We're here to help.
Doctoral programs with a higher education leadership focus can prepare graduates to bring their vision for their schools into reality.
School enrollment should be a priority for all higher education institutions. Growing and sustaining enrollment requires strategic thinkers and planners among school leadership.2
Some career options that may be related to the core competencies taught in this doctoral degree program include the following:
Position yourself to help lead postsecondary institutions into the future effectively and ethically by turning challenges into opportunities using research-driven strategies. Earn your Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with a focus on higher education at Grand Canyon University and take advantage of opportunities to cultivate an intelligent leadership style. This EdD higher education concentration is designed for active and aspiring leaders in teaching and postsecondary administration.
The College of Doctoral Studies has designed an in-depth curriculum that blends governance, fiscal management and strategic planning with corporate social responsibility. As a student, you are taught to evaluate and address complex challenges from a leadership standpoint. By exploring leadership styles and ethical practices in higher education, you have the opportunity to gain highlevel decision-making capabilities that translate well to modern postsecondary education institutions.
Join online classes and engage in discussions with faculty members and peers with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Evaluate qualitative data and apply research-driven strategies for the future. GCU strives to graduate ethics-minded professionals who intend to lead their educational institutions with integrity while adhering to the principles of servant leadership.
This qualitative program is designed to allow you to directly contribute to the wealth of knowledge in the field of educational leadership. Through both classwork and the completion of an original research study that culminates in a dissertation, you will be prompted to generate new insights into organizational leadership within the education field.
A qualitative program involves analyzing important patterns and identifying key trends that can have an impact on your greater industry. It contrasts from GCU’s quantitative EdD in Organizational Leadership with a focus on higher education leadership, which involves performing a statistical, data-driven research study.
As an institutionally accredited school, GCU prioritizes our commitment to offering quality education and comprehensive curriculum in order to optimize the learning experience. In addition, the Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Doctoral Studies shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
As you reflect upon your intended career trajectory and your educational options, it may be helpful to do some background research before submitting your doctoral degree application. GCU has compiled the following FAQs and answers to provide food for thought.
For those with a passion for driving forward progress in higher education institutions, an EdD degree can definitely be worth the time and effort. During your coursework and throughout the dissertation process, you’ll have opportunities to acquire key leadership skills and other core competencies applicable to higher education settings — from fiscal management to organizational change and beyond. You’ll have the potential to emerge from your degree program with greater clarity of vision and purpose for the future.
The Doctor of Education degree is a professional doctorate, also sometimes known as a practitioner’s degree. Although earning this degree requires a great deal of research, the EdD’s predominant focus is on practice rather than research. In other words, it prompts learners to examine how theories may be applied to various situations in workplace settings.3
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree and an EdD degree are both terminal degrees. While they may overlap in areas of focus, they aren’t quite the same. A PhD degree emphasizes research. It’s an ideal choice for those who wish to engage in scholarly work following completion of the degree program. In contrast, the EdD is designed to prepare learners to apply theories in practical settings with the intent of solving problems or challenges in their field. The EdD is designed for current or aspiring leaders, such as administrators.3
GCU offers thoughtfully designed degree programs intended to accommodate the needs of working professionals who require scheduling flexibility. You can earn your doctoral degree in organizational leadership predominantly through online classes.1 Work through the coursework from anywhere and connect with your peers and instructors via our intuitively designed e-learning platform. Residencies take place on or near GCU’s campus, offering the opportunity to fine-tune your research project and expand your professional network.
The landscape of higher education is dynamic and continually evolving, requiring careful decision-making through the lens of ethical practices and standards. The curriculum focuses on ethical dilemmas and stewardship, allowing you the opportunity to emerge with a renewed sense of purpose for becoming an agent of positive change in your field. Throughout your coursework, you will be taught core competencies applicable to the higher education field.
These skills include:
Using a synthesis of scholarly literature to identify gaps that can benefit from further research
Developing organizational resilience that can allow higher education institutions to navigate change
Budgeting, fundraising, fiscal planning and capital asset management in a higher education setting
Interpreting qualitative data
This doctoral program begins with an exploration of scholarly research and academic writing. From the first course, you can begin the dissertation process. After covering literature reviews and research questions, you will move on to explore the development and evolution of leadership theories. As a doctoral student, you participate in two five-day residencies on or near campus. These are conducted to provide networking opportunities, peer feedback and mentorship from faculty members.
Other core topic areas include the following:
The history and politics of higher education, with an examination of the political landscape
The internal and external governance and structures in higher education
The creation and maintenance of a diverse learning infrastructureÂ
The establishment of a shared mission, vision and goals among stakeholders
Up to 9 doctoral credits
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Doctoral)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. Applicants with a GPA less than 3.4 may be accepted with specifications.
** Degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. Applicants with a GPA between 3.0 - 3.39 may be accepted with specifications. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will not be accepted.
To learn more about time to completion and the dissertation process at GCU visit our doctoral page.Â
Explore core competencies in leadership within higher education institutions and contribute your own research and insights to the body of knowledge in the field. Fill out the form on this page today and take the first step toward earning your doctorate at GCU.
