Specializations and electives help you tailor your degree.
Pepperdine University Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership
Drive meaningful change as a leader in education, business, nonprofit organizations, government, and beyond.
Make a Lasting Impact With an Online EdD in Organizational Leadership
Become the purpose-driven leader your organization needs with the online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (EdD) program from Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP).
Designed to be completed in as few as 32 months, the EdD program combines research-driven academics with real-world immersion experiences that prepare you to make a positive impact on your community.
Pepperdine University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Online courses offer a mix of live and asynchronous learning.
12:1 student-faculty ratio fosters close collaboration.
Online Doctorate in Education Program Highlights
As an EdD in Organizational Leadership student, you’ll gain expertise in leadership, learning, and policy through a mix of online coursework, immersive in-person learning experiences, and independent dissertation work that empowers you to apply theory to practice immediately in the workforce.
With a robust 57-credit curriculum—and flexibility for your dissertation path—this program helps you create a learning experience that’s unique to your career aspirations via:
20
courses
6
required immersion experiences
1
EdD to PhD pathway
Admissions Overview
No standardized test scores required
The online EdD program seeks experienced professionals with passion, perspective, purpose, and commitment to inspiring transformative change—both on the job and in their communities.
A bachelor’s degree and a master’s or doctoral degree—both from regionally accredited institutions—are required to apply.
View all application requirements.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition is charged on a per-credit basis. You’ll need to complete 57 credits (or more, depending upon your dissertation needs) to graduate from the EdD in Organizational Leadership program.
There are a number of financial aid opportunities available to online EdD students, including employer tuition assistance, federal student loans, private loans, and military benefits.
Create Immediate, Lasting Change in Your Organization
Ready to realize your leadership potential? Our EdD program can be the catalyst you need to bring your career—and your organization—to new heights.
Online EdD in Organizational Leadership Curriculum Overview
Our Doctor of Education program employs the scholar-practitioner model of doctoral training, integrating rigorous academics, hands-on experience, and robust research to prepare you for a wide variety of career opportunities. Transform your leadership potential with as few as 57 credits.
Curriculum Requirements
- 17 core courses
- 3 specialization courses
- 6 immersion experiences
- 4 Class Immersion Experiences at our West Los Angeles campus
- 1 International Leadership and Policy Development Experience that takes place outside the United States
- 1 Leadership Advocacy and Policy Development Experience at our Washington, DC campus
- 1 dissertation
Core courses
- Leadership Theory and Practice (3 credits)
- Scholarly Writing and Digital Literacy (0 credits)
- Ethical Leadership, Equity, Cultural Proficiency, and Social Justice (3 credits)
- Quantitative Methods & Statistical Analysis (3 credits)
- Leadership Advocacy and Policy Development (4 credits)
- International Leadership and Policy Development (5 credits)
- Virtual Learning and Collaboration (3 credits)
- Law and Dispute Resolution (3 credits)
- Learning Design, Cognition, and Evaluation (3 credits)
- Leading Strategic Change (3 credits)
- Introduction to Research Design and Methodology (3 credits)
- Qualitative Research Design and Analysis (3 credits)
- Higher Education Professions Preparation Colloquium (3 credits)
- Qualifying Examination Seminar (3 or 1 credit(s))
- Dissertation Research I (2 credits)
- Dissertation Research II (2 credits)
- Dissertation Research III (2 credits)
Course Highlight: Leadership Theory and Practice
What is leadership? Who has it? Where does leadership come from? How can one become a more effective leader? This course explores the major theories and approaches of leadership to prepare individuals to understand, develop, and accept complex leadership roles.
Online EdD Specializations
Personalize your EdD program experience by selecting one of three specializations: Change Management, Learning Technologies, or PK-12 Leadership.
Change Management Specialization
The Change Management specialization prepares you for the evolving needs of today’s global marketplace. In these courses, you’ll gain the tools and insights to effectively design and implement change within an organization, and navigate organizational shifts with confidence.
