Education school launches online doctorate in leadership
The UNC School of Education’s program for aspiring leaders across sectors will host its first cohort of students in fall 2024.
With approval from the UNC System, the UNC School of Education has launched the University’s first fully online doctor of education — the Ed.D. in Organizational Learning and Leadership program — which will provide working professionals with knowledge, skills and experiences to take a human-centered approach to leadership, delivering upon their organization’s goals and mission.
The program was created and delivered in collaboration with The Graduate School at UNC-Chapel Hill, the UNC Office of Digital and Lifelong Learning and 2U.
Applications are open as of March 20, and the program’s first cohort of students will begin classes in fall 2024.
“For more than 130 years, the UNC School of Education has prepared leaders for classrooms, schools and school districts but also institutions well beyond education,” said Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, education dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor. “Education happens lifelong and lifewide, and learning happens within successful organizations. Our faculty members have expertise in areas critical to organizational learning and leadership, and we believe this program is an incredible opportunity for professionals to advance their careers and organizations.”
Developed with input from working professionals in both private and public sectors and spanning various industries, the new doctoral program is tailored to equip students with specialized courses in improvement science, change leadership, human-centered design, equitable and inclusive practice, research methodology and more. It will also offer students practical opportunities to implement their learning directly into their professional endeavors.
The program will use a blend of interactive online classes, self-paced asynchronous lessons, and an in-person immersion experience on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. During the immersion experience, students will have the chance to forge meaningful connections with faculty, staff and fellow students.
The program culminates with a capstone project in which students identify a complex or pervasive challenge faced by their organization. Students will then undertake comprehensive research and implementation efforts to address it and design effective resolutions.
“Our faculty members have intentionally shaped this program and designed its curriculum to prepare professionals with tools to provide immediate value for our students, for the teams they lead or are part of, and for their organizations,” said Thurston Domina, associate dean for academic affairs and director of graduate studies at the school. “When our students graduate, we anticipate they will find success in private companies, government and nonprofit organizations, business and management consulting, human resources, project management, leadership coaching or development, and more.”
“Leadership of teams and organizations is a complex endeavor,” said Warren, “and we are excited to welcome students from an array of career stages, roles, organizations and locations who are committed to that endeavor. I look forward to cultivating robust learning environments where our students and equally committed and expert faculty members engage in ways that ultimately work toward the greater good through human-centered leadership practice.”
Prospective students can begin the online application at online.unc.edu. The priority deadline for the first cohort of students is June 11, while the final deadline is July 3. Details about application requirements are available online or by contacting an admissions counselor.
