Essential Information
Online doctoral degrees in organizational leadership include Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Education (EdD) programs. PhD programs typically focus on business applications of leadership, while EdD programs apply organizational leadership knowledge to learning and training issues. Either type of program can help working professionals to gain the knowledge required to guide educational institutions, businesses and other organizations through development and change. Completion of an online doctoral degree in organizational leadership takes approximately four years, whether it is fully online or a hybrid. Hybrid programs require limited on-campus visits.
PhD/EdD Degree - Organizational Leadership Specialization
Distance learning courses in organizational leadership include instruction and research in the psychological, social and economic factors affecting organizations and their leadership. Students examine human and business development issues individually and in small groups to develop independent and collaborative research skills.
Prior to graduation and under the guidance of a faculty member, each student is responsible for writing and defending an original dissertation investigating a specific research question. Schools often require students to participate in a limited number of on-campus visits during their programs of study in addition to taking distance learning classes in virtual classrooms.
Course Topics
The following courses are typical for this specialization:
- Entrepreneurship
- Ethics and Social Responsibility
- Human Resource Development
- Interpersonal Dynamics
- Personal Leadership
- Research Methods
- Theories of Organizational Behavior
Career Information
Graduates with an online PhD or EdD in Organizational Leadership are poised to take executive-level positions in non-profit organizations, corporations, educational institutions and government organizations. In 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that top executives earned a median wage of $102,690, while college administrators earned $88,580 and elementary and secondary education administrators earned $90,410 (www.bls.gov) that same year.
Students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in organizational leadership can find distance learning programs both fully online and in hybrid form. Degrees include a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Doctor of Education (EdD).
