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Welcome to Capella
Select your program and we'll help guide you through important information as you prepare for the application process.
Classes Start September 14th
Ready to get started? We’re ready for you. Chat with an enrollment counselor or apply now to take the first step on the journey toward your future.
We’ve decided to waive all application fees until further notice.
What you’ll learn
Gain perspective
Evaluate the historical and theoretical bases of leadership through a multidisciplinary lens to develop leadership perspectives.
Develop your views
Develop a personal view of leadership with an emphasis on connections to others in the organization and community.
Study new worldviews
Study how mechanistic and living systems worldviews affect a leader’s perspective of the organization and decisions.
Think innovatively
Use multiple ways of thinking, including creative thinking, reflective thinking, and systems thinking, to make decisions.
Stay ahead of trends
Study literature and emerging trends in advancing leadership theory or practice.
Be a research master
Master academic research, writing, and critical-thinking skills.
Our unique doctoral structure
Our PhD in Business Management, Leadership program is designed to remove roadblocks for you and demystify the dissertation process. This unique approach centers on supporting you in three ways: through program structure, a dedicated faculty and support team, and online resources. To help generate momentum toward graduation, you’ll begin your dissertation early in the program. Our faculty, support team, and online resources will help guide you every step of the way.
PhD in Business Management, Leadership program features
Our program offers additional benefits you might be interested in.
$5,000 quarterly tuition maximum
Maximize your courseload–take six or more credits per quarter and pay just $5,000*.
A flexible courseload
Capella’s online learning model offers you the ability to take one to three courses per quarter, giving you more schedule control.
*Cost of each residency is included in the $5,000 quarterly tuition maximum; travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses are not included. Books, supplies, and other fees may apply. Tuition subject to change.
Cost & learning format
Online education isn’t one-size-fits-all. We know you’re busy—you need a learning experience tailored to your life, not the other way around. Capella has learning and tuition formats to suit you, however you learn.
A more structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1-3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$965 per credit $5K Quarterly Tuition Max,
90 total quarter credits,
12 max transfer credits
Get the details
Speak with an enrollment counselor to get a personalized cost estimate for what you can expect to pay.
Ways to save
At Capella, we believe your education is an investment in your future. It’s also an investment within your grasp. Your goals are achievable—there are more ways to save than you might think.
Employer & association discounts
If your employer or organization is a partner with Capella, you may be eligible for a tuition discount.
$5K toward your doctorate
Apply for a $5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree.
Accredited & recognized
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide the assurance we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all of our accreditations and recognitions.
PhD in Business sample courses
The online PhD in Business Management, Leadership curriculum centers around leadership, research, strategy, technology, and ethics. The program includes dissertation research seminars which allow you to get an early start on your dissertation.
| BMGT8610 |
Leadership Theory and Practice in a Global Environment
Learners in this course evaluate leadership theories and practices in diverse cultures from a historical and theoretical basis using a multi-disciplinary lens. Learners also develop expanded leadership perspectives and practices, enabling them to assure the viability of their organizations in a dynamic global business environment. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| BMGT8612 |
Leadership as Personal Practice
Learners in this course focus on analyzing scholarly literature and emerging research trends in relational leadership. The course also emphasizes theories and models of leadership, which support a shift from hierarchical leadership to inclusive and collaborative leadership. Finally, learners assess personal barriers and facilitators to inclusionary leadership and apply theories and models to personal practice. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| BMGT8614 |
Leading the Organizational System
In this course, learners explore leadership practice in complex and dynamic environments. Learners use systems thinking and organizational theory to analyze leadership practice within the framework of organizational systems and evaluate the role of systems thinking in organizations to develop innovation in complex environments. Finally, learners apply these concepts to leadership practice. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| BMGT8616 |
Leading Dynamic Systems with Multi-Dimensional Thinking
Learners in this course synthesize multiple ways of thinking to support effective leadership decision making. By integrating critical, creative, reflective, systems, and statistical thinking, learners develop leadership qualities that allow them to apply their insights to current models and perspectives in order to envision a future with improved organizational patterns and outcomes. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
Leadership insights
PhD in Business Management vs. Doctor of Business Administration
Two doctoral programs focused on business. What are the differences, and which one is right for you?
PhD in Leadership professional paths
Here are just some of the career options you could explore with our online leadership doctoral degree.
Related job titles to explore*
- Adjunct or part-time business faculty
- Full-time business faculty
- Dean or associate dean of a business program
- Research director
- Business researcher
- Consultant
- Leadership development manager/director
- Executive-level management
- Chief executive officer (CEO)
- Chief learning officer (CLO)
- Talent development manager/director
Employment settings to explore
- Land-based or online college or university
- Non-governmental organization
- Community college
- Consulting firm
- Corporation
- Health care organization
- Nonprofit organization
- Public and private education
- Manufacturing
- Insurance firm
- Small business
- Government—local, state, federal
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
Other programs to explore
Is this program close to what you need, but maybe not a perfect fit? The programs below might be interesting. Check them out to find one that suits your academic and professional goals.