Doctor of Global Leadership
School of Mission and Theology
Fuller’s Doctor of Global Leadership is designed for leaders in the global missions field to deepen their calling and advance their mission. In this primarily online program, students learn in a supportive cohort, integrating theory and practical research to develop an action plan to effect change in their particular service context.
The DGL is also fully available in Korean.
Holistic Formation
Benefit from supportive, formational guidance toward your growth as a leader
Individually Tailored
Customize your research to accomplish concrete change in your specific context
Stay in Your Context
Develop your ministry effectiveness without leaving your context of service
Collaborative Community
Be sharpened, challenged, and supported by peers within your cohort
Request More Information About the Doctor of Global Leadership Studies
Overview and Curriculum
Created for leaders holding a master’s degree and having at least three years’ field experience doing missiology or intercultural work, the Doctor of Global Leadership (DGL) is a four-year program consisting of annual nine-month modules representing the major stages of completing an applied research dissertation. The modules require an average time commitment of 12–16 hours per week. The Fall 2021 cohort of the DGL is completely online, and future cohorts may meet for annual in-person, one-week intensives. Guided by expert faculty practitioners, DGL students apply missiological and theological principles to a specific need for change in their ministry context, engaging in research that culminates in a contextually applied dissertation with a robust action plan.
Please note that this program is currently pending authorization for online studies in some US states. Please contact [email protected] for more specific information about authorization in your state.
"In our dramatically changing world, we need to reimagine how the gospel is shared in our unique settings. The Doctor of Global Leadership degree creates an environment where missional leaders like you, serving in churches and other organizations, can develop missiological frameworks that lead to dynamic change in their unique contexts."
– Kurt Fredrickson, Associate Dean for Professional Doctoral Programs and Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry
Learn in a Supportive Cohort
DGL students progress through the program with the same cohort of 10–15 students, led by faculty members who are scholar-practitioners. Students are able to stay in their contexts and study in various formats including fully online, or, depending on the cohort, online with an annual in-person intensive. Either way, the program’s cohort model allows students to further sharpen and support one another, creating lasting relational bonds and expanding their ministry network as they journey together in a learning community.
Applied Research
The DGL equips students to make an impact on a significant issue, problem, or opportunity in their context to effect change. After reviewing relevant literature, students move on to researching any gaps and information needed to impact their particular context. Considering how you might focus your own work in the DGL? Visit our Digital Commons for a list of titles and abstracts from prior graduates’ dissertations.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
The DGL is a 54-unit program. Current tuition is $590 per unit. Effective Fall 2023, tuition increases to $602 per unit.
- Total tuition for the 54-unit program is $31,860 USD; effective Fall 2023, total tuition is $32,508 USD.
- Tuition due for year 1-3 is $7,080 USD per year;
- Tuition due for year 4 is $9,440 USD
- Student fee: $105 USD per registered course.
- One-time new student fee: $140 USD
Please check the Tuition and Fees schedule for current per-unit tuition rates and additional fees. Students should also consider the cost of books, as well as travel and lodging for the annual intensives (if applicable).
New Student Scholarships vary by program and quarter. Contact your Admissions Counselor for more information about institutional scholarships you may qualify for. US Citizens and Permanent Residents may also apply for US federal aid and work study. Additionally, missionaries from these partner mission agencies are eligible to receive a 10 percent tuition discount, which can be combined with institutional scholarship.
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ThM in Intercultural Studies (ThMICS)
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MA in Global Leadership (MAGL)
Experienced leaders strengthen and sharpen their ministry in context through this primarily online, cohort-based program
get to know your admissions counselor | Debi Yu
I started at Fuller in 2012 to work on my Master's of Arts in Theology degree. Following graduation, I continued my educational journey and am now in the 4th year of my PhD program here in Theology. At the same time, I began my position as an admissions advisor for the DMin program in 2014 and am now the advisor for both the DMin and the Doctor of Global Leadership program. Oftentimes, students to the DMin and DGL program come because they are at a crossroads in their ministry – they may have a recurring issue in ministry or may feel stuck or are seeking further training beyond what they have received. Students also often come with the hurts often associated with ministry. Seeing the empowerment, the retooling, and even the healing that comes with the degrees is something I believe in and am proud to be a part of. I look forward to discerning next steps with you!
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