The student, working with an advisor, develops a plan of study, including course work and directed activities, that fit his or her individual needs. An extraordinary amount of personal ownership by the student is critical for satisfactory completion of the degree. The Leadership program is flexible. The flexibility of the program allows for the educational needs, career goals, and past experience of the student to play an important part in the development of an individualized plan of study. The Leadership program builds important bonds between its participants .
Students become partners in learning, both with faculty members and with other students.
This process is enhanced by involvement in orientation activities, seminars, and study groups, and through continued contact and discussion by using e-mail , the Internet, and other forms of telecommunication. The program is judged completed when a student has demonstrated achievement of the twenty general competencies . Demonstration of achievement is documented in a portfolio that is assembled throughout the program. The portfolio is presented to the Leadership team at the end of the program for final validation. A doctoral dissertation must be completed, defended and approved.