Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership (online)

Transformative

Reshape systems of power by creating more inclusive and equitable practices and policies.

Flexible

Continue working full time while advancing your career and growing as a leader.

Prestigious

Earn a doctorate from a university with a reputation for producing leaders in every sector across the world and be connected to a robust Trojan alumni network.

Interdisciplinary

Gain insights from multiple disciplines as you learn alongside a cohort of leaders from a variety of industries

Become a More Effective Leader

The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Change and Leadership online (OCL online) is designed for leaders who are looking to drive systemic change in their organizations.

These leaders include individuals looking to grow in their respective industry, as well as those who currently hold or are seeking leadership positions across a variety of industries, including colleges and universities, private firms, nonprofits, and government organizations.

Delivered through a blend of online collaboration, class sessions, coursework and real-world experiences, this EdD online program allows students to continue working full time while building the skills that will distinguish them as leaders in their organizations.

Upon completion of the OCL online program, you will be equipped with the experience and expertise to:

Use principles and practices of learning and motivation to supervise others.
Drive innovation through technology-enabled and blended-learning formats.
Organize and deploy organizational resources, especially human and financial resources, to attain organizational goals.
Gather and interpret qualitative and quantitative data to assess the status of organizational priorities.
Create a culminating dissertation in practice that demonstrates effective application of the program’s theories and concepts.
Assess and reflect upon your own skill as a leader and the performance of your team(s) and organization, and then modify your strategies as needed based on those data.

Program Details

DEGREE AWARDED

Doctor of Education (EdD)

ESTIMATED LENGTH

3-4 Years

UNITS

43-60

PROGRAM COST

$2,354 per unit (estimated)

Estimated cost of attendance

MODALITY

Online

NEXT DEADLINE

April 30, 2024

See all deadlines

START DATE

January, May or August

CLASS TIMES

Select from class times Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evening or Saturday morning in the Pacific Time Zone

Drive Change, Learn to Lead

Ready for a fulfilling career? Gain hands-on experience, earn a respected degree and forge connections with lifelong colleagues through USC Rossier.

Courses That Prepare You to Lead

Explore Courses

Dive into leadership principles and theories — and gain practical skills — through courses that prepare you to inspire and drive change.

Explore Key Application Dates

Explore Key Dates

Discover essential details about USC Rossier’s admission process and application requirements.

Start Your Journey, Apply Now

Apply Now

Ready to become a more effective leader? Apply now to join our supportive Trojan community.

Two Distinct Paths

Students who hold a master’s degree or terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D. or professional doctorate) may be admitted with advanced standing and required to take only 43 units in order to complete the program. Master’s degrees and terminal degrees with a scholastic record of a 3.0 GPA or higher are considered eligible.

Students with master’s or terminal degrees
43 units of coursework
< 3 years to complete

Students without master’s degrees or terminal degrees
60 units of coursework
< 4 years to complete

Dissertation in Practice

The OCL online program culminates with a dissertation in practice that will allow you to demonstrate effective application of the program’s theories and concepts. You will address a problem of practice in an organization or professional field and gather data to answer research questions and provide recommendations.

On-Campus Immersion

In the first and fifth terms of the program, you will be required to attend an immersion weekend held on the USC University Park campus. This immersion experience will give you the opportunity to meet your classmates and professors face to face and complete various collaborative learning exercises designed to build essential leadership skills.

Online Learning Experience

The online learning experience blends interaction with student colleagues and faculty during scheduled weekly live class sessions and content experiences and coursework assignments on the learning management system. Live class sessions are facilitated by faculty and include highly interactive, engaging and collaborative small-group discussions.

Alumni Spotlight:
Angela Brockelsby

OCL Online Graduate '22

“My time at USC Rossier with the OCL program allowed me an experience with a diverse group of individuals and friends that I will never forget. The program taught me the fundamentals to become the leader I am today, with access to world-renowned faculty at the top of their field. I am grateful for the knowledge I gained and the friendships and connections to a network of professionals across multiple disciplines with a similar purpose: to make a difference in their organizations and the world. To my cohort: Fight On!”

Alumni Spotlight:
Kiran Pai

OCL Online Graduate '21

“The OCL doctoral program at Rossier was instrumental in refining my academic vision, setting a foundation of excellence that parallels the ethos of my own university.”

Alumni Spotlight:
Galvin Deleon Guerrero

OCL Online Graduate '19

“I learned and grew so much as a result of my experience in Rossier’s OCL program. The curriculum was both rigorous and relevant to my work, the online modalities were engaging, and faculty and peers were inspiring and challenging. My work in educational leadership continues to be informed and supported by insights, skills, and relationships cultivated in the program, driving me to continue fighting the good fight of uplifting lives through education.”

Join the Trojan Family