Admissions

The founding doctoral residency cohort is designed for leaders who are already deployed in the field — pastors building movements, educators redesigning systems, entrepreneurs scaling mission-driven businesses, community developers creating solutions no institution has attempted, communicators whose ideas are ready for doctoral-level publication, and cultural leaders whose contribution deserves the formation, framework, and credentialing it requires.

The candidate inquiry process has three steps:

1. Complete the intake form below.

2. Our admissions team will review your submission and contact you within 5 business days.

3. If your profile aligns with the founding cohort, you will be invited to a personal discovery conversation with Dr. Haupt.

 DLU offers two pathways based on leadership readiness:

• Foundations & Formation Pathway (Undergraduate + Institutes)
• Direct Doctoral Consideration Pathway (for experienced leaders)

 Request Consideration

The Doctoral Formation Residency begins with a structured consideration process designed to ensure alignment, readiness, and fit.

Submit Intake + Portfolio
Prospective participants begin by completing an intake application and submitting a portfolio of relevant work, experience, or vision. This provides insight into leadership background, current initiatives, and future direction.

Evaluation + Advising
Each submission is carefully reviewed by the DLU team. Qualified applicants may be invited into a brief advising process, where clarity is established around readiness, alignment, and the scope of the proposed work.

Invitation to Next Step
Applicants who demonstrate strong alignment and readiness will receive an invitation to move forward into the next phase of the residency process, including cohort placement and onboarding.