Online PhD Programs in Organizational Leadership: Top Picks for 2024
An online PhD in organizational leadership can get you to your dream job faster. Continue reading to discover some of the best programs out there and learn more about tuition, career prospects and salary potential when you graduate.
Are you dreaming of that corner office and the ability to create organizational change? If so, you’re in good company. Top executive roles are coveted, with many craving the impact and high salaries — $103,840 annually on average— that come with these executive positions.
While these roles are competitive, an online PhD in organizational leadership can make your application stand out. These doctoral programs cover organizational leadership and administration for top-level executives looking to expand their credentials and move to the next level. Similarly, anyone in a middle management position looking to further their career may also benefit from a doctorate in organizational leadership.
To help find the right program, we compiled a list of the best online PhD programs in organizational leadership and other essential information about this degree.
Spotlighting Top Organizational Leadership PhD Programs
Everyone’s definition of “best” is different, but these three online PhD programs in organizational leadership offer flexible study options, a top-tier curriculum, and reasonable costs. Even if these programs aren’t the perfect fit for you, you can use them as benchmarks when researching other PhDs.
Adler University
When exploring online PhD programs in organizational leadership, Adler University should be on your list. This HLC-accredited school offers a PhD in organizational studies that can be completed 100% online or in a hybrid format with some coursework in person on their Chicago campus. Like other programs, Adler covers organizational leadership basics, including professional leadership, leadership ethics, and leading organizational change.
Unlike other programs, Adler emphasizes how students can become socially conscious leaders. This focus culminates in a social justice practicum where students complete an internship at a community outreach site. This internship takes about 8-10 hours a week to complete and spans four semesters. Students can choose their community outreach site based on their interests. Plus, the program’s curriculum offers nine credit hours for electives, meaning students can explore their passion for coaching, psychological resilience, or other topics related to the field.
Columbia International University
Columbia International University hosts one of the best organizational leadership PhDs. It’s also one of the shortest at about 27 months. The program is designed to hone students’ understanding of leadership theories and research methodologies. The program also provides opportunities to apply these theories and methods to a variety of settings, including in the public service sector, academia and consulting, and corporate work.
While the entire program can be completed online, Columbia International prides itself on creating a collaborative, virtual classroom with opportunities for students to explore core topics in discussion-based sessions. Students also have the space to explore personal interests in classes and through larger research opportunities.
While students are required to complete a five-part formal dissertation, the program encourages students to explore publication and presentation avenues for their dissertation research. The program also connects students with relevant consulting opportunities and provides opportunities for virtual networking.
National University
National University offers a high-quality online PhD in organizational leadership. Designed for the working professional, courses don’t feature group work, many classes can be completed asynchronously, and there’s no GRE requirement to apply. Plus, students can complete this degree without setting foot on campus. This ACBSP-accredited program focuses on how organizational leadership impacts the private sector, meaning it may be a better option for those interested in corporate leadership than roles in academia, government, or the nonprofit sector.
Foundational courses cover organizational capacity, ethical leadership, communicating change, and executive leadership. Students also take preparatory courses in undertaking PhD-level research before completing a multi-semester dissertation around a research topic of interest to them. Unlike other organizational leadership PhDs, students also take coursework in statistics and are expected to include quantitative data in their dissertation. Typically, students complete this program within 38 months.
Reap the Benefits of Earning an Organizational Leadership PhD
There are many reasons to pursue an online PhD in organizational leadership. Whether it’s the increased flexibility of online learning or the leadership experience, these programs are often a great fit for busy professionals who are serious about taking their career to the next level.
Easier to Balance an Online Program and a Full-time Job
Balancing a PhD and a full-time job is no easy feat, especially if that full-time role involves managing personnel, projects, or both. Fortunately, it’s easier to balance an online program with work and life responsibilities. Virtual PhDs offer the same rigor but with the flexibility to learn where and when you want. Some programs even offer asynchronous courses where you watch pre-recorded lectures and complete coursework at your own pace.
Same Rigor from Home
Any accredited organizational leadership PhD will deliver the same rigor, whether it takes place in a classroom or online. The difference is that online programs can be completed from your home, the office breakroom, or on-the-go. Plus, part-time online PhDs can make it easier to get the same quality of education at a slower pace.
