Online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership Programs 2025
An online Ph.D. in organizational leadership develops mentorship, change management, and cultural leadership skills through rigorous academic research and coursework.
While a master’s in organizational leadership prepares you for leadership roles by teaching career-specific skills, a Ph.D. is more research-oriented and theory-focused, often best for executives, policymakers, or academic professionals.
Explore this page to learn about an online Ph.D. in organizational leadership, its potential outcomes, and some degree options.
11 Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Programs
Concordia University-Chicago
- River Forest, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What You'll Like:
Concordia University Chicago offers an online doctorate in leadership with an emphasis in organizational leadership. You can enroll in either an Ed.D. with an action-oriented focus or a Ph.D. with a big-picture emphasis. Both programs include courses in the follower-leader relationship, strategic forecasting and planning, and inclusive leadership.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 61-67
- Cost per Credit: $753
Things We Love:
- Offers financial aid options to active duty service members and military veterans
- Waives the GRE or MAT requirement for admission for a limited time
- Maintains the same tuition rate as long as you are continuously enrolled
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Concordia University Chicago is a Christ-centered university rooted in the teachings of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
- You need a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in your master's program to apply.
- The university requires you to pass a comprehensive exam after finishing all coursework.
86%
$9,399
61%
$9,399
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Students Enrolled
- 5,029
- Institution Type
- Private
Concordia University-Wisconsin
- Mequon, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What You'll Like:
Concordia University Wisconsin provides a research-intensive online Ph.D. in leadership with a concentration in innovation and continuous improvement. This three-year degree employs a cohort model, so you take classes with the same people throughout your program. Most courses are asynchronous online experiences that last eight weeks each.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Cost per Credit: $925
Things We Love:
- Requires you to submit a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal and scholarly material to a conference
- Provides a 60-credit Ed.D. as an alternative to the research-centric Ph.D. program
- Offers an interdisciplinary curriculum with training in leadership, research, and improvement science and innovation
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Some courses last for an entire 16-week session and require periodic Zoom calls.
- Concordia University Wisconsin is a Christian university affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
- You must attend two in-person residencies of 3-4 days each.
57%
$12,042
79%
$12,042
- Acceptance Rate
- 68%
- Students Enrolled
- 5,063
- Institution Type
- Private
Franklin University
- Columbus, OH
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
What You'll Like:
One of Ohio's largest private universities, Franklin University makes it possible for you to earn an online Ed.D. in organizational leadership in three years. You spend two years completing coursework and one year working on your dissertation. The program features a high student satisfaction rate, with 98% of students reporting that they would recommend Franklin to friends, colleagues, and family.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Cost per Credit: $748
Things We Love:
- Offers the Elevate Grant, a $1,000 grant for doctoral students
- Supports candidates with the No-Fear Dissertation, a mix of resources from peers, staff, and faculty
- Provides eight optional focus areas, including healthcare management, marketing, and public administration
What to Know Before You Apply:
- You must complete 90 credits above the bachelor's degree, so if you do not have 32 or more transferable credits, you may need longer than three years to finish your degree.
- To graduate, you must earn at least 34 credits at Franklin, regardless of how many transferable credits you hold.
95%
$16,080
50%
$16,080
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 8,044
- Institution Type
- Private
Holy Family University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What You'll Like:
Located in Philadelphia, Holy Family University offers an online accelerated Ed.D. in educational and organizational leadership that can prepare you to lead in corporate, nonprofit, or community organizations. You will take a leadership core curriculum, 15 credits in organizational leadership, and a research course series.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 54-57
- Cost per Credit: $1,200
Things We Love:
- Operates on a year-round, cohort-based model
- Accepts up to six transfer credits if you earned them within the last seven years
- Offers a business-oriented approach to leadership and organizational development
What to Know Before You Apply:
- The university requires you to participate in an interview with the program's faculty members as part of the application process.
- Holy Family is a Catholic institution with a values-based and inclusive approach to education.
- You need a GPA of 3.5 or better in graduate coursework to apply.
74%
$11,811
79%
$11,811
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,912
- Institution Type
- Private
Johnson University
- Knoxville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What You'll Like:
Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, Johnson University offers an online interdisciplinary Ph.D. in leadership studies with six concentration options, including organizational leadership. The program takes three years to complete. Year one requires a leadership core, year two emphasizes ethics, and the final year focuses on research.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Cost per Credit: $675
Things We Love:
- Incorporates four dimensions: research, global systems, organizational systems, and individual and personal systems
- Offers competitive scholarships for full-time doctoral students who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better
- Hosts optional research summits where you can network with peers and professors
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Johnson is a Christ-centered institution with a mandate to communicate a message of peace, wholeness, and restoration.
