Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership

Pursue your Ed.D. in Organizational Development online and strengthen your leadership skills and prepare to purposefully influence culture within your organization.

ACU’s online Doctor of Education in organizational leadership is designed to equip leaders to make a difference in their workplaces, schools and communities – all while continuing to work. That’s the asynchronous learning environment an online Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership program gives you.

Our program is organized around five core competencies: personal development, resource development, collaboration and communication, organizational assessment, and organizational culture. Upon completing the Doctor of Education in Organizational Development program, you will know not only how to lead, but to lead with purpose based upon the foundation of Christian vocation.

Ready to be a part of a rigorous convenient, flexible, online program that allows you to take your leadership skills to a new level? Apply now or contact us for more information.

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Meet the Program Director


Dr. Brian Cole is the Program Director and Associate Professor for the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership Program, helping equip leaders to become more effective scholar-practitioners within their organizational contexts, professional industries, and other spheres of influence. Most of Dr. Cole's leadership experiences have been in higher education administration, particularly in the field of Student Development. Dr. Cole received his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership (Higher Education Specialization) at Western Michigan University, where he researched campus cultures and student activism at Christian colleges and universities. He earned his M.A. from Ball State University, B.A. from Anderson University (IN), and most recently, a certificate in Foundations of Christian Leadership at Duke Divinity School.

Dr. Brian Cole

What Our Students Say

"Reflection and the 'light bulb' moments during this program have been what keeps me going. I started this program because I felt a need to 'finish' my education by earning a terminal degree. What I've found is that I love the changes this program has produced in me regarding how I think and see myself. I'm going to miss reflecting with all of you weekly and think that after I graduate there will be a hole that is hard to fill."

-Ed.D student

Degree Highlights

Tracks

Learning with Emerging Technologies, EdD

Higher Education, EdD

Conflict Management, EdD

Timeframe

Credit hours: 54-57

Program length: 3-5 years

Example Coursework

LEAD 731: Leading Organizational Change

LEAD 701: Introduction to Doctoral Study

LEAD 714 Self Assessment in Leadership

LEAD 765: Applied Research Problems and Literature

Department

School of Educational Leadership

Upcoming Start Dates

July 2, 2019

August 27, 2019

What outcomes can you expect from your online doctorate in organizational development program?

Upon completion, graduates will be able to: 

  • Integrate insight about their own calling with their ability to influence organizations in a purposeful manner 
  • Create, interpret, and administer practices with regard to resource management in organizational contexts 
  • Design and implement messaging to build shared understanding and quality professional and personal relationships 
  • Apply organizational assessment strategies to their organizational contexts 
  • Demonstrate healthy leadership practices to influence organizational culture

Full-time faculty

  • Dr. Brian Cole, Program Director
  • Dr. Katherine Yeager, Assistant Professor
  • Dr. Peter Williams, Professor
  • Dr. Leah Wickersham-Fish, Associate Professor
  • Dr. Blair Smith, Assistant Professor
  • Dr. Heather Rasmussen, Assistant Professor
  • Dr. Linnea Rademaker, Professor
  • Dr. Kristin O'Byrne, Associate Professor
  • Dr. Karen Maxwell, Associate Professor
  • Dr. Lloyd Goldsmith, Professor
  • Dr. Wade Fish, Associate Professor
  • Dr. Simone Elias, Assistant Professor
  • Dr. Jennifer Butcher, Professor
  • Dr. Jenifer Williams, Assistant Professor
  • Dr. Scott Self, Assistant Professor
Student typing paper on a laptop computer for dissertation

Admission Requirements

  • Complete an application and submit application fee 
  • Provide an official transcript in English (or translated to English) from previous schools attended. Transcripts must indicate an earned bachelor's and master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university or the equivalent. 
  • Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or above 
  • Personal statement of interest 
  • Academic writing sample 
  • Professional CV or resume 
  • Two letters of recommendation

See full ACU online graduate catalog, including admission requirements here.

For a comprehensive list of admission requirements for online doctorate programs in leadership, please contact a Graduate Advisor.

Meet the Faculty

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About the School of Educational Leadership

Learn more about who we are and what the School of Educational Leadership has to offer.