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Doctor of Leadership (DLd) in the Global Marketplace

Purpose

The Doctor of Leadership (DLd) degree is a professional doctorate in the practice and theory of global leadership. It is designed for educated, experienced Christian leaders who recognize their need to develop transmissible projects in unconventional ministry contexts. The Doctor of Leadership program at Portland Seminary is distinctive from other leadership doctorates in that its primary focus is on the practice of leadership from a Christ-centered, globally-minded, and theologically-informed perspective.

Degree Outcomes

Graduates of the Doctor of Leadership in the Global Marketplace track will:

  1. Formulate a Christ-centered marketplace leadership philosophy and practice that is globally and theologically informed.
  2. Become innovative, visionary leaders who conduct themselves with integrity and respect in the spirit of excellence.
  3. Gain skills and competencies in applied doctoral research.
  4. Construct a doctoral-level project that expresses the skill of global marketplace leadership.

Graduates serve in roles such as pastors in small towns, pastors of megachurches, mission pastors, international senior pastors, and leaders of NGOs, charities, or educational institutions.

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the Doctor of Leadership degree tracks must hold a master's degree in a relevant area (humanities, social sciences, or theology/ministry) from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or possession of a competitive grade point average as reflected in one’s transcripts). Master’s degree relevance is evaluated on the basis of the program theme and the student’s leadership context. In addition, applicants must complete the following to be considered for admission to the program: 

  • Completion of the DLd application form and payment of application fee. 
  • Submission of one official transcript from each college, seminary, or university attended. 
  • Curriculum vitae or resumé. 
  • Documentation of full-time participation in at least three years of leadership experience. 
  • Three letters of reference (as specified in admissions materials). 
  • Articulation of the scope and character of one’s current leadership context. 
  • Evidence of the capacity for an advanced level of competence and critical thinking in the practice of leadership beyond that of the master's level and possession of writing skills sufficient to excel in an ATS-accredited professional doctorate program. 
  • Statement of faith. 
  • An academic writing sample. 
  • An entrance interview with the director of the Doctoral program (by invitation only). 
Non-native English speakers must submit a TOEFL score of 80 (Internet-based) or IELTS 6.5 and complete the Declaration of Finance. For more information, international applicants can reference the International Graduate Admissions page.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit from another doctoral program may be allowed up to a maximum of 18 semester hours. Transferability of credits earned at this institution and transferred to another is at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Residence Requirements

All work leading to the Doctor of Leadership must be completed within seven years from the time of matriculation. Extension of this limit requires the approval of the director. Program extension requests must be received before the conclusion of the sixth year. Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the degree.

Because of the cohort model used for this DLd program, students must maintain full attendance throughout each module experience. However, a student in good standing who must interrupt his or her studies for compelling reasons may petition the director for a leave of absence of not more than one year. Students who discontinue enrollment without an official leave of absence will be withdrawn and required to apply for readmission.

Course Requirements

The Doctor of Leadership in the Global Marketplace program requires three years and the completion of 36 semester hours of coursework as a minimum for graduation. A maximum of 16 semester hours of coursework may be completed during one calendar year unless a student takes an approved leave of absence or works out an alternative plan with the director. 

The six-course project research sequence is completed over three years. Of the total hours required for the degree, 16 hours are in prescribed program-themed 'taught' courses and 20 hours in the doctoral project research and design sequence. 

The program also requires participation in three ‘advance’ face-to-face intensives. A fee is attached to the ‘taught’ course offered that semester. Most meals, lodging, and ground transportation to assigned tours are included in that fee. All transportation costs round trip from the country of origin and back from the visiting country are the responsibility of the student.

Doctoral Project

The Jakes Divinity School (JDS) doctoral program includes the design and completion of an applied doctoral project. The project addresses a challenge in the student’s professional context.  As such, the goal is to apply theological research skills to a significant and real-world need, problem, or opportunity (NPO) in the student’s professional context.

