Ph.D. Organizational Leadership

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CHICAGO • ONLINE-BLENDED

Doctor of Philosophy, Organizational Leadership

Program Overview

Businesses large and small increasingly recognize the critical distinction between a manager and a leader—between someone who merely assigns tasks, and someone who paints a vision and then inspires employees to work effectively toward achieving it. Organizational leadership professionals work in both for-profit and nonprofit settings, helping to clearly define and communicate organizational objectives and strategy, ensuring that business processes are as efficient as possible, building trust and bolstering morale, and helping each employee grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to advancing an organization’s mission. Curriculum includes coursework in leadership, research, ethics, interpersonal dynamics, and a range of electives to support each student’s unique career goals—preparing graduates to apply the principles of psychology and leadership theory in a broad range of settings, to more effectively lead individuals and organizations to success.  Graduates are able to select, implement, and manage appropriate leadership methodologies to meet individual, group and organizational needs in non-profit and for-profit settings.

Chicago

This is a non-licensure, post-masters, 60 graduate semester hour, three year degree.  This post-master’s program is offered in a unique format tailored to the needs of busy working professionals. The Executive Style program incorporates a blended program.  The courses meet on ground three to four weekends (Saturday and Sunday) during a semester with enhanced on-line discussion and projects in between the on-ground sessions.  Students are enrolled in two courses per semester.

Online-Blended

Students engage in two brief residencies (roughly three and a half days each) at one of our campuses—providing an opportunity for face-to-face interaction and networking with fellow students from around the globe who bring a wealth of diverse leadership experiences and perspectives.  At the first residency, which occurs during year one of the program, students engage in focused seminars aimed at helping them formulate their dissertation topics and prepare for the research process. At the second residency which takes place in year two, students focus on completing their dissertations and associated processes. Students are required to pass a competency exam and complete a dissertation. 

Admission Requirements

Application to The Chicago School’s Organizational Leadership doctoral program is open to any person who has earned a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in psychology, the behavioral sciences, organizational discipline or other related field, and who meets other entrance requirements.

It is preferred that candidates have had three or more years of work experience prior to admissions.  The Graduate Record Examination is not required for admissions.  Students are also required to write a 500 word statement on leadership and what leadership means from both a personal and a professional perspective, as well as a statement of their research interests. Additionally, applicants will be required to submit a current Résumé/curriculum vitae, highlighting relevant work, volunteer, and research experiences.

Prior to enrolling in the program, candidates must have completed foundational courses in statistics, psychology, and organizational behavior. The Organizational Leadership program requires a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Students must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned. It is recommended that transcripts are submitted from all schools where credit was received to enhance their applications.

Based on meeting these requirements, selected candidates will be invited to interview for further consideration of their application. Please see the application for detailed instructions and information regarding application requirements.  Applications must be submitted with the $50.00 (USD) application fee in order to be evaluated.

TOEFL or IELTS, International Credentials, and International Students

TOEFL or IELTS:  If English is not the primary language, the student must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores with the application (TOEFL School Code:  7161).  International students who received a master’s degree from a regionally accredited United States institution are exempt from this requirement.  The minimum scores are : TOEFL – 550 paper based,  79 internet based; IELTS – 6.5.

ELS Educational Services, Inc.: The Chicago School is a cooperative member of ELS Educational Services, Inc. which provides intensive English language programs. Students who have successfully completed ELS course 112 may be considered for admission in lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS.

International credentials:  Applicants with international credentials must obtain and submit an official “course-by-course” evaluation through an evaluation agency such as World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators Inc (www.ece.org).  In addition to the agency evaluation, all official graduate and undergraduate transcripts must be submitted.

International students:  International students residing in the United States may not be eligible to obtain an F-1 visa and, thus, may not enroll in this online program. 

