Monarch Business School · Applied doctoral study
Doctor of Leadership
You’ve earned your leadership experience.
Now earn your doctorate.
Strengthen your authority, credibility and influence as a leader. At Monarch Business School Switzerland, build on your experience of guiding people and change—and pursue the personal achievement of a doctorate alongside your career.
Program Facts
The Doctor of Leadership (DOL) at Monarch Switzerland is a fully online, part-time doctoral programme offered through Monarch Business School, with a standard duration of 24 months. Designed for experienced leaders, managers, coaches and consultants, it enables doctoral study alongside a career without the need to relocate.
- Institution
- Monarch Switzerland
- Department
- Monarch Business School
- Award
- Doctor of Leadership (DOL)
- Study Mode
- Fully Online
- Standard Duration
- 24 Months
- Study Format
- Part-Time
- Designed For
- Experienced Leaders, Managers, Coaches and Consultants
- Residency
- No Relocation Required
- Language
- English
- Institution Location
- Switzerland
This doctoral program may be completed fully online, including the doctoral defence. No relocation is required. Candidates may select an in-person doctoral defence when offered by Monarch.
An extended-duration pathway is available. Completion depends on research progress and fulfilment of the programme’s academic requirements.
Your experience. Your leadership ambition.
Become the leader
you aspire to be.
You have earned the experience of leading others. Now build the depth of expertise and professional distinction you want for your next chapter—as an executive, consultant, coach or leader of change.
Your professional experience provides the foundation; program study, applied research and faculty guidance help you develop insight into people, culture and change. Focus your doctoral project on a leadership challenge that matters to you.
Lead with greater confidence
Develop the perspective and well-supported judgement to navigate difficult decisions and lead with confidence.
Strengthen your influence
Deepen your understanding of people, relationships and organisational culture so you can guide meaningful change.
Build your professional distinction
Develop a distinctive area of leadership expertise and a doctoral contribution you can bring into your professional practice.
Earn a doctoral qualification that reflects your achievement and strengthens the professional voice you bring to leadership conversations.
Your doctoral journey
A clear pathway from question to contribution.
You do not need to arrive with a finished research proposal. Once you choose a professional doctorate the faculty will guide you in developing your research proposal. Clear milestones help you move from a leadership challenge to a contribution you can be proud of.
- 01 · PREPARE
Build the foundations
Develop leadership inquiry, research design and reflective academic writing through Research Skills I and II.
- 02 · FRAME
Shape your proposal
Refine your leadership question, conceptual approach and methodology. Academic approval marks entry into the research stage.
- 03 · INVESTIGATE
Explore leadership in context
Gather and interpret evidence within organisational, consulting or community settings using an appropriate research design.
- 04 · SYNTHESISE
Develop your manuscript
Connect findings with leadership models, reflective frameworks and applied recommendations.
- 05 · PRESENT
Share your contribution
Present your completed research, findings and professional implications before the Review Committee.
Who this programme is for
For the leader you want to become.
Whether you aspire to greater leadership responsibility, a more distinctive coaching or consulting practice, or a lasting contribution to your community, bring your ambition and experience to the DOL.
Lead change with insight
Executives and senior managers investigating transformation, organisational culture, strategic change and responsible leadership.
Strengthen your practice
Executive coaches, leadership consultants and development specialists ready to deepen their expertise and strengthen the credibility of their professional voice.
Connect purpose with action
Leaders in government, education, NGOs and communities examining governance, ethics, development and societal contribution.
Study while you work
Move forward
without stepping away.
Work from your professional context
Study remotely and asynchronously from your home country, with no mandatory relocation or residency. The programme is designed to sit alongside continuing professional responsibilities.
Stay connected through mentorship
Individualised faculty guidance supports your research development, reflective practice and academic progress. Optional doctoral workshops in Switzerland provide opportunities for research support and community engagement.
Recognition & progression
One journey.
Connected opportunities.
Build on your professional achievements, with recognition of your doctoral work and opportunities to extend your contribution.
A master’s award in passing
Candidates who successfully complete all DOL requirements receive the MA in Business Research in passing upon conferral of the doctorate.
If your circumstances change
Candidates who conclude their studies before completing the DOL may qualify for the MA in Business Research or MA in Leadership as a terminal award, subject to the applicable academic requirements and approval. An exit award is not automatic.
Considering a dual doctorate?
The separate dual doctoral pathway begins with the PhD. Following successful completion of the PhD research phase and academic review, candidates may progress to an applied doctorate such as the DOL, translating theoretical outcomes into professional models and recommendations.
Explore dual doctoral pathways →Our DOL community
Leadership experience. Doctoral achievement.
Meet DOL and dual PhD / DOL students and graduates who bring their leadership experience and ambitions into doctoral study.
