DOCTOR OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
The Doctorate of Christian Leadership (DCL) is a terminal professional degree designed for leaders serving in ministry, nonprofit organizations, Christian education, and other faith-based leadership roles. The DCL provides advanced training in biblically grounded, theologically informed leadership, equipping students to guide organizations with wisdom, integrity, and strategic vision.
See a full description of this degree along with FAQs here. For questions and more information, contact the DCL program director, Dr. Andy Burggraff.
CREDIT HOURS
Core Courses
ELECTIVE CREDITS
YEARS TO COMPLETE
CORE CURRICULUM
| Doctoral Preparation | 0 |
| Christian Leader as Learner | 4 |
| Christian Leader as Servant | 4 |
| Christian Leader as Communicator | 4 |
| Christian Leader as Administrator | 4 |
| Dissertation Preparation | 3 |
| Dissertation/Research Project I | 3 |
| Dissertation/Research Project II | 3 |
| Total DCL Core Credits | 25 |
PROGRAM BY YEAR & SEMESTER
| FALL SEMESTER | SPRING SEMESTER | |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | Hermeneutics | Systematic Theology 2 |
| Systematic Theology 3 | Systematic Theology 4 | |
| YEAR 1 | Doctoral Preparation | *Christian Leader as Communicator OR *Christian Leader as Administator |
| *Christian Leader as Learner OR *Christian Leader as Servant |
||
| Concentration Course | Concentration Course | |
| YEAR 2 | *Christian Leader as Learner OR *Christian Leader as Servant | *Christian Leader as Communicator OR *Christian Leader as Administator |
| Concentration Course | Dissertation Preparation (offered in winter semester) | |
| YEAR 3 | Dissertation/Research Project I | Dissertation/Research Project II |
*Depending on the year the student begins, he or she will take one or the other course.
The 4 prerequisite courses can be taken prior to or during the student’s first two years.
No time is better than the present to apply!