Become a Transformational Leader

Become a creative, innovative leader with this Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from UMass Global. Through online coursework and three yearly online immersions, this doctorate in leadership gives you the practical skills needed to navigate complex organizational challenges, manage change, and lead high-performing teams. You’ll build skills in transformational leadership, collaborative relationships, political intelligence, strategic thinking, diversity, creativity, and sustained innovation. 

The UMass Global Ed.D. uses a cohort-based learning model, giving you extensive interaction with both faculty and your cohort peers. Coursework is designed by experienced executive-level leaders to be relevant in today’s ever-changing business world. The assignments are designed to be completed within the context of your organization to increase the relevancy and applicability of the learning.

  • Get Credit for the Work You've Put In: Students with a master's degree and/or an active CA Clear Administrative Services Credential (CASC) can transfer up to 12 credits toward the Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership. UMass Global alumni who hold both a master's and an active CASC are eligible to satisfy up to 15 credits.
  • Career Advancement: You’ll be amazed at how an Ed.D. opens doors — over 50% of our UMass Global Ed.D. students receive a promotion or a new position while in the program. (Source: Summer 2023 - Spring 2025 Ed.D. Program Exit Survey).

At a Glance

Online: Instructor-Paced
57 Credits
$1140/Credit
Help me estimate my cost
Next Start Date
Fall I (Aug 31, 2026)

Education that Fits Your Life

Three Ed.D. Starts a Year

Start your online Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership three times a year: Fall 1, Spring 1, or Summer 1.

Built for Leaders and Educators

Designed for working professionals with leadership experience seeking to lead K-12 schools, universities, community colleges, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or corporations.

Earn Your Ed.D. in Just Two Years

We’ve embedded your research and dissertation into your coursework, so you can complete your doctoral dissertation in two years.

Career Outlook for Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership

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Results for:
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring

Data source: Lightcast™ 2026 www.lightcast.io

The pathway information provided through this website is based partly on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data licensed by the University of Massachusetts Global from Lightcast. While the University of Massachusetts Global believes this data to be reliable, some of the data is based on estimates made by Lightcast when actual data is unavailable. Those estimates and the corresponding data may need to be corrected.

  1. Change in employment projections 2022 - 2032
  2. Based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and updated quarterly
  3. The University of Massachusetts Global does not guarantee a job to graduates upon completion of any program

Courses You Might Take

EDDP 700

Transformational Leadership

3 Credits
EDDP 705

Organizational Communication and Conflict Management

3 Credits
EDDP 720

Creativity, Innovation, and Sustainable Change

3 Credits
EDDP 740

Writing for Research and Publication I

3 Credits
EDDP 743

Qualitative Research Methods

3 Credits
EDDP 781

Developing the Dissertation, Chapter I

3 Credits

What Learning Is Like at UMass Global

Instructor-Paced, Credit-Based

This program is delivered in a credit-based, instructor-led format, with online courses organized into eight-week sessions. Each course follows a clear weekly rhythm with structured assignments and set deadlines, guided by faculty who keep you on track and help you take on complex topics. You’ll also learn alongside a cohort of peers, participate in discussions and group work, and receive regular feedback from your professor — ideal if you prefer structure, interaction, and one-on-one support.

Personalized Support Services

UMass Global meets you wherever you are in life, with dedicated support at every step. From enrollment coaching and financial aid to academic advising and career services, we're committed to your success. Access personalized guidance, flexible resources, and a supportive community, empowering you to achieve your educational goals, no matter your starting point.

Employer-Aligned Curriculum

At UMass Global, our employer-aligned curriculum ensures that coursework is directly relevant to today’s workplace. Designed with input from industry experts and faculty who are also working professionals, our programs focus on practical, career-advancing skills. Using a “backwards course design,” we tailor coursework to meet current job market needs. Our diverse faculty provides real-world insights and mentorship, ensuring that the skills you learn are immediately applicable to your career or future career changes.

Instructor-Paced, Credit-Based

This program is delivered in a credit-based, instructor-led format, with online courses organized into eight-week sessions. Each course follows a clear weekly rhythm with structured assignments and set deadlines, guided by faculty who keep you on track and help you take on complex topics. You’ll also learn alongside a cohort of peers, participate in discussions and group work, and receive regular feedback from your professor — ideal if you prefer structure, interaction, and one-on-one support.

Personalized Support Services

UMass Global meets you wherever you are in life, with dedicated support at every step. From enrollment coaching and financial aid to academic advising and career services, we're committed to your success. Access personalized guidance, flexible resources, and a supportive community, empowering you to achieve your educational goals, no matter your starting point.

Employer-Aligned Curriculum

At UMass Global, our employer-aligned curriculum ensures that coursework is directly relevant to today’s workplace. Designed with input from industry experts and faculty who are also working professionals, our programs focus on practical, career-advancing skills. Using a “backwards course design,” we tailor coursework to meet current job market needs. Our diverse faculty provides real-world insights and mentorship, ensuring that the skills you learn are immediately applicable to your career or future career changes.

Our Faculty

All Faculty
Stephanie Herrera, EdD
Associate Dean, School of Education, Assistant Professor of Education
Stephanie Herrera EdD

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Doctorate in Organizational Leadership program must complete the following requirements:

  • Completed online application
  • Letter of intent explaining reasons for wanting to enter this program
  • One essay or other written document that shows graduate-level writing and analytical skills
  • Transcripts documenting successful attainment of a master's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75
  • Resume showing leadership experience, professional development, achievement awards or professional recognition

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2025: Aug. 1, 2025
  • Spring 2026: Dec. 12, 2025
  • Summer 2026: Apr. 17, 2026

Not in a Leadership Position

If you are not in a leadership position (YET!), submit a letter explaining your plan to work with individuals and groups in an organization to bring about important change.

