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Up to 9 doctoral credits
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Doctoral)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. Applicants with a GPA less than 3.4 may be accepted with specifications.
** Degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. Applicants with a GPA between 3.0 - 3.39 may be accepted with specifications. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will not be accepted.
Emerge from this advanced degree program with a renewed and strengthened sense of faith blended with purpose. This qualitative program helps prepare graduates to become stewards of faith and to drive forward progress within faith-based settings.
Upon graduation, you may choose to pursue roles that may enable you to make a positive impact on ministerial organizations through competent, principled leadership. Prepare to lead others with integrity as you nurture the Christian worldview.
The coursework will challenge you to recognize and apply ethical, moral and faith-integrated leadership principles to express aspects of the Christian worldview that affect human values and dignity. From the first course, you will begin working on the integrated dissertation process.Â
During this doctoral degree program, you will be guided to refine a range of widely applicable soft skills, including the following:
Critical thinking
Ethical decision making
Self-motivation
Research and analysis
Analytical reasoning
Resilience and adaptability to change
Communication and collaboration
A servant leader mindset
Throughout the Christian ministry leadership courses, you will receive ongoing feedback on your dissertation, fostering moral leadership and a commitment to civic responsibility to help shape the overall vision of your project. During the in-person residencies, you will engage in networking with peers, present your progress and provide thoughtful critiques of their work.
While diving into dispositions and techniques for researching and writing, you will be expected to develop a sound dissertation research topic that will guide you through the execution of original research and the development of the doctoral dissertation. You will be required to actively engage with other scholars' input while conducting independent research under the guidance of your dissertation committee.
In addition, you will closely examine the following topic areas:
Some questions may occur to you as you reflect upon your intended career path and advanced degree options. GCU has compiled the following frequently asked questions and answers to guide your decision-making process.
You might find an online doctorate in organizational leadership to be valuable. An online doctorate in organizational leadership can offer significant value. This program offers the chance to deeply explore leadership competencies and techniques, refine your own leadership style and apply theoretical insights to everyday situations. Through conducting original research, you can also contribute to the field. If you’re eager to enhance your leadership skills and confidence, pursuing an EdD in Organizational Leadership can be worth it for you.
This doctoral degree is a terminal degree aimed at helping you enhance your effectiveness as a leader. It can equip you to navigate a complex landscape while encouraging team members to achieve their full potential. An EdD degree that focuses on Christian ministry leadership is designed to challenge current and aspiring Christian leaders to refine their ministerial leadership style and lead faith-based organizations with integrity and in accordance with biblical principles.
Both an EdD and a PhD in organizational leadership for faith-based settings will focus on topics of relevance to current and aspiring Christian leaders. However, they aren’t quite the same degree. The PhD focuses predominantly on theoretical research, making it ideal for those who aspire to pursue careers in academia or other scholarly settings. The EdD, on the other hand, is designed for practitioners who are interested in leadership roles outside of academia, in which they can apply theoretical knowledge to everyday situations.1
Enroll in GCU's doctoral degree with an emphasis on Christian ministry and prepare to lead with faith and integrity.
You can earn your doctorate online at GCU with the exception of your residency courses that must be done in person. Our intuitive learning platform fosters optimal collaboration among learners, peers and faculty. Engage with diverse perspectives from peers while learning from instructors who are experienced in their fields. Navigate through a focused curriculum that builds foundational knowledge in biblical stewardship and practical leadership skills.
Deepen your Christian faith while pursuing academic excellence with a faith-based doctorate. This program, offered by the College of Doctoral Studies, is designed specifically for aspiring and active church leaders who are interested in growing their leadership skills and making an original research-based contribution to the field. You will examine not only theory but also the potential applications of various course topics to modern issues within biblical ministry settings. Knowledgeable professors will encourage you to reflect critically upon what it means to be a biblically principled leader and how to make a positive impact on your community within a ministerial context.
§ MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-July2025: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in July 2025. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarship or awards and only applies to online and evening programs. Please speak to a university counselor for complete details.
1 OnlineEdDPrograms.com. (2023, Feb. 1). Question: What is an EdD in Organizational Leadership? Retrieved July 18, 2024.Â
At GCU, we’re proud to be an institutionally accredited university that prioritizes the quality of our Christian education. With degree programs rooted in the Christian faith, GCU strives to graduate the next generation of faith-centered leaders. In addition, the Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Doctoral Studies shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership: Christian Ministry at Grand Canyon University offers a qualitative approach to exploring foundational skills and current research in leading ministry and church organizations. This doctoral program allows you to study trends in organizational leadership, conduct original research and contribute to the field of ministry leadership. At our private Christian university, you'll engage in qualitative data collection, analysis and reflection, alongside opportunities to deepen your relationship with God.
To learn more about time to completion and the dissertation process at GCU, visit our doctoral page.Â
