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Pepperdine | Graduate School of Education and Psychology
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EdD in Organizational Leadership

The Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (EDOL) program prepares students to work in a wide variety of leadership roles and to transform organizations for optimal success and growth. This program is ideal for current leaders looking to expand their career path and rising executives who would like to advance their academic and professional goals.

This cohort-based doctorate program employs the practitioner-scholar model of doctoral training in which academics, clinical training, and research are conjoined. Through rigorous coursework and experiential learning, students gain advanced knowledge in the theory and practice of leadership, learning, and policy. Required national and international trips are woven into the program, providing students with a global perspective on leadership and policy. This program culminates in a doctoral dissertation.

Program Benefits

Reputable Program

The EdD in Organizational Leadership program is among the highest-ranked in the United States.

Values Centered

Students are empowered to make a lasting impact through GSEP's core values of academic excellence, social purpose, & meaningful service.

Quick Facts

Format: Online-Hybrid
Term: Fall
Locations: West Los Angeles
Length: 3 years / 51 +2 units per term for dissertation
Tuition: $1,970 per unit

 

 

Top Choice 

One of the top choices for EDOL programs in the United States based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics comparing similar programs.

 

Highly-Ranked 

Ranked as one of the best doctorates by the Leadership Excellence and Development Awards in 2018.

 

Convenient Format

Our Global Access (70% in-person/30% online) format is ideal for working professionals and full-time students.

 

Comprehensive Curriculum

Incorporates core courses shared between all doctoral offerings, program-specific classes, elective options, and an international immersion experience.

 

Master's-to-Doctorate Pathway

Options for students without a master's degree to earn both a master's and a doctorate.

 

EdD-to-PhD Pathway

Pathway available for EdD students interested in applying for a PhD.

 

Nationally Recognized Faculty

Faculty are scholar-practitioners with exemplary academic achievements, professional expertise, educational experience, and scholarly credentials.

 

No GRE or Standardized Tests

We offer an equitable admission process that considers your ability and commitment to succeed rather than test scores.


Facts by Numbers

#2

EDOL Program

1

International Trip

1

Policy Trip

 

 

Take the Next Step

Reach out to us to learn more about Pepperdine's EdD in Organizational Leadership program.

Get in Touch

Fill out the Request Information form to learn more and get in contact with an enrollment officer.

Attend an Info Session

Experience an in-depth overview and meet program leaders.

Start Your Application

Submit the application form early to meet scholarship and enrollment deadlines. It takes fewer than 15 minutes.

 

scholarship form

Curriculum Overview

This doctoral program includes 51 units plus 2 units per term until completion of the dissertation. You will experience a curriculum focused on preparing professionals in leadership roles and rising executives with well-rounded and unparalleled leadership theory and practice courses, learning theory, and much more.

There is an additional emphasis on hands-on instruction through domestic and international travel experiences. Research design and analysis methods and applications are accomplished through both coursework and a final dissertation.

Pathway Opportunities

  • Options for students without a master's degree to earn both a master's and a doctorate.
  • Pathway for EdD students interested in applying for a PhD.
  • Graduates need only 29 units to complete the PhD in Global Leadership.

Contact your enrollment officer for details and eligibility.


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Program Details

  • Ideal for full-time students or working professionals with 70% of coursework completed in-person and 30% online. The online portion provides flexibility, while the classroom component offers an enhanced experience, a personalized/hands-on approach, relational interaction with peers, and increased quality of learning.
  • In-person classes are conveniently located on our West Los Angeles Graduate Campus just off the 405 freeway.
  • Cohort model emphasizes leadership skills, peer support, and lifelong relationships with colleagues.
  • The small class sizes and low faculty:student ratio provide a collaborative learning environment, meaningful student-faculty interactions, and long-term relationships.

scholarship form

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Pepperdine GSEP generously offers over $6,000,000 in scholarships every year, with the majority of students receiving financial assistance. There are numerous scholarship opportunities that are both merit and need-based in addition to discounts for meeting application deadlines.

GSEP welcomes federal and state aid eligibility and veteran benefits which may further reduce tuition cost.

The Financial Aid Office is available to answer questions and help you navigate funding your education at GSEP through numerous scholarship, grant, loan, and other opportunities. 

To help determine your total cost of tuition and living expenses for this specific program, please refer to our GSEP tuition calculator


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International Student Opportunities

  • This program is approved for international students pursuing an F-1 or any other type of visa.
  • A dedicated enrollment services officer will make your admissions process easy and comfortable with experience in supporting both international and domestic students.
  • Domestic and international students are integrated across campuses. Dedicated support for international students is provided through the Office of International Student Services (OISS).
  • We offer opportunities to participate in University social, sporting, cultural, and spiritual events.
  • Our cohort model is designed to build upon leadership skills, peer support, and lifelong relationships with colleagues.
  • A robust alumni network is available to all students.
  • We provide career advancement opportunities through our partnerships with professional networks and conferences.

technology lecture

Expand Your Career Possibilities

The EdD in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine provides a strong opportunity for employment growth and earning potential. As a graduate, you will be prepared to increase your earning potential and help make a lasting difference in a variety of business and organizational roles.

A doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine is valuable in many professional settings, including public and higher education institutions, businesses, and non-profit and governmental organizations.

Alumni and Faculty Spotlight

"What led me to Pepperdine was initially the face-to-face. I really enjoyed being able to start off by coming in every week to class and meeting with my peers and my professors, and building a camaraderie. Being able to connect with everybody, knowing that there's such a huge diversity, I think that really exceeded my expectations." – Asia Ghazi (EdD '21), Alumna

What Our Alumni Are Saying

 

"I am now equipped with all of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to help others and work on my passion for making a difference."

—Sunny Im, EdD in Organizational Leadership '16

"GSEP allows for a lot more critical thinking, depth of thinking, and purposeful thinking regarding having an impact in life."

—Vernita Lynn Adkins-Barlow, EdD in Organizational Leadership '17

Why Pepperdine

Passion and Purpose Driven

Since our founding in 1937, Pepperdine University has had one mission: to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership in a learning environment where academic excellence is rooted in a Christian faith and values.

Our graduate programs empower students to transform into the best possible expression of themselves for meaningful work and purposeful lives. That legacy is alive today more than ever, as we help students all over the world gain the skills they need to achieve personal fulfillment, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact in the lives and communities they serve.

Reputable University

GSEP offers prestigious programs at one of the top universities in the US, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence. Consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful places to study, Pepperdine is where you're inspired to learn as you learn to inspire.

#29

Best-Value Schools

U.S. News & Report

#9

Best College Value in the West/SW

Kiplinger

#10

Most Entrepreneurial Universities

Forbes

 

Distinguished 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.
  • 12:1 faculty-student ratio provides a supportive educational setting, meaningful interactions, and long-term professional and personal connections.

Alumni Network

  • Extensive Pepperdine alumni network creates influential business connections with more than 110,000 professionals. Our alumni network has 32 chapters and affinity programs in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Pepperdine alumni, faculty, staff, and parents make themselves available to offer the resources you need and help graduates build professional, personal, and purposeful relationships with Pepperdine people all over the world.
  • As a Pepperdine alumnus, you have exclusive access to the PeppConnect Mentoring Program, a global network of alumni who are willing to mentor and offer career or industry advice.

Student and 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.
  • The Office of International Students Services (OISS) values our international students for what they bring to our campus—diversity, global perspective, cultural respect, determination, and a wonderful sense of adventure. We welcome students from all nationalities, faiths, and education systems, as they provide a diverse perspective in our classrooms.

Veteran and 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. 

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. 

  Passion and Purpose Driven

Passion and Purpose Driven

Since our founding in 1937, Pepperdine University has had one mission: to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership in a learning environment where academic excellence is rooted in a Christian faith and values.

Our graduate programs empower students to transform into the best possible expression of themselves for meaningful work and purposeful lives. That legacy is alive today more than ever, as we help students all over the world gain the skills they need to achieve personal fulfillment, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact in the lives and communities they serve.

  Reputable University

Reputable University

GSEP offers prestigious programs at one of the top universities in the US, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence. Consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful places to study, Pepperdine is where you're inspired to learn as you learn to inspire.

#29

Best-Value Schools

U.S. News & Report

#9

Best College Value in the West/SW

Kiplinger

#10

Most Entrepreneurial Universities

Forbes

 

  Distinguished Faculty

Distinguished 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.
  • 12:1 faculty-student ratio provides a supportive educational setting, meaningful interactions, and long-term professional and personal connections.
  Alumni Network

Alumni Network

  • Extensive Pepperdine alumni network creates influential business connections with more than 110,000 professionals. Our alumni network has 32 chapters and affinity programs in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Pepperdine alumni, faculty, staff, and parents make themselves available to offer the resources you need and help graduates build professional, personal, and purposeful relationships with Pepperdine people all over the world.
  • As a Pepperdine alumnus, you have exclusive access to the PeppConnect Mentoring Program, a global network of alumni who are willing to mentor and offer career or industry advice.
  Student and Career Support

Student and 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.
  • The Office of International Students Services (OISS) values our international students for what they bring to our campus—diversity, global perspective, cultural respect, determination, and a wonderful sense of adventure. We welcome students from all nationalities, faiths, and education systems, as they provide a diverse perspective in our classrooms.
  Veteran and Military Support

Veteran and 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. 

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. 

 

Accreditations and Recognitions

WASC logo

AICCU logo

US News National Universities 2024

US News Best Collages Veterans 2024

Yellow Ribbon Program logo

Contact Us

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Inva Lumi
Enrollment Officer
Pepperdine GSEP

310.568.5532
Email 
Schedule an Appointment

Take The Next Step

Learn more about Pepperdine's EdD in Organizational Leadership program.