Organizational Leadership Doctor of Education – Quantitative
Become an Agent of Change in Education and Behavioral Health
Grand Canyon University’s quantitative Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Behavioral Health program provides you with the opportunity to generate new knowledge and learn how to responsibly apply this knowledge to help organizational employees grow and develop to their full potential.
In this program, you will study the major bodies of literature in leadership, reflect critically on existing theory, and identify appropriate applications of theory in education, business and other organizational cultures. Contrary to a full DBH program focusing on clinical integrative care, you will instead have the opportunity to employ quantitative methodology to design, collect and analyze information in alignment with conducting a scholarly dissertation.
This program of study is consistent with GCU’s mission to develop learners who are global contributors, innovative thinkers, effective communicators and transformative leaders. Graduates who earn their organizational leadership EdD can advance their study of leadership within the field of behavioral health with an in-depth, research-based approach to facilitate their leadership abilities and their role as strategic professionals.
Specializing in a Quantitative EdD for Behavioral Health Organizations
In this quantitative program, you will have the opportunity to develop expertise in the creation of a sampling plan and in the collection of data. In GCU’s quantitative EdD in organizational leadership - behavioral health program, you can examine and analyze events by interpreting numeric data, whereas in GCU’s qualitative EdD in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Behavioral Health program, you can gain insight into how and why people think, believe and behave a certain way.
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Learn to Lead Behavioral Health Organizations With an Online EdD Degree
GCU’s College of Doctoral Studies designed the EdD in organizational leadership - behavioral health doctorate program to help professionals looking to position themselves as potential leaders within their behavioral health organizations. In this program, you can continue to develop your skills as an academic researcher, examine multiple ethical frameworks, principles and theories as they apply to the study and practice of leadership, interact with statistical tests and analysis software in the context of designing a quantitative research study, gain a broad understanding of clinical supervision in a variety of behavioral health settings, explore the basic components of quantitative research design and more.
To graduate from this program, you must complete a minimum of 60 credits and participate in two five-day residencies. You must also pass courses including:
- Behavioral health entrepreneurship
- Behavioral health management
- Consultation for behavioral health professionals
- Ethical dilemmas and stewardship
- Leading across cultures
- Strategic planning and change
GCU alumni enrolling in a doctoral program for the first time may be eligible for a $2,000 scholarship.§
Careers for an EdD With a Behavioral Health Emphasis
GCU’s quantitative EdD in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Behavioral Health program allows you to expand your knowledge while studying the principles of entrepreneurism, strategic planning and leadership. As a graduate, you may be qualified to pursue leadership positions in a variety of settings including:
- Clinics
- Faith-based organizations
- Hospitals
- Inpatient and outpatient treatment programs
- Public health agencies
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
§ MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-July2025: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in July 2025. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarship or awards and only applies to online and evening programs. Please speak to a university counselor for complete details.
Time to Completion and Dissertation Process
To learn more about time to completion and the dissertation process at GCU, visit our doctoral page.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course introduces doctoral learners to the principle elements of research, scholarly writing, and effective argumentation. Learners are made aware of the dispositions and expectations of doctoral researchers as well as the University’s overarching values and beliefs regarding research and the responsibility of scholars to contribute new knowledge to their respective fields of study. Learners begin the process of identifying a researchable dissertation topic and are acquainted with appropriate scholarly resources that support the development of the dissertation.
Course Description
In this course, learners are introduced to the critical reading of scholarly qualitative and quantitative literature at the doctoral level. Learners also explore the concept of synthesizing the scholarly literature to identify problems and problem spaces that emerge to form a researchable topic of study. The application of scholarly argumentation from the extant literature to defend the need for a research study is discussed.
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-815.
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.
Course Description
In this course, learners are introduced to key components of qualitative and quantitative research designs and the means to critically appraise the application of research designs as observed in the scholarly literature. The University's core research designs are presented. Consideration is given to the initial selection and defense of a research design to address a problem that emerged from the extant literature.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods employed in qualitative and quantitative research designs. Learners explore the alignment of sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods to the research topic, research questions, and research design. The course positions learners to select qualitative or quantitative designs for their dissertation studies. Prerequisite: RES-831.
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. Prerequisite: RES-850, RES-825, RES-831, or RCS-831.
Course Description
This course proposes application of behavioral health theories to such areas as epidemiology, disease management, assessment and treatment planning, outcome management, and patient retention. Emphasis is placed on improving the quality of patient care.
Course Description
This course provides a broad understanding of clinical supervision in a variety of behavioral health settings. Clinical supervisory relationships, models of supervision, supervisory assessment instruments, supervisory methods, interventions, and current research are addressed.
Course Description
This course examines the business aspects of both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors of the behavioral health industry from an entrepreneurial perspective. Emphasis is placed on the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs, creation of business plans, venture capital and investment, laws and regulations governing behavioral health, and tools for measuring business success.
Course Description
In this course, learners explore the basic components of quantitative research design. Attention is given to variables, instrumentation, and sources of data. Reliability and validity of instrumentation is discussed in the context of GCU core quantitative research designs.
Course Description
In this course, learners interact with statistical tests and statistical analysis software in the context of designing a quantitative research study. Alignment of statistical tests to research questions, hypotheses and design is stressed as is determining the feasibility of a quantitative research study. Ethical aspects of research are discussed. Prerequisite: RES-842.
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.
Course Description
In this residency, learners orally present and defend an expanded design of their preliminary dissertation research from RSD-851. Emphasis is placed on developing the quantitative dissertation. Practicum/field experience hours: None. RES-844.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of collaboration, consultation models, and problem-solving strategies in various behavioral health settings. The focus is on the application of professional consultation services with diverse populations.
Course Description
In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: RES-871, RES-885, RSD-883, or RSD-884.
Course Description
In this course, learners focus on data collection, data preparation and management, and the analysis of quantitative data to produce written research findings, results, and implications. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs and apply information from this course to move ahead in the dissertation process. Prerequisites: RES-844 and one of the following: DBA-955 or DIS-955 or DHA-955 or PSY-955 or PCE-955 or TLC-955.
Course Description
In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design and/or conduct independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: DIS-955.
Course Description
In this course, learners focus on the interpretation of quantitative data to produce written research findings, results, and implications. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs and apply information from this course to move ahead in the dissertation process. Prerequisites: RES-874 and one of the following: DBA-960 or DIS-960 or DHA-960 or PSY-960 or PCE-960 or TLC-960.
Course Description
In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design and/or conduct independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: DIS-960.
Continuation Courses
The course identified above represent the minimum academic course requirements only. Most students will also need to take one or more of the following Research Continuation Courses to complete a dissertation. Research Continuation Courses are 3-credit courses charged at the standard doctoral per credit rate.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DIS-965.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DIS-966 or DIS-966E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DIS-967 or DIS-967E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DIS-968 or DIS-968E; RSD-951.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DIS-969 or DIS-969E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DIS-970 or DIS-970E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DIS-971E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DIS-972E.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DIS-973E.
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- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
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