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Professional Doctorate in Humanitarian Leadership
Transform professional experience and empirical research into practical, evidence-informed solutions for humanitarian leadership and the wider social-good sector.
Program Structure
Research That Advances Professional Practice
This 48-credit, three-year doctoral program combines coursework, research, and real-world application.
The first two years focus primarily on coursework while students develop their Applied Research Projects (ARP). The third year centers on completing the ARP with guidance from a faculty committee.
The program is designed for professionals who want to bring empirical research into the world, connect scholarship with their professional experience, and create practical solutions to humanitarian challenges.
48
Total Credits
3
Years
ARP
Applied Research Project
Admission Requirements
Applicants should demonstrate graduate-level preparation, leadership experience, and a strong commitment to advancing social good.
Eligibility
- A bachelor's degree.
- A graduate degree in any field, such as an MA, MS, MPA, MPP, JD, MBA, MSW, or another doctoral degree.
- A minimum of five years of demonstrated leadership experience.
- A record of commitment to advancing social good through professional or personal work.
- International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency with a passing score.
Application Checklist
- Academic credentials and transcripts from every college or university attended.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
- Personal Statement.
- Three letters of reference addressing leadership ability and potential for academic success in the DHL.
- An Applied Research Project proposal showing how empirical research, scholarship, and data will produce actionable insights for philanthropy and nonprofit practice.
International transcripts must be evaluated by WES or ECE. Upload the evaluation in place of the original transcripts.
Start Application
Entrance examination:
No GRE or other graduate entrance examination is
required, although applicants may submit scores if
they wish. Applicants without a graduate degree may
consider the ZFI Master of Arts in Humanitarian
Leadership.
Who Should Apply?
The program is intended for experienced professionals and change-makers seeking to create measurable impact through applied research.
02
Humanitarian, development, and social movement practitioners
03
Leaders in philanthropy, nonprofits, and foundations
04
Policy professionals addressing global social issues
Admission Timeline
Professional Doctorate in Humanitarian Leadership
| # | Milestone / Activity | Date / Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Admission Applications | Open |
| 2 | Application Submission Deadline | March 15, 2026 (Sunday) |
| 3 | Admission Committee Review & Interviews | March 20 – April 10, 2026 |
| 4 | Issuance of Provisional Admission Offers | April 15, 2026 (Wednesday) |
| 5 | Commitment Deposit Due | April 25, 2026 (Saturday) |
| 6 | Issuance of Admission Confirmations | May 5, 2026 (Tuesday) |
| 7 | Orientation | May 15, 2026 (Friday) |
| 8 | Summer 2026 Term Commences | May 24, 2026 (Sunday) — Tentative |
Program Curriculum
Explore the Professional Doctorate curriculum by academic year.
| # | Year 1 Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Landscape of the Humanitarian Sector | 3 credits |
| 2 | Humanitarian Leadership Practices | 3 credits |
| 3 | Humanitarian Leadership, Justice, and Ethics | 3 credits |
| 4 | History of Humanitarianism | 3 credits |
| 5 | Research Methods I — Qualitative | 3 credits |
Year 1 Total
15 Credits
| # | Year 2 Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waqf Development and Management | 3 credits |
| 2 | Grassroots Humanitarian Leadership | 3 credits |
| 3 | The Global Humanitarian Sector | 3 credits |
| 4 | Islamic Finance and Humanitarianism | 3 credits |
| 5 | Research Methods II — Case Studies and Institutional Histories | 3 credits |
Year 2 Total
15 Credits
| # | Year 3 Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Research Methods III — Quantitative and Data Science | 3 credits |
| 2 | Humanitarian Leadership and Public Policy | 3 credits |
| 3 | Research to Policy/Practice Project I | 3 credits |
| 4 | Research to Policy/Practice Project II | 3 credits |
| 5 | Research to Policy/Practice Project III | 3 credits |
| 6 | Research to Policy/Practice Project IV | 3 credits |
Year 3 Total
18 Credits
ARP / Dissertation Requirements
The final applied research portfolio translates rigorous inquiry into policy and practice outputs that can contribute directly to humanitarian leadership and professional practice.
Professional Doctorate
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Start Your Doctoral Journey
Bring research and professional experience together to develop practical, evidence-informed solutions for humanitarian leadership and the wider social-good sector.