GPA Alternatives

If you have a GPA lower than 2.75 you must submit additional evidence to demonstrate your readiness for doctoral level coursework. Additional evidence could include letters of recommendation and/or an additional writing sample.

WASC Senior College and University Commission

University of Massachusetts Global is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation

University of Massachusetts Global is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Calculate Time and Cost

Ways to Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions

An Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership opens doors to a wide range of leadership roles across various sectors, including education, healthcare, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and private corporations. Potential job titles include, but are not limited to:

  • Corporate CEO/COO/CFO
  • Chief Learning Officer
  • Organizational Development Director
  • Higher Education Administrator (Dean, Provost)
  • Non-Profit Executive Director
  • Corporate Training and Development Leader
  • Educational Consultant
  • Policy Maker
  • School Superintendent/School Principal
These roles emphasize strategic leadership, change management, policy development, and organizational improvement, allowing Ed.D. graduates to create change and transform leadership.

At most institutions, it will take a student three to four years to earn this doctoral degree. But thanks to changes and updates made to the Ed.D. at University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global), students can now earn this prestigious degree in two years. This has been made possible by UMass Global embedding the student’s research and dissertation into their existing coursework. So, while the student completes their two years of coursework, they will, at the same time, be working through their dissertation. This allows students to complete the program in two years, rather than having to devote their third year solely to their dissertation, as is the case at many other institutions.

This timeframe assumes the student will take two courses in each session: Fall I and II, Spring I and II, and Summer I and II in their first year. Half of those are research courses, working toward their dissertation. In the second year, two courses in Fall I and II and Spring I and II, and then working solely on their dissertation in Summer I and Summer II.

Possible transfer credits can also speed the attainment of your Ed.D. at UMass Global. You can receive up to 12 credits for master’s and doctoral coursework in a field related to organizational leadership.

The primary difference between an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and a Ph.D. in a similar field lies in their focus and intended career paths. An Ed.D. is designed for professionals aiming to apply leadership principles directly within their organizations or in educational settings, focusing on practical application and problem-solving strategies. Conversely, a Ph.D. tends to be more research-oriented, preparing individuals for careers in academia or research, with a deep focus on theoretical foundations and empirical research methodologies. While both degrees are prestigious, the choice between them should be based on your career goals and preferences for practical application versus theoretical research.

Absolutely. Earning an Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) in Organizational Leadership is an investment in your future leadership capabilities and career advancement. This degree prepares you to effect positive change, enhance organizational effectiveness, and improve your leadership skills in various settings. Graduates often find that the knowledge and competencies gained significantly impact their professional opportunities, salary potential, and ability to drive strategic initiatives within organizations.

Testimonials

kimberly m

Through the unwavering guidance of our cohort mentor, the instructors who patiently answered my endless questions, and the support of my fellow cohort members, I have grown in ways I never imagined... UMass Global's faculty and team stood by us every step of the way.

Kimberly M.
Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership
jason c

They didn't just provide an education; they provided a community where adult learners could show up, be challenged, and come out stronger... UMass Global gave me the tools and space to amplify my impact. It wasn't just about checking a box. It was about becoming the next version of myself.

Jason C.
Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership
ifeoma d

Through our coursework, we gained clarity to see beyond surface issues to the deeper systemic forces shaping our organizations... our doctoral education has given us the expertise to translate research into meaningful change. As doctors of education, we have the privilege of using our enhanced vision to illuminate paths forward and foster environments where transformation can flourish.

Ifeoma D.
Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership
candra l

Throughout this trip, I absorbed lessons in transformational leadership... As I traveled through meadows and mountains, I strengthened my emotional intelligence, sharpened my ability to hold crucial conversations, deepened my understanding of teamwork, and harnessed the power of research.

Candra L.
Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership
Tiffani Thomas

The program allowed me to embrace my introverted nature, recognizing the unique strengths it brought to leadership, such as active listening, empathy, and the ability to build genuine connections with team members. I am profoundly grateful for the program's guidance to lead authentically, fostering trust, cohesiveness, and positive change within organizations.

Tiffani Nicole T.
Organizational Leadership, Ed.D.
Director, Mental Health Division at National Alliance on Mental Illness, Solano County

You will finish the program transformed, personally and professionally. Everything learned will be applicable in the field. The support and guidance provided throughout the dissertation process will get you to the finish line. I strongly believe that this program prepared me for the multiple promotions I received while in the program.

Iyuanna P.
Organizational Leadership, Ed.D.

As a senior leader in healthcare, I gained critical insights into my leadership style. The program addressed real-life issues related to culture, politics, communication, innovation, change management and transformation, helping me expand my role as an executive. The faculty was outstanding and invested in my success. I highly recommend this program for any individual, regardless of discipline, who seeks to make a difference leading transformational change!

Tricia K.
Organizational Leadership, Ed.D.

The Ed.D. program at UMass Global changed my life. I had access to some of the most amazing professors and faculty I've ever had the privilege of working with. From the very first course to the dissertation defense, this program truly transformed my life both personally and professionally. I highly recommend the Ed.D. program for anyone passionate about transformational leadership within any sector of society.

Kristen M.
Organizational Leadership, Ed.D.

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