Change Management specialization courses include:
- Organizational Psychology, Theory, and Design (3 credits)
- Global Cultural Development and Change (3 credits)
- Advances in Theory and Practice (3 credits)
Learning Technologies Specialization
The Learning Technologies specialization prepares you to deploy new and proven learning technologies within schools, corporations, and other public and private organizations.
Learning Technologies specialization courses include:
- Futuring: Jobs and Technology of the Future (3 credits)
- Games, Simulations, and Virtual Worlds (3 credits)
- Advances in Theory and Practice (3 credits)
PK-12 Leadership Specialization
The PK-12 Leadership specialization prepares Pre-K-12 leaders in various roles to create and sustain strong learning environments within schools and school districts.
PK-12 Leadership specialization courses include:
- Education Finance and Policy (3 credits)
- Leadership and Action Research in Pre-K-12 (3 credits)
- Advances in Theory and Practice (3 credits)
Note: This program does not offer credentials or paths to licensure. It is designed for those who already possess the required licensure to continue their professional learning and elevate their school systems to new levels of academic excellence.
Immersions
Participate in onsite immersion experiences—both within the US and internationally—and expand your policy horizons.
4 onsite Class Immersion Experiences (West Los Angeles campus)
1 International Leadership and Policy Development Experience (outside the United States)
1 Leadership Advocacy and Policy Development Experience (Washington, DC, campus)
Dissertation
As coursework progresses from foundational to advanced research theory, you will work under the guidance of a chosen faculty chair and begin work in the final semesters on a dissertation, which includes a proposal, preliminary oral examination, and final manuscript defense.
Faculty Spotlight
Learn from education experts
At Pepperdine, you’ll build strong relationships and work closely with our talented faculty. Meet Professor Wickramasinghe:
Assistant Clinical Professor
Education Division, Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Amanda Wickramasinghe is a scholar-practitioner and international researcher. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University.
Dr. Wickramasinghe’s research focuses on foreign relations, global competencies, culture, and the intersection of international affairs and global policies. She has traveled extensively internationally and interviewed global leaders for her contributions to literature on foreign policy. As a faculty member, she has taught and designed courses at multiple universities, particularly in graduate programs specializing in Global Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Human Resources Management, and International Studies.
Currently, Dr. Wickramasinghe is involved in research projects and advisory committees across various countries, exploring foreign relations, emotional connection, global competency development, and the implementation of international curricula while also developing strategic partnerships with multinational organizations, universities, and nonprofits. She also serves as a Co-Country Investigator for the GLOBE 2020 Project. Dr. Wickramasinghe was appointed to the Board of Visitors and recognized as an Inaugural 40 under 40 Honoree at Pepperdine University.
Career Paths After Earning a Doctor of Education Online
The online EdD in Organizational Leadership program provides a strong opportunity for career growth across a variety of professional settings, including public and higher education institutions, businesses, and nonprofit and governmental organizations. If you’re looking to teach at the higher education level, the EdD is the preferred qualification, positioning you to obtain full-time faculty positions.
Here are some of the careers you may want to pursue after attaining your EdD:
| Job Title | Typical Work Setting | National Median Salary (Retrieved 2026) |
|---|---|---|
Chief Executives: Elementary and Secondary Schools | Elementary and secondary schools | $182,8801 |
Chief Executives: Grantmaking and Giving Services | Nonprofits | $257,7002 |
Chief Executives: Management of Companies and Enterprises | Businesses, corporate enterprises | $390,7103 |
Postsecondary Education Administrators | Universities, colleges, professional schools | $103,9604 |
Other career paths include:
- Superintendent
- University administrator
- Nonprofit director
- Learning and development executive
- Human resources director
- Principal or district administrator
- Pre-K-12 instructional coordinator
- University faculty
- Director of innovation
- Director of learning
- Instructional design manager
- Training and development manager
- Educational/learning technologist
Take Your Leadership Career to New Heights
If you have the passion, the purpose, and the commitment to go out into the world to drive meaningful change in the organization and communities that you serve, let’s go there—together.
