employed throughout the duration of the program. (Students with master’s degrees in applicable areas may be allowed to utilize some of their master’s degree work to fulfill the requirements of the doctoral program.) Although the program is designed to be very low residency, with a maximum required attendance in three days a year, leadership courses, group dynamics, communication, cultural contexts, and creativity are available in blended and fully online formats.

Lewiston-Auburn College (LAC) at the University of Southern Maine is a leader in interdisciplinary education, integrating the liberal arts with the workplace and community. Our mission is to engage and graduate students through a transformational educational experience—preparing them to be creative, critical thinkers, strong and effective communicators, and informed stewards of the world.

The University of Southern Maine, northern New England’s outstanding public, regional, comprehensive university, is dedicated to providing students with a high-quality, accessible, affordable education. Through its undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, USM faculty members educate future leaders in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering and technology, health and social services, education, business, law, and public service. Distinguished for their teaching, research, scholarly publication, and creative activity, the faculty is committed to fostering a spirit of critical inquiry and civic participation.