Leadership (PhD)
Credential: PhD
Location: Lancaster; Online
Program Director: Dr. Kevin Gushiken
Introduction: The PhD in Leadership is a research-based, terminal degree designed to develop research, leadership, managerial, and educational competencies. The PhD in Leadership further equips candidates for leadership, management, administrative, and faculty roles in churches, mission organizations, faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education. Experienced ministry leaders join a cohort of peers who, together, progress though a prescribed sequence of seminars, develop sustainable habits of scholarly inquiry, and learn to function in a cooperative learning environment.
Program Purpose: The purpose of the PhD in Leadership is to further prepare and equip demonstrated leaders who show exceptional academic promise in the areas of research, teaching, leadership or management.
Program Philosophy: Doctoral students are encouraged to abandon any competitive habits accumulated during previous years of formal schooling. The idea of the research seminar is to engage the doctoral student in the giving and receiving of ideas, information, sources, and materials in the context of a community of scholarship. This sort of exchange includes sharing foundational research and advanced research manuscripts with other students for analysis and evaluation.
Doctoral students are expected to enter fully into seminar dialogues, and to participate constructively in open hearings for research proposals and oral comprehensive examinations. This community of scholars will be developed and maintained between seminars through the use of e-mail and online discussion groups.
Doctoral students are expected to ground their research in significant and pertinent literature, and to share ideas and resources with their colleagues. In sum, doctoral students are expected to know what they are talking about and are expected to help one another.
In the facilitation of community and the networking for cooperative learning, three educational principles are considered essential:
- The outcome of advanced graduate education is the development of refined sustainable habits of scholarly inquiry with professional integrity. These habits include engaging in seamless and life-long learning, and discerning, upholding, and accurately communicating truth.
- Competitive practices and individualistic approaches to scholarly inquiry are considered inappropriate outcomes and inappropriate toward the community of learning.
The preferred learning environment is one that fosters a community of cooperative inquiry. Faculty and students alike are to be engaged in this learning community toward the development of all participants, not just the individual.
Educational Philosophy: In each research seminar, doctoral students pursue lines of inquiry in course assignments that are related to both the seminar topic and individual student ministry interests. Thus, one student may research administrative protocols in local church settings, while another student is researching administrative policies and procedures related to Christian schooling.
The goal of the research seminars is for doctoral students to explore the theoretical foundations of a subject in order to generate informed applications for vocational ministry. Research papers will involve identifying precedent theory and practices, evaluating them in light of theological presuppositions and education and leadership assumptions, resulting in the proposition of new theoretical constructs or revised applications for ministry. In many cases the research will influence policies, procedures, and practices in the workplace.
Courses are offered in an accelerated instructional format consisting of a research triad:
• Foundational research component
• Research seminar component
• Advanced research component
Each course syllabus reflects the three components with educational objectives designed specifically to link each component of the research triad. Internet-based discussion groups and seminar resources allow for mediated instruction immediately prior to and following the on-campus seminar experience.
Program Core Competencies
The PhD in Leadership seeks to develop five core competencies in the student. These include:
Servant Leader
As a result of completing the PhD in Leadership program, the student will gain the ability to think and execute skillfully as a servant leader. This core competency focuses on the acquisition of the essential knowledge, heart-level commitments, and skills needed to carry out the servant leadership model. Using both a biblical perspective of servant leadership and a values-based model of servant leadership promoted in leadership literature, this core competency serves as the fundamental distinctive of this program. Servant leaders are driven by a foundational commitment to personal integrity and to the worth and dignity of the follower.
Leader-Teacher
As a result of completing the PhD in Leadership program, the student will gain the ability to think and execute skillfully as a leader-teacher. This core competency focuses on the acquisition of indispensable knowledge and rational skills necessary in comprehending human develop processes, learning theory, and the teaching-learning process. Students gain an understanding of the relationship between learning and teaching theory and organizational leadership and development. Students explore appropriate teaching modes based on an examination of human development and learning that are applicable to leadership contexts.
Organizational Leader
As a result of completing the PhD in Leadership program, the student will gain the ability to think and execute skillfully as an organizational leader. This core competency focuses on the acquisition of comprehensive knowledge of major leadership theories and related practice. Based on this knowledge, students identify leadership practices appropriate to a church, faith-based organization, non-profit organization, business, or an institution of Christian higher education. Current research in and theories of interpersonal and public communication, leadership, motivation, and group dynamics are examined with a view to the improvement of leadership praxis.
Change Agent
As a result of completing the PhD in Leadership program, the student will gain the ability to think and execute skillfully as an organizational change agent. This core competency focuses on the essential knowledge, theory-base, and skills needed to function as an agent of change within a church, mission organization, faith-based organization, non-profit organization, or an institution of higher education. This competency promotes an understanding of organizational dynamics, management, and change processes including: coordination, administration, and management processes; the role of power, politics, and conflict in organizational development; and the place of strategic planning in the organizational advancement.
Researcher-Scholar
As a result of completing the PhD in Leadership program, the student will gain the ability to think and execute skillfully as a researcher-scholar. This core competency focuses on the development of research skills necessary in the completion of a research doctoral degree. This is accomplished through four primary means.
