Students who pursue an Ed.D in organizational leadership research leadership concepts and apply them to an organization. According to the program overview at Indiana Wesleyan University, doctoral students "will study and research ways to improve organizational behavior, organizational learning, and organizational improvement. The goal is the continuous improvement of the culture, performance, and productivity of the organization."
The Ed.D. is usually offered by the College of Education within a university. People who apply to an Ed.D. program usually have a master's degree in education, industrial/organizational psychology, business, theology or another related field. They also have leadership experience in an organization within their field. Students complete courses in management, leadership, organizational behavior, policy making, and research methods. In addition to coursework, students do a related project in the field and a dissertation. Students complete the entire program in about three years.
As you decide where to apply, don't limit yourself by believing that you will have to move to the city where the university is located. Increasingly, schools offer an option for completing your education online. For example, Pepperdine University offers a Global Access Format, which "offers a learning structure that meets face-to-face two times a term from Thursday to Sunday, coupled with weekly, one hour online sessions."
Because the degree is a doctorate in education, many people believe that the only career opportunities are in traditional schools and universities. Although this degree prepares people for leadership in educational institutes, positions are available in other settings. Some graduates work in human resources as a corporate trainer or a director of organizational development. Others work on government policy at the state or federal level. There are also opportunities in health care, the military and faith-based organizations.
Graduates are prepared to lead organizations in complex and changing environments. Wilmington University lists competencies that students build while in the program, such as the ability to "articulate and model core beliefs of the organization and effectively demonstrate how to take action to achieve the organization's vision, mission, and goals," "promote a positive organizational culture and design comprehensive professional growth plans for staff" and "collaborate with employees and other learning organization members, respond to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilize community resources."