By The Education Magazine | February 24, 2026
The University of Lynchburg has reached a historic milestone: the launch of its very first Doctor of Philosophy degree.
The new PhD in Leadership Studies is now open for applications, with the inaugural cohort scheduled to begin in Summer 2026.
Offered entirely online, the program is built for working professionals across the U.S. and beyond who are ready to move from practicing leadership to researching and shaping it.
Five Concentrations, One Flexible Degree
Students can tailor the PhD around their career goals by choosing from five concentration areas: interdisciplinary leadership, education, healthcare, nonprofit, and sports administration.
The range reflects a clear message from Lynchburg leadership: challenges don’t stay in one lane, and neither should doctoral research.
Leading the program is Dr. Mac Duis, who also serves as program director for the university’s Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies. Duis was central to developing the PhD, driven by a vision to produce the next generation of leadership scholars.
According to the University of Lynchburg, the program is designed for students “driven not only to lead effectively, but to advance the study of leadership itself by producing research that can influence practice, policy, and outcomes across sectors.”
Why the University of Lynchburg’s PhD Program Launch Is Significant
Regional universities across the U.S. are expanding graduate offerings to keep pace with rising demand for advanced leadership credentials.
Lynchburg’s move is well-timed. As reported by U.S. News & World Report, approximately 1,850 online graduate programs were evaluated in this year’s rankings, indicating the swift growth of the online doctoral market in response to professional demand. For professionals in leadership-focused fields, a PhD is increasingly opening doors that other credentials cannot.
Organizations in healthcare, education, government, and corporate sectors are actively seeking leaders with both executive experience and research depth, a shift well documented among the most influential educational leaders in the United States.
The fully online format removes the biggest barrier for most prospective doctoral students, geography and scheduling, without compromising academic rigor.
A Research Doctorate, Not Just a Professional One
This is where the PhD stands apart from Lynchburg’s existing EdD and Doctor of Executive Leadership programs.
Where professional doctorates focus on applying knowledge, the PhD is built around creating it. Graduates will be equipped to contribute original research across academic, policy, and think-tank environments.
The curriculum spans interdisciplinary leadership theory, organizational strategy, research methodology, and dissertation work a traditional PhD structure with a real-world leadership lens.
Completing a Full Leadership Ecosystem
The PhD is the latest addition to what Lynchburg calls its leadership degree ecosystem, which already includes a Build-Your-Own MEd, a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership, an EdD in Leadership Studies, a Doctor of Executive Leadership, and a Doctor of Medical Science.
The PhD fills the one gap that remained in a research-first doctoral pathway for professionals pursuing academic careers or scholarly impact.
How to Apply
For working professionals ready to research and shape the future of leadership, the University of Lynchburg’s PhD program launch creates a direct and flexible path to doctoral education.
The Summer 2026 applications are open now. Interested scholars can contact the Office of Graduate Success at gradsuccess@lynchburg.edu. or visit the university’s graduate programs page for full details.
FAQs
- Is the PhD in Leadership Studies different from the EdD?
Yes. The EdD focuses on applying existing knowledge to professional practice, while the PhD is research-centered, designed for those who want to generate new knowledge and contribute original scholarship to the field of leadership.
- Can I complete the PhD while working full-time?
Yes. The program is delivered 100% online and is specifically structured for working professionals, allowing students to pursue doctoral research without relocating or taking a career break.
