Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning – Organizational Leadership
Shape the future of your organization with an affordable Ed.D.
Throughout the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning – Organizational Leadership program, we will look at leadership from different layers, from the personal to the group level, to the organizational level that often has a high degree of unpredictability. This Ed.D. will help graduates understand the dynamics impacting the creation of an enduring and effective strategic plan and lead positive organizational change around current policy and critical issues. Graduates acquire creative problem-solving strategies for enhancing their surroundings. This degree is centered around three elements: collaborative and ethical leadership, transformational leadership, and reflective scholarship. Through practical, real-world applications, students will gain adeptness with leading teams, both within and across multicultural contexts, while maintaining high ethical standards in all business practices.
Individuals seeking greater knowledge and skills in adult learning paradigms, effective leadership strategies, and innovative entrepreneurship development would benefit most from this doctoral degree emphasis. This program is not designed as a teacher certification program, and different states and municipalities often have specific requirements concerning different degree programs. Depending on your goals for this program, please check with your local and state regulatory requirements for program acceptance.
Dissertation: This program requires students to complete a dissertation. The dissertation is the final step of a doctoral program and the culmination of a student’s doctoral studies. The dissertation is a written document that summarizes a completed research study that is grounded in theory and is methodologically sound. Students will select their own dissertation topic.
View the Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning Handbook
For more information about the program, see the Academic Catalog.
Enjoy Flexibility– 20 online courses with program start dates every 2 weeks
Choose Where You Learn– Online courses
Affordable Monthly Payments
Focus on Your Passion– Choose your dissertation topic
Aspen also offers online Ed.S. programs for students who do not wish to complete a dissertation.
Why More Students Are Choosing Aspen
Ed.D. Organizational Leadership Courses
Aspen’s Ed.D. curriculum features 20 courses designed to equip you with advanced leadership skills. Taught by experienced educators from diverse settings, you’ll have the opportunity to apply new knowledge through the integration of your dissertation.
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EDD830 - Leadership Theory
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RSH900 - Doctoral Writing and Inquiry into Research
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EDD832 - Human Potential and Motivation
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EDO810 - Organizational Theory
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EDO812 - Innovation and Entrepreneurship
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EDD834 - Creating Strategic Change That Lasts
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RSH910 - Research Design and Methodology
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EDD836 - Project Management Techniques
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RSH912 - Introduction to the Dissertation
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EDO814 - Adult Learning Theory
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EDD838 - Building Successful Organizations that Endure
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RSH914 - Techniques and Interpretation for Statistical Analysis
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EDO816 - Leading in Highly Uncertain and Rapidly Changing Environments
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EDO818 - Leading Across Contexts and Cultures
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RSH916 - Problem-Based Research in Action
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EDO820 - Ethical Issues in Leading Organizations
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EDD820 - Dissertation I: Dissertation Committee Selection and Research Proposal
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EDD821 - Dissertation II: Literature Review, Methodology, and IRB Process
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EDD822 - Dissertation III: Research and Results
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EDD823 - Dissertation IV: Conclusions, Oral Defense, and Publication
The emphasis of this course is on leadership with the focus on the application of leadership concepts and leadership skills. Through the examination of a wide array of different leadership theories, the student gains knowledge and skills for a plethora of theoretical paradigms and models, which can be used to influence others towards positive and lasting change. Working with teams and dealing with the politics and power within an organization are also examined in depth.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This research course examines the basic principles and techniques of doctoral scholarship, and offers an overview of the development of theory and research logic, explores the relationship between theoretical and empirical constructs, and provides a wide variety of specific research methodologies, including the scholarly publication process. Students study the principles of the scientific method and research design techniques common to both qualitative and quantitative research, including sampling methods and data collection techniques. Material includes examination of various research methods including electronic searches and retrieval methods. Students learn to critically read research papers and articles, and are introduced to the writing techniques necessary to produce expository and analytical papers to the standards of publishable work. This course is a prerequisite for all other doctorate courses.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course examines a meaningful and sophisticated understanding of motivation and emotion. Blending motivation and emotion with leadership builds a powerful sense of tolerance and meaning in many domains of life: home, school, workplace, clinical setting, athletic fields, healthcare, and interpersonal relationships. The course deeply explores individual emotion, mindset, and interventions. A leader can use this knowledge to motivate individuals and evaluate how emotion drives behavior to obtain the best performance out of their employees and relationships in all facets of life.
