SEU Announces First Ph.D. Program

Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, has announced two new doctoral programs —  a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and a Doctorate of Strategic Leadership (DSL), bringing the total number of doctoral degrees SEU offers up to four (the Ed.D. began in 2014 and the D.Min. in 2016). This is the first Ph.D. program for the university. The inaugural cohort for the Ph.D. and DSL degrees will begin classes in May of 2018, with a five-day intensive for students.

“The program was started to provide doctoral-level Christian education in leadership studies,” said Dr. Ric Rohm, the program’s coordinator. The program is geared to prospective students who desire the highest levels of leadership education.

“We are extremely proud of this milestone accomplishment, which furthers our ongoing commitment to provide educational stewardship in the area of leadership,” said SEU President, Dr. Kent Ingle. “I also want to commend Dr. Ric Rohm, Dr. Leroy VanWhy, and Dr. Emile Hawkins whose collaborative efforts were instrumental in bringing these programs to fruition.”

Hawkins has a Doctorate of Strategic Leadership and focuses on coaching and consulting with church leaders. VanWhy earned a Ph.D. in Organization Leadership and is an expert in authentic leadership and followership. Rohm also earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership with a focus on cross-cultural and servant leadership. All three have distinguished U.S. military careers.

Ph.D. students will focus more on research methods in preparation for their dissertation, while DSL students will focus on completing courses to help them in consulting and preparing for their capstone project. The first cohort will take the same classes for two years, before separating for their preferred degree.

The programs follow a hybrid format with both face-to-face and online instruction, including in-person intensives conducted each semester (fall, spring, and summer). The courses are offered in eight-week sessions. The Ph.D. consists of 16 courses (48 credit hours), plus a minimum of 12 credit hours of dissertation work, while the DSL consists of 18 courses (54 credit hours), plus a minimum of six hours of capstone project work. Core classes for the program include “Followership,” “Cultural Intelligence,” and “Servant and Authentic Leadership.”

In addition to Rohm, Hawkins, and VanWhy, the program plans to bring on three more faculty members. Select professors within the university will also serve as adjunct professors in the program.

Students pursuing a Ph.D. may find careers such as college/university professor, researcher or think tank consultants. DSL students will be trained for careers such as organizational consultants, executive coaches and positions in executive leadership.

The program is currently pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Admission requirements include a master’s degree, a resume or curriculum vitae, two professional letters of recommendation, an admission essay, and a doctoral writing sample. For more information on the program, visit SEU.edu/leadership-doctoral.

Priscilla Burr