Program Description: The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership is a two-year, 42-credit program designed to prepare graduates to advance the mission of organizations and drive innovation. This program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding necessary to lead diverse teams, foster inclusive environments, and implement strategic change in complex organizational settings.
Program Structure: The curriculum is organized into six semesters and integrates core content, research coursework, and research support. Students progress through a carefully sequenced series of courses that build expertise in organizational foundations, leadership, strategic planning, and research inquiry. The program culminates in a capstone research project and professional portfolio, ensuring graduates are ready to apply scholarly research to real-world challenges.
Program Goals and Pillars: Graduates of the Ed.D. program will be prepared to further an organization’s purpose and facilitate innovation. The program is structured around five key pillars:
The Stakeholders: Demonstrate effective collaboration and communication skills, recognize the value of diverse perspectives, and promote inclusivity and belonging to empower communities and enhance individual experiences.
The Leader: Exemplify integrity, courage, and reflective leadership; demonstrate the ability and disposition to lead diverse constituencies; and display professional and respectful practices.
The Organization: Exhibit the ability to proactively identify and assess organizational dynamics and issues; utilize a data-driven approach to analyze and develop meaningful solutions; communicate decision making effectively; and support change implementation.
The Landscape: Discern external environmental, cultural, political, and financial forces to anticipate the effects on the organization and its diverse stakeholders to assure the long-term viability of the organization.
The Research: Design a scholarly research project, conduct an ethical research process, and interpret research results to craft practical yet innovative recommendations.
Curriculum Highlights:
Core Courses: Foundations of Organizations, Leadership Thought and Practice, Navigating Complex Problems, Building Organizational Culture, Strategic Change and Innovation, Strategic Planning and Resource Management, and Professional Portfolio.
Research Sequence: A five-part Research Inquiry series guides students through the research process, culminating in a capstone research project and presentation.
Capstone Support: Students are provided with additional support for their capstone research through targeted coursework and a faculty research advisor.
Key Topics: The curriculum addresses diversity, inclusiveness, reflective practice, ethical leadership, organizational culture, governance, innovation, law and policy, strategic planning, research methodologies, and the use of data in decision-making.
Who Should Apply: This program is ideal for aspiring and current leaders in non-profit, corporate, education, and public sector organizations who seek to deepen their leadership capacity, drive organizational improvement, and contribute to the field through applied research.