The program uses a 3-year, qualitative approach combining bibliographic and field research to explore the NPO and create an effective solution or response. Students will not only address a current challenge in a professional setting but will also gain skills for addressing challenges after graduation.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate with the Doctor of Leadership degree students must:

  • Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 36 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Achieve no grade lower than a B- in all core courses. If a grade of a C+ or lower is received in a designated course, that course must be retaken (for more specific information, please refer to the student handbook).
  • Fully participate in all face-to-face intensives.
  • Oral presentation of the doctoral project.
  • Successfully defended the doctoral project.
  • Be recommended by Portland Seminary faculty and Jakes Divinity School for graduation from ×îÐÂÂ鶹ÊÓƵ.

Curriculum Plan

Complete the following:
This course will explore cross-cultural leadership by examining organizations and communities that operate from a global perspective. It will investigate an organization’s influence in the global community. Additional course fees may be required.
This course will assess leadership profiles of select historical and contemporary African and African American leaders. It will highlight their philosophy of leadership, their influence and accountability, and their leadership impact on their followers. Additional course fees may be required.
This course will explore leadership theory and practice to develop a deeper understanding of self and vocation that is consistent with one’s personality, values, and mission. Additional course fees may be required.
Looking more closely at TD Jakes’ approach to entrepreneurship, this course will examine the practice of Christian leadership in the global marketplace, integrating business, management, finance, and faith principles. Additional course fees may be required.
Complete the following:
This course introduces research tools and library resources; develops academic writing skills and orients students to the overall doctoral research process. Students identify an initial Need / Problem / Opportunity (NPO), begin developing a working bibliography relevant to their research using library resources, and write a sample paper for critique and revision by the course instructor. Students occasionally meet with the course instructor in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.
This course serves as the primary opportunity for students to articulate, develop, and refine their project Need / Problem / Opportunity (NPO). Following the approval of a semester research plan, students will engage in bibliographic and field research in order to present and analyze the foundational nature of the NPO in their context. This will constitute section one of the Project Proposal: Defining the NPO. Students meet with the Faculty Advisor and Peer Group three times in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.
This course enables students to research, explore, and synthesize the biblical and theological foundations relevant to their Project Need / Problem / Opportunity (NPO) topic. Students prepare a semester research plan for Faculty Advisor approval. Based on the student’s developing working bibliography, the main essay for this course will enable students to explore the NPO biblical and theological perspective. By the end of this course, students will also succinctly describe their NPO history and context and identify the artifact they will produce for their Doctoral Project. These elements will constitute section two of the Project Proposal. Students meet with the Faculty Advisor and Peer Group three times in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.
In this course, students will identify and consult with a Project Design Consultant (PDC) of their own choosing to assist with developing an appropriate design, including its scope and standards, for the Doctoral Project that addresses their ministry or vocational Need / Problem / Opportunity (NPO). Students prepare a semester research plan for Faculty Advisor approval. Next, students will also create a rough prototype of the proposed Doctoral Project to gain input from stakeholders in their ministry or vocational context. This work is documented in section three of the Proposal. The Proposal also Doctoral Project parameters (scope and standards), audience, outcomes, and benchmarks for assessing effectiveness. Students prepare a draft final Proposal for Faculty Advisor approval and make a formal Presentation to the cohort and advisors. Students must obtain formal approval from their Faculty Advisor before beginning work on their formal Doctoral Project. Students meet with the Faculty Advisor and Peer Group three times in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.
Complete the following:
In this course, based on their approved Doctoral Project Proposal, students will develop their Doctoral Project according to the design standards for the chosen medium. By the end of this course, students will make substantial progress in creating the Project, articulate a plan for continued development of the Project after graduation, and craft an introduction to the Doctoral Project. Students demonstrate progress by submitting a Project Progress Report. Students meet with the Faculty Advisor and Peer Group three times in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.
A final research course in which students submit their Doctoral Project and Launch Plan for oral examination by their Doctoral Committee. Once approved and the remaining edits accomplished, students submit the completed Doctoral Project to be reviewed by the Doctoral Editor and archived in the University Digital Commons. Pass / No Pass.
To maintain enrollment until the doctoral project is complete. Pass/No Pass.

Students must maintain continuous enrollment in the doctoral project continuation until completion. DLDR 965 is required for students who do not finish their doctoral research within the minimum 4 hours. DLDR 965 is repeatable each fall and spring semester until the Doctoral Project is finished and approved.