Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Programs 2024
Organizational leadership is the key to success for any business or organization. Careers in this potentially make up to $239,200 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Do you see yourself as an influential leader in the workplace? As someone who can recognize a problem, find a solution, and communicate the plan to fix it?
All you need are the qualifications, and you could be a CEO someday. If that’s what you want for your future, then an online doctorate in organizational leadership might be the best fit.
Here’s how to get started:
- Explore this page to determine whether this path is the right choice for you.
- Check out the top-ranked online doctorate in organizational leadership programs, as well as our sponsored programs.
- Request more information from schools you’re interested in to find the best fit for your schedule, pocketbook, and career goals.
Featured Online Doctorate Degrees in Organizational Leadership
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Top Online PhD in Organizational Leadership Programs
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,840
- Out-of-state$54,840
- In-State$51,600
- Out-of-state$51,600
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate7%
- Students Enrolled13,796
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment11%
- AccreditationYes
Johnson University
- Knoxville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$17,384
- Out-of-state$17,384
- In-State$9,285
- Out-of-state$9,285
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled942
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Why Should You Get an Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership?
Whether you want to be a better leader, systematically transform your workplace, or take on executive roles, a doctorate in organizational leadership can improve your career.
Benefits of a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership
- Advance to senior leadership roles.
- Increase your earning potential.
- Improve your leadership skills.
- Become an expert in your field.
Reasons to Get Your Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Degree Online
- Balance work and school.
- You are a strong self-motivator.
- Save time on commuting.
- Learn from convenient locations, such as home.
Is an Online Doctorate Degree in Organizational Leadership Worth It?
Yes. A doctorate in organizational leadership leads to executive-level roles that increase your earning potential. You’ll gain high-level knowledge of assessing and solving organizational challenges in many professional settings. Examples include businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and higher education institutions.
What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership?
A doctorate in organizational leadership hones your skills for becoming an influential leader at any business or organization. You can apply these skills — such as assessing organizational challenges or setting large-scale goals — to nearly any setting, from nonprofits to government agencies.
Careers in Organizational Leadership
The potential roles vary in scope, depending on your experience, strengths, or preferences. For example, you could become the chief executive officer of a cutting-edge tech research company. Or you could become a strategic organizational consultant for a nonprofit organization.
- C-Level executive
- Director of leadership development
- Nonprofit director
- Organizational development specialist
- Senior human resources manager
- Organizational developmental director
- Succession planning manager
- University administrator
How Much Does an Online PhD in Organizational Leadership Degree Cost?
The average total cost of an online Ph.D. is $23,293 per year, according to BestColleges research. It’s cheaper than the average cost of Ph.D. programs, which is $58,656 per year.
But the final cost might range from $131,000-$263,000, depending on when you complete the Ph.D. Some students finish in four years, while others take up to eight.
Average Cost Per Year for Ph.D. Program
Tuition
$34,910
Non-Tuition Related Expenses
$23,746
Total Cost
$58,656
Total Cost of a Ph.D.
(4-8 Years)
$131,000-$263,000
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Doctorate Degree in Organizational Leadership?
It takes between 4-5 years to complete most online doctorates in organizational leadership programs, depending on whether you enroll full time or part time. If you enroll part time, it may take up to seven years to graduate. Most programs consist of 50-65 credits.
Required Course Credits
50-65*
Field Study Requirements (Y/N)
Yes*
Common Concentrations for a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership
Many doctoral programs also feature concentration opportunities, allowing you to focus on an area of the field that interests you. These can include:
Educational Leadership
This concentration prepares you for leadership roles in curriculum development settings, K-12 schools, and colleges. In this program, you combine concepts related to organizational leadership with educational theories.Missional Leadership
This concentration trains you specifically for faith-based leadership roles. You focus on spirituality, faith, and community within organizational contexts and settings. You can pursue roles as senior pastors and nonprofit CEOs.Healthcare Leadership
In this concentration, you explore the relationship between healthcare workers and administrators. Courses focus on addressing organizational challenges across healthcare settings.Entrepreneurial Leadership
This concentration examines business from an international perspective. You learn new methods to develop the economy and promote innovation within business. You also learn how to weigh risks in a variety of situations.Global Consulting
This concentration prepares you to pursue specialized leadership roles working on a global scale, such as military leaders. Throughout the program, you develop intercultural communication skills and learn how to conduct business across different cultures.
Still looking for the right fit? You might also like:
How Much Money Can I Make With a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership?
Pay will vary based on your experience level, role, field, and industry. For example, a professor in postsecondary education made a median annual salary of $84,380 in May 2023, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Meanwhile, the median salary for a chief executive officer was $103,840 in 2023, according to the BLS.
Salaries for Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership
Average base salary
$84,380
Highest-paying wage
$103,840
Everything Else You Need to Know About Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Degrees
Organizational leadership is a management approach to leading, motivating, and unifying people within an organization. It involves setting goals, establishing milestones, and communicating the organization’s mission to employees.
A good organizational leader is someone who can combine business understanding and people skills to guide an organization to achieve its goals.
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