DSL – Ecclesial Leadership
Shape the Future of the Church
Regent’s Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) in Ecclesial Leadership will teach you the theology and philosophy of the Church, as well as its organizational design. This terminal professional degree emphasizes leadership, communication, structure, team building, and cultural understanding from a Christian perspective. Be mentored by seasoned business professionals through the Executive Mentor Program and explore the Church Matching Grant. There are no GMAT/GRE requirements. Regent has been ranked among top national universities by the U.S. News & World Report, 2024, and has also been ranked as a Top 10 Military Friendly® School by Military Friendly®, 2024-25. Experience the difference of a Christ-centered, transfer and military-friendly university.
Careers | Courses | Other Concentrations | Admissions | Tuition
BECOME A ECCLESIAL LEADER
Explore the spiritual formation of the ecclesial leader and how you can develop as a leader in this important area of the Church.
GAIN INFLUENCE
Write and publish leadership-related topics in popular press publications and applied journals.
HARNESS SPIRITUALITY
Understand Christian spirituality, organizational spirituality, how communities form, and the spiritual formation of the Church leader.
BE EQUIPPED TO EXCEL THROUGH REGENT’S ECCLESIAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2025). Our programs have also been recognized among the Top 5 Best Graduate Online Business (Non-MBA) Programs in Virginia for 11 consecutive years (2015-25).
Our award-winning faculty will bring out your inner leader, from performing expert analyses to mentoring teams through change.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
After completing the Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) in Ecclesial Leadership degree online, you can:
- Apply the theory and practical components essential to organizational success.
- Follow excellent examples of Church leadership, incorporating biblical foundations and perspectives.
- Guide others using ecclesial leadership theories and models.
Career Opportunities
- Executive Leadership for Ministry, Nonprofits & Educational Institutions
- University Faculty
- Consulting
Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.
2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines
All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 9 | Monday, August 19 |
| Session M | Friday, September 6 | Monday, September 16 |
| Session B | Friday, October 11 | Monday, October 21 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 8 | Monday, January 13 |
| Session T | Friday, January 31 | Monday, February 10 |
| Session D | Friday, March 7 | Monday, March 17 |
| Session E | Friday, May 2 | Monday, May 12 |
| Session F | Friday, June 13 | Monday, June 23 |
Admissions Requirements
Step 1: Apply to Regent University
Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts
Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.
Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.
Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
Part-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $765 (On-Campus) $695 (Online) | 6 | $4,590 $4,170 |
| Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
| Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $765 (On-Campus) $695 (Online) | 9 | $6,885 $6,255 |
| Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
| Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $750 |
PART-TIME STUDENTS
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
| Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) | $1,020 | 3 | $3,060 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
| Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) | $1,020 | 6 | $6,120 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
TITLE IV LOANS: If students are receiving Title IV Federal Student Loans, they are permitted to enroll in the same course number a maximum of only two semesters. Therefore, doctoral students are encouraged to carefully plan the dissertation/final project stage of their program.
The School of Business & Leadership is committed to the historical foundations of the doctoral degree in which a community of scholars is created among faculty mentors and student scholars. Regent University mirrors this historical tradition by using student cohorts, intensive online residencies and a variety of interactive discussion modes that extend beyond topical course discourse.
The Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) program in the School of Business & Leadership includes two required residencies, held virtually. The first residency covers program orientation and guidelines, the library use course (UNIV LIB Information Research & Resources) as well as class instruction for the first two courses of the core curriculum. The second residency focuses on class instruction for the courses to be taken in the semester as well as doctoral program requirements such as the Final Project.
View upcoming residency dates, registration and lodging details.
- B.A. in Leadership Studies
- B.S. in Christian Leadership & Management
- Certificate of Graduate Studies in Church Leadership
- M.A. in Organizational Leadership
- MBA – Master of Business Administration
- MBA – Master of Business Administration (Accelerated)
- Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Ecclesial Leadership