Dr. Kerstin Jatho
Graduate · Dual PhD / DOL
Drawing on her experience in executive coaching and team development, Dr. Jatho examined the relationship between positive psychology, leadership behaviour and organisational well-being.
Read profile →
Amineh Khajehpour
Candidate · DOL
Mrs. Amineh Khajehpour joins the Doctor of Leadership program with more than 15 years of international experience at the intersection of neuroscience-based coaching, executive leadership, and advanced engineering. A…
Read profile →
Boo Alson Ngee
Candidate · Dual PhD / DOL
Mr. Boo Alson Chun Ngee is a Dual PhD/DOL Program Candidate. He holds an Executive MBA from the University of Peking and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in International Business from Birmingham City University. He is…
Read profile →
Catherine Echeozo
Candidate · Dual PhD / DOL
Ms. Catherine Echeozo is a Dual PhD / DOL Combined Program Candidate. She holds an MBA from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Nigeria. She is the Founder and…
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Cynthia Pillay
Candidate · DOL
Ms. Cynthia Pillay is a Doctor of Leadership Candidate. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Durban, South Africa. At present, she is an independent consultant with Luona…
Read profile →
Emmanuel Maro
Candidate · DOL
Mr. Emmanuel Julius Maro is a Doctor of Leadership Candidate. He holds an MBA from Mzumbe University, and an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from University of Dar es Salaam. He also holds a Certificate in…
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Gloria Noganta
Candidate · DOL
Ms. Gloria Nomvuyiseko Noganta Doctor of Leadership Candidate. Ms. Noganta has been involved in business management and law enforcement since 1993. Her experience includes working with an extremely broad range of…
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Halima Daniels
Candidate · Dual PhD / DOL
Ms. Halima Daniels is a Dual PhD / Doctor of Leadership Combined program candidate. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Industrial Psychology from UNISA. She has also completed the theoretical section of the…
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Dr. Louise Delaney
Graduate · DOL
Dr. Louise Delaney is a Doctor of Leadership graduate. She holds a Master in Innovation & Technology from the Dublin Institute of Technology. She also holds a Bachelor of Information Technology from the Dundalk…
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Melissa Shipman
Candidate · DOL
Ms. Melissa Shipman is a Doctor of Leadership in Professional Coaching Candidate. She holds a Dual Masters in Health Administration and Business Administration (MHA / MBA) from Webster University in the USA. She also…
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Robert Rances
Candidate · Dual PhD / DOL
Mr. Robert Rances is a Dual PhD/DOAL Combined Program Candidate. He holds a Master of Business Administration from York St. John University, UK. He is a =n entrepreneur and business coach. Ap present, he is the CEO of…
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Veronicah Gladys Namagembe
Candidate · DOL
Ms. Veronicah Gladys Namagembe is a Doctor of Leadership Candidate and a seasoned microfinance specialist with 21 years hands on experience. She holds a MBA from Durham Business School UK as well as a Masters of…
Read profile →
Vumile Msweli
Candidate · DOL
Ms. Vumile Msweli is a Doctor of Leadership Candidate. She holds a B.Comm. in Accounting from the University of Pretoria and a B.Comm. in Finance from the University of Johannesburg. She also holds an MBA from the…
Read profile →Admissions and support
Your next step begins with a conversation.
Tell us about your leadership experience, previous study and what you want to achieve. Admissions will help you explore your fit with the DOL and the support available for your next step.
Ask about your eligibility →What are the entry requirements?
Applicants normally hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution. Experienced professionals with a bachelor’s degree and substantial leadership responsibility may also be considered. Applications undergo academic review to assess readiness, intended inquiry and supervisory fit.
Can professional experience support my application?
In exceptional circumstances, applicants without formal academic qualifications may be considered at the Dean’s discretion on the basis of significant professional achievement, specialised expertise or recognised professional certifications. Admission is subject to individual assessment.
When do I develop my research proposal?
The proposal is developed and refined during the proposal phase. You will articulate a leadership question, conceptual approach and methodological plan, with approval required before entering the research stage.
When can I begin?
Admissions are rolling, with programme starts on the first day of each month, subject to admission.
How does the DOL differ from a PhD?
The DOL focuses on applied leadership inquiry and contributions to professional practice. The PhD places its primary emphasis on an original theoretical contribution to knowledge. Both require rigorous doctoral research, but their intended contributions differ.
Planning your study
Flexible study.
Clear tuition.
Choose a standard 24-month or extended 48-month pathway to suit your professional commitments. Review current tuition, payment arrangements and continuation conditions before applying.
Your experience. Your next contribution.
Your leadership experience brought you this far.
Your ambition can take you further.
Picture your next chapter: deeper expertise, greater professional credibility and the pride of earning your doctorate. Speak with Admissions about your ambitions and take the first step toward your DOL.