If you're considering going back to school for a leadership degree, you've come to the right place. Browse through these FAQs to explore the right path for your career and find a UMass Global program that helps you achieve your goals. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Although there are many types of leadership styles, the four most referred to are democratic, autocratic, laissez-faire, and transformational. Find out which style you gravitate toward the most with this 10 question quiz.

At its core, resilient leadership is the ability to adapt to new circumstances or limitations. A resilient leader is one who can recover from setbacks, stay optimistic and mission oriented, respond instead of simply reacting, and make decisions with imperfect or incomplete knowledge.

Some common traits of resilient leaders include:

  • Maintaining consistent and clear communication
  • Remaining coachable, regardless of your position
  • Building positive and trusting relationships
  • Being comfortable saying “I don’t know” if that’s the honest answer
  • Knowing when to take bold risks or try something entirely new
  • Investing in the development of others
  • Being willing to embrace change

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.