3 CreditsRequired Books
The purpose of this course is to review theories in the field of educational and organizational leadership. Students are able to understand organizational theories and apply those theories in a variety of leadership scenarios. Students also are able to use organizational theories to help their organizations assess, measure, and increase organizational effectiveness.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course takes a thorough look at the topics of innovation and entrepreneurship. Various definitions are examined and analyzed. Furthermore, implications associated both with the theoretical exploration of the topic as well as the opportunities for professional application are examined. Clearly innovation and entrepreneurship are essential components in organizational leadership today. They require strategic leadership behaviors and the thoughtful consideration of the systems and structures required to make these ever present and continuous elements of a contemporary, successful organization.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Creating strategic change that lasts is a fine art of every successful leader. Throughout this course, students examine what the best leaders do to create an atmosphere where employees in the organization can flourish. The focus is on learning essential behaviors that promote a high-energy culture.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course begins to ask the doctoral student to reflect on past courses, studies and articles that support and build upon personal areas of interest. The course is designed to challenge students to think about an area of interest and begin develop a comprehensive research topic aligned with their professional goals. Students expand on the research topic, identify appropriate theories, methodologies and consider research design. At the end of eight weeks, students will frame the beginning of a doctoral research dissertation.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Every career today requires both leadership and management. Traditionally, leadership is seen as charting the vision while management provides the execution. Modern day leaders understand that it is more complex than that. Precise and thoughtful management does more than simply execute a collective leadership vision. It creates continuity, organization, and the capacity to understand the systemic objectives ahead. This course helps to provide guidance in the all-important area of project management and the techniques that support those outcomes.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course provides the student with an overview of each part required in the completion of the dissertation writing process. It reflects each of the five chapters necessary when preparing the doctoral dissertation and includes the ethical and professional requirements to help make the author accountable and reflective in its presentation, validity, and significance to future researchers and readers. The student selects an existing, published dissertation in their discipline and examines it throughout the course as a model for how to effectively design and write a solid dissertation.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Adult Learning Theory analyzes the theories and principles associated with andragogy, the theory and practice of the education of adults. Regardless of the organizational context, adults are constantly in a learning mode as they develop new skills and adjust to the ever-changing demands of organizational systems. When best practices in andragogy are integrated into the personnel development of an organization, it creates a ‘learning culture’ that promotes effective change.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course is about the steps that leaders take to create organizations that are fully undergirded in a way that leads to their ongoing sustenance and growth and continued innovation and improvement. This is an essential course in pursuit of highly effective organizations; it is imperative to create cultures of change and to attempt to create organizations that are self-sustaining and highly organized. This course addresses a number of pertinent topics regarding this change dynamic and offers the student an opportunity to give considerations to theory and instructional practices.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This research course emphasizes practicality and flexibility in its approach to augmenting organizational decision-making. In this course, a practical approach is adopted that prepares students to identify the correct method, calculate the statistics, and properly interpret the results to solve the question at hand. Application and interpretation of statistics is stressed as students see for themselves how statistics work.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course thoroughly examines the issue of change in modern, learning organizations. In an era where technology and other social and cultural shifts have created uniquely fluid environments, this course examines the leadership capacity to anticipate, plan for, and in some cases respond to the inevitable arc of change. Change requires uniquely specific leadership behaviors around system organization and orientation. This course examines the thought processes required and the preferred structures and approaches regarding this ever present and all-important strategic organizational reference point. The topic of change is evaluated from both the theoretical and application-based perspectives.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Leading across contexts and cultures is a course on applying management practices and processes across national and regional environs. Leaders need to hone their skills and develop strategies to compete in a global market. Research in anthropology, psychology and management are explored to explain the cultural and psychological foundations, which influence leadership and managerial attitudes and behaviors.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course is designed to provide students with additional research tools used to solve everyday problems through a process of inquiry and developing solutions to significant problems in the workplace. This useful strategy can provide the leader a design for decision-making based on data and supportive research. This course satisfies the Proctored Exam requirement for this program.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course analyzes the moral psychology of dysfunctional leadership which causes ethical issues within the governance of public, private, and non-profit organizations. Focus is placed on the central question of leadership ethics, “Do the distinctive features of leadership justify rule-breaking behavior?”
3 CreditsRequired Books
EDD 820 is designed to provide students the guidance to select a dissertation research topic, create a research plan and form their dissertation committee. After establishing the committee, students begin work on Chapter 1 of their dissertation. Chapter 1 serves as the guiding document as it overviews the scope, purpose, nature and intent of the dissertation. At the completion of this course, students are ready to defend their dissertation proposal.
3 CreditsRequired Books
EDD 821 is designed to guide students through two integral components of the dissertation process, the literature review and methodology. Under the direction of their dissertation committee, students frame their dissertation research study within the context of the relevant academic literature. Using this knowledge, students design the methodology of their dissertation research study, complete the required ethical training to conduct research, and submit their proposal to the Institutional Review Board. At the completion of this course, students will have finalized Chapters 2 and 3 and are prepared to conduct their dissertation research study.
3 CreditsRequired Books
EDD 822 focuses on the implementation of the dissertation research study and the analysis of the results. Students conduct their research study with an understanding of key ethical, practical, theoretical and methodological considerations. At the conclusion of the data collection, students analyze and interpret data in relation to the research questions and theoretical framework. Through this process, students complete Chapter 4 of their dissertation.
