Doctor of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership
Degree Focus
The Doctor of Professional Studies (DPS) in Organizational Leadership program is designed for students with career aspirations in applying the principles of leadership and human performance in organizations to improve organizational operations and strategic execution. The DPS in Organizational Leadership degree focuses on applied workforce outcomes, including leadership and applied research skills, developed through theory and practice, authentic assessment, and experiential learning rooted in organizational psychology.
Licensure and Certification Terms and Conditions: Successful completion of this program by itself does not lead to licensure or certification in any state, regardless of concentration or specialization. Students seeking licensure or certification in a particular profession are strongly encouraged to carefully research the requirements prior to enrollment. Requirements may vary by state. The University of Arizona Global Campus does not guarantee that any professional organization will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the DPS in Organizational Leadership program will be able to:
- Conduct self-directed, evidence-based applied research that addresses practical problems across various professional contexts, using appropriate theoretical models, methodologies, and ethical protocols;
- Develop strategies that promote responsive practices in communities and organizational systems, recognizing the influence of social, cultural, and systemic dynamics;
- Integrate interdisciplinary knowledge to create sustainable solutions for enhancing leadership, human development, individual and team performance, learning systems, and community well-being in complex organizational contexts;
- Communicate effectively using multiple modalities, supporting transformative change through professional engagement, collaboration, and leadership;
- Apply ethical policies, frameworks, and standards to guide responsible scholarly inquiry, digital literacy, personal integrity, and professional practice; and
- Incorporate iterative feedback to enhance personal and professional growth, leadership effectiveness, and scholarly development through metacognitive practices.
Program-Specific Requirements
Major Courses (18 credits)
- *^DOC 700 Essentials of Advanced Scholarship (3 credits)
- PSY 711 Psychology of Leadership (3 credits)
- ORG 710 Advanced Seminar: Leadership and Management (3 credits)
- ORG 720 Professional Ethics for Organizational Leadership (3 credits)
- ORG 730 Leadership and Organizational Culture (3 credits)
- ORG 740 Advanced Seminar: Leading Organizational Change (3 credits)
Research Fundamentals Courses (9 credits)
- ^RES 705 Foundations of Applied Research (3 credits)
- RES 710 Applied Quantitative Research (3 credits) Prerequisite: RES 705
- RES 715 Applied Qualitative Research (3 credits) Prerequisite: RES 710
Applied Doctoral Project Courses (21 credits)
- ^RES 720 ADP I: Problems of Practice (3 credits)
- ^RES 730 ADP II: Building on Prior Evidence (3 credits) Prerequisite: RES 720
- ^RES 740 ADP III: Project Approach (3 credits) Prerequisite: RES 730
- ^RES 750 ADP IV: Inquiry Investigation (3 credits) Prerequisite: RES 740
- ^RES 760 ADP V: Interpreting Results (3 credits) Prerequisite: RES 750
- ^RES 770 ADP VI: Applying Findings (3 credits) Prerequisite: RES 760
- ^RES 780 ADP VII: Project Outcomes (3 credits) Prerequisite: RES 770
*Must be taken as the student’s first course in the program, may not be transferred in.
^This course has a synchronous component.
Specializations (12 credits)*
Education Innovation Leadership
- EDU 710 Leadership in Practice: Case Studies in Educational Organizations (3 credits)
- EDU 720 Leadership Inquiry and Action Research in Educational Contexts (3 credits)
- EDU 730 Governance and Politics of Education (3 credits)
- EDU 740 Change in People, Society, Bureaucracies and Institutions (3 credits)
Human Services Leadership
- HUM 710 Performance and Quality Management (3 credits)
- HUM 720 Financial and Grant Management (3 credits)
- HUM 730 Program Review and Evaluation (3 credits)
- HUM 740 Organizational Operations and Human Services Administration (3 credits)
Organizational Effectiveness
- ORG 750 Advanced Seminar: Human Resources Business Strategy (3 credits)
- ORG 760 Advanced Topics in Performance Management (3 credits)
- ORG 770 Advanced Seminar: The Leader as Coach (3 credits)
- ORG 780 Strategic Talent Development (3 credits)
Performance Psychology Leadership
- PSY 703 Advanced Performance Management I: Core Mind-Body Practices (3 credits)
- PSY 704 Advanced Group Dynamics in Performance Settings (3 credits)
- PSY 705 Advanced Performance Management III: The Psychology of Peak Experience (3 credits)
- PSY 706 Advanced Consulting Skills for Performance Optimization (3 credits)
*Specialization courses will be taken after successful completion of ORG 740.
Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for the Doctor of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership, a student must successfully complete the following:
- The approved program consisting of 60 credits;
- Applied Doctoral Project requirements; and
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.30 in all coursework attempted at the University.
The degree will be noted on the transcript as a Doctor of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership with specialization as applicable.
Note: The date of degree conferral recorded on the student’s transcript and diploma will reflect the end of the term in which the student completes all degree requirements. However, release of diplomas, and verifications for degrees awarded are contingent upon submission of an electronic version of the Applied Doctoral Project for binding, the Petition to Graduate form, payment of the graduation fee, and payment of any outstanding balances with the University.