Organizational Leadership Doctorate in Ministry – Qualitative
What Is a Qualitative Organizational Leadership – Ministry Doctorate Program?
The qualitative Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Christian Ministry gives you the opportunity to explore foundational skills and current research trends in effectively leading ministry and church organizations. Qualitative doctoral degrees allow you to study trends and themes in organizational leadership, perform your own original research and contribute to the field of ministry leadership.
Learn to Lead With the EdD in Organizational Leadership – Emphasis in Christian Ministry
Deepen your Christian faith while pursuing academic excellence with a doctorate in Christian ministry. This program is designed specifically for aspiring and active church leaders who are interested in growing their leadership skills.
Study Ethical Leadership and Social Responsibility
You can earn your doctorate in Christian ministry online at GCU. Our intuitive learning platform is designed for optimal collaboration among learners, their peers and faculty members. Benefit from reflecting on the diverse perspectives of peers as you learn from instructors who are fully qualified experts in their fields. Progress through an intensive curriculum designed to provide foundational knowledge in biblical stewardship and practical skills for leadership roles. A total of 60 credits and a dissertation are required for completion. Most online courses are eight weeks in length.
During this rigorous academic program, learners will take many stimulating courses, including the following:
- Trends and Issues in Christian Ministry
- Practical Considerations in Christian Ministry
- Approaches to Research Design and Data Analysis
- Ethical Dilemmas and Stewardship
- Disciple Making in the Leadership Context
The coursework challenges learners to recognize and apply ethical, moral and values-based leadership principles to express aspects of the Christian worldview that affect human value and dignity. From the first course, learners begin working on the integrated dissertation process. While studying dispositions and techniques for researching and writing, learners develop a sound dissertation research topic that will guide them through the execution of original research and the development of the doctoral dissertation.
Throughout the qualitative Christian ministry doctoral program, learners receive ongoing mentorship and feedback on their dissertations to shape the overall vision of the project. In the two to three five-day residencies, which take place on campus, learners have the opportunity to network with their peers, present their progress and thoughtfully critique the work of others.
In addition, students will closely examine the following topic areas:
- The role of leadership in the disciple-making process, with a look at the interrelationship of disciples and volunteers
- The theories, theorists and theology of leadership, including change management in the ministry
- The contextualization of ministry as a means for the Church to remain relevant to the culture and community
- The opportunities and challenges facing leaders in the global environment, with a focus on the aspects of leading global and diverse workforces
Propel Your Career With Bible-Based Ministry Skills and a Christian Ministry EdD in Organizational Leadership
Emerge from this degree program with a renewed and strengthened sense of faith blended with purpose. The Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Christian Ministry (Qualitative) program prepares graduates to become stewards of the faith and to drive forward progress within churches and other Christian organizations. Some job titles that may be related to this degree may include the following:
- Director of operations
- Operations and outreach coordinator
- Director of strategic initiatives
- Director of engagement
- Director of faith-based nonprofits
Some graduates may elect to pursue opportunities in higher education.
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course introduces doctoral learners to the principle elements of research, scholarly writing, and effective argumentation. Learners are made aware of the dispositions and expectations of doctoral researchers as well as the University’s overarching values and beliefs regarding research and the responsibility of scholars to contribute new knowledge to their respective fields of study. Learners begin the process of identifying a researchable dissertation topic and are acquainted with appropriate scholarly resources that support the development of the dissertation.
Course Description
In this course, learners are introduced to the critical reading of scholarly qualitative and quantitative literature at the doctoral level. Learners also explore the concept of synthesizing the scholarly literature to identify problems and problem spaces that emerge to form a researchable topic of study. The application of scholarly argumentation from the extant literature to defend the need for a research study is discussed.
Course Description
This course examines multiple ethical frameworks, principles, and theories as they apply to the study and practice of leadership. Corporate social responsibility will be addressed from the perspective of ethical decision making. Prerequisite: RES-811.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of the theories, theorists, and theology of leadership. Change management in ministry is addressed through the lenses of these theories and theology. Prerequisite: RES-850.
Course Description
In this course, learners are introduced to key components of qualitative and quantitative research designs and the means to critically appraise the application of research designs as observed in the scholarly literature. The University's core research designs are presented. Consideration is given to the initial selection and defense of a research design to address a problem that emerged from the extant literature.
Course Description
This residency allows learners to continue developing their skills as academic researchers. Learners will have hands-on experience applying quantitative and qualitative design principals to develop the foundational elements for their potential dissertation studies. Prerequisite: RES-850, RES-825, RES-831, or RCS-831.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods employed in qualitative and quantitative research designs. Learners explore the alignment of sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods to the research topic, research questions, and research design. The course positions learners to select qualitative or quantitative designs for their dissertation studies. Prerequisite: RES-831.
Course Description
The intersection of Christian ministry and culture is the primary focus of this course. Contextualization is explored as a means for the Church to remain relevant to the culture and community in order to bring about enduring change. Prerequisite: RES-861.
Course Description
Contemporary Christian ministry faces a set of challenges that are often unique to postmodern culture. This course explores those challenges and the role of the Christian ministry leader in mitigating them. Prerequisite: RES-861.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of the impact of leadership and the effects of behaviors on the formulation and execution of strategy within an organization. Topics include the increasing importance of resilience and change in today’s global and turbulent economy. Prerequisite: RES-861 or RES-866.
Course Description
In this course, learners explore the basic components of GCU qualitative core research designs including descriptive, case study, and phenomenology. The nature of epistemological foundations and the structure of problem statements, purpose statements, research questions, data sources, collection and analysis approaches are discussed in the context of each design.
Course Description
In this course, learners differentiate the epistemological foundations and explore the data trustworthiness, research ethics, and potential for bias in descriptive, case study, and phenomenology research designs. The process of building a rationale for design choice and aligning the research questions, interview questions, problem statement, and purpose statement is addressed. Sources of qualitative data are introduced for each design, and ethical aspects of research are discussed. Prerequisite: RES-841.
Course Description
This course explores the opportunities and challenges facing leaders in the global environment. The course topics focus on aspects of leading global and diverse workforces, and on theories of leadership and leadership development in diverse and global cultures. Prerequisite: RES-861 or RES-866.
Course Description
In this residency, learners orally present and defend an expanded design of their preliminary dissertation research from RSD-851. Emphasis is placed on developing the qualitative dissertation. Prerequisite: RES-843.
Course Description
This course presents potential applications of topics in Christian ministry leadership. Learners connect these ideas to their research interests.
Course Description
In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: RES-871, RES-885, RSD-883, or RSD-884.
Course Description
In this course, learners explore qualitative data collection techniques and sources of qualitative data in the context of answering the research questions posed by a study. Consideration is given to the recognition of data saturation and the management of data. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs to prepare a written statement of data collection, and management activities. Prerequisite: RES-843.
Course Description
In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design and/or conduct independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: DIS-955.
Course Description
In this course, learners focus on the interpretation of qualitative data to produce written research findings, results, and implications. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs and apply information from this course to move ahead in the dissertation process. Prerequisite: RES-873.
Course Description
In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design and/or conduct independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: DIS-960.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.