Program Highlights
Become a leader in your industry and drive systemic change in your organization with a doctorate from USC Rossier.
Become a More Effective Leader
The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Change and Leadership online is designed for leaders who work in a variety of industries, including education, corporate, social services, nonprofit, and government, who want to lead human-centered, equity-minded change.
Organizational change is a complex process that requires skilled leadership. Develop the skills to diagnose systems-level challenges and implement evidence-based and equity-minded solutions in an online program taught by USC Rossier faculty.
Delivered through a blend of online collaboration, class sessions, coursework and real-world experiences, this EdD 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 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.
Part-Time Option
The EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership offers a part-time study option for students in the 43-unit track, available for those starting in the fall term. This option is designed for working professionals seeking greater flexibility while completing doctoral-level leadership preparation. Students interested in the part-time option should contact the Office of Admission and Scholarships for more information.
60-Unit Track (Fall Entry Only)
If you do not have a master’s degree, you have the option to enroll in the 60-unit track. This pathway includes completing 17 units of coursework drawn from one of the following programs prior to advancing into doctoral coursework: the Master of Education in Learning Design with AI and Emerging Technologies (LDAI), the Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (PASA), the Master of Education in Educational Counseling (EC), or the Master of Education in Sports Administration and Leadership (MSAL) .
Students on this track do not earn a master’s degree. Instead, they are awarded a graduate certificate aligned with their selected area of study. This university-recognized credential demonstrates completed coursework in a specialization and supports career advancement on the path to an EdD.
On-campus Immersion Experience
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.
This program is not eligible for I-20/DS-2019 issuance. International students who would otherwise need a I-20/DS-2019 are welcome to pursue the program online from their home country; the in-person program component requirements will be waived or alternatively, your faculty and/or academic advisor will confirm the arrangements to complete the requirements from your home country. If you have questions, please contact Anna Chiang at annachia@rossier.usc.edu
Transformative
Reshape systems of power by creating more welcoming 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.
Curriculum
Lead transformational change across industries.
Change agents start here. Equip yourself to lead transformational change across industries through a multidisciplinary and impact-driven curriculum.
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Program Contact
Estevan R. Hernandez, M.Ed
Senior Assistant Director, Office of Admission and Scholarships
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Lead change in ways that will improve academic opportunities and outcomes for all students.