Ph.D./D.B.A. in Values‐Driven Leadership FAQ's

Benedictine University’s Ph.D./D.B.A. program is the first scholar-practitioner program in the world focusing explicitly on values-driven leadership – that is, the theory and practice of leading profitable, sustainable, and responsible companies in today’s global economy. The program equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to lead effectively at four levels: personally, interpersonally, organizationally, and strategically at the intersection of business and society.

Other key features include:

1. Learning from global thought leaders who come to teach side-by-side with Benedictine’s core faculty.
2. Traveling to different parts of the world to engage in high-quality learning exchanges with top scholars and executives from other countries and cultures.
3. Participating with Benedictine faculty and a global network of scholars in leading-edge research initiatives focused on leadership, sustainability, and organizational change.
4. Engaging in the classroom with an exceptional group of peers  (experienced executives like yourself who share a passion for values-driven leadership).
5. Choosing one of two degrees: a Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy) or a D.B.A. (doctor of business administration) .
6. Engaging coursework that integrates the fields of business; leadership and organizational change; and social, ethical and environmental responsibility.
7. Attending classes on a schedule convenient for senior leaders working full-time and for those who commute from outside the Chicago area (once a month on weekends, plus an annual 8-day intensive).

A Ph.D. degree concludes with a scholarly dissertation based on original research. A D.B.A. degree concludes with an applied dissertation (similar to a thorough case study) based on the design and implementation of a significant change initiative.

Our primary target audience is senior business leaders with track records of success and a desire to lead profitable, sustainable, high-integrity companies with excellence. This includes CEOs, chief officers and their direct reports, presidents and vice presidents, and heads of business groups. Professionals at the director and manager levels (or equivalent) are also encouraged to apply.

Our goal is to create a diverse cohort of highly qualified students. We consider quality and quantity of relevant work experience, emphasizing positions of major responsibility. Each application is considered on a case by case basis.

When designing the Ph.D./D.B.A. Program in Values-Driven Leadership, we conducted extensive research into 75 other programs focused on leadership, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and organizational change. We evaluated them in terms of:

1. Curriculum (is it exceptionally high-quality?; does it focus on leading sustainable companies in today’s global economy?; does it equip people to lead at four levels: personally, interpersonally, organizationally, and strategically?)
2. Length of program
3. Degree type (Ph.D., D.B.A., Ed.D., etc.)
4. Target audience (i.e. senior leaders)
5. Format: cohort or non-cohort
6. When and where classes meet
7. Scholar-practitioner vs. traditional program
8. Use of visiting global thought leaders (scholars and executives)
9. Number and quality of global exchanges
10. Ability for students to be involved with faculty in leading-edge research initiatives

We found no other program that incorporates all of these features into the unique and powerful combination offered by our Ph.D./D.B.A. Program in Values-Driven Leadership.

There are a number of outstanding traditional Ph.D. programs in leadership, corporate responsibility, and corporate sustainability, but these programs are not targeted to senior leaders, and they require people to leave their jobs and become full-time students.

There are a number of excellent Ed.D. programs in leadership, but these focus primarily on leadership in higher education.

There are a number of high-quality Ph.D. programs in leadership for working professionals, but none of these are targeted specifically at senior leaders; offer both a Ph.D. and D.B.A. track; focus on strategic leadership at the forefront of business and society; or offer the same quality of global exchanges, research opportunities, and access to thought leaders from around the world. We believe we hold a strong competitive position in comparison to other Ph.D. and D.B.A. programs in leadership, sustainability, and organizational change.

You can hear about the program from cohort members at any time by watching cohort videos on our YouTube channel. A playlist featuring nearly a dozen 1-minute videos, all interviews with cohort 1 members, can be found here: 

We certainly understand the desire to sit in on a class. We get requests like yours all the time. Unfortunately, precisely because of this strong interest in the program, we've had to establish a strict policy against visitors sitting in. Even one visitor can create unexpected dynamics that disrupt the spirited cohort-based learning environment, and our tuition-paying students have asked us not to do that.

If in the end you do decide to apply for the program, we’ll be happy to put you in contact with some of our current students who can give you a first-hand account of the classroom experience. 

