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Programs

DEL Curriculum

The Doctor of Executive Leadership degree is an online, asynchronous program of 42 credit hours. If you’re not quite ready for the full doctoral degree (or already have a doctorate and want to dive into a new specialty), consider earning one of our Certificates instead.

Doctoral Curriculum Overview

The Doctor of Executive Leadership (DEL) curriculum is intentionally designed to blend scholarly rigor, applied executive practice, and specialized leadership development. The program consists of three integrated components:

  • Doctoral Project Curriculum – your scholarly foundation and research sequence
  • DEL Foundational Curriculum – core leadership and organizational mastery
  • DEL Specialty Curriculum – advanced courses tailored to your executive pathway

Together, these courses prepare leaders to think strategically, influence effectively, and drive meaningful change across complex systems.

Doctoral Project Curriculum

The foundation of the DEL curriculum is a set of sequential courses in scholarship and research. Through this sequence, you will dive into reading and interpreting high-level literature, develop research questions, evaluate evidence, and produce a publication-worthy manuscript under the mentorship of experienced, published faculty.

Doctoral Project Curriculum Courses

  • DEL 5801 – Research Resources & Methods for Executive Leaders
  • DEL 5802 – Executive Leadership Doctoral Capstone I
  • DEL 5803 – Executive Leadership Doctoral Capstone II

These courses guide you through the development of your Doctoral Project—a culminating, real-world scholarly initiative that demonstrates your ability to apply executive leadership to complex systemic challenges. Throughout the sequence, you will refine your inquiry, synthesize evidence, analyze organizational systems, and execute a project reflecting both academic rigor and practical impact.

The DEL Doctoral Project experience ensures that every graduate can translate scholarship into meaningful organizational, community, or system-level change.

Applied Leadership Projects (ALPs)

Where doctoral learning becomes real-world impact.

A signature feature of the DEL program is the integration of Applied Leadership Projects—hands-on, high-impact initiatives that demonstrate executive-level capability. These projects give learners the opportunity to apply research, leadership theory, and systems thinking to real challenges within their own organizations or communities.

Examples of Applied Leadership Projects

  • Organizational & Process Improvement – Lead a structured improvement initiative using frameworks such as Lean, Six Sigma, or Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA).
  • Building a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) or Program Initiative – Develop the strategy, governance structure, and operations for a mission-driven organization or program.
  • Professional Portfolio & Executive Identity Development – Construct a comprehensive doctoral-level portfolio articulating your leadership identity and long-term professional trajectory.
  • Innovation & Technology Integration – Lead initiatives that advance organizational capability through innovation or digital transformation.

Why Applied Leadership Projects Matter

Applied Leadership Projects ensure DEL graduates are able to:

  • Demonstrate doctoral-level leadership through tangible deliverables
  • Transform ideas into measurable organizational improvement
  • Build a professional portfolio that stands out at the executive level
  • Influence systems, policies, and communities through applied scholarship
  • Lead confidently in high-stakes, complex, and rapidly evolving environments

The DEL Applied Leadership and Doctoral Project curriculum empower leaders to move beyond theory—toward bold, meaningful action that elevates organizations and improves population health.

DEL Foundational Curriculum

The DEL Foundational Curriculum builds core competencies in leadership, organizational systems, strategic influence, innovation, and personal mastery. These courses establish the fundamental executive skill set required to navigate and lead within complex, rapidly evolving environments.

Foundational Curriculum Courses

  • DEL 5805 Organizational Behavior and Leadership
  • DEL 5807 Leadership Foundations
  • DEL 5809 Strategic Leadership & Influence
  • DEL 5811 Strategic Communication & Executive Presence
  • DEL 5813 Data, Technology, & the Future of Leadership
  • DEL 5815 Personal Mastery & Performance
  • DEL 5820 Entrepreneurship & Innovation

(Note: Some specialties allow students to “Select 5 of the following” from this list—see each pathway for details.)