Learn the Core Principles of Leadership
Organizational leadership is a field that touches almost every part of business and nonprofit operations. With a PhD, you learn the core principles of that field and have opportunities through a practicum or dissertation to apply those principles to your own field or industry. While there are other types of leadership PhDs out there, organizational leadership focuses specifically on working within larger, multi-team settings, honing your ability to take on top leadership roles.
Understanding Online PhD Program Accreditation
Accreditation isn’t a nice feature in an online PhD, it’s essential. Without it, other academic organizations and employers won’t recognize your degree, because accrediting organizations ensure a program’s curriculum meets industry standards. An accredited online degree in leadership will be recognized by two accrediting bodies. The first is a regional accrediting organization that certifies the rigor of the entire organization.
It’s important to check that an online program has regional (and possibly programmatic) accreditation before applying. Programs will typically state accreditations on their website, and you can cross check them on the accrediting body’s website. Some schools are accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), a private nonprofit that accredits schools offering primarily distance education.
Common Aspects of Organizational Leadership PhD Programs
Many organizational leadership PhDs have a few common components. Below, we’ve outlined the four most prevalent with examples of each.
Coursework
Classes are the crux of your degree. Typically, coursework is completed first and provides a theoretical understanding of leadership principles. Sometimes, students can also choose specialized concentration paths. At Eastern University, for example, students specialize in business, educational administration, or nonprofit and public administration.
Dissertation/Research
A PhD or doctorate signifies someone is an expert in their field. To gain that expert status, PhD candidates often complete a dissertation or multi-year research project. Students choose a topic of interest and one that is relevant to their careers and design a research project surrounding that theme. The research usually culminates in a final paper, such as this one on leadership toxicity from an organizational leadership candidate at Regent University.
Internship
Depending on the program, students may have to complete an executive-level internship before they graduate. Some programs, like the one at Liberty University, don’t require an internship if someone already has a full-time job relevant to the organizational leadership field.
Practicum
While we commonly think of PhD students completing a dissertation, some programs require a practicum instead. A practicum is an experiential component where students reflect on an experience in a critical way, culminating in a scholarly article, conference presentation, or development of a business plan or course curriculum. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore details what an organizational leadership practicum may look like in more detail.
Courses Found in Organizational Leadership Grad Programs
It’s natural to wonder what topics your program will cover. While each PhD has a different curriculum, the five classes below were featured by multiple programs we researched.
Executive Leadership
Some leadership strategies are specific to an industry, and others are multi-disciplinary and often employed by executives in nonprofit, corporate, and public service sectors. A course in executive leadership explores these interdisciplinary leadership strategies and provides space for students to reflect on how they can apply these principles to their own life. National University provides a good example of what this course can look like.
Leadership Theory
A large part of a PhD in organizational leadership is exploring different theories and perspectives on how to be a good leader. To accomplish this, many universities offer a leadership theory course as one of their core requirements. At Eastern University, students take a leadership theory class no matter which specialization they choose.
Leading Organizational Change
Being a leader during times of change or transition often comes with additional obstacles and challenges. To help students overcome them, schools such as Liberty University, offer a course in leading organizational change. This course often covers how to react to external change as a leadership as well as the most effective principles for creating change within an organization.
Organizational Behavior
At its heart, organizational leadership is an interdisciplinary field that includes principles from psychology, sociology, business, ethics, and more. To help students understand how psychology and sociology impact organizations and leaders, many schools offer a course in organizational behavior. At Columbia International University, for example, this class covers organizational relationship dynamics, decision-making skills, and the psychology of motivation.
Leadership Ethics
Ethics is another key component of organizational leadership. Leaders must understand how to make ethical and legal decisions and create purposeful change within an organization. To help students understand legal parameters and ethical concerns, many PhD curriculums cover these topics. At many universities, including Adler University, ethics, leadership, and professional theory are bundled together in one course.
Tuition and Financial Aid Options
It’s no secret that getting a PhD is costly. Fortunately, there are various financial aid opportunities that can help cover the bill. The most common type of financial aid is student loans. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 54% of graduate students use student loans to pay for their degree. With a student loan, you borrow a certain amount and pay it back with interest.
