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Ed.D. in Organizational Studies

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in organizational studies is a 60-credit advanced-standing program specifically tailored for students who have previously completed more than 30 doctoral credits. It provides an ideal pathway for All But Dissertation (ABD) students seeking to complete a doctoral degree. Students may transfer up to 32 credits from previous doctoral coursework. This pathway provides a structured, supported environment while maintaining the academic rigor and integrity of the degree.

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Program Benefits

Develop practical research and data analysis skills through AI-enhanced approaches to interpreting evidence, equipping you to make confident, data-informed decisions in complex organizational environments long after your degree is complete.
Complete your Ed.D. fully online with no residency requirements.
Benefit from front-door delivery of all your materials.
Complete your program with a supportive cohort of students who are working toward similar goals.
Enjoy collaborative learning environments fostered by our small class sizes.
Learn from faculty who possess the highest degrees in their fields and have relevant, valuable real-world experience across a wide array of professions and fields.

National Recognition

Trevecca’s Ed.D. is earning elite accolades from respected sources nationwide, including these recent rankings:

#1 most affordable doctorate in education (Fortune)
#3 online doctorate in education (Fortune)
One of the nation’s best online Doctor of Education programs (Princeton Review)
#9 education doctorate for minorities (EDU Ledger)

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What to expect from your organizational studies doctorate

This specialized Ed.D. program is designed to help ABD students successfully complete their dissertations while growing as scholar-practitioners and innovative leaders. Through a milestone-driven structure, institutional research oversight, faculty feedback, accountability checkpoints and a supportive cohort, you can progress confidently toward degree completion. 

Recognizing the substantial academic investment ABD students have already made, Trevecca offers generous transfer credit opportunities. Up to 32 credits may be transferred following an evaluation of prior doctoral coursework, reducing unnecessary duplication while upholding the high standards of the degree. You'll complete your remaining credits by taking innovative coursework that has made Trevecca's Ed.D. programs among the best in the nation.

Unlike heavily theoretical doctoral models, the Ed.D. in organizational studies emphasizes applied leadership and real-world problem solving. Throughout the program, you will connect your research directly to your leadership practice, equipping you to make a systems-level impact within your organization and profession.

Career Opportunities: Ed.D. in Organizational Studies

Graduates of the Ed.D. in organizational studies are prepared for executive leadership, consulting and strategic improvement roles across a variety of sectors. The program equips graduates to use applied research to solve complex organizational challenges, lead change initiatives and improve organizational effectiveness through evidence-based decision-making.

Admissions

Complete the free online application
Need help applying? Read the step-by-step instructions here!
Fill out  FAFSA to be considered for financial aid (Trevecca’s school code: 003526).
Request official transcripts from your previous graduate institution.
Submit all additional materials to your dedicated enrollment counselor.

Requirements

A master's degree from an institution accredited by a CHEA-recognized regional accrediting agency or the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Students who do not meet these degree requirements may be conditionally accepted in accordance with the Conditional Admission Policy.
A 3.4 cumulative GPA for all prior graduate coursework.
Official transcript sent directly from graduate institution to Trevecca.
Two recommendations submitted directly by your professional and/or academic references using our online form.
Current resume  or curriculum vitae (CV)
Writing sample to be submitted to the program director (After all other application documents are submitted, a link will be sent to applicants where they can complete the writing assessment.)
Introductory video, to be submitted to the program director, selection committee members and enrollment counselor. (After submitting other application documents, an email with directions will be sent to the applicant).
A photocopy of government-issued identification (e.g., driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport). This requirement ensures that Trevecca complies with U.S. Department of Education expectations for student verification.

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Why Choose Trevecca?

Founded in 1901 and a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca helps students discover and pursue an individual calling by providing innovative instruction; cultivating a supportive, Christ-centered community; and establishing relationships that open doors.

Recognized nationally and locally for academic quality, Trevecca has earned a reputation for providing the world with servant leaders, problem solvers and difference makers. Trevecca’s holistic approach to education encompasses intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual growth.

