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A graduate in his office: Pursue a doctorate in human resources online.

DSL – Human Resource Development

Lead HR at the Highest Levels

With this executive doctoral degree, you’ll be able to meet today’s organizational challenges and be better equipped to transform your workplace. The Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) – Human Resource Development emphasizes both the practical and theoretical components of leadership, team building, and cultural understanding from a Christian perspective. Be mentored by seasoned business professionals through the Executive Mentor Program. There are no GMAT/GRE requirements. Regent has been ranked among top national universities by the U.S. News & World Report, 2024, and has also been ranked as a Top 10 Military Friendly® School by Military Friendly®, 2024-25.

Online w/ Residency
51
January 13, 2025
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Careers | Courses | Other Concentrations | Admissions | Tuition

HONE EXPERT TRAINING METHODS

Discover training and development techniques that can strengthen both the learner and the facilitator.

MAXIMIZE YOUR STAFF

Explore critical HR issues and trends, as well as models for developing your employees.

INNOVATE HR PRACTICES

Learn how to leverage individual, group, and team perspectives as you develop and implement more effective HRD practices and procedures. Our award-winning faculty will bring out your inner leader, from performing expert analyses to mentoring teams through change.

Equip YOURSELF WITH A DOCTORATE THAT FOCUSES ON HUMAN RESOURCES

Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2024). Our programs have also been recognized among the Top 5 Best Graduate Online Business (Non-MBA) Programs in Virginia for 9 consecutive years (2015-23).

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

After completing the DSL in Human Resource Development degree online, you can:

  • Understand human development as it relates to the workplace.
  • Identify emerging trends and ethical practices to advance the field of human resources.
  • Apply workforce planning and employment strategies.
  • Manage compensation management systems.
  • Elevate individuals, teams, and systems to their God-given potential.

Career Opportunities

  • HR Administration & Executive Leadership
  • HR Director/Vice President
  • HR Consulting
  • Training & Development
98%
98% of students believed the education they received was worth the expense
Featured Courses
LHRD 761Human Resource Development3
Theories and models of considering human agents as resources in organizations and an historical expedition of the construct of human development from a social cognitive perspective. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.
LHRD 762Autonomous Learning & Human Resource Development3
The facilitation of learning from the perspectives of the learner as well as the facilitator will be investigated in concert with the personal and organizational implications for the learning endeavor. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.
LHRD 763Design of Adult Learning Communities3
Construction and implementation of HRD practices and procedures from individual, group and team perspectives. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.
LHRD 764Ethical Human Resource Development3
Ethical considerations and the operational definitions of ethics as a universal construct. Prerequisites: LPHD 752, 754, 757, 761, 762, 763, and 764.

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session MFriday, September 6Monday, September 16
Session BFriday, October 11Monday, October 21
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session TFriday, January 31Monday, February 10
Session DFriday, March 7Monday, March 17
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12
Session FFriday, June 13Monday, June 23

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)$6956$4,170
Master of Business Administration (MBA)$6956$4,170
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)$1,0203$3,060

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)$6959$6,255
Master of Business Administration (MBA)$6959$6,255
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)$1,0206$6,120

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)$6956$4,170
Master of Business Administration (MBA)$6956$4,170
Doctor in Business Administration (DBA)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Philosophy in Business (PhD)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)$1,0203$3,060
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)$1,0203$3,060

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)$6959$6,255
Master of Business Administration (MBA)$6959$6,255
Doctor in Business Administration (DBA)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Philosophy in Business (PhD)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership (PhD)$1,0206$6,120
Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)$1,0206$6,120

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

TITLE IV LOANS: If students are receiving Title IV Federal Student Loans, they are permitted to enroll in the same course number a maximum of only two semesters. Therefore, doctoral students are encouraged to carefully plan the dissertation/final project stage of their program.

The School of Business & Leadership is committed to the historical foundations of the doctoral degree in which a community of scholars is created among faculty mentors and student scholars. Regent University mirrors this historical tradition by using student cohorts, intensive online residencies and a variety of interactive discussion modes that extend beyond topical course discourse.

The Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) program in the School of Business & Leadership includes two required residencies, held virtually. The first residency covers program orientation and guidelines, the library use course (UNIV LIB Information Research & Resources) as well as class instruction for the first two courses of the core curriculum. The second residency focuses on class instruction for the courses to be taken in the semester as well as doctoral program requirements such as the Final Project.

View upcoming residency dates, registration and lodging details.

“"I consider my years in my Ph.D. program at Regent the best investment I ever made in my career. The time, energy and money spent in the program have paid off many times over. I consider the faculty to be world class, and my peers in my cohort are true friends and colleagues."”

Paul Alexander, Ph.D., 2005 Organizational Leadership

“A lot of my training at Regent related to a broader area of work in terms of providing leadership for Christian education. This job is a good fit for the experience and training I have and the education I've undertaken.”

Bryan Easley, Ph.D., 2011 Dean of Online Learning, Oklahoma Wesleyan University

“At Regent, I didn’t have to sort through my academic studies to determine what was consistent with my faith and what was not.”

Michelle Montgomery, MBA, 1987 Owner, Fractional CFO/Controller & Nonprofit Specialist, Michelle R. Montgomery, P.L.L.C.

“Working full time made earning my business degree more challenging, but Regent was a perfect fit for me. The faculty have real-world experiences and helped me use what I was learning to think more broadly and influence decisions at the university where I work.”

Danielle Richter, M.A. in Organizational Leadership, 2016 Director of Marketing & Recruiting, Center for Graduate & Professional Studies, Midland University

“I came to Regent after the Navy to prepare for a role in public service. I had some innovative ideas in me, and Regent helped me tap into them more. I know I want to help and influence others for Christ, perhaps as a diplomat working for the U.S. State Department.”

Chad McQueen, MBA, 2015