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Doctoral

Ph.D. Executive Coaching and Leadership

Serve, Lead, and Transform the Field of Executive Coaching and Leadership
An online Ph.D. for executive coaches and leaders who want to combine advanced practice with original research in executive coaching and leadership.

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One of the only Ph.D. programs designed to fully integrate Advanced Executive Coaching and Leadership

Grounded in the Townsend Growth Model and a distinctly Christian framework, this program forms ethically courageous, research-driven leaders and coaches equipped for the complexity of modern organizations and cultures.

Accessible

Accessible: Online with two four-day on-ground residency in Irvine, CA

Affordable

Affordable: $850 per unit

Accelerated

Accelerated: Complete your doctoral degree in just 3 years

Flexible

Flexible: Designed for working professionals with 7-week terms

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Cohort Launch: Inaugural cohort is scheduled to launch in Spring 2027

WASC | Senior College and University Commission

Pending WSCUC Approval | ICF Aligned

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Shape the Future of the Field

Shape the Future of the Field

We are not just teaching coaching and leadership. We are shaping the future of the profession.

  • Dual Expertise: While other programs offer generic leadership degrees, this is the only Ph.D. that combines executive coaching and leadership with equal depth. You will design and evaluate interventions that connect individual coaching outcomes with organizational level change.
  • World-Class Fellows: Learn directly from industry leaders such as Dr. John Townsend, Bob Goff, and Patrick Lencioni through live sessions, case studies, and curated readings.
  • Faith Integration: A program built on a Lutheran Christian perspective that integrates biblical values into professional practice.
  • Proven Success: Townsend Institute graduate programs maintain a 90% retention rate, with high support for working professionals through to degree completion.
  • Doctoral Community of Practice: Engage in a cohort of seasoned coaches and leaders who bring 10+ years of professional experience to every discussion.
A Journey of Scholarship and Practice

A Journey of Scholarship and Practice

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. Focus on core coaching theories and the Townsend Growth Model.
  • Year 2: Advanced Inquiry: Dive into research seminars and advanced coursework while refining your research questions and preparing 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

60 Total Units | 7-Week Terms

  • 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
  • ECL798 - Townsend Institute Residency
  • ECL799 - Townsend Institute Residency II

  • ECL750 - Quantitative Research Methods and Design
  • ECL751 - Statistical Analysis for Leadership
  • ECL753 - Qualitative Research Methods and Design
  • ECL754 - Advanced Quantitative Research and Statistics in Executive Coaching and Leadership
  • OR ECL755 - Advanced Qualitative Research and Statistics in Executive Coaching and Leadership
  • ECL770 - Research Seminar I
  • ECL771 - Research Seminar II
  • ECL772 - Research Seminar III
  • ECL773 - Research Seminar IV
  • ECL774 - Research Seminar V
  • ECL775 - Research Seminar VI

Dissertation courses are distributed across the final phase of the program so you can make consistent progress under faculty supervision.

  • ECL781 - Dissertation
  • ECL782 - Dissertation
  • ECL791 - Dissertation

  • ECL714 - Leading through Networks and Institutions: The Future of Ministry
  • ECL715 - Interdisciplinary Approaches to Conflict Transformation and Facilitated Dialogue
  • ECL716 - Transformational Servant Leadership: Research and Organizational Impact
  • ECL717 - Advanced Strategies for Developing and Sustaining Organizational Coaching Cultures

  • ECL792 - Dissertation Extension
An Exceptional Return on Investment An Exceptional Return on Investment

Career Outcomes

An Exceptional Return on Investment

Estimates suggest the global coaching industry exceeded $6B in 2024 and is on a strong growth trajectory through the 2030s.

  • Executive Leadership: Step into C-suite or senior HR roles with advanced research skills, coaching competence, and change management expertise.
  • Strategic Consulting: Drive 788% 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.
  • Industry Credibility: Industry research shows that more than 80% of coaching clients prefer to work with certified or credentialed coaches, which makes an advanced doctorate a powerful differentiator at the highest levels.
  • Thought Leadership & Publishing: Publish your research, contribute to standards discussions, and shape how organizations think about executive coaching and leadership.
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Join us LIVE!

Experience a new kind of relational education. Join us online LIVE and hear from our faculty, academic advisors, current students, and alumni about their experience in the Townsend Institute.

  • Learn how our programs can advance your career
  • Connect with other prospective students exploring our programs
  • Become eligible for scholarships and other prizes by participating in our info session

Jul

22

Townsend Institute PhD Information Night

Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 5:00 PM PST

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Jul

22

M.A. Information Night - Townsend LIVE

Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 5:30 PM PST

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How to Apply

We are seeking people who are ready to advance the field through original research and thoughtful, practice-based inquiry.

Application Requirements

  • Degree: Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • GPA: Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA.
  • Experience: A minimum of 10 years of professional work experience.
  • Resume/CV: Current professional history.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two professional letters of recommendation.
  • Statement of Intent: A 3–5 page document detailing your educational goals, relevant professional experience, and initial research interests in executive coaching and leadership.
  • Interview: A personal interview with program faculty.
  • Note: Applicants who do not meet the experience thresholds may still be considered based on a strong record of leadership and professional impact.

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FAQ

Yes. The program is specifically designed for working professionals with online coursework and only one annual residency.

Students should expect approximately 15–20 hours of work per week, with some additional intensity during the research and dissertation phases.

A coaching credential is not required for admission, but professional experience in coaching or leadership is highly valued.

Concordia campus from French Hill Dr. Townsend and students in front of Grimm Hall

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Take your next step toward creating the career, and the life, you’ve been waiting for.

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