FAQs About the Online EdD
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An online EdD program from Pepperdine—which is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)—will offer many of the same opportunities for learning and skill development that a traditional program presents. The coursework, which includes leadership, research methods, policy, educational theory, and applied practice, is designed to provide the rigorous academic foundation needed for impactful professional roles.
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Yes. Pepperdine University is a nationally recognized institution, and the Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) is widely respected for its commitment to values-based leadership.
- Accreditation: The university is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), ensuring the highest standards of academic quality.
- Cohort model: Our reputation is built on a rigorous, cohort-based approach that connects you with a diverse network of professionals in business, education, and nonprofit sectors.
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If your career goals are focused on applied practice and organizational leadership, an EdD is generally a better fit than a PhD. An EdD goes beyond traditional academics, equipping you with the skills to make a real-world difference and serve as a springboard to impactful careers across the educational spectrum.
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Yes, both a PhD and a professional doctorate like an EdD earn you the title of “doctor.” However, there are differences between the types of doctoral degrees in terms of their emphasis—a professional doctorate (EdD) typically focuses more on applied practice, while a PhD emphasizes original research.
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Graduates with a doctoral degree have strong earning potential. According to the most recent data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that postsecondary education administrators, a common career path for EdD holders, earned a median annual wage of $103,960 in May 2024. However, salaries can vary significantly based on the specific career path, location, and years of experience.
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An EdD prepares you for high-level leadership and administrative roles across diverse sectors. Career titles may include: chief academic officer, chief learning officer, chief knowledge officer, policymaker or analyst, educational consultant, director of human resources, academic dean, and instructional coordinator.
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Yes, you can be a professor with an EdD, but a PhD is often preferred for academic research roles, while an EdD is more suited for administrative and leadership positions in education. To secure a professorial role, you may need several years of practical experience, and the type of institution (e.g., community college vs. research university) will influence the feasibility of an EdD for the position.
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It takes as few as 32 months to complete the online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership program at Pepperdine University. This timeline combines the required coursework with the independent dissertation work, preparing you to become a purpose-driven and transformative leader in your community and beyond.
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The EdD utilizes a scholar-practitioner model, meaning the coursework is designed to be immediately applicable to your real-world leadership challenges. The program consists of approximately 57 units comprised of:
- Core and Specialization Courses: You will progress from foundational leadership theory to advanced research methods and specialized elective tracks.
- In-Person Immersion Experiences: The curriculum includes required in-person immersion experiences to foster deep connection and hands-on learning.
- Dissertation: The program culminates in an independent dissertation where you will produce a final manuscript under the guidance of a faculty chair.
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You can tailor your doctorate to your specific career goals by choosing from three distinct specializations:
- Change Management: Equips you with the insights to effectively design and implement organizational change, a critical skill in today’s evolving global marketplace.
- Learning Technologies: Prepares you to deploy new and proven learning technologies (such as simulations and virtual worlds) within schools, corporations, and public organizations.
- PK-12 Leadership: Focuses on creating and sustaining strong learning environments within school districts. Note: This track does not offer state licensure but is designed to enhance expertise among those who already possess credentials.
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As an EdD in Organizational Leadership student, the culminating experience is an independent dissertation. This project is designed to empower you to apply theory to practice immediately in the workforce, reflecting the program’s focus on applied leadership. The curriculum is a robust 57-credit base program with flexibility for your dissertation path to create a learning experience unique to your career aspirations.
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Yes, the EdD in Organizational Leadership program includes immersive in-person learning experiences as part of its curriculum. The program is delivered through a mix of online coursework, immersion experiences, and independent dissertation work.
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No, GRE scores are not required for the EdD program. The program values your desire to make an impact on our communities more than standardized test scores.
Pepperdine University partners with 2U to support the delivery of these online programs. Pepperdine University has full control over the programs, including all core academic functions. Click here to learn more about 2U’s roles and responsibilities.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Chief Executives. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved June 24, 2026. ↩︎
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Chief Executives. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved June 24, 2026. ↩︎
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Chief Executives. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved June 24, 2026. ↩︎
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2024). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved May 14, 2026. ↩︎