Bios of some of our distinguished visiting scholars can be found at this link. Our guests have included:

• Dr. Robert Audi, Professor of Management and John A. O'Brien Professsor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame;
• Dr. Bruce Buchowicz, Professor and Department Chair of Leadership and Human Resource Management, School of Business and Management, National University in LaJolla, California;
• Dr. Kim Cameron, Professor of Management and Organizations, University of Michigan;
• Dr. John Ehrenfeld, retired Executive Director of the International Society for Industrial Ecology;
• Dr. Jeffrey Ford, Professor of Management in the Max M. Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University;
• Dr. Ron Fry, Professor and Department Chair, Organizational Behavior, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University;  
• Dr. Stuart L. Hart, Samuel C. Johnson Chair in Sustainable Global Enterprise and Professor of Management at Cornell University's Johnson School of Management;
• Dr. Mary Jo Hatch, C. Coleman McGehee Eminent Scholars Research Professor Emerita of Banking and Commerce, University of Virginia, Adjunct and Visiting Professor Copenhagen Business School, Visiting Professor Gothenburg University School of Business, Economics and Law (Business and Design Lab) International Research Fellow, Said Business School, Oxford University;
• Dr. Bob Johansen, Business Forecaster, former President and CEO, Institute for the Future;
• Dr. Chris Laszlo, Faculty Research Director of the Fowler Center for Sustainability Value at Case Western Reserve University;
• Dr. Rodney Ludema, Georgetown University, Senior Economist for President's Council of Economic Advisors
• Dr. Michael Manning, Professor of Management, New Mexico State University;
• Dr. Cynthia McCauley, Center for Creative Leadership;
• Dr. Carlos Mora, Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship, Ross School of Business at University of Michigan;
• Dr. Peter Northouse, Professor Emeritus of Communication, Western Michigan University's School of Communication;
• Dr. Marc Orlitzky, Associate Professor of Management, Penn State University Altoona;
• Dr. Joyce Osland, Lucas Endowed Professor of Global Leadership and Executive Director of Global Leadership Advancement Center, San Jose State University;
• Dr. Bill Pasmore, Organization Practice Leader, The Center for Creative Leadership;
• Dr. Ron Riggio, Henry R. Kravis Professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology at the Kravis Leadership Institute,Claremont McKenna College;
• Dr. Inger Stensaker, Professor in Strategic Change, NHH Norwegian School of Economics;
• Dr. Diane Swanson, Professor of Management and the von Waaden Professor of Business Administration at Kansas State University.

Some of our distinguished visiting business leaders are listed below (bios can be found at this link):

• Dr. Mona Amodeo, Founder and President, idgroup;
• Mr. Chuck Bartels, Director for Global Social Responsibility and Knowledge Sharing, ManpowerGroup;
• Ms. Maureen Beal, CEO, National Van Lines;
• Mr. Mike Birck, Founder and Chairman, Tellabs;
• Ms. Julie Brautigam, Director of Ethics, Compliance and Sustainability, Baxter International;
• Mr. Lyell Clarke, President and CEO, Clarke;  
• Mr. Jim Kouzes, Best-selling author, Dean’s Executive Professor of Leadership, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University;
• Ms. Erin Meezan, Vice President of Sustainability, Interface, Inc.;
• Mr. Bill Pollard, former President and CEO, ServiceMaster;
• Mr. David Small, Vice President, McDonald’s Global Leadership Institute.
• Mr. Dan Webster, author and founder of Authentic Leadership, Inc. 

Others who have participated previously in Benedictine University doctoral programs include:

• The late Ray Anderson, Founder and Chairman, Interface;
• Dr. Chris Argyris, Harvard;
• Dr. Jean Bartunek, Boston College;
• Dr. Warner Burke, Columbia University;
• Dr. Peter Cappelli, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
• Dr. David Cooperrider, Case Western Reserve;
• Dr. Frans van Eijnatten, Eindhoven
• Dr. Henrik Holt Larsen, Copenhagen Business School;
• Dr. Sue Mohrman, Senior Research Scientist, Center for Effective Organizations, USC;
• Dr. Robert Quinn, Michigan University;
• Dr. Denise Rosseau, Carnegie-Mellon;
• Dr. Peter Senge, MIT
• Dr. Richard Woodman, Lawrence Fouraker Professor of Management, Texas A&M University.