3 CreditsRequired Books
EDD 823 brings students to the completion of their dissertation journey. Students complete the final chapter of their dissertation, polish the completed work, and then organize and facilitate an oral defense of their work. Upon receiving final approval and grade, students are able to apply for publication as well as their commencement from Aspen University.
3 CreditsRequired Books
“Aspen University, my teachers, and my degree have helped me find new pathways in my journey and I am grateful to have my experiences guiding my family and me toward a better life.”
Kristine B.
Ed.D. Organizational Leadership, graduated November 2022Cost & Time to Completion
The Best Fit for Working Professionals
We understand the difficulties in pursuing your Ed.D. when you have a demanding work and family schedule. Aspen’s course format and frequent start dates are designed to help working professionals move through their degree efficiently.
Our Monthly Payment Plan Makes Us Different.
Paying for your Ed.D. shouldn’t be complicated. Our Monthly Payment Plan makes it easy for you to finance your program.
Tuition Rates
| $35,700 | Tuition |
| $4,250 | Fees |
| $3,000 |
Estimated
Textbook
Costs
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| $42,950 | |
Other Ways to Finance Your Ed.D.
Students who have served, or are currently serving in the United States Military and their legal spouses are eligible to receive a Military Affiliation Discount from Aspen University.
Aspen University is currently approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer federal student aid for the Ed.D. program.
Aspen University maintains employee tuition discount partnerships with a large and growing number of organizations. Tell your enrollment advisor where you work and ask them to check for you prior to enrolling.
Aspen offers several payment plans for students to fund their education.
Taj-Marie G.
Ed.D. Organizational Leadership, graduated December 2022Admission Requirements
Application – A completed application; Aspen does not charge an application fee
Resume – Current resume or curriculum vitae
Statement of Goals – A statement of your goals reflecting the academic, professional, and personal goals you would like to achieve through your work with Aspen University. The statement of goals should be between 300 – 500 words.
Master’s Degree –Official Transcript demonstrating a master’s degree from an institution that is accredited by a CHEA recognized accrediting body or an international equivalent; applicants must have earned at least a 3.0 GPA in their master’s program (see Catalog for more information)
Career Outlook
In today’s dynamic and increasingly complex business environment, the demand for skilled leaders who can guide teams and drive strategic initiatives is more critical than ever. Professionals with an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership are equipped to meet these challenges, making them highly valuable across various sectors.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), fields related to organizational leadership such as management and executive leadership are expected to experience higher than average growth from 2023-2033, with roughly 1.2 million openings projected each year, reflecting a strong need for influential organizational leaders. This growth creates numerous opportunities for both established organizations and emerging enterprises.
Graduates with an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership are well-prepared to assume leadership roles in various settings, including corporate, non-profit, government, and educational institutions. Positions may include senior management, executive director, organizational consultant, and strategic advisor roles.
This program develops advanced skills in leadership theory, strategic management, organizational development, and change management, allowing graduates to drive success, foster innovation, and lead transformative initiatives. By obtaining an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership, graduates will gain the expertise needed to navigate complex organizational landscapes, influence positive change, and make a significant impact in their chosen field.
Average Annual Salary for Managers
$116,880
Data pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Fall 2024. Salary can vary widely depending on geographical location and role.
Ed.D. Organizational Leadership Frequently Asked Questions
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What is an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership?
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Is this program offered fully online?
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Who is this program intended for?
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What are the core subjects covered in this program?
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Is a dissertation required for the Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership?
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Are there any residency requirements?
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Do I need to have a background in organizational leadership to apply?
An Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership is a doctoral program focused on developing leadership strategies and practices for professionals in diverse settings such as education, corporate, non-profit, and government organizations. The program emphasizes research-based solutions to real-world challenges in organizational management and development.
Yes, the program is delivered entirely online, offering flexibility for working professionals. It incorporates both live (synchronous) and on-demand (asynchronous) learning, allowing students to balance their studies with their professional responsibilities.
The Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and make impactful organizational changes. It attracts individuals from a range of sectors, including business, education, healthcare, government, and non-profits. It is ideal for working professionals with several years of experience who want to step into higher leadership roles or elevate their existing leadership abilities.
Core subjects include courses in key leadership areas such as leadership theory, ethical decision-making, organizational behavior, and strategic planning. Core subjects include team dynamics, effective communication, data-driven decision-making, and research methods that prepare students to assess organizational performance and lead strategic initiatives.
Yes, a dissertation is required. Students will conduct research on a practical issue in organizational leadership, demonstrating their ability to apply theoretical and research-based solutions. The dissertation process begins after completing coursework. Students collaborate with a dissertation committee to develop a proposal, conduct research, and defend their findings. Click here to view the IRB Handbook.
Although the program is fully online, it includes two virtual residencies. These residencies are designed to enhance learning, provide networking opportunities, and prepare students for the dissertation process. Click here to view the Doctoral Residency Guide.
While a background in leadership or management is preferred, the program is open to those looking to transition into an organizational leadership role.