Applicant Notification

After the initial review of all application materials, and if the Admission Committee so recommends, the candidate will be invited for an interview either face to face or via electronic means (i.e., telephone, webinar, Skype) with a member of the faculty. Interviews are by invitation only and mandatory for full consideration.  Post interview, the candidate will be notified of the Admission Committee’s decision regarding his or her application. The Chicago School does not share information or provide any feedback regarding admission decisions.

If a student is offered admission and in order to secure a place in the incoming class, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $250 will be required by the deposit deadline indicated in the offer of admission. The non-refundable deposit will be applied in full toward the student’s tuition upon enrollment.

Policies

The following policies are located under Academic Policies and Procedures  : Transfer of Credit, Waiver of Courses, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Grading Scale, Grade Change Requests, Degree Completion, Degree Conferral, Minimum and Maximum Timeframe requirements, and Credit Hours per semester for Financial Aid.

Academic Development Plans

An Academic Development Plan (ADP) is initiated and created by the Department in which the student is enrolled when a student demonstrates deficiencies in competencies that interfere with academic performance, training competence, and/or professional behavior. Academic Development Plans (ADPs) do not constitute disciplinary action, but failure to complete the plan may lead to disciplinary action.

Student Learning Assessment

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TSCPP) is committed to offering the highest quality graduate and undergraduate completion programs in applied professional disciplines. In order to meet the TCSPP standard for academic quality, all programs will develop overall program competencies, learning objectives, assessment instruments, course descriptions, and course learning objectives. Each of these curriculum components must align in order for students to understand how their program will prepare them for the profession and how they will learn what TCSPP intends. 

All academic programs at TCSPP are required to develop, conduct, and report annual assessments of student learning and program effectiveness in compliance with the processes and procedures established by TCSPP.  These assessments provide reliable and valid information to monitor, maintain, and advance the quality of academic programs. 

Foundations for Scholarship and Practice 

To ensure academic preparedness, a key to success in graduate school, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology requires new students to complete the program Foundations for Scholarship and Practice (Foundations). This program reinforces the skills new students need to achieve their academic goals. Foundations is an integral part of the first term’s curriculum (first and second terms’ curriculum for the Online-Blended Programs) and all students are required to complete the program successfully and in a timely manner.  Failure to complete any element of the program can lead to academic consequences, including dismissal.

Foundations for Scholarship and Practice consists of three elements: 

1.  Academic Focus Program – Academic Focus is an online, self-paced orientation to graduate academics. Completion of these tutorials is required by Friday of the fourth week of the first term. A final  grade of “pass” is considered successful completion of this element of Foundations.

2.  Writing Assessment Process – In this component of Foundations, each student writes an essay in response to an assigned question and submits it for evaluation. Based upon the results of this assessment, , the school may waive the Academic Writing Course requirement (#3, below). Essays are due by Friday of the third week of the first term and essay submission by the given date is considered successful completion of this element of Foundations.

3.  Academic Writing Course (AWC) – This online course is taken before or during the first or second term at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. A final grade of “pass” is considered successful completion of this element. Failure to earn a final grade of “pass” may result in an Academic Development Plan or referral to the Student Affairs Committee. All students are required to take the course, unless they place out through the Writing Assessment Process. Students who place out of the Academic Writing Course may elect to take the course. Based on academic performance concerns, instructors may require AWC completion by a student by creating an Academic Development Plan.

Failure to complete any element of Foundations by the required due date may result in Academic Development Plan or referral to the Student Affairs Committee. 

Preparing for the Academic Writing Course

It is solely the responsibility of the student to make the necessary adjustments to his/her school, work and personal schedules as required for full participation in this course. The Chicago School is not responsible for ensuring that these adjustments are made. Students failing AWC must retake the course in the subsequent semester. The successful completion of AWC is a graduation requirement.

Fees associated with Foundations for Scholarship and Practice

All students incur a one-time fee for their participation in Foundations for Scholarship and Practice. See Tuition & Fees schedule for a full list of applicable course fees.

