A new professional doctoral degree program for senior leaders in the philanthropic and nonprofit sector will be offered by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI beginning with the fall 2023 semester.
Different than a traditional Ph.D. degree, which typically prepares graduates for academic positions, the Doctorate in Philanthropic Leadership focuses on applying new and existing research, education and professional practice to produce actionable insights that advance the practice of philanthropy and deliver social impact.
The requirements for prospective students will include a completed master’s degree, at least five years of meaningful leadership experience, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing social good. The program will welcome people from the corporate world, government and other sectors in addition to those in the philanthropic sector.
All courses will be online, and completion of the degree is expected to take about three years, with two years of coursework and a year of project work. In lieu of a dissertation, students will develop a final applied project that translates research into actionable strategies to solve real, complex problems for an organization or aspect of the sector.