[1] Vision
The PhD in Change Leadership at the University of Central Arkansas prepares active professionals from education, healthcare, government, and nonprofit settings to contribute to the body of knowledge in leadership studies and to enhance social change through their research and service.
[2] Mission
The PhD in Change Leadership prepares students for K-12 leadership, academic positions, and leadership roles in complex organizations found in public and nonprofit sectors. Graduates will understand their roles in conserving, expanding, and transforming the discipline of leadership studies, research methodologies, and leading toward an improved quality of life for all.
[3] Objectives
The PhD in Change Leadership is designed to provide an interdisciplinary intensive preparation for evolving school and community leaders who have a willingness to address social challenges. Within the program, students will examine considerations such as
- leadership as an evolving field of study;
- leadership for public and the collective good;
- leadership as an integrative effort across various public arenas;
- research skills necessary to consume, generate, and communicate existing and new knowledge in the field of leadership studies;
- leadership as an action that requires research, networking, and ethical and moral imperatives.
Upon completion of the program, graduates of the program should be able to
- articulate the complexities associated with leadership, the conditions under which leadership occurs and emerges, and the approaches to leadership research ranging from traditional to more contemporary theories;
- analyze communicative and change concepts, theories, and models required by leaders in the 21st century to advance organizational success and foster organizational growth;
- recognize and assess the relationships between and among leadership, community and human capabilities, and quality of life;
- conduct scholarly research that contributes to the field and practice of leadership;
- adhere to ethical standards in scholarship and leadership practice that foster collaboration, higher levels of organizational and individual performance, and social justice.
[4] Admission Requirements
Admission is limited and competitive.
To be considered for admission, applicants must
- Have completed a master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
- Submit all documents required by the UCA Graduate School, including official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
- Submit a completed application to the Change Leadership program that includes
- contact information for three references and
- responses to writing prompts.
[5] Program of Study
The PhD in Change Leadership curriculum comprises 63 semester hours of graduate credit built upon an appropriate master’s degree. These 63 hours, which can be completed as a full-time or part-time student, are distributed into the following curricular areas, each with a distinct purpose.
[5.1] Leadership Core (15 hours)
CLEI 8303 Leading and Learning
CLEI 8305 Change Leadership
CLEI 8307 Leader as an Agent of Change
CLEI 8309 Leadership and Community Collaboration
[5.2] Research Core (15 hours)
CLEI 8313 Quantitative Research 1
CLEI 8315 Qualitative Research 1
CLEI 8317 Quantitative Research 2
CLEI 8319 Qualitative Research 2
CLEI 8388 Research Methods: Scholarly Writing
[5.3] Concentration (21 hours)
The student selects one of the following concentrations.
[5.3.1] K-12 Education Leadership Concentration
In this concentration students will focus on issues of leadership in K-12 education. The concentration requires taking 21 credits from the following.
EDLP 7301 Program Planning and Evaluation
EDLP 7320 Facilities Planning and Administration
EDLP 7324 School Board Relations
EDLP 7325 School-Community Relations
EDLP 7363 Human Resource Administration
EDLP 7387 Organizational Change and Development
LEAD 8352 Advanced School Law
ITEC 6368 Technology Planning and Leadership
[5.3.2] Digital Age Curriculum and Instruction Concentration
In this concentration students focus on issues of teaching and learning in the digital age. The concentration requires taking 21 credits from the following.
EDDL 7303 Curriculum Design for Digital Age Teaching and Learning
EDDL 7312 Professional Learning in the Digital Age
EDDL 7328 Digital Age Learning Environments
EDDL 7335 Professional Learning Communities & Social Media
EDDL 7342 Digital Equity & Culturally Responsive Teaching in the Digital Age
EDDL 7362 Impact of Digital Literacy and Citizenship on Teaching & Learning
EDDL 7375 Digital Authorship & Cultivating Open Educational Resources
EDDL 7388 Redefining Roles in the Digital Age
EDDL 7390 Approaches to Digital Age Thinking & Learning
EDDL 7399 Emerging and Disruptive Technology in Learning
[5.3.3] Community Leadership and Change Concentration
In this concentration students focus on issues of leadership in the community such as government, non-profit organizations, and private business. The concentration requires taking 21 credits from the following.
LEAD 8363 Community Empowerment & Leadership Approaches
LEAD 8365 Collective Leadership and Resilient Communities
LEAD 8367 Identity & Expertise Development
LEAD 8369 Leading Organizational Change & Development
LEAD 8370 Social Entrepreneurship
LEAD 8372 Generative Leadership: Innovation & Value-Creation
[5.4] Dissertation (minimum 12 hours)
CLEI 9397 Dissertation Problem of Practice Phase 2
CLEI 9398 Dissertation Problem of Practice Phase 3
CLEI 9V99 Dissertation Problem of Practice Phase 4 (variable credit; minimum of 3 hours required)
[6] Graduate Course Links
Follow this link for CLEI course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for EDDL course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for EDLP course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for ITEC course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for LEAD course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for SLMA course descriptions: course link.