Doctor of Strategic Leadership

Doctor Of Strategic Leadership

An advanced doctorate focused on leadership, strategy, and organizational transformation.

Program Overview

The Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) at American Management University is designed for experienced professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and drive organizational success.

The program focuses on leadership theory, strategic thinking, and organizational effectiveness, enabling graduates to lead complex initiatives and influence high-level decision-making.

Who This Program Is For

This program is ideal for:

  • senior leaders and executives
  • managers transitioning into strategic leadership roles
  • professionals responsible for organizational change
  • individuals focused on leadership development and strategy

Key Highlights

  • Doctoral-level qualification in leadership
  • Focus on strategy and organizational effectiveness
  • Designed for working professionals
  • Flexible learning format
  • Applied research or capstone project

What You Will Develop

Students develop advanced competencies in:

  • strategic leadership
  • organizational transformation
  • decision-making in complex environments
  • leadership communication and influence
  • change management and innovation

Program Structure

The DSL program combines:

  • advanced coursework in leadership and strategy
  • research methodology
  • development of an applied research project

The final stage involves completing a project focused on a strategic or leadership challenge within an organization.

DSL vs DBA and DPS (this is critical—add this)

While the DBA focuses on business and management and the DPS offers a broader interdisciplinary approach, the DSL is specifically designed for professionals focused on leadership, strategy, and organizational transformation.

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the DSL program may pursue roles such as:

  • executive leadership
  • organizational strategy roles
  • leadership consulting
  • senior management and advisory positions

Admission Requirements

Applicants typically:

  • hold a master’s degree
  • have relevant professional experience

Lead at the Highest Level

How to Apply

The world needs top-level leaders to take charge of companies, non-profits, and government agencies. Stand out from the rest with a doctoral degree that is geared toward making you a success.

DSL Curriculum 

Core Courses 

Course ID 

Course 

Credits 

LEAS801 

Leadership in Theory and Practice 

3 

LEAS802 

The Change Process 

3 

LEAS804 

Strategic Leadership 

3 

LEAS805 

Organizational Design and Strategy 

3 

LEAS808 

Strategic Global Leadership 

3 

LEAS809 

Leading Teams/Collaboration 

3 

LEAS810 or Approved Elective 

Sustainability Leadership 

3 

LEAS811 or Approved Elective 

Managing Human Capital 

3 

LEAS812 or Approved Elective 

Ethical Leadership 

3 

LEAS813 or Approved Elective 

Leadership in Historical Context 

3 

 

 

 

 

Four graduate-level electives can be transferred in or taken from any of AMU’s master’s programs 

 

 

Total Core Quarter Units 

30 

 

Research Courses 

Course ID 

Course 

Credits 

DOC800 or DOC801 

Qualitative Research or Quantitative Research 

3 

DOC803 

Research Statistics 

3 

DOC901 

Doctoral Proposal 

3 

DOC902 

Literature Review 

3 

DOC903 

Applied Research Methods 

3 

DOC905 

Project I 

6 

DOC906 

Project II 

6 

DOC 950 

Doctoral Defense 

0 

 

 

 

 

Total Research Units 

27 

 

 

 

 

Total DSL Units 

57