Advance as a transformative leader through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Organizational Learning and Leadership. This 54-credit, part-time doctoral program prepares working professionals to lead organizations through human-centered, equitable, and data-informed change across diverse industries.
- 54-credit doctoral program
- 36 months to complete
- No master’s degree or GRE required
- Part-time format for working professionals
- Optional in-person immersion experience
About this program
The online Ed.D. from the UNC School of Education equips professionals with the knowledge, skills, and experience to lead organizations toward meaningful and sustainable transformation. Designed for experienced leaders, the program emphasizes organizational learning, inclusive leadership, and systems-level improvement.
Students develop the ability to foster equitable organizational cultures, implement high-quality practices, and empower stakeholders through collaborative, evidence-based leadership.
Curriculum overview
The 54-credit curriculum comprises 17 courses delivered over 36 months in a structured, cohort-based format. Coursework integrates leadership theory, organizational analysis, quantitative and qualitative research methods, implementation science, and data-informed decision-making.
The program scaffolds learning toward a culminating capstone project, enabling students to apply doctoral-level inquiry directly to real-world organizational challenges.
Capstone project
The Ed.D. culminates in a multi-semester capstone. Students identify a complex organizational problem of practice, conduct applied research, and develop evidence-based solutions using a human-centered leadership framework.
The capstone demonstrates the student’s ability to synthesize theory, research, and practice to deliver measurable organizational impact.
Online learning experience
The program is delivered through weekly live online classes that foster rich discussion and collaboration. Interactive coursework, faculty mentorship, and optional in-person immersion experiences support professional networking and applied learning. Students receive comprehensive academic guidance and career support throughout the program.
Admissions and career outlook
The program admits students in January, May, and August. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and demonstrate at least three years of management or leadership experience. A master’s degree and GRE/GMAT scores are not required. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is expected. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles across sectors, including organizational development, human resources, healthcare administration, nonprofit leadership, consulting, and executive management.