Yes. Students are encouraged to work on research projects with Benedictine faculty and other scholars associated with the Ph.D./D.B.A. program. Through the Center for Values-Driven Leadership (www.cvdl.org) we are developing a variety of research initiatives focused on the exemplary practices of sustainable and socially-responsible companies and leaders. Most recently we launched the Return on Values Research Initiative to explore the relationship between culture, values, and business success in small to mid-size companies.

The Ph.D./D.B.A. program in Values-Driven Leadership is offered through Benedictine University’s College of Business and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA) of colleges and universities.

Since our first cohort of students is just beginning their third year of our three-year program, we do not have historical data on completion rates. However, the program is modeled after Benedictine University’s award-winning Ph.D. Program in Organization Development (OD), now in its 17th year. The Ph.D. OD program enjoys a 95% completion rate (compared to a national average of less than 50%), and we are committed to achieving a similar level of success.

We plan on admitting approximately 25 students per cohort.

Yes, a master’s degree is required.

Every two years (i.e., April 2015, April 2017, April 2019, etc.).

For Cohort 3, which begins in April 2015, we anticipate 500 inquiries resulting in approximately 50-100 applicants. We will accept approximately 25 students.

We will began accepting applications for Cohort 3 April 1, 2014. Classes will begin in April 2015. The deadline for applications is November 1, 2014. Please contact Deb Hellmuth at info@cvdl.org or 630-829-6225 for more information or to request an application packet.

Interviews with Ph.D./D.B.A. faculty and staff for Cohort 3 will take place November, 2014 - January, 2015. 

Cohort 3 applicants will be notified at the end of January, 2015. 

Classes are held at Benedictine University’s Lisle, Illinois, campus one weekend a month and during an annual 8-day intensive each year. Most weekend classes are held Friday 6:30 – 9:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Some classes are held Friday 2:00 – 9:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, and Sunday 9:00 am – noon. Classes during the 8-day intensives are held 8:00 am – 5:00 pm each day. The campus is located 30 minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports.

Classes begin in April, 2015.

Cohort 3 starts April, 2015.

No, this is not an online program. One of the program’s greatest strengths is the deep learning that occurs in class and elsewhere when cohort members meet face-to-face with the world’s top scholars and executives to exchange experiences and ideas at the forefront of leadership theory and practice.

The Ph.D./D.B.A. Program in Values-Driven Leadership builds on and extends the success of the Ph.D. OD Program by using a similar format but targeting a different audience and offering a new and distinctive multidisciplinary curriculum focused on strategic leadership and corporate sustainability.

Similarities to the Ph.D. OD program include:

• Tailoring the program to working professionals (weekend classes, etc.)
• Using a cohort model
• Exposing students to state-of-the-art knowledge with an optimal blend of core faculty and visiting thought leaders
• Engaging in global exchanges and international learning experiences
• Establishing a leadership position in the field through research, publications, presentations, and leadership in professional associations

Distinctive differences include:

• The Target Audience – While the Ph.D. OD is targeted at working professionals at all levels, the Ph.D./D.B.A. in Values-Driven Leadership is targeted at senior leaders (VP level and above).
• The Format – While the Ph.D. OD holds classes on weekends 16 times per year, the Ph.D./D.B.A. in Values-Driven Leadership holds classes on weekends once a month, plus an annual 8-day intensive.
• The Content – Whereas the Ph.D. OD curriculum focuses on organization development, the Ph.D./D.B.A. in Values-Driven Leadership curriculum focuses on three core areas only briefly addressed in the Ph.D. OD: (1) the theory and practice of leadership and leadership development, (2) strategic leadership in the global economy, and (3) leading corporate sustainability and social responsibility.

This program is designed to be completed in three years. Classroom work is completed in the first two years. Students complete and defend their dissertations in the final year. Students who do not complete the dissertation within the program's three years will pay half the annual tuition rate per year until the dissertation is complete.

Students must complete 96 credit hours to graduate.

The tuition is $35,000 per year for three years. Books are included in the tuition. Additional costs include transportation, accommodations and meals for each weekend class and the annual 8-day intensives. There are also expenses for trips to conferences, at which students give presentations and present papers; travel for the global exchanges/international aspect of the program; and in some cases, transcribing of interview transcripts, analysis of quantitative data, and/or copy editing during the dissertation. Remember to talk with your company about educational assistance options.

The program is designed to be completed in three years. Students who do not complete their dissertation in three years will pay half-tuition rates until completion.