Program Overview
Choose Excellence with a PsyD in Leadership Psychology
The PsyD in Leadership Psychology at William James College is designed for working professionals who need both flexibility and meaningful connection. Whether you choose the fully online or blended format, you’ll learn through interactive courses that emphasize real‑world application, guided reflection, peer learning, and community building. You’ll also take part in a unique conference experience each semester that deepens your engagement with faculty and strengthens your professional network.
The program can be completed in four years full time or six years part time. Students enter with a 30‑credit master’s degree and complete 68 additional credits at WJC. Online and blended students learn together through a shared online course structure, allowing you to apply new skills in real time and build relationships that support your growth as a leader.
Blended (Online + 2-4 day residencies each semester)
You’ll benefit from the flexibility of online coursework paired with the energy and collaboration that come from in‑person learning. Each course includes a one‑day, on‑campus residency at our Newton, Massachusetts campus, where you’ll participate in hands‑on activities, practice new skills, and deepen relationships with faculty and peers. Depending on the number of courses you take each semester, you will have 1-3 days of on-campus course work plus one full-day conference on campus. The conference brings all students together to choose from multiple activities and group sessions throughout the day to customize your experience and learning style and interests. Together, the conference and on-campus coursework is known as the "residency". The residency offers unique opportunities for engagement, collaboration, and learning.
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Start HereVirtual (Fully Online) Format
You’ll complete your degree from wherever you live and work. It is ideal if you’re seeking maximum flexibility or are enrolling from outside the United States. Each course includes eight hours of live, highly interactive online workshops designed to help you apply what you’re learning immediately to your professional context. In both the fall and spring, you’ll participate in a virtual conference that brings cohorts together across time zones, expands your perspective, and builds a strong sense of community—all without the cost or complexity of travel.
Fully Online vs. Blended: Side by Side
| Fully Online | Blended |
| All coursework is online | Most coursework is online |
| Orientation held virtually | Orientation held on campus |
| 8 hours synchronous virtual engagement per class | 1-day on campus residency per class |
| 7 hours synchronous virtual community conference per Fall and Spring semester | 1-day on-campus community conference per Fall and Spring semester |
| All concentrations available | All concentrations available |
| Travel: None | Travel: Yes - Newton, MA |
What is Leadership Psychology?
Leadership Psychology is a unique approach to understanding how individuals function as leaders and followers. The area of study examines those who are leaders themselves, those who are followers, and those who advise leaders. The goal is to understand the elements of being a great leader. The way you perform as a leader influences the performance of your team and colleagues.
Choose Real-World Learning with Experiential Education
Field placement is a transformational aspect of our educational model. As a Leadership Psychology PsyD student, you'll graduate with 900 hours of supervised hands-on field training. This includes a 600-hour practicum and a 300-hour internship. You will work with our Field Education Office to find a placement opportunity tailored to suit your career interests and goals.
Choose Impact with a Commitment to Social Responsibility
Our Leadership Psychology PsyD program is rooted in social justice, respect for diversity, and a multicultural perspective. This approach is woven through our entire curriculum and training model.
William James students have the option to choose to participate in a co-curricular, college-wide concentration to enhance their studies and expand their learning. Available concentrations include African and Caribbean Mental Health, Asian Mental Health, Global Mental Health, Latino Mental Health, or LGBTQIA+ Studies.
In addition to the college-wide concentrations, we offer in-depth, focused study opportunities specifically for Leadership Psychology PsyD students, including Inclusive Leadership, Educational Leadership, Leading Non-Profits and NGOs, and The Neuroscience of Leadership Psychology.
Program-Specific Concentrations
Educational Leadership
Inclusive Leadership
Leading Non-Profits and NGOs
Neuroscience of Leadership Psychology
College-Wide Concentrations
African and Caribbean Mental Health
Asian Mental Health
Global Mental Health
Latino Mental Health
LGBTQIA+ Studies
Choose Community Connectivity, Support and Student Life
The William James College community is supportive and connected. Our Dean of Students Office offers regular programming, in person and online, for all students, and oversees our Academic Resource Center. Student leadership and student groups create more opportunities for engagement, and we are proud to be home to the William James College Black Mental Health Graduate Academy, a community for Black students enrolled in our doctoral and master’s degree programs, that provides mentorship and networking opportunities.
Choose Mentorship and Personal Growth
As a student, you will engage with faculty through education, research, mentorship, and training. All students work closely with an advisor on course planning, personal and professional development, and career goals.
Students come from diverse backgrounds. Some are executives, some are on the executive track, and others are leading and supporting teams as managers and directors. Many are managing full-time work, family and personal relationships. They will tell you the support and guidance they receive from faculty is exceptional. Our faculty pride themselves on a high-touch model and are here to support you through this doctoral journey.
Organizational and Leadership Psychology faculty members, collectively, represent expertise across many psychology and business domains including non-profit leadership, organizational culture, neuroscience of leadership, strategic talent management, program evaluation, group dynamics, diversity and leadership, and more.
William James College faculty are practicing professionals who bring their organizational expertise and real-world examples into the classroom. They pair this experience with empirically based research, teaching you nuances, protocols, and interventions, that prepare you for your field work as a student and for your career as a leadership psychologist.