Interested in connecting with someone directly to learn more about the online Ed.D. concentration in Organizational Learning and Leadership?
Please contact us at eduadmissions@online.unc.edu or by using the form below.
What is the online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and what are its key learning outcomes?
This program is a fully online Doctor of Education that prepares students to create organizational cultures that welcome diverse perspectives, lead organizations toward equitable practice, and empower people within their organization to succeed. Students will learn to:
- Apply a wide array of styles, strategies, and theories to effectively lead organizations to learn, improve, and change.
- Create an organizational culture where diverse voices and perspectives are invited, considered, and empowered to contribute to learning and improvement.
- Recognize and attend to organizational context through its stakeholder groups and organizational networks to effectively manage organizations within complex systems and improve those systems for the better.
- Assess organizational structure and context including key organizational resources, internal and external stakeholders and the relationships among them, and the sources of organizational power to change systems for the better.
- Collect, analyze, and use data and evidence to evaluate and reflect on the process of organizational learning and make ethical and effective choices for organizational advancement.
Is the program 100% online?
Yes, this program is 100% online. Students can expect an intuitive platform, comprehensive support, and a top-notch education designed for real people with real lives.
Each spring, students have the opportunity to participate in an optional in-person immersion —
an especially enriching experience that brings the program to life. This dynamic gathering fosters meaningful connections with peers and professors, deepens the sense of community, and offers valuable exposure to real-world leadership practices. For many, the immersion is a highlight of the program, blending personal connection, professional growth, and the unique energy of face-to-face collaboration within the UNC School of Education.
What are the admission requirements for the online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership?
To gain admission into this Ed.D. degree program, you must have at least three years of management or leadership experience in a professional work setting, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (less than 3.0 will require an explanation accompanying your application). A master’s degree and GRE/GMAT scores are not required.
How long does it typically take to complete the online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership?
This program typically takes 36 months to complete.
What is the typical curriculum or course structure for the program?
The 54-credit lockstep curriculum is composed of 17 courses which include a culminating series of capstone seminars. Each term is 13 weeks long. Courses and/or descriptions are subject to change. Learn more about the courses in the curriculum.
What career paths and job opportunities are available to graduates?
This program prepares graduates to pursue a variety of organizational roles across multiple industries. Whether working alongside HR to develop talent and support employees in health care settings, working directly with members of leadership in higher education to drive positive change, or implementing new systems and practices to achieve greater efficiency in a nonprofit, graduates will be expert leaders, ready to achieve goals to fulfill their organization’s mission and make a difference.
Examples of roles this program prepares graduates for include, but are not limited to, high-level leadership as a:
- Business and management consultant
- Human resources manager
- Project manager or coordinator
- Medical and health service manager
- Sales and marketing manager
- Leadership coaching or development
- Business or organization executive
- Nonprofit administrator