Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (Ed.D.)
Admission Requirements
Applicants will be evaluated by the department admissions committee using the following measures:
- A completed application with application fee.
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended.
- An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum of a 2.75 GPA.
- An earned graduate degree (post undergraduate) from a regionally accredited university with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in all work leading to the degree, or
- An earned bachelor's degree and extensive previous and current leadership positions.
- Personal Statement (1,500 word maximum) addressing the following:
- Explain where and how you have the opportunity to apply theory in leadership practice in an organization.
- Two letters of recommendation addressing the candidate’s academic capability to complete a doctoral program.
- A curriculum vitae or resume.
- Applicants must have five years of work experience post-baccalaureate; one year of management/leadership experience is preferred.
Probational Admissions
Applicants who are probationally accepted admits to the Ed.D. program will be able to matriculate into the current Fall Year 1 cohort.
Applicants who are probationally admitted for writing improvement will need to show improvement in their writing quality throughout the first semester in order to continue in the EdD program. At the end of the semester, the program faculty will evaluate the student's progress. If the student's writing meets the program’s standards, the department will recommend that the applicant move forward with the program. However, if the student's writing does not meet those requirements, applicants may not be able to continue in the program.
Enrollment Deadline and Waitlist
A cap in the number of doctoral students admitted to the Ed.D. program helps to maintain a quality student centered experience, and maintain a reasonable student-teacher ratio. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis as completed applications are submitted. Once admitted, students must submit their intent to enroll. A waitlist will be implemented once the program has reached its cohort capacity.
Degree Requirements
Total Program: 54 semester hours
The Ed.D. program is delivered through a blended delivery of on-site in person practicums and virtual coursework. Students attend, in person, on-site practicums twice per semester. The annual calendar of practicums is available from the program office. The balance of the credit hours and assignments are delivered virtually (e.g., webinars, asynchronous work, etc). In addition, students participate in a learning group in their geographical area. The program requires a time commitment of three years with 3 courses each semester (9 units), two organizational leadership courses and one research course per semester.
The organizational leadership sequence is 12 courses over three years that are taken for credit/no credit or for a grade. Students may individually select the letter grade as an option for their courses. Each course integrates leadership theory, skill development, and practice in the field. Examples of content include leadership theory, change, coaching, communication, diversity, innovation, systems thinking, and teamwork. The research sequence is 6 courses over three years. Four courses provide students with a foundation in qualitative and quantitative research. Students complete these four research courses sequentially during the first two years. The remaining 2 research courses are completed during the dissertation process in the third year. There is an eight-year time limit to complete all aspects of the dissertation from proposal to final reviews.
Students who do not complete the dissertation within the three years of coursework, must continuously enroll in the Dissertation in Organizational Leadership course (continuous enrollment) each semester up to the eight-year time limit for the completion of the degree.
| Year 1 coursework | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Semester Hours | |
| ORGL 611 | Personal Leadership | 3 |
| ORGL 615 | Social Theory, Equity, and Justice | 3 |
| ORGL 684A | Research Literacy | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| ORGL 613 | Classic and Contemporary Leadership Theories and Approaches | 3 |
| ORGL 617 | Ethical Leadership | 3 |
| ORGL 684B | Introduction to Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Year 2 coursework | ||
| Fall | ||
| ORGL 623 | Leadership and Decision Making | 3 |
| ORGL 634 | Organizational Development and Change | 3 |
| ORGL 686A | Approach to Research Design and Analysis | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| ORGL 633 | Leader as Change Agent | 3 |
| ORGL 625 | Culturally Proficient and Equitable Leadership | 3 |
| ORGL 686B | Developing a Research Proposal | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Year 3 coursework | ||
| Fall | ||
| ORGL 622 | Team Dynamics | 3 |
| ORGL 641 | Writing for Research | 3 |
| ORGL 698A | Dissertation Research I | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| ORGL 635 | Leading Program Development for Creativity and Innovation | 3 |
| ORGL 642 | Advancing Research to Publication | 3 |
| ORGL 698B | Dissertation Research II | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 54 | |