Finish Fast. Lead Sooner.
Graduate in two years through a focused, customizable curriculum and dedicated faculty mentorship.
Build Your Career Momentum
Align your final project with your goals. Choose between a dissertation or capstone that equips you for real-world impact.
Low Tuition. Uncompromising Standards.
Earn a rigorous doctorate from a nationally recognized institution at a lower cost than similar EdD programs.
100% Online. Zero Travel.
Balance education, work, and family life through asynchronous coursework — with no residencies required.
Learn to Lead Organizations in Business and Beyond
Advance your career with an online Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership, designed for professionals ready to drive strategic change and growth across diverse industries. This flexible doctoral program helps experienced executives and managers build expertise to lead high-performing teams, manage complex transformations, and foster a positive workplace culture aligned with your organization’s mission and goals.
If you’re seeking an innovative organizational leadership doctorate online, you’ll graduate ready to solve critical challenges, influence decision-making at the highest levels, and guide your organization forward in a rapidly evolving global economy.
New England Commission of Higher Education
Top National College
U.S. News & World Report
A+ in Diversity from Niche
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The Organizational Leadership and Development specialization is designed to meet the demands of today’s rapidly evolving global landscape as the rise of digital transformation, increased globalization, and the need for sustainable practices reshape how organizations operate. To navigate these complexities, leaders must possess not only traditional management skills but also the ability to think strategically, lead diverse teams, and foster innovation across multiple sectors.
By offering a robust curriculum that transcends the confines of any single industry, the versatility of this track is one of its key strengths. By focusing on universal leadership competencies such as strategic decision-making, change management, and cultural competence, this track ensures that graduates are well-equipped to lead effectively in any context.
- Graduate in just two years (six terms) while studying full-time
- Study 100% online – no campus immersions or travel requirements
- Benefit from a cohort-style learning model, allowing you to build key connections with peers within and outside of your role
- Learn from doctorally-prepared faculty who are educators themselves
- Receive dedicated student advisor support from application to graduation
AIC has a long-standing history of making education more accessible for people of all backgrounds, with a legacy centered around diversity, access, and inclusion. Founded in July 1885, AIC still stands more than 125 years later as a leader in education and continues to foster community more effectively than any other time in its history.
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The Organizational Leadership and Development specialization is designed to meet the demands of today’s rapidly evolving global landscape as the rise of digital transformation, increased globalization, and the need for sustainable practices reshape how organizations operate. To navigate these complexities, leaders must possess not only traditional management skills but also the ability to think strategically, lead diverse teams, and foster innovation across multiple sectors.
By offering a robust curriculum that transcends the confines of any single industry, the versatility of this track is one of its key strengths. By focusing on universal leadership competencies such as strategic decision-making, change management, and cultural competence, this track ensures that graduates are well-equipped to lead effectively in any context.
- Graduate in just two years (six terms) while studying full-time
- Study 100% online – no campus immersions or travel requirements
- Benefit from a cohort-style learning model, allowing you to build key connections with peers within and outside of your role
- Learn from doctorally-prepared faculty who are educators themselves
- Receive dedicated student advisor support from application to graduation
AIC has a long-standing history of making education more accessible for people of all backgrounds, with a legacy centered around diversity, access, and inclusion. Founded in July 1885, AIC still stands more than 125 years later as a leader in education and continues to foster community more effectively than any other time in its history.
Why Choose AIC?
| Compare EdD Programs | American International College | University of New England | Northeastern University | Bay Path University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Massachusetts | Maine | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Ranked by U.S. News & World Report | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Asynchronous/ Fully Online | ✓ | ✓ | × | × |
| Cost | $38,400 | ~ $43,860 | ~ $65,400 | ~ $59,700 |
| Months to Complete | 24 Months | 36-48 Months | 36-48 Months | 36-48 Months |
| Residency/ Immersions | NO | NO | YES | YES |
| Dissertation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Capstone | ✓ | × | × | × |
This course focuses on strategic decision-making processes in diverse organizational environments, including business, government, non-profits, and education. Students will learn about various decision-making models, the role of data in making informed decisions, and how to align decisions with organizational goals and values. Case studies from multiple industries will be used to help students develop the skills necessary to make complex decisions in dynamic and varied settings.
This course explores the role of organizational culture in shaping the effectiveness and success of diverse organizations. Students will learn how to assess organizational culture, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies for fostering a positive and inclusive culture across different sectors. Topics include the impact of leadership on culture, the role of communication in culture-building, and the influence of organizational culture on employee morale, customer satisfaction, and organizational performance.
This course explores how policy, governance structures, and cultural contexts shape leadership and organizational decision-making. Students examine the processes by which policies are developed, implemented, and assessed, and consider how organizational leaders navigate regulatory environments and cultural expectations. Topics include organizational governance, compliance and accountability, global and cross-cultural perspectives, and the role of leaders in influencing and responding to policy. Comparative case studies from higher education and organizational leadership contexts highlight similarities and differences across sectors.
Choose Your Path
Dissertation vs. Capstone
Finish your EdD with a project that fits your goals. Choose between a dissertation or a culminating experience (commonly known as a capstone project), that addresses challenges in your school district, or organization. Integrated writing courses and ongoing faculty guidance throughout the program ensure you stay focused and supported every step of the way.
