Doctor of Education in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement (LICI)

Credits

Cost Per Credit

$900

Cohort Format

Submit an application by Dec 5th for our January start cohort and by June 5th for our June start cohort.

Apply Today

Program Length

Designed as a 3-year doctoral journey

Online Format

Engage in online courses, discussions, and meetings for your dissertation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Lead with purpose and transform industries

The Ed.D. in LICI equips mission-driven leaders to solve real-world problems, improve organizational systems, and lead with clarity, compassion, and Christian purpose. Designed for professionals across education, business, healthcare, ministry, and nonprofits, this applied doctorate strengthens your ability to lead change that lasts.

Virtual Tour

Program Overview

Upcoming webinar

Join us at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 to learn about the LICI EdD and PhD, hear from current students, and explore how the LICI program will help you achieve your professional goals.

The EdD in LICI is a flexible, supportive, interdisciplinary doctoral experience designed for full-time professionals from various fields who want to apply research to real workplace challenges, not just study it.

Through a balance of academic rigor and practical application, this program builds advanced expertise in:

Leadership
Improvement Science & Innovation
Applied Research

You’ll grow your ability to refine systems, solve complex problems, and elevate the people you serve all within a Christ-centered community committed to ethical, human-centered leadership.

Maximize time and tuition dollars

CUW offers a streamlined pathway to earn the LICI EdD and educational administration licensure in just 59 credits.

Explore an efficient way to earn licensure as a principal, director of special education, or director of curriculum and instruction while working on toward your EdD.

Why industry leaders choose this program

Practice-focused doctorate designed to solve real organizational problems.
Interdisciplinary cohort model where you learn alongside peers from education, business, healthcare, ministry, and nonprofits.
Built for working adults with asynchronous 8-week courses with clear deadlines.
Personalized dissertation support assigned Dissertation Chair early in the program.
Flexible elective paths choose business or education emphasis areas.
Improvement Science focus practical skills in Lean, Six Sigma, and organizational change.
Christ-centered leadership identity lead with stewardship, ethics, and purpose.
Two annual cohort start dates in January and June.

Alternative pathway: CUW offers two doctoral degree options in leadership in innovation and continuous improvement: the LICI PhD and LICI EdD. Explore the research-intensive 60 credit Ph.D. Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement degree.

Mission statement

The LICI EdD program is inspired by a Christian worldview, stewardship, and service. The mission of this program is to prepare scholarly leaders who will bring positive and impactful change in their vocations.

Program Videos

What to Expect

Preparing tomorrow’s leaders

CUW's EdD prepares you to:

Improve organizational systems through innovation and continuous improvement
Apply research and data to real-world problems
Design, implement, and evaluate strategic initiatives
Lead teams with clarity, confidence, and compassion
Make evidence-based decisions that strengthen outcomes
Integrate Christian ethics, faith, and stewardship into leadership practice

Ideal for interdisciplinary leaders

K–12 School Districts
Higher Education
Healthcare Systems
Ministry & Church Leadership
Business & Nonprofit Organizations
Government & Community Agencies
Engineering

Residencies

Although most coursework is online, EdD students attend two required in-person residencies (3–4 days each) at CUW’s Mequon, WI campus. These residencies provide:

Deep-dive learning with faculty
Meaningful networking with your cohort
Dedicated time for reflection and planning
Alignment of dissertation direction and next steps
Growth in Christian leadership identity

Program outcome

You will be paired with a Dissertation Chair early in the program who will mentor you from the beginning to your final dissertation defense. Through structured milestones, research seminars, and personalized feedback, you will:

Build a meaningful, applied dissertation project
Connect your research to your professional context
Participate in ongoing check-ins to stay on track
Complete and publicly defend your dissertation

The EdD dissertation is practice-focused, allowing you to address real, high-impact problems in your organization or field. Learn more about the dissertation process.

Letter from the LICI Director

Curriculum and course structure

Leadership Core

Advanced Leadership Theory & Practice
Exemplary Leadership Case Studies
Innovative & Entrepreneurial Leadership
Servant & Ethical Leadership

Research Core

Introduction to Doctoral Research Methods
Quantitative Research Seminar
Qualitative Research Seminar
Advanced Research & Statistics
Applied Research Seminars (dissertation development)

Improvement Science & Innovation Core

Organizational Learning, Performance & Change
Innovation & Design Thinking
Choice of: Six Sigma Applications or Lean Systems Analysis

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Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement (LICI)

A research-intensive PhD program that will build your expertise and confidence to be an influential leader.

