Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies

Explore the Questions of Humanity

Gonzaga's Ph.D. or Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies (DPLS) follows the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person to inspire individuals to consider, confront and actively address the questions of humanity with critical thought and moral conviction.

DPLS explores relationality through a transdisciplinary lens, centering three key aspects of leadership:

  • The leader as individual
  • Organizational complexities such as culture, development and systems
  • Global mindset, cultural competence and cultural intelligence

Extend Your Reach

Our hybrid Ph.D. program is designed for working professionals welcoming students across a broad range of professions who desire to create positive change in their communities and organizations including:

  • Education
  • Business
  • Not-for-Profit
  • Health Care
  • Government
  • Military
  • Law Enforcement
  • First Responders
  • Social Sciences

Your Learning Community 

Together with faculty and other student colleagues, you will develop and sustain a learning community in which all members can nurture the personal qualities of self-knowledge, self-acceptance, avid curiosity, a respect for human diversity and individuality, and a call for justice.

With over forty years of program history, you will join a rich tradition of our alum influencing organizations and communities through research, teaching, consulting, relationality and leadership skills.

Be Transformed

Learning alongside others you will:

  • Develop deeper insights into yourself.
  • Understand the complexity of relationships and relationality.
  • Be inspired to create and sustain more meaningful and healthy relationships.
  • Explore the questions of humankind.
  • Examine the complexity of systems.
  • Investigate self and others’ behaviors, values, thought systems, and critical reasoning.
  • Identify ways and means of implementing influence to create positive change.

Our Alumni

Scott Hagan

Dr. Scott Hagan

Graduate, DPLS

Dr. Scott Hagan is the seventh President of North Central University in Minneapolis, MN. He began this role in June 2017, following a 35-year career as a pastor.

Rosemary Muriungi

Dr. Rosemary Muriungi

Graduate, DPLS

Dr. Muriungi has worked in higher education and organizations advocating for children’s/human rights and sustainable human development in Africa and the United States.

Maria Rivera Gonzalez

Dr. Maria Rivera Gonzalez

Graduate, DPLS

Dr. Rivera Gonzalez has over 15 years of experience in leadership teaching-learning and development in Mexico and the US.