You'll need to complete a bachelor's degree before you can enroll in a doctoral program, but you don't need to finish your degree before you apply. Your school may also require prerequisites or testing. For example, at Pepperdine University, applicants have to take either the GRE or GMAT, and have the option to submit a resume or CV. Some schools look not only at educational records but also professional experience, so you'll need to highlight your work, internships or volunteer experience.
A variety of schools have organizational leadership doctoral programs. For students interested in pursuing courses online, the University of Phoenix allows students to complete most coursework remotely. Pepperdine University, the University of Maryland and George Washington University all have well-regarded, classroom-based programs. Depending upon the school and program you choose, you can seek either a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree or a doctorate of education (Ed.D.) degree.
At most schools, you'll take either seminar or independent study courses near the end of your program. These courses are partially determined by your research interests and thesis topic. You'll also take basic courses in leadership and management such as communication strategies, management, creative and critical thinking, leadership theories, research methods, and principles and organizational theory.
The time it takes to complete your program depends upon whether you enroll on a part-time or full-time basis and how long it takes you to draft and defend your dissertation after you've completed your coursework. At the University of Phoenix, students are required to take 68 semester hours of courses. Pepperdine University reports that students usually complete their program in 3 1/2 to four years, but it can take up to eight years to finish.