Grants, scholarships, and fellowships are three other types of financial aid, but these typically don’t have to be paid back. Grants and scholarships are typically awarded on past merit, while a fellowship is awarded to students who will take on teaching or research roles once enrolled. There are even some financial aid opportunities specifically for organizational leadership students, including the Eastern University organizational leadership fellowship and the doctoral scholarships from James Madison University.
How Much Will Your Online Organizational Leadership PhD Cost?
| School | Program | No. of Credits | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adler University | PhD in Organizational Leadership | 66 | $60,984 |
| Columbia International University | PhD in Organizational Leadership | 48 | $34,080 |
| Liberty University | PhD in Organizational Management – Leadership | 60 | $35,700 |
High-Paying Leadership Careers to Consider
A leadership PhD qualifies students for leadership roles across business operations, including positions as CEOs, top executives, and HR managers. The benefit of managerial and leadership roles is that they often have higher than average salaries, as reflected in the chart below.
These roles can be competitive, but there are some things you can do to stand out in the job search, and getting a graduate degree tops the list. In fact, over 36% of chief executives have a graduate degree.
| Job Title | Median Salary (50%) | Top Salary (90%) | Projected Growth (2023-33) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Executive | $103,840 | $239,200 | 6% |
| CEO | $206,680 | $239,200 | 6% |
| Human Resource Managers | $136,350 | $239,200 | 6% |
| Training and Development Managers | $125,040 | $220,060 | 7% |
| Sales Managers | $135,160 | $239,200 | 8% |
Source: O*Net OnLine, 2024; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024
FAQs About PhDs in Organizational Leadership
Are online organizational leadership PhDs more affordable than in-person programs?
Affordability is a top concern for many students, and it’s a good reason to choose an online program. Typically, the cost of an online doctorate is lower since students don’t have to pay commuting costs to get to and from campus and may be able to forgo certain student fees. Not all online programs are equally affordable, so it’s important to explore upfront costs and financial aid opportunities before committing to a program.
How long does it take to earn a PhD in organizational leadership?
In general, a doctorate can take two to six years to complete. The timeframe differs by program and part-time or full-time study. The program at Columbia International University, for example, takes a little over two years to complete on average, while the PhD at Eastern University takes five years.
What are some common admission requirements for online organizational leadership PhD programs?
Online organizational leadership PhDs often have a mix of education- and work-based requirements. Often, these programs require students to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field. Many also require students to state their research interests when applying and take the GRE, though there are some no-GRE doctorates out there. Along with educational requirements, admissions committees typically want to see relevant work experience. This translates to experience leading teams or projects within corporations, nonprofits, or government organizations.
What should I look for in an online organizational leadership program?
An online organizational leadership program should meet the three A’s: Academics, Accreditation, and Affordability. Accreditation is the most objective and easy to meet. To meet this standard, an institution and the organizational leadership program should be accredited. Academics refers to the rigor of the curriculum and if class topics and research areas align with your interests. Affordability is subjective, but typically refers to programs with low tuition costs and/or financial aid opportunities.
Are online leadership PhDs completely virtual?
Some online PhDs, such as the program at Adler University, can be completed 100% online. In these programs, students don’t attend on campus and can complete their degree from anywhere in the United States or the world. Other programs, such as the one at Eastern University, have a hybrid component with some on-campus requirements. To make sure you have a program that suits your location and learning preferences, ask about any hybrid components before applying to a program.
Organizational Leadership PhD Student Resources
- Dissertation strategies
A dissertation plays a significant role in organizational leadership PhDs. Learn how to choose the right subject and set up your dissertation for success with this guide. - Postgrad opportunities
Curious what you can do with a PhD in organizational leadership? This guide outlines opportunities for graduates in academia, the private sector, and in public service. - What is organizational leadership?
If you’re still wondering what this field entails and how it differs from more general leadership degrees, this guide provides useful information and can help you discern if this is a good PhD path for you. - 20 things to do early in your PhD
The first year of your PhD sets the tone for the rest of your degree. Learn how to get off on the right foot in this video from a fellow PhD candidate. - More PhD student resources
Still looking for more PhD resources? Check out our list of over 35 resources for PhD candidates.