- You must apply by July 15 for the fall term or November 15 for the spring.
- Candidacy requires a 25-plus-page paper and presentation approved by the faculty.
48%
$9,285
77%
$9,285
- Acceptance Rate
- 63%
- Students Enrolled
- 939
- Institution Type
- Private
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
- Shreveport, LA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What You'll Like:
Louisiana State University Shreveport's Ed.D. in leadership studies is an interdisciplinary degree program you can finish in as little as two years. You'll take 36 credits in a leadership core curriculum, 12 credits in a concentration of your choice, and a research series concluding with a dissertation defense.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 63
- Cost per Credit: $411
Things We Love:
- Offers concentrations in leadership studies, disaster preparedness and emergency management, and health communication and leadership
- Provides many start dates each year, with a time to completion of 24-42 months
- Assigns you a dedicated coach to help you throughout the program
What to Know Before You Apply:
- LSUS accepts 7-10 new students in each concentration each year, so admission can be competitive.
- Teaching alone may not provide the leadership background you need to receive an offer of admission.
- Classes meet weekly over Zoom, and courses last seven weeks each.
89%
$6,196
65%
$6,196
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Students Enrolled
- 8,706
- Institution Type
- Public
National University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What You'll Like:
National University, a school of more than 40,000 students, offers an online Ph.D. in organizational leadership that you can complete in 38 months. You can build on the program's core leadership courses with nine credits of electives drawn from a wide range of disciplines.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Cost Per Credit: $1,241
Things We Love:
- Offers start dates every Monday, so you don't have to wait to begin classes
- Accepts up to 12 transferable credits from an accredited school with a grade of B or better
- Provides the Dissertation Completion Pathway, a program that helps students who are "all but dissertation" to finish their doctorates
What to Know Before You Apply:
- NU requires no essay, exam scores, or application fee from applicants.
- The program demands no group work, allowing you to study on your own schedule.
- Most students take 45 months to graduate, even though you can finish the program quicker.
67%
$15,912
64%
$15,912
- Acceptance Rate
- 55%
- Students Enrolled
- 18,631
- Institution Type
- Private
Tiffin University
- Tiffin, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What You'll Like:
Tiffin University offers a hybrid Ph.D. in global leadership and change. You take most classes online and attend three two-day conferences on Tiffin's Ohio campus. Although the program usually takes 4-5 years to complete, you can extend your time to seven years before defending your dissertation.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 60
- Cost Per Credit: $855
Things We Love:
- Focuses on managing complex relationships in a professional cross-cultural context
- Offers courses in two semesters: fall and spring
- Assigns two advisors to assist you as you navigate the program
What to Know Before You Apply:
- You must develop and submit a paper or presentation proposal for an academic conference as part of the degree program.
- Tiffin requires a Zoom interview before approving your application for admission.
- You must pay the costs of attending each of the three required residencies.
64%
$14,000
60%
$14,000
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Students Enrolled
- 3,595
- Institution Type
- Private
University of Southern Maine
- Portland, ME
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What You'll Like:
The University of Southern Maine offers a low-residency Ph.D. in leadership studies that takes around four years to complete. You'll take courses like deliberate creativity and innovation, leadership and applied ethics, and global leadership while receiving hands-on experience through internships and service-learning experiences.
- Credits to Graduate: 72
- Cost Per Credit: $509
Things We Love:
- Offers concentrations in leadership education and organizational development
- Sets an e-rate for online students so out-of-state learners pay the same tuition as Maine residents
- Provides scholarships, peer mentoring, and other support services for graduate students
What to Know Before You Apply:
- You must attend annual three-day residencies on USM's Portland campus in addition to your online coursework.
- USM has a December 1 deadline for applications.
- You must submit your GRE scores or proof of a graduate-level statistics course.
63%
$ 7,776
76%
$22,500
- Acceptance Rate
- 79%
- Students Enrolled
- 7,528
- Institution Type
- Public
Vanderbilt University
- Nashville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What You'll Like:
Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education offers an online Ed.D. in leadership and learning in organizations for mid-career leaders with at least three years of leadership experience. This degree focuses on three competency areas: leadership and organizational development, data and analytics, and learning and design.
- Credits to Graduate: 54
- Cost Per Credit: $2,324
Things We Love:
- Enrolls a student body in which 79% of students have eight or more years of professional experience
- Offers three annual start dates, in January, May, and August
- Allows you to complete the program in 3-4 years, including your capstone project
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Vanderbilt requires attendance in weekly online face-to-face classes for this degree.
- You must participate in three on-campus events in Nashville with peers and professors.
- Vanderbilt's application deadline for this program is about two months before the new cohort start date.
