Interdisciplinary Leadership (Doctorate of Education)

Program Availability

Lead the way toward a more just world.

Exceptional leadership goes far beyond the science of management — it’s about transforming and inspiring the people around you. Creighton University’s Doctorate of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership program is for aspiring leaders who long to affect lasting and meaningful change in their communities, workplaces and beyond.

Rooted in Ignatian values, this program is shaped by the Jesuit ideals of academic excellence, respect for human dignity and a faith that does justice. Throughout the program, students are encouraged to practice critical self-reflection — allowing them to learn, grow and better understand themselves through their experiences at leaders.

Typical students of this program are lifelong learners with a strong desire to gain deep, meaningful knowledge and experience in leadership. Graduates of the program have gone on to follow successful career paths as chief executives, school administrators and educators, marketing and sales leaders, and various other occupations that require strong and value-driven leadership skills.

Source: Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) — November 2017

Be shaped by a diverse network of peers and faculty members.

Students in Creighton’s Doctorate of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership program come from all walks of life, from all over the world. You will learn from and collaborate with students and faculty members across various career fields — from healthcare to education to military to business and more.

As you learn, reflect and grow, you’ll find that your cohort serves as a rich learning community, built to share perspectives and insights in a supportive and interactive environment. You’ll expand your professional network and will reap the benefits of these new relationships for many years to come.

The Doctorate of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership program is bookended by two on-campus residences. You’ll visit campus at the start of your journey to meet with faculty members and other students in your cohort. These early, face-to-face interactions will help you build relationships — making online interactions throughout the program that much more meaningful. You’ll return to campus toward the end of your program to defend your dissertation.

Earn your doctorate while growing your career and applying your research.

Many students choose Creighton’s doctorate in interdisciplinary leadership because of its flexibility and limited on-campus requirements. Aside from an on-campus orientation and the defense of your dissertation, all coursework in this program is completed online, allowing you to continue to grow in your career and attend to what’s important to you.

You’ll take a series of eight-week courses, focusing on one course at a time. This program consists of 60 credit hours and can be completed in about 3-4 years.

A doctor of education (EdD) is much different than a doctor of philosophy (PhD). Research for your dissertation is evidence-based and can address challenges within your workforce, industry or field. Unlike a PhD program, this program’s practical approach to research provides an opportunity for you to immediately apply what you’re learning on a daily basis.

Curriculum

To earn the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Interdisciplinary Leadership degree at Creighton University, you must complete 60 credits:

Core Courses

Leadership Styles and Reflective Practice
Leadership and Applied Ethics
Seminar in Interdisciplinary Leadership
Leadership Seminar I: Program Orientation and Formulation of Learning
Strategic Planning and Management
Organizational Theory and Behavior
Administrative and Policy Leadership Issues
Change Theory and Practice

Electives (choose five)

Interdisciplinary Practicum
Jesuit and Ignatian Traditions
Quality and Accountability Issues
Human Resources Leadership and Management
Leadership in a Global Society
Women and Leadership
Applied Development Analysis
Leadership in School Improvement
Policies, Politics and School Board
Practicum in School System Leadership
Technology and Leadership
Planning Programs for Adult Learners
Writing for Scholarly Publication
Catholic Social Teaching and Learning
Sustainability Leadership: An Interdisciplinary Approach
Leadership, Public Relation and Stakeholder Engagement
Financial and Legal Leadership Issues
Introduction to Servant Leadership
Toxic Leadership
Military Leadership
Followership
Quantitative Research Design and Methods
Qualitative Research Design and Methods

Research courses

Leadership Seminar II: Analysis and Application of Scholarly Literature
Research Design and Professional Inquiry
Research Design and Data Analysis
Proposal Construction

Dissertation Courses

Leadership Seminar III: Portfolio Review and Dissertation Defense
Dissertation Research
Dissertation Defense

Learning outcomes and mission goals of the program along with detailed descriptions of all courses can be found in Creighton’s course catalog.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s or equivalent professional degree from an accredited institution
Completed application (requires non-refundable $50 fee). Must include the following documents:
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Statement of purpose essay of 5-7 pages
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who have a graduate degree or a higher degree than the applicant. Recommendations should be from professionals and professors from a graduate degree program who know the applicant well and can speak to the applicant’s capabilities and suitability for a doctoral program. The letters should not come from relatives or subordinates.
- Two writing and/or research samples with at least one academic paper, preferably from the applicant’s graduate degree program, that is the candidate’s own writing (no multiple author papers)
- International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements
- International applicants who are formally admitted must complete and submit a Certification of Available Finances Form through the Global Engagement Office
Creighton University reserves the right to request GRE scores or a personal interview as part of the admissions process.