Residency Requirements (Online-Blended Students Only)

Online-Blended students are rengage in two brief residencies (roughly three and a half days each) at one of our campuses—providing an opportunity for face-to-face interaction and networking with fellow students from around the globe who bring a wealth of diverse leadership experiences and perspectives.  At the first residency, which occurs during year one of the program, students meet with their cohorts and faculty members and engage in focused seminars aimed at helping them formulate their dissertation topics and prepare for the research process. At the second residency, students focus on completing their dissertations and associated processes. Students are required to pass a competency exam and complete a dissertation.

Field Experience Requirements 

Students must have access to an organizational environment that will be available for use in research and reference for course work. 

The Program

Philosophy 

The Department of Psychology offers a Ph.D. degree in Organizational Leadership. This program examines field of psychology from an organizational leadership perspective.  It is intended to develop professionals who can apply knowledge about principles of psychology and leadership to work more effectively with specific populations.  The program includes coursework in leadership, research, ethics, interpersonal dynamics, and a range of electives to support each student’s unique career goals—preparing graduates to apply the principles of psychology and leadership theory in a broad range of settings, to more effectively lead individuals and organizations to success.  Graduates are able to select, implement, and manage appropriate leadership methodologies to meet individual, group and organizational needs in non-profit and for-profit settings. 

Program Outcomes

1. Students will assess the theoretical frameworks and scientific bases of organizational leadership appropriate at the doctoral level for a specific individual, group, or organizational situation.

2. Students will evaluate the impact of diversity and cultural issues in the field of organizational leadership.

3. Students will identify and demonstrate the ethical and professional conduct requirements governing the field of organizational leadership within an organization or location.

4. Students will apply essential leadership theory and skills to improve learning and performance in a variety of organizational populations.

Ethical and Professional Behavior 

Students are expected to engage in all graduate work, including but not limited to course work, research, and scholarship, with a high degree of integrity and professionalism. It is essential that students approach professional working relationships, collegial relationships, and client/partner-contact with respect. Further, students are expected to adhere to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct as well as the “evolving universal code of ethics” (Gauthier, 2005).  Students who choose to seek employment in the field of psychology shall not work beyond their level of competence and shall not use titles governed by credentialing statutes and/or regulations unless authorized by the relevant jurisdictional authority. Students who fail to comply with ethical and professional behavior guidelines are subject to department remediation and/or referral to the Student Affairs Committee for disciplinary action and possible dismissal.

Competency Examination/Dissertation

Study in the Organizational Leadership doctoral program culminates in completion of the competency exam and dissertation completion.

Competency Examination

At the end of year two, students are required to complete the course OL 620 Competency Examination.  This course is a measurement of the students’ mastery of the program competencies:  research, leadership, human diversity and ethics, and intervention. Upon completion of the competency exam, students may proceed toward completion of their dissertation.

More specific information is located in the Program Guidebook.

Dissertation

Completion of the dissertation is an essential aspect of Organizational Leadership students’ academic experience and professional education. It provides the school the opportunity to evaluate the student’s ability to apply Organizational Leadership theory and research and to think critically and creatively about relevant research issues in organizational leadership.

For the dissertation, an original empirical study is required and must be approved by the Institutional Review Board. The dissertation committee has a minimum of three committee members including the chair, reader, and research consultant or subject matter expert. The Chicago School has established specific milestones with measurable rubrics to evaluate successful dissertation completion.

More specific information is located in the Program Guidebook.

Program Delivery Options and Learning Format 

Online-Blended

Students engage in two brief residencies (roughly three and a half days each) at one of our campuses—providing an opportunity for face-to-face interaction and networking with fellow students from around the globe who bring a wealth of diverse leadership experiences and perspectives.  At the first residency, which occurs during year one of the program, students engage in focused seminars aimed at helping them formulate their dissertation topics and prepare for the research process. At the second residency, students focus on completing their dissertations and associated processes.

Chicago

Students will meet face-to-face at each residency one weekend a month (Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.) for class. Additional coursework will occur through an online format during the weeks between face-to-face meetings.