Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Leadership
Pursue a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership for Higher Education
Prepare to lead postsecondary institutions into the future effectively and ethically by turning challenges into opportunities using research-driven strategies. Earn your EdD in higher education online at Grand Canyon University and accelerate your learning while cultivating an intelligent leadership style. The Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Higher Education Leadership is designed for active and aspiring leaders in teaching and postsecondary administration.
The College of Doctoral Studies has designed a rigorous curriculum that blends governance, fiscal management and strategic planning with cultural sensitivity and corporate social responsibility. Graduates are prepared to evaluate and address complex challenges from a leadership standpoint. By exploring leadership styles and ethical practices in higher education, learners are equipped with the high-level decision-making capabilities that are required for 21st century postsecondary education institutions.
Develop Skills in Higher Education Leadership
The landscape of higher education is dynamic and continually evolving which requires careful decision-making through the lens of ethical practices and standards. The curriculum at GCU stands out for its focus on ethical dilemmas and stewardship. Graduates emerge with a renewed sense of purpose for becoming agents of positive change in their fields.
Join online or evening classes and engage in stimulating discussions with faculty members and peers with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Learn to evaluate qualitative and quantitative data and apply research-driven strategies for the future. The doctorate in higher education requires a total of 60 credits for completion. Most online courses are eight weeks in length.
The Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership for Higher Education program begins with an intensive exploration of scholarly research and academic writing. From the first course, learners will begin the dissertation process. After covering literature reviews and research questions, students move on to explore the development and evolution of leadership theories. Other core topic areas include the following:
- The history and politics of higher education, with an examination of the political landscape and relevant ethical issues
- The internal and external governance and structures in higher education
- The creation and maintenance of a diverse learning infrastructure through faculty professional development, alumni relations and the building of a scholarly community
- The establishment of a shared mission, vision and goals among stakeholders for the purpose of long-range strategic planning
All learners pursuing a doctorate in higher education are expected to attend two, four-day residencies. These afford learners the opportunity to present their scholarly work, network with peers and benefit from intensive feedback from faculty.
Advance Your Higher Education Career with an EdD in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Higher Education Leadership
Doctoral programs in higher education leadership prepare graduates to bring their vision for their schools into reality. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, undergraduate enrollment is on an upward trend. From 2000 to 2016, enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions rose by 28 percent. From 2016 through 2027, undergraduate enrollment is projected to increase by an additional three percent. A growing and increasingly diverse student population raises the need for strategic thinkers among school leadership. Some career options that may be related to this degree may include the following:
- Academic dean
- Chief academic officer
- Financial director
- Postsecondary administrator
Some graduates may choose to pursue a career in consulting, learning advocacy or government policymaking.
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course introduces students to the principal elements of research and scholarly writing. Learners explore approaches to synthesizing literature and the application of the major components of APA form and style, and learn to coordinate literature searches. Furthermore, they learn how to discern principal arguments, analyze research questions, and clearly identify the key scholarly attributes to journal articles and other sources of scholarly data. This course also introduces learners to the University’s overarching values and beliefs regarding research and the responsibility scholars have in continuing a tradition of contributing to an ever-growing body of knowledge.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of seminal leadership theories and models. Learners focus on understanding the development and evolution of leadership theories and the range and emphasis of leadership research. Prerequisite: RES-811.
Course Description
This course examines multiple ethical frameworks, principles, and theories as they apply to the study and practice of leadership. Corporate social responsibility will be addressed from the perspective of ethical decision making. Prerequisite: RES-811.
Course Description
This course provides a broad overview of foundational elements for conducting independent, original research. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods are introduced and applied. The template for developing a research prospectus is also introduced, with emphasis on identifying a researchable topic related to the learners’ degree specialization. Prerequisite: RES-811.
Course Description
This course provides a broad, global overview of the history and politics of higher education and examines the political landscape and ethics surrounding higher education. A brief overview of governmental interventions is also presented. Prerequisite: RES-811 or RES-850.
Course Description
This residency allows learners to continue developing their skills as academic researchers. Learners will have hands-on experience applying quantitative and qualitative design principals to develop the foundational elements for their potential dissertation studies.
Course Description
This course examines the internal and external governance and structures in higher education. The course emphasizes analysis of the leadership practices necessary to guide construction of appropriate internal and external frameworks. Prerequisite: RES-850.
Course Description
This course is designed to train learners in the conduct of a systematic literature review related to their research topic. Emphasis is placed on creating structure for reading, analyzing, synthesizing, and organizing prior research necessary for drafting the first iteration (draft) of Chapter 2 of the dissertation. Learners use the research prospectus template to guide the development of their Chapter 2. Prerequisite: RES-850 or MGT-810 or RES-825.
Course Description
This course examines relations with higher education stakeholders, including boards, learners, parents, faculty, staff, and the community at large. Attention is given to creating and sustaining a diverse learning infrastructure through faculty and staff professional development, alumni relations, and the building of a scholarly community. Prerequisite: RES-861.
Course Description
This course examines budgeting, fundraising, fiscal planning, and capital asset management in the higher education setting. Leadership skills for fiscal management and fiscal integrity are addressed. Prerequisite: RES-861.
Course Description
This course provides learners with an overview of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches with emphasis on conceptual and practical aspects of data collection, management, and analysis. Learners use their research prospectus to align the research question(s) and variables of interest with the appropriate data collection and analytical techniques. Prerequisite: RES-861.
Course Description
This residency prepares students to present their scholarly work and to thoughtfully critique the work of others. Students orally present papers developed in their own classes and respond to questions from colleagues. Students are further prepared to become active members in academic communities by learning how to review papers and provide comments.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of the impact of leadership and the effects of behaviors on the formulation and execution of strategy within an organization. Topics include the increasing importance of resilience and change in today’s global and turbulent economy. Prerequisite: RES-861 or RES-866.
Course Description
This course explores the opportunities and challenges facing leaders in the global environment. The course topics focus on aspects of leading global and diverse workforces, and on theories of leadership and leadership development in diverse and global cultures. Prerequisite: RES-861 or RES-866.
Course Description
Learners complete a cogent research prospectus as the foundation for their dissertation research proposal. Emphasis is placed on fully articulating a study design and methodology that is aligned with the research questions and developing the first iteration (draft) of Chapter 3 of the dissertation. Prerequisite: RES-855 or RES-866.
Course Description
This course addresses the establishment of a shared mission, vision, and goals among both internal and external stakeholders as the foundation for long-range strategic planning in higher education. Professional and facilities development is addressed in the context of higher education master planning.
Course Description
In this course, learners formalize their research proposal specific to their topic. Emphasis is placed on fully developing Chapter 1 and incorporating Chapters 2 and 3 (drafts) from previous research courses. This proposal becomes the first three chapters of the dissertation upon approval of the final draft by the College of Doctoral Studies. Prerequisite: RES-880.
Course Description
This course provides learners with individualized support in their dissertation journey. Learners work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members to continue their research endeavors as aligned with their individual progress plan. Prerequisite: RES-871 or RES-885.
Course Description
This course continues to provide learners with individualized support in their dissertation journey. Learners work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members to continue their research endeavors as aligned with their individual progress plan. Prerequisite: DIS-955.
Course Description
This course continues to provide learners with individualized support in their dissertation journey. Learners work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members to continue their research endeavors as aligned with their individual progress plan. Prerequisite: DIS-960.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
Additional Disclosures
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.