10%
$53,160
96%
$53,160
- Acceptance Rate
- 6%
- Students Enrolled
- 13,456
- Institution Type
- Private
Wilmington University
- New Castle, DE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What You'll Like:
A private institution in New Castle, Delaware, Wilmington University offers an online Ed.D. in organizational leadership, learning, and innovation that takes three years to complete. You can customize your doctoral program with a concentration in strategic leadership, workplace learning, or talent development, or work with faculty to design your own doctoral program.
- Credits to Graduate: 54
- Cost Per Credit: $713
Things We Love:
- Requires you to finish 120 internship hours and an applied research project
- Offers the Ed.D. degree in online, hybrid, and flexible formats
- Enrolls you in a cohort system so you learn from peers as you progress through your degree program
What to Know Before You Apply:
- As part of the application process, Wilmington requires an interview with the program chair and a group interview where you solve a problem.
- The school awards priority to applicants who apply by the early application deadline.
- You need 3-5 years of organizational leadership experience to apply.
88%
$9,216
56%
$9,216
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 14,020
- Institution Type
- Private
Why Get Your Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership Online?
There are several advantages to earning your doctorate in organizational leadership online. Below we highlight four of the key benefits:
Accessibility
Online programs make education more accessible. For working professionals, an online program expands access to top programs and faculty that are not locally available.Flexibility
An online doctoral program allows for more flexibility to balance coursework with other priorities.Cost
Online programs can help you save money on tuition, housing, and transportation.Quality Education
A Ph.D. in organizational leadership can bolster career options, advance your career, and increase earning potential. Most programs feature concentrations that align with your academic and career goals.
Reality Check: Is It Possible to Work While Getting a Ph.D.?
Yes, working while getting a Ph.D is possible, although it will require a great deal of focus and time management. There are many online doctoral programs in organizational leadership specifically designed for working professionals, giving you the flexibility to balance your work and degree studies. You can find asynchronous or evening courses to fit around your work schedule.
Choosing an Online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership Program: 5 Key Factors
The right online doctoral program in organizational leadership for you is the one that best fits your budget, career goals, and scheduling preferences. Other important factors include strong student support services and proper accreditation.
1. Accreditation
Institutional accreditation is crucial, especially for online programs, as it ensures you’re attending a vetted school and receiving a high-quality education that will be respected and recognized by employers. In addition to institutional accreditation, organizational leadership Ph.D. programs may hold programmatic accreditation.
These doctoral programs are typically offered through the business department and are accredited through one of two accreditors recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation: the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
2. Cost
When choosing a doctoral program, total costs and financial aid opportunities can help guide your decision. According to the most recent figures from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the median tuition cost for all online business degrees at the doctorate level is $10,900 per year — around $3,500 less than the traditional, on-campus counterpart.
Many graduate programs offer student teaching or work-study arrangements, which can reduce total costs.
3. Student and Career Support Services
When comparing online doctoral programs in organizational leadership, look at a college’s reputation for academic advising, networking opportunities, and career support. Strong support services can make a huge difference in your online college experience.
Many colleges also provide graduation and career placement rates, as well as career services to help you land a job after graduation. This can be especially valuable if you’re planning to switch careers or industries.
4. Program and Course Format
Courses in an online doctorate in organizational leadership program may be taught synchronously or asynchronously. Synchronous classes require you to meet and attend live sessions at a dedicated time, whereas asynchronous courses allow you to complete your studies independently on your own time.
Additionally, be sure to check for part- and full-time enrollment options, scheduling conflicts, and any on-campus sessions, as some online doctoral programs in organizational leadership feature in-person requirements.
5. Concentrations
Most doctoral programs in organizational leadership allow you to choose a focus area or concentration that mirrors your academic and career goals. Concentrations can vary among programs, so prioritize programs that match your interests. Some organizational leadership concentrations are:
- Human resources
- Educational administration
- Nonprofit and public administration
- Global consulting
What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership?
Earning a Ph.D. is a solid way to expand your career options and enhance your earning potential. With a Ph.D. in organizational leadership, you can pursue various career paths in academia, consulting, and executive leadership. The academic concentration you choose can have a significant impact on career options.
If you’re interested in academia, you can secure a role as a professor or researcher in a college or university. If you’re more interested in the private sector, you may find work in corporate and nonprofit settings.
| Jobs | 2024 Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Chief Diversity Officer | $148,343 |
| Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | $262,930 |
| Human Resources Manager | $160,480 |
| Nonprofit Director | $67,229 |
| Organizational Development Consultant | $105,297 |
| Business Professor | $113,840 |
| University Administration | $124,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership Programs
Determining whether a Ph.D. in organizational leadership is right for you depends on personal factors. This degree has the potential to advance your career, increase your salary, and grow your expertise in the field of organizational leadership.
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