Troy University has been approved by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to offer a new doctoral degree, the Ph.D. in Global Leadership.

The degree can be completed online, offering a way for working professionals to earn a Ph.D. The program will move on to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for final approval and is expected to launch in Fall 2020.

The Ph.D. in Global Leadership is TROY’s third doctoral program to receive ACHE approval, joining the Doctor of Nursing Practice (approved in 2007) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Sport Management (approved 2014).

Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, said Troy University’s evolution as Alabama’s International University—with its partnerships with 135 universities in 31 nations—provided the genesis for TROY’s latest doctoral program.

“This Ph.D. is a response to a need for leadership with an international perspective in diverse areas— education, the military, business and the non-profit sector,” Chancellor Hawkins said. “A key feature of this program is a mentorship component where students will learn from a leader with experience in their field. This approach combined with global emphasis will prepare each candidate to succeed in the international marketplace.”

The program aims to help students develop a variety of leadership skills and competencies, including effective leadership for organizational change, facilitation of global teams, effective communication, and improving organizational effectiveness. Students will complete core coursework and choose a specialization in one of the following areas: Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, Strategic Communication, Educational Leadership and Administration, or Higher Education.

“The approval of our Ph.D. in Global Leadership represents another significant step in the evolution of our graduate academic inventory,” said Dr. Lance Tatum, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “This degree program gives TROY its third terminal degree program and specifically provides an advanced degree option for our College of Education, the founding college of our University. I’m excited for our education alumni who have for many years expressed interest in the University developing this type of program. I want to express my appreciation to the faculty and administration in our College of Education for the work and thoughtfulness that went into the development of this program.”

TROY’s Global Leadership doctoral will be unique in the state of Alabama and is designed to develop leaders from diverse backgrounds that will serve locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. That global focus includes encouraging students to pursue international internships, said Dr. Dionne Rosser-Mims, Dean of the College of Education.

“This is an incredible opportunity for students and for the College of Education,” Dr. Rosser-Mims said. “We will be preparing individuals to lead organizations across a variety of disciplines, and to communicate effectively with diverse teams across cultural lines. We want students to understand leadership from a global perspective.”

For more information about the program, visit troy.edu/globalleadership.