Overview
Pursue Doctoral Learning for College and University Professionals
Facilitate teamwork at the university and college level, and build a framework that celebrates student learning and achievement. The College of Doctoral Studies’ Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Higher Education Leadership is designed to enhance your leadership and decision-making capabilities in relation to teaching, administration and fiscal management.
In the doctorate in higher education program, you explore governance in present-day postsecondary institutions and strategize for the future using established research and data. Small online and evening courses encourage open dialogue amongst faculty and peers of diverse backgrounds and professions, increasing your comfort in discussing complex topics from a leadership standpoint. You begin the dissertation process at the beginning of your program of study; in your first course, you are introduced to the doctoral dispositions.
Through succeeding residencies and milestones, you progressively build your research, analysis and writing skills so that you have the tools necessary to successfully navigate the dissertation process.
Degree Outcomes
Develop Skills in Higher Education Leadership
In the EdD in higher education program, you examine the major bodies of literature in leadership, reflecting critically on existing theory and identifying appropriate applications of theory in education, business and other organizational cultures. Emphasis is placed on leadership theories that help you effectively manage a diverse team and build a community of scholars in higher education.
What You Will Learn
Become a Leader in Higher Education
Throughout this EdD in educational leadership program, you review the following topics:
- Developing a shared mission, vision and goals among internal and external stakeholders for long-range strategic planning
- Higher education master planning, including professional and facilities development
- Leadership behaviors and execution of strategy within an organization
- Methods of research design and analysis to aid with strategic planning and development
Career Outcomes
Advance Your Higher Education Career
This doctorate in higher education program prepares you to lead and transform higher education institutions through strategy, financial management and planning. Graduates of the program may be qualified to act as administrators, directors or faculty leaders in colleges and universities.
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 students to begin developing their skills as academic researchers. Residency sessions address topics such as research question development, design, item generation, subscale development and analysis, and basic hypothesis testing. Students have hands-on experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis software.
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.
Online
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. GCU offers the most experienced leadership in delivering online degree programs. Full-time faculty members and fully trained adjunct instructors, equipped with strong academic backgrounds and practical experience in their fields, support you every step of the way. Designed with the career-oriented professional in mind, our online classes provide an intimate environment that stimulates engaging and challenging discussions. Choose from programs across our distinct colleges, in high-demand employment areas. Classes begin frequently.
Evening
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. Night classes are designed for a specific number of students, providing a warm and nurturing environment that supports an engaging experience. In an evening cohort, you will progress through your degree program with the same career-minded classmates, providing an opportunity to network and forge relationships that go beyond the classroom. Classes begin frequently at various locations, including our main campus.
* Please note that this list may contain programs that are not presently offered as program availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability of the program.
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.
Online and Evening program disclosures (39 months) Additional Disclosures* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.