Top Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Programs of 2023

Concordia University in Chicago offers an online Ph.D. and Ed.D. in organizational leadership, the latter of which requires 67 credit hours, and the former requires 61 credit hours. Concordia's organizational leadership program focuses on theory and research, and students will gain a deep understanding of important leadership skills like strategic planning, forecasting, and diagnostic strategies. This program will prepare students for leadership positions in business or education and focuses on turning students into ethical leaders. To be eligible for admission, applicants must have earned a master's degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and will need to submit graduate exam scores, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts.

Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christian institution that offers a top-ranked online Ph.D. in organizational leadership program. As a religious university, IWU focuses on teaching students how to integrate their faith into the theoretical and practical understanding of organizational leadership. The program consists of 60 total credit hours at $890 per credit hour, and financial aid is available through grants, loans, and scholarships. Students will take core classes like Critical Inquiry, Change, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Ethics and Leadership. This program is best suited for professionals looking to continue their education, as applicants are required to have five years of leadership experience in the workplace, volunteer organizations, or the classroom. Applicants must also have earned a master's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Liberty University's online Ph.D. in education with a specialization in organizational leadership is the best choice for individuals that need a flexible schedule. In contrast to many other programs that must be attended in person and require students to participate in synchronous classes, Liberty University's online organizational leadership program can be completed entirely online with no scheduled classes. This 60-hour program is designed for individuals that want to take on leadership positions in academic institutions and education systems. Students will complete core courses like Advanced Learning Theory and Research, Theories of Historical and Social Foundations of Education, and Organizational Analysis and Problem Solving. The program also includes several courses for students specializing in organizational leadership, including Leadership Theory, Managing the Contemporary Organization, and Leading Effective Teams.

The University of the Cumberlands is the top choice for individuals primarily interested in pursuing education leadership. The school's online Ph.D. in leadership studies program prepares students to guide and lead educational organizations, impact their local communities, and solve the major challenges that modern students face. The program is designed to be flexible so that students working full-time can complete it. Students can choose from several concentrations, including criminal justice, English, health science, history, and math. As a Christian institution, the University of the Cumberlands is also a good option for students that want to learn from a faith-based perspective.

Individuals interested in pursuing an Ed.D. rather than a Ph.D. should strongly consider Nova Southeastern University's online Ed.D. in organizational leadership. Unlike most other organizational leadership programs, this program is designed specifically for practicing professionals with existing backgrounds in education. Courses cover important topics like strategic planning, global leadership, virtual leadership, and organizational behavior. Students must also complete several research courses to earn their degrees and at least one Summer Institute, which consists of several activities designed to help students grow their knowledge and improve their leadership skills. Students will have the opportunity to network with instructors and peers while gaining practical experience. NSU's Ed.D. program lets students choose from two capstones to complete their degree, including an applied dissertation or a strategic research project.

The Indiana Institute of Technology is the best tech school that offers an online Ph.D. in global leadership, making it ideal for students interested in a research-intensive program. The program's research core consists of six courses totaling 18 credit hours. This curriculum focuses on technical writing, scholarly inquiry, statistical analysis, research methods, and critical analysis of literature. To complete the research core, students will also have to complete a research paper that offers a critical analysis of literature on an approved topic. The online program is very flexible, allowing students to complete coursework independently on their own schedules. Students may also choose to participate in international travel trips, allowing them to apply concepts they learn in the program to real-world international locations. The academic component of these trips includes journaling, research, and written assignments.

Based in New Castle, DE, Wilmington University is a private institution that offers a fully-online Ed.D. in organizational leadership, learning, and innovation. This program is perfect for individuals who want to graduate with extensive professional experience, as students must complete 120 internship hours and an applied research dissertation to complete the project. During these internship hours, students will be able to grow their professional networks while developing and honing their leadership skills. This 54-credit program can be completed in as little as three years, making it one of the fastest highly-ranked doctorate in organizational leadership programs. Students can also choose from several concentrations, including strategic leadership and workplace learning, and talent development, and candidates have the option to work with faculty to design their own doctoral program.

For the best Christian-based learning experience, individuals should choose Johnson University's online Ph.D. in leadership studies. The program is designed to help students articulate biblical ethical, theological, and philosophical foundations for organizational leadership. Students are expected to demonstrate Christian character and values when exercising leadership. This online program offers six concentrations for students to choose from, including educational leadership, ministry leadership, missional leadership, and theology of leadership. Students will follow an interdisciplinary curriculum focusing on four dimensions of leadership studies, including individual and personal systems, organizational systems, global systems, and research. This is a 60-hour program and is designed for working adults, so students will have the flexibility they need to complete the program while working around their schedules.

Southeastern University is a private institution based in Lakeland, FL. Its Ph.D. in organizational leadership program is offered online but requires multiple in-person residencies designed to help students improve their leadership skills, grow their professional networks, and gain real-world experience. This hybrid format is ideal for students seeking a combination of online and in-person learning. Students will study a variety of essential topics, including teamwork dynamics, quantitative and qualitative research methods, organizational systems and management, and cultural intelligence. This program will prepare students for careers as university educators or researchers in businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. As members of the International Leadership Association, students will be able to contribute their findings to scholarly journals and present at academic conferences.

At only $299 per credit, Valdosta State University offers the most affordable online doctorate in organizational leadership. Valdosta's Ed.D. in leadership program transforms students into capable and ethical leaders. The program combines research courses with a core curriculum designed to develop knowledge and inquiry skills. Students will work with their advisers to choose a concentration that suits their career goals. Concentrations include organizational leadership, technology leadership, curriculum leadership, special education leadership, and higher education leadership. Valdosta State's admissions process is relatively selective, requiring applicants to have a master's degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation, their GRE or MAT scores, and their professional resumes.