D'Youville's Executive Leadership Program (EXL) is a dynamic, cross-disciplinary graduate course of study that prepares managers to lead organizations through the current times of disruption. EXL uniquely focuses on the entrepreneurial and innovative skills required of working professionals to get ahead of challenges and grow their organizations. In partnership with various leadership development organizations (e.g., Leadership Buffalo), EXL's unique applied and project-based approach focuses students on integrating knowledge and skills to lead organizations and strengthen communities through engaging in strategic change initiatives.

EXL is offered for working professionals who seek to advance to the executive level. Students can start the program after completing a master's degree, which will be transferred to satisfy the elective requirement. Students will receive a post-master's graduate certificate once they complete the foundational core themes courses (21 credits). Under the foundational core, students will choose one course from the existing graduate courses offered by different programs to satisfy each of the seven themes. Students will receive a doctoral degree once they complete academic core (12 ch) and integrated core courses (9ch), which includes two immersive internship experiences and a capstone project completion.

The program will be delivered fully online via either asynchronous or synchronous courses. Academic core courses will be delivered as 8-weeks courses.

A- Foundational Core Themes: 21 ch (Select one unique course for each theme offered by DYU graduate programs. Students may transfer any graduate level 3 ch course to satisfy one of foundational core theme courses, in addition to electives, subject to program director approval)
1. Leadership Theory: HAPH-675 or MBA-611
2. Organizational Behavior/Operations Management: HAPH-665, MBA-606, or MBA-611
3. Organizational Finance: HAPH-648, HAPH-650, ELK-742, or MBA-616
4. Legal and Ethical Issues: HAPH-653, ELK-741, or MBA-612
5. Social Justice: EDL-739 or HAPH-706
6. Human Resource Development: HAPH-616, MBA-604, HRM-635, HRM-636, HRM-637, or HRM-638
7. Research Literacy: HAPH-608, GRA-601, HED-721, HED-722, EDL-735, or ELK-745

B- Academic Core Courses: 12ch (EXL students take together)
1. EXL-761: System Thinking
2. EXL-762: Complexity Theory
3. EXL-763: Crisis and Disruption Management
4. EXL-764: Innovation and Entrepreneurship

C- Integrative Core Courses: 9ch
1. EXL-768: Leadership Internship 1: Community-based leadership development experience (e.g., Leadership Buffalo, Women’s Leadership Institute)
2. EXL-769: Leadership Internship 2: Immersive executive leader shadowing experience 
3. EXL-770: Capstone Project

D- Electives: 30 ch: Graduate level courses with grades B or higher. It can be transferred from other accredited institutions. 

TOTAL: 72 ch

Existing DYU doctoral policies and regulations apply to this program.
The cumulative quality point average determines a student’s academic standing (G.P.A.). Graduate and doctoral students are expected to maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above. A student with less than a 3.0 cumulative G.P.A. at any time is placed on academic probation for one semester. At the end of the probation semester, the student’s file is reviewed by the CDSR committee. If the student’s cumulative G.P.A. is a minimum of 3.0, the student is automatically removed from probation. If a student does not achieve the 3.0 G.P.A., the program student progress committee will either dismiss the student from the program immediately or continue the student on probation for one more semester. If a minimum of 3.0 is not then achieved, dismissal is automatic. A student may be on probation for no more than two semesters during the entire graduate program.

A student who maintains a minimum of a 3.0 average but receives more than two grades of C or lower will be reviewed by the CDSR committee for a recommendation regarding continuation in the program. See the policy below related to "Grades Below B."

An appeal to any of the above may be made by following the grievance procedures in the D’Youville University calendar and resource guide.

Grades Below B Policy
All grades of B or higher apply to the EXL Program at D’Youville University. Up to six credits of grades lower than a B (B-, C+ or C) may be applied to the doctoral degree. Grades of C- or lower do not apply to the EXL EdD program. If more than six credits of graduate work have received a grade below a B or if the student received a grade of C- or lower, the student will be required to retake the course to continue in the program.

The students are expected to complete their capstone EXL-770 course within a semester, which can be extended up to two semesters with the program director's approval. If the student does not complete the course within two semesters, they must register for the capstone EXL-770 for the second time, which can extend their completion for up to another two semesters.

To apply, applicants will submit the following:
- Official undergraduate transcript showing degree completion
- Graduate transcripts, showing degree completion if achieved
- A professional curriculum vitae or resume
- A written Statement of Intent describing reasons for pursuing the program
- Applicants may be asked to meet virtually with the EXL program director