Foundational Literature Review: Upon admission to the PhD in Leadership program, participants will be required to read (or review if read previously) a significant literature base before the end of the first term of study. The precedent literature requirement enables students to share a common knowledge base.
Research Course Sequence: This core competency focuses on the acquisition of the skills required to conduct doctoral level research. Skill development includes identification of the research problem, conducting a literature review, designing of research approach, collecting data, data analysis, and writing of a dissertation. This core competency includes the development of analytical and critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate and interpret research findings. This competency culminates with the writing the dissertation.
Mentored Research: All students are assigned a scholar-mentor who will assist them in gaining the skill of research. Mentors supervise the student’s research and serve as the chair of the student’s dissertation committee.
Dissertation: Each candidate for the PhD in Leadership must complete a dissertation based on the candidate’s own systematic inquiry into an area of advanced research in leadership. The dissertation is intended to demonstrate competency in research design, methodology, and the ability to think critically. The dissertation allows the student an opportunity to make a substantive contribution to the literature base in the field of leadership and church ministry.
Curricular Structure/Degree Requirements
The purpose of the PhD in Leadership is to further prepare and equip demonstrated leaders who show exceptional academic promise in the areas of research, teaching, leadership or management.
| Leadership (PhD) Competencies |
Credits |
| Orientation Seminar |
0 |
| Servant Leader |
8 |
| Leader-Teacher |
8 |
| Organizational Leader |
8 |
| Change Agent |
8 |
| Research-Scholar |
28 |
| Program Total |
60 |
Leadership PhD Curriculum
ORI 900 Orientation Seminar, 0 credit
Foundational Literature Review, 0 credit
| LSP 901 | Empirical Research I: Critical Inquiry and Research Design | 4 |
| LSP 902 | Biblical and Theological Foundations of Leadership | 4 |
| LSP 903 | Character and Ethics in Leadership | 4 |
| LSP 904 | Personality and Developmental Theory | 4 |
| LSP 905 | Teaching & Learning: Theory and Practice | 4 |
| LSP 906 | Leadership and Management Theory | 4 |
| LSP 907 | Team Dynamics | 4 |
| LSP 908 | Empirical Research II: Research Problem and Literature Review | 4 |
| LSP 909 | Organizational Theory and Development | 4 |
| LSP 910 | Empirical Research III: Prospectus and Instrument Development | 4 |
| LSP 911 | Change, Power, and Conflict | 4 |
| LSP 912 | Comprehensive Exams | 0 |
| LSP 913 | Prospectus: Chapters 1-3 | 4 |
| LSP 914 | Dissertation | 12 |
Application, Admission, Retention, and Graduation
Foundational Literature
Upon admission to a research doctoral program, all new students are required to read/review a significant literature base of selected texts by the end of the first year of the program. However, due to the intense nature of course work as well as the relevance of the precedent material to required courses, students are highly encouraged to complete this reading prior to beginning course work. This precedent literature is reflective of the common knowledge base students need in preparation for the research seminars.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the PhD program must hold an earned and accredited master’s degree in an appropriately related field. Applicant’s transcripts should reflect a background in biblical, theological and ministry studies at either the bachelor’s or master’s level. Those applicants who have not completed course work in biblical, theological, and ministry studies may be required to successfully complete “leveling” work to prepare the applicant for the biblical and theological component of the program.
Applicants who are deficient in meeting the above requirements must take additional course work to attain equivalency. This process is called “leveling.” Several options for leveling academic deficiencies are available to students. You should discuss deficiencies with the Director of PhD in Leadership Studies. Equivalency options through the completion of additional approved academic courses include: campus-based courses; web-based courses; taking courses at a Capital site; completing academic courses at another accredited institution; etc. Documentation of experiential learning is possible for the demonstration of equivalency. Such determinations are made by the Director of the PhD in Leadership Studies.
The minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) for admission to a research doctoral program is equivalent to the letter grade “B+” (3.25 on a 4.0 scale).
Applicants might be asked to take the MAT (Miller Analogies Test, www.milleranalogies.com) or GRE (Graduate Record Exam, www.ets.org/gre/general/register) and submit their score as per the application process. The test scores may not be more than five years old at the time of application.
Applicants whose first language is not English must attain a minimum test score of 600 on the paper-based TOEFL General Test (250 on the computer-based exam or 100 for the Internet-based test) or an equivalent demonstration of the ability to read, write and do academic research in standard English.
Applicants must provide transcript evidence that they have taken a course in statistics at the undergraduate or graduate level. Those applicants lacking this admissions requirement may take a research statistics course at Lancaster Bible College or at another accredited college or university. This course must be completed prior to taking LSP 908 Empirical Research II. It can also be completed as an independent study by reading several assigned books.
Application Process
Application for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership (PhD) should begin with as much lead-time as possible, as some application requirements involve time delays.
PhD administrators and faculty only review fully completed files because a partially completed application does not always give an accurate picture of the ability to do doctoral work. Thus, applicants with borderline cumulative or area grade point averages but with significant successful ministry experience can be evaluated on the basis of both achievements, not just the GPA. Some applicants mistakenly assume a short-coming in one admission criteria automatically disqualifies them from admission. In reality, significant achievements in other admission criteria may accommodate a short-coming in another area.