DEL Specialty Curriculum

The DEL Specialty Curriculum strengthens expertise in advanced domains and allows students to tailor their doctoral pathway to their professional aspirations. These courses deepen knowledge in healthcare leadership, communication, innovation, risk management, and system-level administration.

Healthcare Leadership

The Healthcare Leadership specialty pathway is designed for non-clinical professionals and clinicians seeking to transition from operational excellence into executive leadership. Candidates master healthcare management, financial literacy, quality improvement, and policy advocacy—positioning them as competitive candidates for C-suite roles such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operations Officer (COO), and Executive Director to drive organizational change and optimize resource allocation.

Distinctive Executive Value:

Prepares leaders to build high-performing clinical teams, navigate complex regulatory environments, and strategically advocate for their organizations at the highest institutional levels.

DEL Doctoral Project Curriculum

  • DEL 5801 Research Resources & Methods
  • DEL 5802 Doctoral Project Capstone I
  • DEL 5803 Doctoral Project Capstone II

DEL Foundational Curriculum

  • DEL 5805 Organizational Behavior and Leadership
  • DEL 5807 Leadership Foundations
  • DEL 5809 Strategic Leadership & Influence
  • DEL 5813 Data, Technology, & the Future of Leadership
  • DEL 5815 Personal Mastery & Performance

DEL Healthcare Leadership Specialty Curriculum

  • DEL 5804 Healthcare Law & Risk Management
  • DEL 5811 Strategic Communication & Executive Presence
  • DEL 5820 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • DEL 5850 Healthcare Finance & Value-Based Strategy
  • DEL 5852 Strategic Leadership in Healthcare Systems Administration
Global Health & Humanitarian Medicine

The Global Health & Humanitarian Medicine specialty pathway is designed for leaders called to direct international health missions, navigate global health governance, or establish humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Candidates develop cultural humility, learn to operate within disparate health infrastructure, and lead cross-functional teams toward shared humanitarian outcomes.

Includes Global Field Deployment:

Candidates participate in an organized field deployment alongside expert faculty who have led humanitarian operations in locations including Ukraine, Uganda, Nicaragua, Tanzania, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

DEL Doctoral Project Curriculum

  • DEL 5801 Research Resources & Methods
  • DEL 5802 Doctoral Project Capstone I
  • DEL 5803 Doctoral Project Capstone II

DEL Foundational Curriculum – Select 5 of the following:

  • DEL 5805 Organizational Behavior and Leadership
  • DEL 5807 Leadership Foundations
  • DEL 5809 Strategic Leadership & Influence
  • DEL 5811 Strategic Communication & Executive Presence
  • DEL 5813 Data, Technology, & the Future of Leadership
  • DEL 5815 Personal Mastery & Performance
  • DEL 5820 Entrepreneurship & Innovation

DEL Global Health and Humanitarian Medicine Specialty Curriculum

  • DEL 5822 Infectious Disease & Tropical Medicine
  • DEL 5828 Global Health Issues & Determinants of Health
  • DEL 5824 Remote & Operational Medicine
  • DEL 5830 Global Health Organizations & Management

DEL Humanitarian Deployment Curriculum

  • DEL 5831 Strategic Planning for Global Health & Humanitarian Response
  • DEL 5836 Humanitarian Deployment & Strategic Application
Medical Education Leadership

The Medical Education Leadership specialty pathway is designed for executive- and senior-level leaders responsible for advancing educational excellence, faculty development, and academic strategy within healthcare and health professions education. Candidates focus on systems-level strategy, governance, accreditation standards, and grant administration to lead academic health centers and educational institutions effectively.

Distinctive Executive Value:

Prepares academic leaders to design innovative curricula, manage complex institutional budgets, leverage AI tools in higher education, and maintain rigorous accreditation standards.