Next Steps

App Process & Timeline

Submit Your Application

Our application is easy and typically takes less than 7 minutes to complete. Submit your app to get the process started!

Complete FAFSA

9 out of 10 students at Trevecca receive some form of financial aid. Complete your FAFSA today for the best chance at locking yours in!

Send Your Transcripts

To ensure credit for prior education and to expedite your enrollment, make sure to send over your transcripts!

Our Ed.D. in Organizational Studies Faculty

Jonathan Downs

Professor of Leadership Studies and Research

Jonathan serves as a professor of leadership studies and research in Trevecca’s School of Leadership and Interdisciplinary Studies. His 26 years of experience in higher education includes a role as chair/program director for the Center for ...
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Tracel Lockhart

Assistant Professor

Besides serving as an associate professor and dissertation advisor at Trevecca, Tracel is the CEO of Evia Solutions, where she leads transformative work in mental and behavioral healthcare by leveraging innovative operational and technology-driven ...
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Ryan Longnecker, Ph.D.

Associate Dean of Online Leadership Studies

Ryan considers himself to be one of the luckiest people on campus because he works with some of the most amazing students Trevecca has to offer - the future leaders in Trevecca's Ed.D. in leadership program. As program leader for the online ...
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Jana Roberts, Ph.D.

Program Leader for Research, Online Doctoral Leadership Studies

Jana is passionate about walking alongside students as they pursue one of the most meaningful goals of their academic journey—earning their doctorate. She holds a doctorate in Leadership Studies from Trevecca, an Advanced Certificate in Strategic ...
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Studying at Trevecca has helped me to strengthen and confirm what I already knew about myself, while at the same time allowing me to discover new areas of personal development I was not aware of.

Dr. Fernando Almeida Ed.D. graduate

The Ed.D. helped me network. I believe iron sharpens iron, and I got to network with other individuals from different walks of life that have their own leadership experiences. You start to develop these relationships and go through this rigorous program that enhances your critical thinking skills. It really helps you unlock portions of yourself that are needed in the workforce.

Dr. Jonathan Flores Ed.D. graduate

It was not a series of classes and then engaging the dissertation, it was simultaneous. You do your coursework and you write the chapter of your dissertation during that block of courses and that is where Trevecca took the upper hand. I had the opportunity to study elsewhere, but I would’ve had to do the whole block of coursework and then spend another two years after that writing my dissertation.

Dr. Gabriel Benjiman Ed.D. graduate

Trevecca’s ease of completing the degree while you’re employed, the fact that our books were included and delivered to our house and the cost also made it the right choice. At a state school, we would’ve paid more than twice what we paid at Trevecca.

Dr. Shannon Gordon Ed.D. graduate

Trevecca prepared me tremendously for my leadership experiences. The quality of education I received in the Ed.D. program was top-notch. My professors were always extremely knowledgeable in their fields and grounded as leaders. Learning theory, while also observing it in action, served as a model that I have tried to emulate.

Dr. Bryan Johnson Ed.D. graduate

I love the cohort model because you develop relationships and friendships that last. And with the in-person classes, you can ask questions, disagree and talk through ideas. These were people who understood the real-world demands we were facing as leaders and made the content applicable.

Dr. Tolu Akande Ed.D. graduate

Introduction to Doctoral Studies

ELI 8001

The Introduction to Doctoral Studies course serves as a foundational runway for students entering online doctoral leadership programs, including both the EdD and PhD pathways. This four-week course focuses on the development of a doctoral identity, supporting students as they transition from prior academic or professional roles into the expectations of doctoral-level scholarship and leadership. Emphasis is placed on cultivating a growth mindset, openness to challenge and feedback, and the habits of mind required for sustained inquiry, reflection, and professional growth. Students are also introduced to the technological systems, digital tools, and academic practices essential for success in the program. By the conclusion of the course, students are prepared to engage confidently, ethically, and productively in the rigorous and collaborative work of doctoral study.

