Doctor of Education
NOTICE: USU will begin accepting applications for the Doctor of Education on or after August 1st. Please review the list of State Authorizations that can be found here: https:www.usuniversity.edu/about/accreditation.
USU is in the process of seeking program approval for Title IV funding for this program. While awaiting program approval, students may use other methods of payment such as Monthly Payment Plan, cash, scholarships, and outside private loans.
The Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership degree program provides professionals a pathway to becoming E.L.I.T.E. leaders in their chosen field while pursuing a doctoral degree. The College of Education at United States University developed this program to focus on preparing visionary and leading-edge change agents, complex problem-solvers, and effective leaders of various types of enterprises, including education, government, business, healthcare, military, and nonprofit agencies to become leaders, innovate and provide new solutions in a time of rapid changes in our society. The program prepares adaptable professionals who are able to generate creative solutions and facilitate positive change and organizational transformation in their professional capacity. Learners are provided with expanded viewpoints relative to problem identification and applied resolution strategies in organizational ecosystems that can be volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Graduates of this program are adaptable leaders who demonstrate the ability to disrupt the status quo with creative and useful innovations that lead to change and transformation that is viewed as impactful and valued.
Tuition Rate:
$47,500
(including fees)
Monthly Payment Plan:
$450 per month
Admission requirements can be found HERE
Please refer to the University Catalog for Tuition and Fees.
The program is designed to be completed in 26 months with a total of 60 semester credits.
For more information about program requirements and completion refer to the University Catalog.
Core Requirements:
This introductory course will prepare learners to start their post-master’s degree program. An emphasis is placed on advanced writing and research, with a focus on the components of a research proposal.
Leadership theories applicable to various organizations will be studied in this course. Learners will prepare for the creation of the theoretical foundation of their dissertation/proposal.
Emerging issues and trends in a variety of organizations will be a focus of this course. Current issues related to equity, workplace culture, and inclusive practices are explored.
Learners will apply advanced-level writing and research skills in this course. An emphasis is placed on finding appropriate educational research that aligns with the dissertation/proposal topic and leadership theory. Writing skills appropriate for publication and research are explored.
This course prepares learners for conducting a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research design and specifically explores various methodologies that support an action research model. An emphasis is placed on building a foundation for the methodology section of the dissertation/proposal.
The navigation of strategic change management and leading organizations through systemic change is the focus of this course. An emphasis is placed on gaining the education and tools necessary to implement change plans successfully.
Learners will complete their prospectus, which will be the foundation of the first chapter of their dissertation/proposal. Emphasis is placed on verifying the viability of the proposed study and facilitating the research process. Students will commit to the type of research to be conducted and develop their methodology section.
Learners will apply advanced strategies and techniques to educate and lead colleagues and employees in an equitable manner across various organizations. An emphasis is placed on andragogy and leveraging data-driven knowledge to drive results.
Implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in various organizations will be covered. This course emphasizes concepts and strategies that foster greater DEI effectiveness across organizational planning, programming, training, and assessment.
Learners will develop an outline and strategy to conduct a systematic literature review for the second chapter of their research proposal/dissertation. Emphasis is placed on reviewing research, developing a theoretical framework, and evidence-based practice.
This course prepares learners to develop a perspective on managing innovation and creativity in various organizations. Emphasis is placed on practicing entrepreneurs and employees in established organizations who are interested in becoming creative leaders in an interconnected world.
Innovative change management requires excellent communication skills and the courage to lead. This course will address the educational components of communication. Emphasis is placed on equity, economical, environmental, technological, and cultural change communications.
This course prepares learners to recognize competing values in various organizations. Emphasis is placed in leading innovative strategies to respond to a wide range of ethical challenges.
This course prepares learners for the first three chapters of their dissertation/proposal. Emphasis is placed on the further development of the prospectus, literature review, and research methodology.
This course guides doctoral learners through the dissertation process. Doctoral learners have access to their dissertation chair and direct feedback on their dissertation. Emphasis is placed on the dissertation process to include conducting research and analyzing results. Utilizing the previously submitted proposal learners will complete an approved chapter 1 of their dissertation.
This course guides doctoral learners through the dissertation process. Doctoral learners have access to their dissertation chair and direct feedback on their dissertation. EDD902 and EDD903 will focus on the completion of a comprehensive literature review and proposed methodology. Approval of chapters 2 and 3 by the chair and committee members is required to progress.
Course IV of the dissertation sequence includes the submission and approval of the IRB application and the beginning of the approved research. IRB approval must be attained to progress to the next course, EDD805
Students will conduct their proposed and approved research during this course and begin to write the outcomes of this research in chapter 4 of their dissertation.
The final course of the dissertation sequence includes the approval of chapters 1-5 by the chair, committee, and a reviewer appointed by the dean. Students will present their findings during an Oral Defense which is the culminating activity following the approval of the dissertation.