Online Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership Programs of 2025
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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 students 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.
Students typically pursue organizational leadership doctoral degrees to move beyond traditional leadership roles into changemaker positions, like management consultants, human resources (HR) directors, or program administrators. The degree can also lead to professional opportunities across sectors, such as federal and state governments and financial services.
Continue exploring this page to learn more about an online Ph.D. in organizational leadership, its potential outcomes, and some degree options. Our methodology found all available options for online organizational leadership doctorates, but we ultimately highlighted those with a graduation rate of over 40%.
Featured Organizational Leadership Doctorate Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
11 Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Programs
Concordia University-Chicago
River Forest, IL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$33,944
- Out-of-state$33,944
- In-State$9,399
- Out-of-state$9,399
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled5,029
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment86%
- AccreditationYes
Concordia University-Wisconsin
- Mequon, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$32,770
- Out-of-state$32,770
- In-State$12,042
- Out-of-state$12,042
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled5,063
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
Franklin University
- Columbus, OH
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$9,552
- Out-of-state$9,552
- In-State$16,080
- Out-of-state$16,080
- Retention Rate50%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled8,044
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
Holy Family University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$31,508
- Out-of-state$31,508
- In-State$11,811
- Out-of-state$11,811
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled2,912
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
Johnson University
- Knoxville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$17,384
- Out-of-state$17,384
- In-State$9,285
- Out-of-state$9,285
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled939
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
- Shreveport, LA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,806
- Out-of-state$18,960
- In-State$6,196
- Out-of-state$6,196
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled8,706
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment89%
- AccreditationYes
National University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- In-State$15,912
- Out-of-state$15,912
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled18,631
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
Tiffin University
- Tiffin, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$28,620
- Out-of-state$28,620
- In-State$14,000
- Out-of-state$14,000
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled3,595
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment64%
- AccreditationYes
University of Southern Maine
- Portland, ME
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,910
- Out-of-state$26,250
- In-State$7,776
- Out-of-state$22,500
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled7,528
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
Vanderbilt University
- Nashville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$58,130
- Out-of-state$58,130
- In-State$53,160
- Out-of-state$53,160
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate6%
- Students Enrolled13,456
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
Wilmington University
- New Castle, DE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,970
- Out-of-state$11,970
- In-State$9,216
- Out-of-state$9,216
- Retention Rate56%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled14,020
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment88%
- AccreditationYes
Why Get a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership Online?
An online doctorate program allows for more flexibility to balance coursework with other priorities.- Online programs often allow you to save money on tuition, housing, and transportation.
- For working professionals, an online program expands access to top programs and faculty that are not locally available.
- 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.
Organizational Leadership Doctorate Degree Courses
The courses offered in an organizational leadership doctorate program can vary, but classes traditionally cover topics such as leadership theory, strategic leadership, and organizational behavior.
- Leadership and Organizational Cultures: In this course, students explore the complex relationship between leadership and organizational culture. In addition to examining how leaders affect culture, you can also learn to create and sustain productive, ethical cultures that support organizational goals.
- Human Resources Business Strategy: You’ll examine the role of HR in driving business planning and performance. Grad students explore ways to evaluate workforce trends and align business goals with HR best practices. You’ll also create strategies for talent management, organizational development, and staff engagement.
- Global Issues and Leadership: This course explores how culture and history affect international leadership. Enrollees develop skills and knowledge essential to navigating business challenges in a globalized world. Students examine key world issues, cultural differences in business, and strategies for international collaboration.
- Business Ethics in Leadership: This class covers workplace ethics while evaluating how organizational leaders foster ethical behavior. Students encounter various ethical theories, analyze case studies, and develop ways to create a culture that aligns with organizational values and business interests.
- Dissertation and Capstone Planning: This course prepares doctoral students for their degree-culminating research projects. Degree-seekers develop research questions, review relevant academic studies, design studies, and craft proposals that mirror academic and professional standards. Upon completion, this research project should contribute to the organizational leadership field.
Organizational Leadership Concentrations
Most doctoral programs in organizational leadership allow students to choose an academic concentration that mirrors their academic and career goals. Concentrations can vary among programs, so be sure to prioritize programs that match your interests.
Human Resources
Human resources departments aim to develop and train employees while enhancing productivity and performance. Students with an HR concentration can anticipate classes such as HR development, HR ethics, and autonomous learning and HR development. You may also learn about compensation guidance and business financial strategy.Educational Administration
Whether you’re seeking administrative roles in higher education or K-12, an educational administration concentration focuses on the unique challenges of leading an academic institution. Some common courses include education law and finance, accountability in educational leadership and policy, and faculty development.Nonprofit and Public Administration
This concentration is ideal for students seeking leadership roles in nonprofit settings. You’ll focus on the unique challenges linked to leading nonprofits, including developing community partnerships, fundraising, and community engagement.Global Consulting
This concentration prepares you for leadership roles in a global context. Coursework explores the unique challenges of leading diverse teams across geographic and cultural borders. You’ll also focus on honing the communication and analytical skills required to solve complex organizational challenges.
What Can You Do With a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership?
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.
Those interested in academia often secure roles as professors or researchers in colleges and universities. Organizational leadership students pursuing roles in the private sector often work in corporate and nonprofit settings.
Earning a Ph.D. is a solid way to expand your career options and enhance your earning potential. Executives in corporate settings tend to make the most. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from May 2022, chief executive officers (CEOs) earn a median annual salary of $246,440.
Graduates working for nonprofits teaching at a college or university tend to earn less. BLS data indicates that college professors earned a median salary of $80,840 as of May 2022.
| Job | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Chief Diversity Officer | $144,100 |
| Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | $246,440 |
| Executive Director | $100,090 |
| Human Resources Manager | $145,750 |
| Nonprofit Director | $64,400 |
| Organizational Development Consultant | $101,730 |
| Professor | $91,760 |
| University Administration | $115,180 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Organizational Leadership Degrees
A Ph.D. in organizational leadership or behavior can lead to careers in human resources management, business consulting, and business analysis. This degree is an excellent option for professionals looking to improve organizational outcomes using their high-level research, policymaking, and leadership skills.
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.
The primary difference between a Ph.D. and an Ed.D. in organizational leadership is their academic and professional focus. A Ph.D. program traditionally focuses on research and has an expansive list of professional applications. An Ed.D. degree prioritizes practical application in an educational environment.
The length of an online Ph.D. in organizational leadership can vary depending on the program and whether you’re a part-time or full-time student. Generally, online organizational leadership Ph.D. students can graduate in 3-7 years. Additionally, some programs offer accelerated pathways that allow enrollees to graduate more quickly.
So long as the school is accredited, online Ph.D. programs — including those in organizational leadership — are equivalent to campus-based programs and deliver the same diplomas. Still, not all online programs are created equally. Be sure to look for programs at accredited institutions and review our guide for the best online Ph.D. in organizational leadership programs.
You do not need a Ph.D. to be a CEO, but they often come to the table with ample experience and specialized skill sets. Earning a Ph.D. in organizational leadership is one way to establish a set of leadership skills while enhancing your resume and expanding your professional network.
