Leadership and Decision-Making Doctoral Program (PhD)
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The multidisciplinary Leadership and Decision-Making Doctoral Program (PhD) is designed to equip participants with an understanding of the relationship that learning plays in the leadership process; develop reflective practitioners in a variety of organizations; and focus on the interwoven nature of leadership, decision-making, and learning; emphasizing the proficiency that individuals will need as they pursue the challenges of organizational change.
The Leadership and Decision-Making curriculum is work/experience embedded, meaning that everyone pursuing the degree is typically actively working and engaged in a professional practice of some type. The PhD is designed primarily for professionals who are passionate about applying theory to practice and creating new/improved knowledge related to the professional practice. Participants will demonstrate competency in the following program domains: Leadership and Learning, Research and Measurement, Organizational Effectiveness and Innovation, Decision-Making, and Communication.
Each participant is required to successfully complete a one-credit hour foundational course during the initial Summer semester. Following successful completion of the foundational course, each participant is required to enroll in a sequence of core courses (6 credit hours per semester) year round (Fall, Spring, and Summer) until the core is completed. All required courses are offered via hybrid delivery (face-to-face and Virtual Classroom). Core courses include 4-6 face-to-face meetings per course per semester (on the UT-Chattanooga campus on weekends) and material work in the Virtual Classroom (online) through discussions and readings. Once the core program has been completed, each participant works to complete elective requirements, the Comprehensive Assessment, Pre-Dissertation Seminar, and Dissertation research. The PhD Dissertation focuses on research that applies to the candidate’s professional practice and demonstrates ways this new knowledge can contribute to the field and literature.