Program Highlights
New cohorts are not being accepted to the Learning and Leadership majors (Ed.D./Ph.D.). Current program offerings include the Leadership and Decision-Making (Ph.D), offered via hybrid delivery, and Leadership and Instructional Practice (Ed.D.), offered primarily via internet delivery. To access details regarding the new majors, please visit their respective program websites.
The multidisciplinary Learning and Leadership Doctoral Programs (Ed.D. in Learning and Leadership/Ph.D. in Leadership and Decision-Making) are designed to equip participants with an understanding of the relationship that learning plays in the leadership process; develop reflective practitioners in a variety of organizations; and focus on the interwoven nature of leadership, decision-making, and learning; emphasizing the proficiency that individuals will need as they pursue the challenges of organizational change. The Learning and Leadership curriculum is work/experience embedded, meaning that everyone pursuing the degree is actively working and engaged in a professional practice of some type.
From a leadership and decision-making perspective, we believe that leadership is a shared process based on organizational goals and measurable outcomes, not the study of the individuals typically viewed as leaders/bosses/great men. We view learning as change and transformation relative to cognition and human behavior in multiple venues. Beyond traditional learning theory, we explore theory and concepts that transcend most participants’ prior learning. Our philosophy supports the development and demonstration of organizational strategies to use cognitive, ethical, and data-informed perspectives in the decision-making process.
Key elements of the doctoral programs include:
Cohort Centered - A group of highly qualified participants (maximum of 25 participants per cohort) will complete an initial set of required coursework
Hybrid Delivery Model - Includes required synchronous face-to-face meetings and material work in the Virtual Classroom (online) through discussions and readings, along with self-directed/small group study
Competency Based - Participants must demonstrate competency and synthesize learning across specific program competency domains
Multi-Disciplinary - Provides an integrated view of leadership, learning, and decision-making in a variety of organizational settings
Core Coursework - 27 required core credit hours (Ed.D.)/39 required core credit hours (Ph.D.) via hybrid delivery
Elective Coursework - 24 credit hours (Ed.D.)/18 credit hours (Ph.D.) in subject matter related to the participant’s professional practice with pre-approval from the participant's Program Director/Advisor
Pre-Dissertation Seminar - Each participant will enroll in this 3 credit course designed to develop the knowledge base in a scholarly area related to learning, leadership, and decision-making and to develop a draft Dissertation Prospectus
Dissertation - Each candidate will complete and defend a Dissertation representing the culminating written deliverable for the degree (minimum of 12 Dissertation hours Ed.D./minimum of 15 Dissertation hours Ph.D.)
Total Programs - The degree programs consist of a minimum 66 credit hours of coursework and research (Ed.D.)/a minimum of 76 credit hours of coursework and research (Ph.D.)