Steps to Apply
- Complete the Application Form (include $40 non-refundable application fee): PhD Application
- Submit Additional Documents
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended;
- Three Recommendations for Admission (two academic, one pastor)
- Complete Standardized Testing
- If required as an additional assessment by the Director of the PhD in Leadership program, applicants must take and submit official test scores for the GRE or MAT.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam (TOEFL).
Complete Interview, Field Essay and Research Sample
- All applicants must complete an admissions interview. If necessary for additional assessment, applicants will be asked to write a field essay on a topic related to leadership.
- Applicants will receive a reading list and study guide to aid in preparation for the field essay. Applicants must use a laptop computer to produce the essay.
- Applicants must also submit a graded research paper written at the master’s level.
Application Response
Once the applicant’s file is completed in full, the Capital faculty evaluates the applicant’s profile in terms of demonstrated and potential ability to complete doctoral studies successfully at the research doctoral level. The committee makes a consensus admission decision on applicants (five decisions are possible) using the following scale.
Full Acceptance: The applicant is fully accepted with no deficiencies or leveling requirements.
Accepted with Deficiencies: The applicant is accepted into the program with admissions academic deficiencies identified.
Accepted on Review Status: The applicant is admitted pending further review. This may be because a part of the applicant‘s application was incomplete (e.g. a score was not received in time) or because the applicant did not meet one of the admissions requirements.
Delay: The applicant may receive an application delay. This may be due to the program being filled, a change in the student’s life situation, or an event preventing the applicant from attending the first program session. Delayed status applicant will not have to reapply to the program but must pay the program down payment fee.
Declined: The applicant who is declined will be notified by mail or email. Specific reasons for the decline are not provided.
Applicants will be notified of the admissions decision within three weeks of the submission of all application materials.
Acceptance of admission requires a $500.00 deposit to hold a position in the cohort.
Statute of Limitations and Continuation Fee
Students who have not completed their dissertation by August 31 following the established completion date of their program (four and half years of full-time coursework) will be charged an administrative continuation fee for each term (fall and spring) until the dissertation is completed, or until the student withdraws from the program, or until the statute of limitations (six years) is reached. In cases where the statute of limitations has been extended beyond the six years, the schedule of administrative continuation fees will remain in force.
Graduation
COMMENCEMENT
Doctor of Philosophy graduates are strongly encouraged to participate in a commencement ceremony. Ceremonies are typically offered in December and in May at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters, respectively. PhD graduates may have the opportunity to select a graduation location based on what ceremonies are scheduled at the time of their program completion.
CAP AND GOWN
The doctoral tuition price automatically includes the cost of a rented cap and gown for graduation. Information on how to be measured for the cap and gown will be sent to graduates early in the semester of graduation. The rented cap and gown is only a mortarboard with a basic all black gown. However, the regalia associated with the Church and Ministry Leadership department will reflect appropriate colors for the degree and school.
Doctoral students may wish to purchase their own cap, hood, and gown at their own expense. Those who purchase the doctoral gown often opt to have royal blue chevrons on the sleeves and front panels of the gown (the traditional color for PhD degrees).
Students planning to order a cap, hood, and gown should do so as early in the semester of graduation as possible so that the regalia arrives in time for graduation.
PREPARING FOR GRADUATION
Doctoral students are encouraged to remember that all financial obligations to the college must be paid in full before they can graduate. It is strongly encouraged to consider payment in full to include payment for the binding and microfilming and copyrighting of the dissertation.
All paper copies and the digital copy must be to the Director of PhD in Leadership on May 1st in order to graduate spring semester, or December 1st in order to graduate Fall semester. Missing pages, paper copies, and digital copies will delay graduation to the next semester.
Program Director
Kevin Gushiken, PhD
Kevin currently serves as Assistant Professor of the Church and Ministry Leadership and as the Director of the PhD program in Leadership. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business/Economics and a Master of Arts in Missions and Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. He also received a Masters of Divinity and a PhD in Educational Studies with a minor in Intercultural Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.
Kevin’s primary passion is to develop Christian leaders who biblically and critically think with the purpose of influencing the world for Christ. He also has deep interest in how leadership is formed in multiethnic settings. He has written on these topics in numerous journals and presented at several conferences around the country.
Prior to joining Lancaster Bible College, Kevin served in a variety of churches, most recently as Senior Pastor for 18 years at Harvard Avenue Evangelical Free Church, a multiethnic congregation in Chicago, IL. Kevin has been married to Penny since 1996. They have two children, Ashleigh and Ryan.
In his free time, Kevin enjoys hiking and sailing. He is a self-described “thrill seeker” who is open to trying anything once.
Faculty List
Kevin Gushiken, PhD
Mark Eckel, PhD
Ryan Kuehner, PhD
Debra Johnson-Cortesi, PhD
Skip Lewis, PhD
Gene Habecker, PhD
Ryan Hartwig, PhD
Michael Anthony, PhD
Rodney Cooper, PhD