DEL Doctoral Project Curriculum

  • DEL 5801-Research Resources and Methods for Executive Leaders 
  • DEL 5802-Executive Leadership Doctoral Capstone I
  • DEL 5803-Executive Leadership Doctoral Capstone II

DEL Foundational Curriculum 

  • DEL 5805 – Organizational Behavior and Leadership
  • DEL 5807 – Leadership Foundations
  • DEL 5809 – Strategic Leadership & Influence
  • DEL 5811 – Strategic Communication & Executive Presence
  • DEL 5815 – Personal Mastery & Performance

DEL Medical Education Leadership Specialty Courses

  • DEL 5914 – Strategic Leadership in Higher Education
  • DEL 5918 – Curriculum Design and Innovation in Higher Education
  • DEL 5920 – AI Tools & Higher Education
  • DEL 5922 – Financial Management and Grant Administration
  • DEL 5XXX or DMS 5916 – Elective or Program Accreditation and Standards in Higher Education
Emergency Management and Disaster Response

The Emergency Management & Disaster Response specialty pathway is designed for professionals seeking to lead and coordinate complex disaster planning, mitigation, response, and recovery within governmental and non-governmental agencies. Candidates build executive capability in crisis management and health systems response, preparing them for high-visibility roles such as Emergency Management Director, Disaster Response Coordinator, or Crisis Operations Officer.

Includes Domestic Field Deployment:

Candidates participate in an organized domestic field deployment in the continental U.S. alongside expert faculty who have led crisis response operations across the globe, applying academic principles directly to real-world disaster environments.

DEL Doctoral Project Curriculum

  • DEL 5801 Research Resources & Methods
  • DEL 5802 Doctoral Project Capstone I
  • DEL 5803 Doctoral Project Capstone II

DEL Foundational Curriculum – Select 5 of the following:

  • DEL 5805 Organizational Behavior and Leadership
  • DEL 5807 Leadership Foundations
  • DEL 5809 Strategic Leadership & Influence
  • DEL 5811 Strategic Communication & Executive Presence
  • DEL 5813 Data, Technology, & the Future of Leadership
  • DEL 5815 Personal Mastery & Performance
  • DEL 5820 Entrepreneurship & Innovation

DEL Emergency Management and Disaster Response Specialty Curriculum

  • DEL 5826 Wilderness & Expedition Medicine
  • DEL 5838 Executive Leadership in Crisis & Emergency Management
  • DEL 5840 Disaster Medicine & Health Systems Response
  • DEL 5842 Public Health Emergencies & Outbreak Response

DEL Disaster Response Deployment Curriculum

  • DEL 5835 Strategic Planning for Disaster & Humanitarian Response
  • DEL 5837 Disaster Response Deployment & Strategic Application
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

The Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare specialty equips clinical, administrative, and operational leaders with a comprehensive, non-technical understanding of AI principles, machine learning, and ethical governance. Moving beyond basic awareness to strategic implementation, this pathway prepares leaders to drive process innovation, ensure data equity, and lead institutional technology adoption.

Distinctive Executive Value:

Empowers leaders to bridge the gap between advanced technology and responsible care delivery, evaluate intelligent systems for institutional adoption, and manage AI risk frameworks effectively.

DEL Doctoral Project Curriculum

  • DEL 5801 Research Resources and Methods for Executive Leaders 
  • DEL 5802 Executive Leadership Doctoral Capstone I
  • DEL 5803 Executive Leadership Doctoral Capstone II

DEL Foundational Curriculum 

  • DEL 5805 Organizational Behavior and Leadership
  • DEL 5807 Leadership Foundations
  • DEL 5809 Strategic Leadership & Influence
  • DEL 5811 Strategic Communication & Executive Presence
  • DEL 5815 Personal Mastery & Performance

DEL Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Specialty Curriculum

  • DEL 5820 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • DEL 5870 AI Foundations in Healthcare Innovation
  • DEL 5872 AI Systems, Algorithms, & Infrastructure
  • DEL 5874 Ethics, Risk, & Strategy in the AI Era
  • DEL 5876 Leading the AI-Driven Healthcare Organization