Earning an online doctorate in leadership prepares you for a rewarding career in organizational leadership roles. Whether you are trying to level up your career, or start one, a career in organizational leadership spans a variety of sectors and work settings.
Organizational leaders are responsible for strategy development and talent management. They ensure the organization meets short-term tasks and long-term objectives. Leadership professionals work alongside upper business management. They develop the leadership strategies needed to meet defined business goals. Good leadership makes or breaks a company, an organization, or a business venture.
So are you ready to tap your leadership potential? Keep reading for the best online doctorate in leadership programs!
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Online Leadership Doctorates
For our rankings of online programs, we consider core questions:
- Is the program accredited?
- Is the program truly online?
- Is the program fully online?
- Is the program flexible?
From those basic requirements, we consider two other factors:
- Affordability
- Reputation
We measure reputation according to our own unique College Consensus method.
- Unigo
- My Plan
- Niche
- Grad Reports
- U.S. News Reviews
- Unigo
- U.S. News
- My Plan
- Washington Monthly
- Niche
- Forbes
- Grad Reports
- Wall Street Journal
- U.S. News Reviews
- Wallet Hub
When we combine all these factors, you get a ranking of the best online leadership doctorate programs in the US.
| Rank | School | Cost | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | University of North Carolina | $28,844 | 85 |
| 2. | University of the Cumberlands | $4,260 | N/A |
| 3. | Liberty University | $7,740 | N/A |
| 4. | Louisiana State University | $9,132 | 58.6 |
| 5. | Thomas Edison State University | $12,150 | N/A |
| 6. | University of Arizona Global Campus | $32,290 | 69.8 |
| 7. | Johnson University | $9,900 | N/A |
| 8. | Regent University | $16,128 | N/A |
| 9. | University of Charleston | $16,600 | N/A |
| 10. | Drexel University | $36,234 | 61.1 |
The University of North Carolina’s online Organizational Learning and Leadership Doctor of Education program comes from one of the best education schools in the US. The online EdD offers a flexible and collaborative environment for students.
- Fully Online
- Flexible Format
- No GRE Required to apply
- 36 months to completion
This human-centered program prepares education-industry leaders to empower their people for success.
What the Experts Say
UNC earns a score of 85 from College Consensus.
What Students Say
U.S. News student reviews show 98% satisfaction.
What the Data Says
UNC remains quite affordable for in-state students, according to NCES data.
The University of the Cumberlands offers an online PhD in Leadership Studies. This leadership doctorate is designed for educators, but with a stronger emphasis on research than an EdD degree. The program focuses on empathetic leadership, as well as program planning, assessment, and design.
- 100% online
- Flexible scheduling
- 14 possible specializations
Students can also transfer 30 hours from the Kentucky Rank 1 certification Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) program to the PhD.
What the Experts Say
Cumberlands is regionally accredited by SACSCOC.
What Students Say
Students are satisfied with Cumberlands, giving a 92% favorable rating on U.S. News.
What the Data Says
100% of Cumberland students receive some form of financial aid.
Liberty University offers a fully online Doctor of Strategic Leadership program. As a Christian college, Liberty’s leadership doctorate focuses on servant leadership and biblical principals. Leadership grads can apply their learning to a variety of businesses and organizations, from churches and Christian schools to business and entrepreneurship.
- 100% online
- No set login times
- Finish faster than on-campus
Liberty also accepts as much as 50% transfer from a related graduate degree.
What the Experts Say
Liberty University is widely considered a military-friendly school.
What Students Say
Liberty has a 70 Student Consensus score, but scores on Unigo and Niche are much higher.
What the Data Says
99% of applicants are admitted to Liberty.
Louisiana State University’s online Leadership Studies doctorate is designed for educators who want to move into leadership positions. This fully online program offers flexible scheduling, with multiple start dates throughout the year and accelerated coursework.
- Fully online
- Flexible format
- Dedicated coach support
Students have the chance to assist faculty on research projects for publication and conference presentations.
What the Experts Say
LSU is one of the leading research universities in the South.
What Students Say
Students have awarded LSU a Student Consensus score of 75.5.
What the Data Says
Louisiana State admits 74% of applicants.
Thomas Edison State University’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Organizational Leadership can be completed entirely online. Students also get one-to-one online mentoring included. Thomas Edison State University’s Doctorate of Leadership online program requires 48 credits, of which six may be transferred, if eligible.
- Fully online
- One-on-one mentoring
- Cohort-based
TESU’s online doctorate in organizational leadership includes courses in Empirical Entrepreneurship, Law, Ethics, & Global Society, and Organizational Consulting, to name a few.