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Master of Science in Educational Administration: Principal (DPI #5051)

Step into school leadership with your choice of four Wisconsin licensure options or pair any license with your master’s degree in educational administration

Learn More

Graduate Application Steps

Entrance requirements

Must have a master's degree with a focus in this doctoral program or other relevant degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale in one's master's coursework. (A lower GPA will be considered on an individual basis.)
Provide proof of English proficiency if English is a second language.
No GMAT or GRE is required.

Admissions process for graduate school

Application form available at www.cuw.edu/apply
- Select the Graduate option
Submit official transcripts from graduate or equivalent coursework
Submit a resume or CV, and a list of references
Submit an example of scholarly writing from graduate-level courses or other related work
Students may be asked to schedule an interview with the LICI admissons sub-committee
Submit a Letter of Intent (no more than two pages) providing evidence for consideration to be admitted to the LICI program. The Letter of Intent should focus on leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement as well as reasons for choosing Concordia and your commitment to degree completion.
Brief video introduction recorded and submitted through your Future Falcon application
Provide a copy of your government-issued identification

Apply Now

Accepted into the program

An official acceptance letter will be emailed to you that will include your Student ID number.
An email from your Admissions Counselor will be sent to you with Next-Step details and you will need to submit your tuition deposit.
Password information will be sent separately from the Information Technology office which will provide you with access to Canvas, your Concordia email account, and your student portal.

International Students

International students should contact the Office of International Admissions at international.admissions@cuw.edu for additional information on eligibility and application requirements. For more details, please visit our International Admissions page.

Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admission@cuw.edu or 262-243-4300.

The LICI EdD is a multi-disciplinary doctoral program for growth-minded individuals seeking to advance their knowledge and capacity to lead in education, business, and healthcare.

K-12 leaders: scroll down to find which streamlined route between the LICI EdD and educational administration licensure works best for you. Explore an efficient way to earn licensure as a principal, director of special education, or director of curriculum and instruction while working on toward your EdD.

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Informational Webinars

View previously recorded webinars on your own time! Meet Dr. Kathleen Kannass, Program Director, and other faculty in the doctorate program. The webinars review curriculum, core learning areas, the dissertation process, and the benefits of the cohort format. Get information about the admission and application process too.

Here's our most recent webinar:

Additional webinars

About

Completing a dissertation is a significant undertaking essential to earn your doctoral degree. This unique program is designed for you to begin your dissertation in your first year, paving the way for successful completion within three years. Engage in research seminar courses that provide a structured schedule to guide you through the dissertation process. With a dedicated research chair by your side, you will receive ongoing support and valuable feedback as you craft your dissertation chapters.

Examples of dissertation topics from our doctoral graduates:

The Relationship of Principals' Leadership Style and Teachers' Job Satisfaction
Neurodiagnostic Technician Sustainability
Preparation and Motivation: Antecedents of Small City Elected Leadership Participation
College and Career Training in Middle School Students
Learning from Physical Therapy Students: The Perceptions, Beliefs, and Attitudes Entering Professional Practice
The Impact of Training & Development on Teacher Retention in Urban Schools
Perceptions of Parent Involvement in Elementary Special Education
The Lived Experience of Parents of Anxious High-School Aged Childrent: A Phenomenological Practice
The Effects of Virtual Learning During COVID-19 on Math and Reading Scores

Dissertation Process

You are assigned a Dissertation Chair at the beginning of the program that will serve as an advisor and mentor. Through regular online check-ins, you will receive feedback and other essential support to stay on track to finish your dissertation as scheduled. You will complete (11) research seminar credits where you will solely focus on your dissertation work.

Research Seminar 1

Investigate research on possible topics
Assigned a research chair

Research Seminar 2

Write Chapter 2 (Draft of Literature Review)

Research Seminar 3

Write Chapter 1 (Draft of Introduction)
Update Chapter 2

Research Seminar 4

Write Chapter 3 (Draft of Methodology)
Update Chapter 1

Research Seminar 5

Preparing Chapters 1-3 for proposal

Research Seminar 6

Data Collection

Research Seminar 7

Data Analysis
Write Chapter 4

Research Seminar 8

Write Chapter 5
Compile the full dissertation

Research Seminar 9

Defend dissertation

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