Gain the Expertise and Credentials to Lead in Your Profession

Mission Statement

The mission of the Administration and Leadership Studies PhD program is to develop leader-scholars who excel in conceptual and applied knowledge about leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors, as well as analytic and research skills needed for planning, decision-making, and evaluation. Graduates apply their education in careers as leaders, faculty members, and/or researchers, thereby contributing to the civic, economic, social, and cultural well-being of the commonwealth, the nation, and the world.


Pursuing and receiving my PhD has provided me with the ability to think, rationalize, and problem solve with greater clarity and self-assurance.

-Jacquilyn Griffin, PhD

Background and History

The PhD Program in Administration and Leadership Studies began at IUP in 1998 as an interdisciplinary doctoral program in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The program is housed in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and includes faculty members from the Department of Sociology Department of Economics. Offered at two sites—the main campus in Indiana, Pa., and Millersville, Pa.—the program admits a cohort of 15 to 20 students every other year at each site. On the even years, students begin studies at Indiana, while on the odd years students begin the doctoral program at Millersville University.

The program was initially conceptualized as being of interest to leaders in human services. Based on interest from students working in a much wider array of settings and on participatory research gathering input from students, faculty, and administrators, the program revised its focus and curriculum in 2005. The program is now more broadly focused on administration and leadership studies in nonprofit and public sectors.