6 Unique Careers You Can Earn with a Doctorate in Leadership

The world needs strong, equity-driven leaders with a passion for guiding people toward growth and success. One of the best ways to sharpen and enhance your leadership skills is by pursuing a doctorate in leadership.

A doctorate in leadership will expand your knowledge in all aspects of leadership. 

You will strengthen your integrity, communication, and creativity to gain practical expertise through research. Students pursuing a leadership doctorate prepare to lead in various careers and industries, ranging from schools to nonprofits and working in an array of day-to-day job functions.

Because of the diverse nature of the leadership field, a doctorate in leadership opens doors to innumerable jobs. As you earn your degree, you might find a niche interest or special ability that lends you to one field over another. Here are six career options people with a doctorate in leadership have found themselves thriving in.

Careers in Leadership

1. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum

Assistant superintendents for curriculum are instructional leaders in school systems who oversee curriculum used throughout the school or district they work in. They evaluate curriculum to ensure the district’s education fulfills state requirements and provides students with a comprehensive education. An assistant superintendent for curriculum secures that students receive a diverse, in-depth education and leads them toward high academic achievement.

The average salary for assistant superintendents in the United States is approximately $77,200 per year. This position is expected to grow by around 6% between 2018-2028.

2. University Dean

A university dean typically manages an academic department or another administrative branch of a university, such as student life. Deans are responsible for several functions to help universities run efficiently. They oversee the integrity and challenges of academic programs and attend to budgets. Additionally, they handle student and faculty needs while working with senior administration and representing their university. Deans engage with all different groups of people connected to university campuses, and their leadership is integral to a thriving institution.

Positions for college deans are projected to grow 7% from 2018-2028, and their average salary in the nation is about $91,600 annually.

3. Executive Director of a Nonprofit

Leading a nonprofit organization requires a missional mindset and the ability to manage many departments. An executive director serves as the public face of their organizations, develops organizations for their groups, oversees finances, and ensures their organization complies with the law. They also provide their boards with resources to enact change and foster growth for the organization, as well as select board members and bridge the gap between stakeholders and staff.

Salary ranges for nonprofit executive directors vary across organizations, but the national average is a yearly salary of $83,500.

4. Leadership Consultant

Leadership consultants evaluate organizations' and companies' strengths and weaknesses to optimize their abilities. Consultants give advice and direction to companies, developing leadership to both those in leadership roles and to employees who possess talents for enhancing productivity and engagement between coworkers. They work with companies to assess problems, set goals, and identify who in the company can lead it to success.

Leadership consultants earn about $68,700 annually.

5. College Professor

College professors are experts in their fields. They develop curricula to teach their areas of expertise and lead students in understanding and mastering subject material. In addition to mentoring students and helping them achieve academic success, professors also attend conferences, conduct their fieldwork and research, publish findings, and build up reputations for their universities. 

The projected job growth rate for postsecondary teachers is 12% between 2021-2031. College professors earn an average salary of $79,600.

6. Juvenile Restorative Justice Facilitator

Juvenile restorative justice facilitators work in restorative justice programs to bring young people and those they have harmed through a constructive, repairing healing process. Facilitators meet individually with each party and, if appropriate, both parties together. They listen to stories from young people, talk about offense and impact, and lead young people toward a plan for reparation and restoration. 

The average yearly salary for a restorative justice facilitator is $50,800.

Diverse Specializations in Leadership Studies

Throughout earning a PhD in Leadership, you might find a particular niche or field where you want to build your future career. USD SOLES offers six specializations for our PhD in Leadership Studies candidates to study, helping every student shape their unique career path. Students can find fulfilling, lifelong careers that align with their passions and strengths through any of the specialization tracks. These specializations include:

Educational Leadership for Innovation and Social Justice

This track strengthens skills in a leadership capacity and addresses the needs of students from all backgrounds. With this focus, you can offer creative solutions to obstacles students face in the education system and work to provide leadership for educational equity across the board. Those with interest and experience in K-12 education will thrive in this focus.

Higher Education Leadership

Students in this specialization will be prepared to find work in colleges and universities in roles like student development, administration, policy, and the application of leadership theory in an educational setting. They will study trends in higher education and apply skills in student development, administration and policy, and leadership theory in higher education settings.

Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership 

This focus broadens student skills in nonprofit leadership, equipping them to lead organizations and teach courses related to such work at the college level.  Students will also focus their dissertations on addressing issues in nonprofits, policy arenas, and other aspects of the nonprofit/NGO sector.

Organizational Leadership and Consulting

A degree focused on organizational leadership teaches students to conduct original research and use empirical evidence to improve their practice and lead innovation. Students can also get a certificate in leadership coaching within this track.

Research Methodology 

This specialization is designed for students pursuing a professorship in higher education or organizations contracted to conduct research and evaluation studies. Students will complete three additional research methods courses including the required methods courses for the PhD program. They have the option of combining specializations in a substantive area along with a research method specialization. 

Restorative Justice Leadership and Facilitation

Those in this specialization learn about restorative justice, a philosophy embracing reparation of harm and healing of trauma. A central practice of restorative justice is a collaborative decision-making process that includes harmed parties, those who have caused harm, and those seeking active accountability in the healing process by guiding them through accepting and repairing harm, rebuilding trust, and addressing root issues. Students in this specialization have the opportunity to obtain a restorative justice facilitation and leadership graduate certificate.

Unlock a Career Path Full of Potential by Earning Your PhD in Leadership Studies 

USD SOLES’ PhD in Leadership Studies program is an immersive learning experience that combines research and coursework that will help you understand the intricacies of real-world problems and how leadership can help solve them. Our program gives candidates a robust education with numerous options for paths of study, including the opportunity to design your own specialization through assistantships.

To discover more about our innovative PhD in Leadership Studies program, download our guide: Inclusive Leadership for Social Change: A Guide to USD's PhD in Leadership Studies.

If you want to take the next step in becoming an empowered and equity-driven leader at SOLES, request more information or start your application today.