Organizational Leadership, Doctor of Education

Purpose

The Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership is designed to develop individuals who have the knowledge and capability to take on leadership roles in a variety of settings. It was created to provide an environment where professionals can advance their leadership skills while sharing ideas and experiences with business and academic professionals. The program targets professionals in community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and comprehensive universities, as well as for-profit and not-for-profit businesses/organizations engaged in training and development, life-span learning, healthcare, law enforcement/criminal justice, and adult education.

Program Overview

The program consists of nine semesters (a total of 63 credit hours including the dissertation in practice). The consecutive semesters include any summer sessions that fall in the sequence. The cohort concept is employed such that students move together through their classes providing the maximum benefit from individual experiences and communities of collaboration. The dissertation in practice is an integral part of each semester’s coursework. The intent is to provide the student an opportunity to apply the theory and best practices to actual challenges with which they are confronted. It is based on the scholar-practitioner model.

The program is comprised of two tiers. The first tier is the core-course modules. This consists of the first six semesters. These modules address concepts such as cultural development in organizations, leadership theory, learning organization, change management, ethics, conflict resolution, strategic planning, program evaluation, qualitative research, and organizational technology. Semesters seven through nine include, but are not limited to, the following specialized course modules: policy development, business law, innovation and transformation, cultural development, and self and collective efficacy. Classes are held on Saturday and Sunday (one weekend per Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters). There is an online synchronous and asynchronous component. Residency Organizational Leadership Lab element is required for each Summer term.

Admission Requirements

Program-specific admission requirements for full acceptance into the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership are the following:

1. A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution;

2. A 3.0 or better grade point average in all master’s-level work;

3. Three letters of reference including one from the candidate’s immediate supervisor;

4. Excellent interpersonal skills as reflected in the letters of reference;

5. Official transcripts for all master’s-level work from a regionally accredited institution;

6. A minimum of three years of experience in their profession; and

7. Personal essay explaining the applicant's purpose in wanting to earn a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership.

8. Meet One of these Testing Requirements

· Submit an official transcript from a completed master’s degree from Gardner-Webb University

· Submit a master’s degree Thesis from another accredited University

· Submit a Current or Expired Teacher or Professional License from a state Department of Education

· Submit a current Praxis I, GRE, GMAT, MAT, LSAT, or other Graduate Level testing score.

Program Outcomes

Candidates will make significant contributions in organizations in which they have membership;

Candidates will use the knowledge, skills, and dispositions acquired to support lifelong learning within their profession;

Candidates will demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in everyday interactions;

Candidates will share their experiences with their cohort colleagues enriching the learning process; and

Candidates will apply their learning and their experiences in the creation of the dissertation in practice.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will create and deliver effective content-specific presentations.
2. Students will demonstrate effective problem-solving abilities.
3. Students will effectively communicate via scholarly writing.
4. Students will employ disciplined inquiry and analysis skills.
5. Student will be able to incorporate the practice of Servant Leadership into their daily lives.
6. Students will demonstrate effective collaboration.  

DEOL Curriculum (63 hours)

DEOL 730	Organizational Behavior and Theory	6
DEOL 731	Dissertation in Practice/Consultancy Practicum	1 (companion to the six-hour coursework)
DEOL 732	Leadership Theory and Practice	6
DEOL 733	Dissertation in Practice/Consultancy Practicum	1 (companion to the six-hour coursework)
DEOL 734	Ethics, Ideology, and Personal Leadership	6
DEOL 735	Dissertation in Practice/Consultancy Practicum	1 (companion to the six-hour coursework)
DEOL 736	Strategic Leadership and Management of Global Change	6
DEOL 737	Dissertation in Practice/Consultancy Practicum	1 (companion to the six-hour coursework)
DEOL 738	Action Research, Program Evaluation, Data Analysis and Interpretation, and Qualitative Methods	6
DEOL 739	Dissertation in Practice/Consultancy Practicum	1 (companion to the six-hour coursework)
DEOL 740	Organizational Technology	6
DEOL 741	Dissertation in Practice/Consultancy Practicum	1 (companion to the six-hour coursework)
DEOL 750	Policy Development and Business Law	6
DEOL 751	Dissertation in Practice/Consultancy Practicum	1 (companion to the six-hour coursework)
DEOL 752	Innovation and Transformation	6
DEOL 753	Dissertation in Practice/Consultancy Practicum	1 (companion to the six-hour coursework)
DEOL 754	Contemporary Topics	6
DEOL 755	Dissertation in Practice/Consultancy Practicum	1 (companion to the six-hour coursework)

At the dissertation in practice stage, doctoral candidates must maintain continuous enrollment through the semester of their successful defense or until the candidate withdraws from the program. In rare and extenuating circumstances, a candidate may request a leave of absence which must be approved by the candidate’s consultancy project chair, program coordinator, the Dean of the College of Education, and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Candidates who are approved for a leave of absence may return to the program with the approval of the program coordinator, the Dean of the College of Education, and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Candidates who break continuous enrollment without a leave of absence will be suspended from the program. If a suspended candidate requests readmission, the program graduate faculty makes the decision on whether to readmit and, if readmitted, the stipulations that will apply. A Dissertation Fee equal to the tuition of the missed semesters of continuous enrollment will be applied to the suspended candidate’s account upon return to the program. Candidates approved for a leave of absence will not be subject to the Continuous Enrollment Fee. The time limit of seven calendar years to complete the program from the beginning of the term in which candidates complete their first graduate course toward the degree continues to apply to candidates who are granted a leave of absence or who are suspended.

Total Credit Hours: 63