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.
DEGREE OVERVIEW
46 Credit Hours
4 Core Courses
9 Elective Credits
3 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.