What the Experts Say
TESU’s open admissions policy gives students from all backgrounds a chance to shine.
What Students Say
TESU has a Student Consensus score of 83, with a perfect 100 from U.S. News.
What the Data Says
TESU graduates have a 0% student loan default rate.
The University of Arizona Forbes School of Business & Technology offers a PhD in Organizational Development and Leadership. Arizona’s doctorate ranks among the most innovative online PhD leadership programs in the marketplace. Students learn to apply human performance technology to evaluate their solutions to organizational problems.
- Flexible scheduling – one course at a time
- Transfer up to 30 credits toward 62
- 6 specialization courses
Note there are several in-residence workshops required, and students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Core classes include leading organizational change and human resources business strategy.
What the Experts Say
University of Arizona has solid recommendations from publishers.
What Students Say
With a Student Consensus score of 81.8, graduates are very satisfied with UA.
What the Data Says
University of Arizona admits 87% of applicants.
Johnson University offers an interdisciplinary, fully online PhD in Leadership Studies. Johnson University’s Doctorate of Leadership online program offers concentrations in the Philosophy of Leadership, Educational Leadership, Missional Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Ministry Leadership, and Theology of Leadership.
- 100% online
- 6 concentrations
- Scholarships available
As a Christian college, Johnson University’s doctorate is especially focused on ethics and service.
What the Experts Say
Johnson earns a score of 88 from U.S. News among regional universities.
What Students Say
Students at Unigo rate Johnson U a 95.7.
What the Data Says
96% of students receive some form of financial aid.
Regent University has offered the Doctorate of Leadership online since 1995. Regent University’s Doctor of Philosophy degree program offers degree candidates academic concentrations in organizational leadership, ecclesial leadership and human resource development
- Fully online
- Mentorship available
- No GMAT/GRE requirement
Feature online courses for Regent’s Ph.D. leadership program include advanced analysis, exegetical research methods, group behavior, and contemporary perspectives in organizational management theory.
What the Experts Say
Regent has been regularly ranked as a top regional college by U.S. News.
What Students Say
Students on Unigo give Regent an 83 review.
What the Data Says
91% of Regent students receive grants or scholarships.
The Doctor of Executive Leadership program at the University of Charleston offers something different. Where other leadership programs are designed for those who want to be leaders, Charleston’s doctorate focuses on preparing mid- and high-level leaders for executive positions.
- Requires annual one-week residency
- All-online coursework
- Interdisciplinary
Charleston’s program focuses on integrating theory and practice for quality leadership.
What the Experts Say
University of Charleston is recognized by U.S. News as one of the best regional universities.
What Students Say
Charleston is rated over 80% by students on Unigo and Grad Reports.
What the Data Says
100% of students at University of Charleston receive financial aid.
Drexel University’s EdD in Educational Leadership & Management prepares educators to be leaders in the field. With no residency requirements, students can earn their degree entirely online. Part-time students can complete the EdD in as little as 3 years.
- Fully online
- 10 possible concentrations
- Mentoring and Coaching program for all first-year students
Drexel’s cohort model allows students to build their network and connect for future success.
What the Experts Say
Drexel has a Consensus score of 48.4.
What Students Say
Students are largely satisfied with Drexel: 73.8 Student Consensus score.
What the Data Says
99% of Drexel students receive grants or scholarships.
Online Doctorate in Leadership Programs
The curriculum for online PhD programs in leadership varies from school to school. Sometimes, the curriculum varies from student to student, depending on your personal interests and strengths. Candidates hone the skills required to lead organizational systems as a leadership professional. Most online programs also include an experiential component like an externship or fellowship.
A terminal business leadership degree program will include certain leadership coursework. They allow students to focus on an area of interest related to this leadership degree. These areas is apply to the student’s career objectives.
Doctoral students may submit a dissertation that focuses on a relevant leadership knowledge and concepts. A dissertation includes original research. It is a formal presentation of the degree candidate’s findings.
Most online PhD programs in Leadership take somewhere from three to five years. This depends on the degree candidate’s time commitment. Concentrations may include –
- Organizational Design
- Educational Law and Finance
- Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations
- Collaborative Leadership and Partnership
- Leadership Theories and Practice
Take the time you need before deciding on the leadership program you wish to attend because the selected program largely depends on your education and career objectives.
Is a Doctorate in Leadership Worth It?
Students should consider the time, effort, and expense of a doctorate in organizational leadership. Your analysis should center on their interests, experience, and future goals.
Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership programs are for professionals looking to advance careers.
A secondary goal is to grow.
Professional leaders tend to have similar qualities – especially an entrepreneurial mindset. They also own a mentality and approach that inspires and leads to innovation. An online doctorate in leadership helps you hone your skills and knowledge to a high level of expertise. And that expertise can be useful across a wide range of industries.
Earning a doctorate in organizational leadership online degree opens up job opportunities in many sectors.
- Organizational Design & Work Flow – explores the aspects of procedural workflow to create strategic advantages.
- Nonprofit Strategic Management – explores viable strategic practices to track, sustain, and improve organizational learning, growth, and efficiency.
- Higher Education in Law & Finance – explores contemporary legal and financial issues in coursework for schools. This includes the primary, secondary and postsecondary levels. Classes include many topics and stress critical thinking. Students study forecasting and corporate financial analysis that affect positive organizational change.
- The Theory & Practice of Leadership – explores the qualities that define an effective leader. This is independent of the organization or sector. Doctoral students conduct research and test leadership practices against the theory.
- Collaborative Leadership Across Organizational Settings – explores managerial/collaborative techniques and philosophical theories. These components best manage partnerships and other ownership entities. Degree candidates study the theories of organizational stewardship. They work as a team member – but from a leadership perspective.
Why Should I Get My Leadership Doctorate Online?
Many students and other working professionals have their sights set on a high-level leadership career. If you’re a busy professional who wants to climb the ladder, consider a quality online doctorate in organizational leadership program.
Doctoral programs in organizational leadership have flexible formats. They meet the needs of working professionals. Many business schools offer online PhD programs in Leadership with a low-residency intensive. Others may be available completely online, depending on the doctoral specialty selected.
Doctoral leadership degrees are versatile as well. A wide variety of industries and organizations consider a doctorate in leadership in high demand. Leadership degrees create entrepreneurs who have a competitive advantage. They have an opportunity to affect change with a company, agency, or organization.
A leadership doctorate earned online prepares professionals to affect organizational culture. It offers you the motivational techniques and managerial strategies to lead change. An organizational leader helps to solve organizational challenges amid changing market demands.
They distribute company resources and manage available talent. This degree offers expertise in organizational leadership theory and advanced research in change management.
Graduates with a Ph.D. in organizational leadership can pursue in-demand roles. They can become training and development managers. There are also other leadership roles, discussed below.
What Can I Do with a Leadership Doctoral Degree?
Graduates holding a Doctorate in Leadership online degree find rewarding upper-level management careers. These roles span economic sectors and industries. Students decide the direction and focus of their doctoral work. This can lead to these careers like:
Organization Management
An online PhD program in Leadership builds graduates’ managerial skills. Organizational managers lead many different types of businesses and public, nonprofit or private organizations. Organizational management leaders are adept and influencing teams and employees. They improve operations and the efficiency of the company’s resources. Leadership professionals are experts in implementing change in a change-resistant organization or person.
Human Resource Management
Organizational leadership online programs feature coursework dealing with human resource tasks. Human resource leaders have the skills to manage employee recruitment and development. They deal with development and other tasks keeping the workforce productive and satisfied.
Training & Leadership Development
Organizational leaders are expert motivators. They have excellent skills in empowering others to reach for company objectives. These leaders also specialize in the education of adult learners. They work as lecturers, motivational speakers, educators, or instructional designers. Leadership professionals may work as consultants for different firms. They can lead a department within a corporation.
Higher Education Administration
An Online PhD in Education Leadership program prepares graduates for the future. They work in careers in postsecondary and other higher education institutions. Doctoral degree holders work in the development, strategic planning & implementation of advanced degree programs. They could hold an administrative role, such as a provost, dean, or director. These education doctoral degrees prepare grads for professorship positions and higher education leadership. They may teach classes in strategic leadership, basic adult ed, or ESL.
How Much Can I Make with a Doctorate in Leadership?
A Doctorate in Leadership online degree program offers professionals many career directions. They work across industries. Salaries and compensation packages for leadership professionals at the doctorate level vary. The following represents a cross-section of careers for leadership doctoral degree holders.
| Position | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | $258,900 |
| Compensation & Benefits Manager | $136,380 |
| Human Resources Manager | $136,350 |
| Training & Development Manager | $125,040 |
| Top Executives | $103,840 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $104,900 |
| Postsecondary Business Professor/Teacher | $113,240 |
| Management Analysts/Consultants | $99,410 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $83,640 |
| Corporate Trainer & Development Specialist | $64,340 |
