Organizational Studies, EdD

Program Description

The focus of the doctoral program in Organizational Studies is to develop scholar-practitioners committed to exploring and expanding research related to the practice and processes of organizations. Graduates will deepen their understandings related to leadership and change within organizations. The program will provide participants with knowledge and skills both to conduct robust research and to strengthen practices in organizations and to establish networks for education, psychology, urban affairs, and health and human services, to name a few. The program goals will be achieved through core courses in organizational studies, an internship, and research for developing an inquiry agenda that includes a doctoral dissertation. Students can develop a concentration in Leadership Studies or Learning Organizations in addition to the core courses.

Admissions Requirements

• Master’s degree in an education, leadership, human services or a related field from an accredited university, with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
• Evidence of two years of successful professional management experience, e.g. Project Leader, Assistant Manager, Principal, Education Administration, Classroom Teacher with leadership role, Associate Director and/or Personnel Manager.
• Proof of basic statistical competence, i.e. course work in the master’s degree (no more than 5 years prior to admission) or work in a profession where statistical competence is required. If evidence is not provided, a basic statistics course may be taken by the student prior to an admission decision.
• Written expository essay included with application in response to specified topic in organizational studies.
• Interview with the Admissions Committee which will include career statement (plans) and an assessment for potential for doctoral level work, e.g. oral skills, ability to conceptualize issues, etc.
• Written responses completed during the interview to demonstrate writing ability.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, or Millers Analogy Test (MAT) scores at the 50th percentile or above for education or social science majors (not more than 5 years old).
• TOEFL score of IBT 100/CBT 250/PBT 600, a score of 7.5 on the IELTS, or a score of 68 on the PTE for nonnative speakers of English.
• Two letters of recommendations from individuals who know the applicant’s current work and/or academic achievements in previous academic work. Specific topics to be addressed in the reference letters are included in the handbook. Letters should be on letterhead of recommender’s employer

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Doctorate in Organizational Studies (DOS) program will become:

1. Organizational leaders who incorporate their knowledge of organizational and leadership theories into skillful interactions within larger systems (organizational, local, regional, national, and global) while enhancing the development of others in surrounding contexts;

2. Research practitioners who identify organizational processes, demonstrate the research process through systematic inquiries, and share the findings through broad-scale oral and written means to expand the knowledge in the field;

3. Professional mentors and leaders who build a capacity for and promote a culture of change in their workplace; and,

4. Educational facilitators and problem solvers who develop and inspire diverse and critical thinking, group knowledge-building, and open-ended processes to manage problems that cannot be anticipated and require non-linear problem solving.

For More Information

• Organizational Studies, EdD
• School of Education and Leadership
• College of Health, Education, and Human Services