Ph.D. Executive Coaching and Leadership
Serve, lead, and transform the field of executive coaching and leadership.
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Advance the Future of Executive Coaching and Leadership
The Ph.D. in Executive Coaching and Leadership at Concordia University Irvine through the Townsend Institute prepares experienced professionals to lead with wisdom, conduct meaningful research, and make lasting contributions to the evolving fields of executive coaching and organizational leadership.
Grounded in the Townsend Growth Model and shaped by a distinctly Christian perspective, this doctoral program brings executive coaching and leadership together with equal depth. You’ll engage in rigorous scholarship, collaborative learning, personalized mentorship, and practical application designed to help you navigate complexity, inspire change, and serve organizations with integrity and compassion.
Designed for working professionals, the program combines online coursework, 7-week terms, and annual in-person residencies with opportunities to learn from respected voices in the field, including Dr. John Townsend, Bob Goff, and Patrick Lencioni. As you progress, you’ll strengthen your research skills, deepen your understanding of coaching and leadership theory, and develop original scholarship that can help shape the future of the profession.
Online and Accelerated
Study online and earn your Ph.D. in 3 years with 7-week terms.
In-Person Residencies
Make meaningful connections during two four-day residencies.
$850/Unit
Invest in a Ph.D. program designed for working professionals.
Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Executive Coaching and Leadership requires 60 total units, including 27 units of core coursework, 12 units of research courses, and 3 units of research seminars. These seminars are completed alongside your coursework, giving you opportunities to meet with your dissertation chair and begin shaping your research early in the program.
Next Cohort
May 3, 2027
The curriculum is built at the intersection of relational competence and evidence-based coaching:
- Year 1: Foundation and Community: Begin with a 2-week online orientation and your first on-ground residency. You’ll focus on core coaching theories and the Townsend Growth Model.
- Year 2: Advanced Inquiry: Continue into advanced coursework and research seminars as you refine your research questions and prepare your dissertation prospectus.
- Year 3: Original Research: Conduct original research that advances the theory and practice of executive coaching and leadership, culminating in a defended dissertation and a plan for publication or applied implementation.
Curriculum
Core Curriculum (Sample Courses):
- ECL700 – Townsend Institute Doctoral Studies Orientation
- ECL701 – Critical Perspectives in Leadership and Executive Coaching
- ECL702 – Intercultural Competence and Leadership in a Globalized World
- ECL703 – Brain-Based Approaches to Cultivating Emotionally Intelligent Leaders
- ECL704 – Innovation in Executive Coaching and Leadership
- ECL705 – Advanced Strategies in High-Performance Team Leadership and Coaching
- ECL706 – Integrating Reflective Practice and Supervision: A Praxis Approach for Executive Coaches and Leaders
- ECL707 – Ethical Practice and Professional Standards in Executive Coaching and Leadership
- ECL708 – Advanced Communication Strategies: Critical Analysis of Emerging Methodologies
View the Concordia University Irvine Online Catalog for a full list of courses.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Upon earning your Ph.D. in Executive Coaching and Leadership from Concordia, you’ll be able to:
- Critically analyze, design, and conduct quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research to contribute to the body of knowledge in executive coaching and leadership, integrating evidence-based practices with emerging trends and theories in academic writing and presentations.
- Demonstrate culturally informed interdisciplinary knowledge from leadership theory, executive coaching methodologies, and organizational behavior, applying these insights to create innovative solutions for diverse leadership contexts and challenges.
- Utilize various methods of communication and technology to articulate research findings, executive coaching strategies, and leadership practices to diverse audiences, including academic, professional, and community stakeholders.
- Apply reflective practice techniques in coaching and leadership, critically analyzing their thoughts and experiences to enhance self-awareness, improve skills, and optimize culturally sensitive and evidence-based outcomes to advance the field.
- Foster a commitment to community engagement by applying leadership and executive coaching expertise to address the needs of local and global communities, cultivating partnerships, and promoting social responsibility and sustainability in organizational and societal contexts.
- Lead with integrity and compassion, applying the standards of ethical leadership supported by Biblical values and Lutheran perspectives.
Residency
Concordia’s Ph.D. in Executive Coaching and Leadership requires annual in-person residencies. These residencies provide you with an opportunity to meet with faculty, administrators, and industry professionals. You’ll also get to connect with your cohort to continue building professional relationships. Throughout each residency, you’ll engage in relevant work to show skills in the Townsend Institute’s core areas: counseling, supervision, teaching, research, leadership, and advocacy.
Tuition and Fees
At Concordia, we understand that investing in your education is a significant decision. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make your academic journey more affordable. View tuition costs and fees.
Admission Requirements
View the Graduate Application page for full details on application and admission requirements.
Townsend Information Sessions
Experience a new kind of relational education. Join us online for a Townsend Institute LIVE info night and hear from our faculty, academic advisors, current students, and alumni about their experience in the Townsend Institute.
Career Outcomes
Executive coaching continues to grow as organizations look for leaders who can guide teams through complex situations, strengthen workplace culture, and support meaningful change. Estimates suggest the global coaching industry exceeded $6B in 2024 and is on a strong growth trajectory through the 2030s.
Depending on your background and goals, this program can support pathways in areas such as:
- Executive Leadership: Step into C-suite or senior HR roles with advanced research skills, coaching competence, and change‑management expertise.
- Strategic Consulting: Drive ROI for organizations through high-impact coaching interventions.
- Academia: Prepare to teach coaching and leadership at the university level, such as adjunct, full‑time, or doctoral program leadership in coaching/leadership programs.
- Professional Practice: Meet the demand of clients who prefer to work with credentialed, doctoral-level experts.
- Thought Leadership and Publishing: Publish your research, contribute to standards discussions, and shape how organizations think about executive coaching and leadership.
Networking Opportunities
As a graduate student at Concordia, you’ll become part of a vibrant community of over 25,000 alumni and over 3,500 peers, fostering meaningful connections that support both personal and professional growth. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to helping you discover and develop your callings through mentorship and collaboration.
Located in Irvine — home to more than 900 tech companies and a hub for innovation — students benefit from proximity to leading industries in life sciences and information technology. One-third of all Fortune 500 companies have a presence in Irvine, offering abundant opportunities for internships, mentorships, and career advancement.
Irvine’s strategic position in Southern California provides access to a dynamic business ecosystem, making it an ideal place to build your professional network. Whether you’re attending on-campus events or engaging with our online community, Concordia offers the resources and support to help you thrive in your various vocations.
Explore Financial Aid
Reduce your tuition costs with financial aid — with help from a team that wants to make your time at Concordia as affordable as possible.
Meet Our Faculty
-
Michelle Thompson
Assistant Dean – Executive Coaching & Consulting and External Relations
FAQs
Can I work full-time while in this program?
Yes. The program is specifically designed for working professionals with online coursework and only one annual residency.
What is the time commitment?
Students should expect approximately 15–20 hours of work per week, with some additional intensity during the research and dissertation phases.
Do I need a coaching certification to apply?
No. A coaching credential, such as PCC or MCC, is not required for admission. However, professional experience in coaching, consulting, leadership, or a related field is highly valued.
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Sources
12025 ICF Global Coaching Study, International Coaching Federation, on the internet, at:
- https://coachingfederation.org/resources/research/global-coaching-study/ (viewed June 8, 2026).
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.