What You Should Know About This Degree
Doctorate in organizational leadership programs focus on how to successfully build, manage, and lead a team to meet the company’s larger goals. Similar degrees such as Doctor of Business Administration or Doctor of Management can also provide this training and experience but may focus more heavily on specific areas.
Any program you’re choosing should be accredited either nationally or regionally. Specific accreditations to look for include the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
While it can take time to build the education and experience needed to obtain an executive-level position, many of these positions are in industries expected to experience above-average job growth. There is also a smaller applicant pool for these positions.
There are no specific certifications for chief executives, but depending on your industry, you may need to have a teaching or medical license or be certified in specific technology.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online doctorate in organizational leadership programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Doctorate programs usually require a relevant master’s degree with a certain GPA, as well as years of work experience. Competitive programs may want to see a CV with published work, a portfolio, and letters of recommendation.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? How long it takes to complete an online doctorate in organizational leadership program depends on the number of credits required, whether you’re attending full-time or part-time, and whether a dissertation is required. The programs on our list range from 48 to 100 required credits and take an average of two to three years to complete if you’re attending full time.
Application and document submission deadlines are very important to keep track of. Also, since scholarships and grants are harder to find for doctorate-level positions — and often more competitive — you may want to talk to the financial aid office about the possibility of a teaching or research assistantship to help offset costs.