Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership

A comprehensive scholar-practitioner program emphasizing the self, organization, and system.

Based on foundational concepts including leadership, self-awareness, organizational development, and systemic change, our online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership is crafted for ambitious working professionals striving for high-level executive positions while promoting inclusion, sustainability, and social responsibility within organizations. The distinct focus is on practical application.

year program

in-person residencies*

day and 2 evening classes per month, synchronously delivered

cohort model

open to global students

*Academia Option is subject to Doctoral Committee recommendation and approval following successful completion of required online courses. Due to regulations from the U.S. Department of Education, the University of San Diego is unable to enroll students in its online programs who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. Students residing in these states and the District of Columbia are invited to apply for our in-person instruction program offerings.

Who Is EdD in Organizational Leadership for?

Working professionals committed to championing inclusion, sustainability, and social responsibility within organizations

Working professionals striving for high-level executive positions

Degree holder in any subject with at least five years of work experience

Learning and Career Outcomes

Upon completing this program, graduates will be prepared to meet the needs of their communities by:

Demonstrate mastery of core leadership competencies, such as strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, and ethical decision-making, in the context of executive leadership challenges.

Apply critical thinking skills to identify and analyze the underlying assumptions, biases, and implications of different theories, fields, and constituencies and develop and present well-supported conclusions and recommendations based on their analysis and synthesis of information.

Identify and analyze systemic barriers to diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and justice in organizations, and develop strategies for dismantling them.

Develop recommendations for enhancing sustainability in personal and professional contexts. Develop strategies for the promotion and implementation of sustainable practices in organizations and communities.

Apply the research and practice to specific personal, team, or organizational challenges. Developing recommendations for addressing these challenges based on the evidence and insights gathered.

Develop skills in addressing organizational challenges by critically considering relevant research literature and, when necessary, engaging in original quantitative and/or qualitative data collection and analysis.

Financing Your Education

All students have a right to an education, regardless of income or circumstance. Over 60% of our students rely on financial assistance to cover part of their educational expenses.

The tuition rate is for the 2026–27 academic year. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Units

$1,800

Tuition per unit

$86,400

Estimated total tuition

Financial Aid

In addition to external funding resources, students at SOLES may be eligible for various forms of financial assistance, including scholarships, grants, fellowships, and discounts.

Explore Financial Aid and Scholarships

Here From Our Students

First Year Student

Nadeaja Saheed

There are folks who have this vision and this dream of who they're going to become with this degree, and I'm really in the space of letting the organic flow happen. I know I want to work in education. I know I want to work in service of the youth of southeast San Diego. I'm just not sure if the actual role I'm going to embody has been created yet. So I'm hoping this degree will help give me the tools and the language necessary to create that position.

First Year Student

Dominic Porter

This program has greatly deepened my understanding of leadership and enhanced my ability to lead with intention and purpose. The knowledge I’ve gained from both the courses and my peers has been truly transformative. I encourage anyone seeking a meaningful and impactful educational experience to consider joining this program.

Meet Our Faculty

Experienced in applied knowledge and committed to driving positive change in society.

Rene Molenkamp

Dr. Rene Molenkamp, a native of Haarlem, the Netherlands, teaches courses on leadership, human relations and organizational theory and change. He also directs the Leadership for Change conference based on the group relations methodology.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Antonio Jiménez-Luque

Dr. Antonio Jiménez-Luque’s work, broadly speaking, explores how cultural, social and historical perspectives influence conceptualizations and practice of leadership understood as a relational process of mobilization, emancipation and social change.

Professor of Practice

Laura Deitrick

Dr. Laura Deitrick is a faculty member in the Department of Leadership Studies, where she teaches nonprofit management, organizational theory, program design, and evaluation. She is a former nonprofit executive director, board member, and consultant, she researches major nonprofit trends.

Lecturer II

Shahrzad Nooravi

Dr. Shahrzad Nooravi is a scholar-practitioner, author, and speaker. She specializes in organizational assessment and development, with expertise in diagnosing organizational culture and leadership effectiveness to implement strategies that enhance leadership practices, communication, and talent management.

Research Associate

Carla Penha Vasconcelos

Dr. Penha-Vasconcelos currently serves as Research Associate at the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education, actively participating in a diverse range of cutting-edge research projects, including local and federally funded initiatives. She also is an adjunct faculty within the Leadership Studies doctoral program. She developed a specialized course tailored for the Leadership International School Leaders cohort.

Professor of Practice

Zachary Green

Dr. Zachary Green is a professor of practice in Leadership Studies and the Director of Leadership Development at The Nonprofit Institute. He is also lead faculty for the RISE Urban Leadership Fellows. A clinical psychologist by training, Zachary teaches courses on human development, organizational behavior, coaching, human development, dialogue, negotiations, mindfulness, and love.

Take the Next Step

Ready to Get Started?

Your future as a Changemaker starts here. Learn more about SOLES or start your application today.

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