EdD Specialization in Change Management

The Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership program with a specialization in Change Management equips students with the tools and insights to effectively design and implement change within an organization. Our program’s emphasis on change management responds directly to the evolving needs of today’s global marketplace, empowering you to navigate organizational shifts with confidence.

Why Specialize in Change Management?

The Change Management specialization within this cohort-based doctorate program equips students with the expertise to navigate and lead transformational initiatives in diverse organizational settings. Rooted in the practitioner-scholar model, this program integrates rigorous academic coursework, hands-on experiential learning, and cutting-edge research to develop forward-thinking leaders.

Emphasizing real-world application, the program includes two immersive trips—one domestic and one global—providing firsthand exposure to best practices and emerging trends in change management. With a strong foundation in both theory and practice, students will refine their ability to implement effective change strategies, drive innovation, and foster sustainable transformation in organizations. The program culminates in a doctoral dissertation.

Learn more about the EdD in Organizational Leadership program →

Curriculum Overview

The EdD in Organizational Leadership program with a specialization in Change Management includes 48 units plus 9 units within your selected specialization.

Change Management Courses

Course Number	Course Title & Description	Units
EDD 714	Organizational Psychology, Theory, and Design This course addresses organizations; alignment of organizational structures; and intended outcomes and how they deal with culture, employee behavior, and values. Students will examine strategies designed to create and evaluate knowledge, including the psychological basis for human action, individual and organizational learning, communicating across cultures, and intellectual capital. Students will research and examine organizational theories and practices relevant to their particular academic and professional fields.	3
EDD 744	Global Cultural Development and Change In this course, students will explore challenges and opportunities as it relates to global and local settings. Students will explore the fields of cultural intelligence, cross-cultural change and development, global expansion, change management constructs and cultural alignments. Moreover, students will explore integration of global change strategies, managing global communication and associated risks. Scholars- practitioners will have the opportunity to study the drivers for change in their field of study, working with stakeholders, creating coalitions,, and assessing best practices for communication. Finally, researching the importance of monitoring and evaluating change (performance metrics) and sustaining global change.	3
EDD 785	Advances in Theory and Practice Students examine a broad range of advancements in theory and practice in their respective areas of interest. Examples of possible areas may include social innovation and entrepreneurship; school safety; institutional advancement; innovations and future of learning technologies, such as AI, 3D learning and virtual worlds, aerial, cloud, and mobile technologies; financial management of public institutions; open-source electronic platforms; interactive gadgets or media mashups; managing in technological environments; pre-K–12 administration; private and charter school administration; societal factors affecting education and equity; nonprofit management and leadership; mixed-methodology research methods; and other similar topics.	3

Course Number

Course Title & Description

Units

EDD 714

Organizational Psychology, Theory, and Design

This course addresses organizations; alignment of organizational structures; and intended outcomes and how they deal with culture, employee behavior, and values. Students will examine strategies designed to create and evaluate knowledge, including the psychological basis for human action, individual and organizational learning, communicating across cultures, and intellectual capital. Students will research and examine organizational theories and practices relevant to their particular academic and professional fields.

EDD 744

Global Cultural Development and Change

In this course, students will explore challenges and opportunities as it relates to global and local settings. Students will explore the fields of cultural intelligence, cross-cultural change and development, global expansion, change management constructs and cultural alignments. Moreover, students will explore integration of global change strategies, managing global communication and associated risks. Scholars- practitioners will have the opportunity to study the drivers for change in their field of study, working with stakeholders, creating coalitions,, and assessing best practices for communication. Finally, researching the importance of monitoring and evaluating change (performance metrics) and sustaining global change.

EDD 785

Advances in Theory and Practice

Students examine a broad range of advancements in theory and practice in their respective areas of interest. Examples of possible areas may include social innovation and entrepreneurship; school safety; institutional advancement; innovations and future of learning technologies, such as AI, 3D learning and virtual worlds, aerial, cloud, and mobile technologies; financial management of public institutions; open-source electronic platforms; interactive gadgets or media mashups; managing in technological environments; pre-K–12 administration; private and charter school administration; societal factors affecting education and equity; nonprofit management and leadership; mixed-methodology research methods; and other similar topics.

Program Learning Outcomes

Pepperdine School of Education and Psychology is committed to a learner-centered approach in the programs we offer. Graduates of the EdD in Organizational Leadership program with a specialization in Change Management will be expected to achieve the following objectives:

Design and conduct research, collect and analyze data and report research findings
Assess needs, develop, deliver and assess learning experiences and apply tools of appropriate technology
Integrate and synthesize personal, organizational and societal values to advance leadership and change initiatives throughout organizations
Integrate, synthesize and apply theories and practices that support research and development of National and Global policy

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