Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement
The LICI Mission
The LICI PhD program is inspired by a Christian worldview, stewardship, and service. The mission of the LICI PhD program is to prepare scholarly leaders who will bring positive and impactful change in their vocations.
The LICI Program
The LICI PhD program has a research intensive, intellectually stimulating cross-disciplinary approach (e.g. business, nursing, occupational therapy, health services, nonprofit, and education) in student makeup and collaborative projects. The 60 credit, three-year PhD program is made up of three core areas (leadership, research, improvement science and innovation) and colloquium classes. While students will be exposed to many different viewpoints throughout their journey in the program, LICI instructors and curriculum will also present issues, topics, and best practices from a Christian worldview perspective.
Program Policies
All Program policies for the LICI PhD program are located in the Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement Handbook.
Program Learning Outcomes
When you complete this doctoral program, our promise is that you will know and be able to do the following (University Global Learning Outcomes will be marked GLO#):
Christian Servant Leadership
- Graduates will define and analyze leadership theories and concepts through a Christian worldview. (GLO1)
Leaders as Stewards of God's World
- Students will create their own unique plan/vision for their vocation and serving others for the greater good of God's world. (GLO2)
Application of Improvement Science and Innovation
- Students will apply data-driven research, improvement science, and innovation to a broad spectrum of cross-disciplinary issues. (GLO3)
Critical Analytic Skills and Producer of Research
- Students will apply critical analytic skills and creative problem solving strategies to their research. (GLO4)
Effective Communication
- Students will compose original written work demonstrating professional communication skills. (GLO5)
Research Methodology
- Graduates will apply qualitative, quantitative, action, and other research methodology and strategies in the analysis of data. (GLO6)
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDG 9000 | Advanced Leadership Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EDG 9010 | Exemplary Leadership Case Studies | 3 |
| EDG 9020 | Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership | 3 |
| EDG 9030 | Servant and Ethical Leadership | 3 |
| EDG 9040 | Intro to Doctoral Program and Research Methods | 3 |
| EDG 9050 | Quantitative Research Seminar | 3 |
| EDG 9060 | Qualitative Research Seminar | 3 |
| EDG 9070 | Advanced Research and Statistics | 3 |
| EDG 9180 | Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change | 3 |
| EDG 9190 | Innovation and Design Thinking | 3 |
| EDG 9200 | Six Sigma Applications | 3 |
| EDG 9210 | Lean Systems Analysis | 3 |
| EDG 9080 | Research Seminar 1 | 1 |
| EDG 9345 | Dissertation Research Seminars | 10 |
| EDG 9350 | Dissertation | 1 |
| EDG 9305 | The Christian Leader Journey Colloquium | 3 |
| EDG 9315 | 360 Thinking and Analysis Colloquium: Thinking Critically about Research | 3 |
| EDG 9325 | Education and Learning Colloquium | 3 |
| EDG 9335 | Psychology and Human Behavior Colloquium | 3 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
PhD Admission Process
- Online application; see the Concordia University application web page for more information.
- Official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution or institutions that awarded the your master’s degree and any post-master’s credits
- Letter of Intent (no more than two pages) providing evidence for consideration to be admitted to the LICI PhD program. The Letter of Intent should focus on leadership, innovation and continuous improvement as well as reasons for choosing CU and one’s commitment to degree completion.
- Example of scholarly writing from graduate-level courses or other work
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation from professional sources.
- Students may be asked to schedule an interview with the LICI admissions sub-committee.
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| EDG 9040 | Intro to Doctoral Program and Research Methods | 3 |
| EDG 9000 | Advanced Leadership Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EDG 9010 | Exemplary Leadership Case Studies | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| EDG 9080 | Research Seminar 1 | 1 |
| EDG 9225 | “Other Duties as Assigned” – Innovative and Essential Business Practices in School Leadership | 3 |
| EDG 9180 | Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change | 3 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| EDG 9050 | Quantitative Research Seminar | 3 |
| EDG 9345 | Dissertation Research Seminars | 1 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| EDG 9345 | Dissertation Research Seminars | 1 |
| EDG 9060 | Qualitative Research Seminar | 3 |
| EDG 9070 | Advanced Research and Statistics | 3 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| EDG 9315 | 360 Thinking and Analysis Colloquium: Thinking Critically about Research | 3 |
| EDG 9345 | Dissertation Research Seminars | 1 |
| EDG 9190 | Innovation and Design Thinking | 3 |
| EDG 9020 | Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| EDG 9345 | Dissertation Research Seminars | 1 |
| EDG 9345 | Dissertation Research Seminars | 1 |
| EDG 9200 | Six Sigma Applications | 3 |
| EDG 9030 | Servant and Ethical Leadership | 3 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| EDG 9210 | Lean Systems Analysis | 3 |
| EDG 9345 | Dissertation Research Seminars | 1 |
| EDG 9345 | Dissertation Research Seminars | 1 |
| EDG 9335 | Psychology and Human Behavior Colloquium | 3 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| EDG 9305 | The Christian Leader Journey Colloquium | 3 |
| EDG 9345 | Dissertation Research Seminars | 1 |
| EDG 9345 | Dissertation Research Seminars | 1 |
| EDG 9345 | Dissertation Research Seminars | 1 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Semester 9 | ||
| EDG 9350 | Dissertation | 1 |
| Hours | 1 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.