EdD in Organizational Leadership

Advance Your Career With an EdD

Become a change agent and lead organizations and communities to new heights with your Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership.

Designed to be completed in as few as 40 months, the EdD in Organizational Leadership program, through online instruction and in-person immersion experiences, empowers you to apply what you learn right away in the workplace. The program is ideal for full-time, experienced, working professionals who are looking to tailor their learning experience to their chosen career path and industry. Choose from three specializations:

Change Management
Learning Technologies
PK-12 Leadership

Our cohort-based program employs the scholar-practitioner model of doctoral training, combining academics, research, and hands-on instruction. Emerge prepared to lead, to serve, and to drive meaningful change in organizations and communities for the greater good.

EdD in Organizational Leadership Program Highlights

If you're ready to maximize your impact as a leader, discover how our EdD in Organizational Leadership program can help you take the next step forward in your career.

Three Specializations Available

Take charge of your educational journey with focused offerings that span across industries.

Convenient Learning Schedule

The program is offered in the Global Access Format that consists of face-to-face and online instruction.

Six Required In-person Immersion Experiences

Go beyond the classroom and learn at various domestic and international locations.

No GRE or Standardized Tests

We focus on your desire to inspire change in our communities, not your test scores.

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EdD in Organizational Leadership Curriculum

Learn to lead your organization to new heights with a robust, diverse curriculum that leverages online course work, immersive in-person learning experiences, and independent dissertation work. The 57-credit curriculum comprises 17 core courses, 6 onsite immersion experiences, 3 courses within your selected specialization, and a dissertation program.

Flexible, but intentional, assignments within core courses are personalized to your unique career path and role, empowering you to apply theory to practice immediately in the workforce. An EdD-to-PhD pathway is available for students who wish to continue their research career.

Curriculum

EdD in Organizational Leadership Specialization Options

Tailor EdD by selecting a specialization that closely aligns with your career aspirations and interests:

Change Management: Gain practical tools and strategies to transform organizations from within. Learn how to navigate today's multifaceted global business environment and emerge prepared to lead change initiatives and build dynamic, agile teams across organizations.
Learning Technologies: Become an expert on current technologies and learn best practices and project management techniques to deploy new technologies across cross-functional organizational teams.
PK-12 Leadership: Go beyond lesson planning to learn how to create sound finance and policy practices to foster stable and vibrant learning environments within schools and districts. Note, this program does not offer credentials/licensure, but is designed for those who already possess the required licensure to continue their professional learning and elevate their school systems to new levels of academic excellence.

Admissions Requirements

Here at Pepperdine University, we're always looking for applicants who are committed to lead purpose-driven lives and inspire meaningful change in the communities where they live and work. GRE scores are not required to apply to our EdD program.

A bachelor's degree, as well as a master's or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution is required to apply.

Admission Requirements

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Career Outcomes

Earning your doctorate in education provides you with an unprecedented opportunity to diversify and grow your career in a variety of roles and industries. From public, private, and higher education institutions to nonprofits and businesses, some potential careers to pursue following graduation could include:

C-Level Executive at a university, nonprofit, or business
University Administrator
Nonprofit Director
Learning and Development Executive
Human Resources Director
Superintendent
Principal or District Administrator

Pre-K-12 Instructional Coordinator
University Faculty
Director of Innovation
Director of Learning
Instructional Design Manager
Training and Development Manager
Educational/Learning Technologist

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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions we hear from students during the admissions process for the EdD program.

Why Pursue a Doctorate in Education?

You don't need to be a teacher to apply for an EdD. In fact, our EdD program attracts aspiring leaders across a variety of careers and industries, from businesses to nonprofits, as well as in education. If you're interested in driving organizational change and leading teams from within, a doctorate in education program is a great avenue for exploring your career goals.

Do I Need a Master's Degree to Apply to the EdD Program?

Yes. A master's or a doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution is required to apply.

Do I Need to Take a Standardized Test to Apply to the EdD Program?

No—you don't need to take the GRE or GMAT in order to apply to the EdD program. We place an emphasis on your willingness to drive meaningful change on the job and in the community over standardized test scores.

Pepperdine is one of the top universities in the United States, known for its dedication to the highest standards of academic excellence. With a respected legacy of producing purpose-driven leaders in education, Pepperdine empowers students to advance their careers and make a meaningful impact in their communities. The EdD in Organizational Leadership program provides a transformative learning experience, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to lead effectively and drive positive change.

Pepperdine University primes students for a life of purpose, service, and leadership. We commit to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values.

GSEP Student Services supports our rigorous curricula through academic advising, records, writing support, library, student groups, and much more.
Students are further supported through our Office of Student Accessibility, world-class facilities, and highly competitive programs, all of which contribute to our exceptional programs and rankings.
GSEP Career Services operates from an innovative model of career education and holistic career counseling for today's rapidly changing job market helping students and alumni construct their career narrative, build lifelong employability skills, and connect with alumni and industry leaders.

Our faculty knows that each student provides unique insights capable of enriching their peers' learning experiences. These dedicated educators embody Pepperdine University's mission, and help you do the same. You can count on them to serve you and guide you throughout your education.

GSEP faculty are nationally-recognized scholar-practitioners with exemplary academic achievements, industry expertise, educational experience, and scholarly credentials.
Professors are accomplished professionals who balance theory and real-world application in a practitioner-based curriculum informed by their desire to prepare students to make a difference.

Pepperdine has served veterans and their family members for over 75 years and is proud to support nearly 500 enrolled veterans, service members, and dependents.

As an active participant in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, we proudly offer tuition support to Yellow Ribbon-eligible students. Pepperdine invests almost $3M annually to help cover 100% of tuition costs for eligible students.

Under the Yellow Ribbon program, Pepperdine in the VA matches all remaining tuition costs. Pepperdine also does not limit the number of eligible students who can utilize the Yellow Ribbon program.

Reputable University

Pepperdine University primes students for a life of purpose, service, and leadership. We commit to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values.

Student & Career Support

GSEP Student Services supports our rigorous curricula through academic advising, records, writing support, library, student groups, and much more.
Students are further supported through our Office of Student Accessibility, world-class facilities, and highly competitive programs, all of which contribute to our exceptional programs and rankings.
GSEP Career Services operates from an innovative model of career education and holistic career counseling for today's rapidly changing job market helping students and alumni construct their career narrative, build lifelong employability skills, and connect with alumni and industry leaders.

Hands-on Faculty

GSEP faculty are nationally-recognized scholar-practitioners with exemplary academic achievements, industry expertise, educational experience, and scholarly credentials.
Professors are accomplished professionals who balance theory and real-world application in a practitioner-based curriculum informed by their desire to prepare students to make a difference.

Veteran & Military Support

Pepperdine has served veterans and their family members for over 75 years and is proud to support nearly 500 enrolled veterans, service members, and dependents.

Under the Yellow Ribbon program, Pepperdine in the VA matches all remaining tuition costs. Pepperdine also does not limit the number of eligible students who can utilize the Yellow Ribbon program.

Take the Next Step

Prepare for the leadership career you want with your EdD in Organizational Leadership.