Dissertation
- Contribute original research to the field of education
- Build deep academic expertise
- Prepare for research, policy, or higher education careers
- Research writing courses are built into the program
Culminating Experience (Capstone)
- Solve real-world problems in your school district, organization or community
- Apply research in a hands-on, practice-based way
- Improve programs, policies, or systems
- Ideal for professionals seeking practical, actionable outcomes
Nicole Esposito
MS ’09, EdD ’12
"My professors at AIC changed how I viewed myself, my abilities, and what I could offer my community."
Online Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and Development graduates can expect to earn:
$95,000–$150,000+
depending on role, industry, and experience.
Potential roles include:
9.1%
Projected growth by 2033
Online Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and Development graduates can expect to earn:
$95,000–$150,000+
depending on role, industry, and experience.
Potential roles include:
Organizational Development Manager
Change Management Consultant
Training Director
HR Executive
*Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
FAST FACTS
3 intakes per year
Full-time
Classes are 100% online
Educational Doctorates: Ed.D. vs Ph.D.
Generally speaking, an Ed.D. degree is practitioner-based. It is designed for professionals who want to apply their knowledge to practice. A Ph.D. degree, however, is more focused on research. Both tracks earn you the title of Doctor.
| EdD | PHD |
|---|---|
| Practitioner-based | Research intensive |
| Faculty/scholar | Prepares students for researcher or faculty roles |
| Complete in 2-3 years | Complete in 5+ years |
| Around 60 credits | Around 90 credits |
Is Organizational Leadership & Development right for you?
The Organizational Leadership and Development specialization equips leaders to guide teams through change, navigate uncertainty, and foster strong, sustainable organizational cultures. Students focus on leadership theory, organizational dynamics, strategic decision-making, and cross-sector collaboration.
Consider this EdD track if you want to focus on:
- Leading and managing teams in diverse organizations
- Driving organizational change and innovation
- Applying leadership theory to real-world challenges
Achieve Your Vision, Faster
Organizational Leadership Focus
Drive organizational growth, cultivate a positive workplace culture, and lead strategic change initiatives.
Diversity, Access, & Inclusion
Become part of AIC’s 140-year legacy, advancing accessible, high-quality education for learners from all backgrounds.
Impact-Driven ROI
Make an immediate impact with a program designed for your career — pursue academic insight or practical application.
Flexible, with Built-in Support
Learn on your schedule as you continue working, with structured support and an accelerated path to completion.
Each online EdD track builds specific skillsets and areas of expertise, allowing you to choose the path that aligns best with your professional goals.
Organizational Leadership & Development
This track develops leaders across sectors, focusing on strategic leadership, organizational change, and team development. It prepares students to tackle challenges and drive growth in business, nonprofit, and other organizational settings.
American International College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
The online EdD degree program costs $960 per credit hour for a total investment of $38,400. Financial aid may be available to our online students.
This program can be completed in two years (six semesters).
AIC’s online EdD is fast, affordable, and customizable. With four concentrations and two final project options, students can align their degree with their career goals, maximize their impact, and complete their education in just two years — without ever traveling to campus.
Additionally, AIC is a nationally recognized institution, ranked by U.S. News & World Report, with a long-standing legacy of academic rigor and dedicated faculty and staff.
The online EdD offers four in-demand concentrations:
- Educational Leadership
- Higher Education
- Teaching and Learning
- Organizational Leadership and Development
Yes, every student completes a final project with the option to choose between a dissertation or a culminating experience (capstone). Both pathways let students produce actionable results that they can bring to their workplace and apply to future roles.
The dissertation path is ideal for students who want to contribute original research to the field of education. It’s a traditional academic route that builds deep expertise and prepares graduates for roles in research, policy, or higher education.
The culminating experience (capstone) project is designed for professionals who want to solve real-world problems in their own organizations or communities. It’s a hands-on, practice-based approach that applies research to improve programs, policies, or systems.
Typically, dissertation research and composition fall at the end of a degree program and can take years to complete. Our process is different. Interwoven throughout the EdD program are dissertation writing courses, where the daunting aspects of a dissertation project are broken down into clear, manageable tasks. This structure allows students to start their dissertations early, stay connected to their research, and complete their degrees in a timely manner.
In this program, you will study under engaged, doctorally-prepared, prolific scholars, practitioners, and leaders who are committed to your success from day one.
Students from a number of states are welcome to apply to AIC's online EdD Please see our State Authorization page for more information.
While all the courses are fully online, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with classmates and faculty. Under a cohort-based model, you will complete your courses alongside the same group of students throughout the program. This model will help you develop those critical relationships and further build a professional network.
Students also experience a mix of asynchronous online courses (meaning there are no mandated log-in times for classes), as well as optional live classes on a week-by-week basis. Students can join live Zoom sessions which provide the opportunity to connect with peers and faculty in real time.
Additionally, students are supported by other EdD students—or accountability partners—during the program. Accountability partners are fellow doctoral students who commit to supporting each other’s academic progress through regular check-ins, goal-setting, and reflective dialogue. Unlike advisors or committee members, accountability partners are peers, not evaluators
Accountability partners pair up and help each other by:
- Maintaining momentum on IRB, and dissertation writing
- Staying engaged and persistent, particularly during independent research phases
- Reducing isolation by fostering scholarly community and shared problem-solving
- Strengthening reflective practice, a core expectation of doctoral-level work