Research Design & Analysis I

ELI 8201

Research Design & Analysis I: The Review of the Literature introduces students to doctoral-level inquiry through the identification of an area of professional interest and the articulation of an initial Problem of Practice. Grounded in the Dissertation in Practice framework, this course focuses on helping students develop academic fluency by engaging with scholarly literature related to their professional context. Students learn how to locate, organize, and critically engage with research to deepen their understanding of existing knowledge and perspectives related to their problem of practice. Emphasis is placed on raising students’ academic foundation and preparing them for future writing and inquiry by building habits of scholarly reading, sense-making, and organization. By the conclusion of the course, students are prepared to move from broad interest to focused inquiry and are positioned to engage more intentionally with research and writing in subsequent coursework.

Research Design & Analysis II

ELI 8202

Research Design & Analysis II: Integrated Inquiry I builds on students’ emerging Problems of Practice by introducing the foundational components of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research design and analysis through an integrated, inquiry-driven approach. Rather than treating methodology and analysis as separate domains, this course presents research as a cohesive process in which research questions, design choices, data sources, and analytic strategies—including statistical analysis and qualitative interpretation—are intentionally aligned to the leadership problem being studied. Students explore multiple approaches to quantitative and qualitative inquiry and analysis while developing an understanding of how different research choices align with different types of leadership problems. Simultaneously, students begin reflecting on their identity as researchers, considering how their professional roles, strengths, and contexts shape the questions they ask and the approaches they take. By the end of the course, students possess a working understanding of core research concepts and a clearer sense of how inquiry can inform leadership practice.

Research Design & Analysis III

ELI 8203

Research Design & Analysis III: Integrated Inquiry II advances students from exploration to application by guiding them toward intentional research decision-making across qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Building on the conceptual foundations established in Integrated Inquiry I, this course emphasizes the selection and alignment of inquiry approaches that best address each student’s Problem of Practice. Students deepen their understanding of research design and analysis while evaluating which methodological paths are most appropriate for generating meaningful, actionable insights within their professional contexts. Particular emphasis is placed on clarifying researcher identity, refining the Problem of Practice, and establishing coherence between leadership challenges, research questions, and inquiry approaches. By the conclusion of the course, students are prepared to articulate who they are as researchers, what they seek to study, and how responsible, ethical, and well-aligned inquiry—both quantitative and qualitative—can be used to inform leadership action.

Research Design & Analysis IV

ELI 8204

Research Design & Analysis IV: Proposal Design serves as the culminating course of the EdD research sequence and prepares students for formal proposal review, advising, and institutional approval processes. In this course, students synthesize prior learning to produce a complete, dissertation-aligned draft of Chapter 1, including the Problem of Practice, purpose, research questions, and supporting research design considerations. Emphasis is placed on coherence, clarity, and alignment across all elements of the proposed study, as well as readiness for advisor feedback and Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission. By the conclusion of the course, students have a fully developed proposal chapter that reflects their scholar-practitioner identity, demonstrates methodological rigor, and positions them to move confidently into the dissertation phase with a clearly articulated, practice-centered research plan grounded in responsible inquiry.

Dissertation Completion 1

EDD 8231

This course serves as the launch point for the dissertation completion sequence for EdD students who have transferred doctoral-level credit into the program. Students will refine and finalize Chapters 1 and 2 of their dissertation, incorporating AI and advisor in an iterative process. Emphasis is placed on developing scholarly voice, deepening theoretical alignment, and demonstrating ethical readiness for research approval. This course is structured as an individualized writing and revision experience with targeted feedback and weekly milestones.

Credit Hours: 3

Dissertation Completion 2

EDD 8232

This course guides doctoral students through the completion of Chapter 3 (Methodology) and the initial drafting of Chapter 4 (Findings and Conclusions). Building on the refined Chapters 1 and 2 from Dissertation Completion I, students will design, document, and defend a rigorous research methodology that aligns with their approved research questions and theoretical framework. The course also leads students through the data collection process, with an emphasis on ethical compliance and IRB-approved procedures. Students will begin preliminary data analysis and integrate early findings into a working draft of Chapter 4. Weekly assignments combine new writing with iterative refinement, ensuring methodological clarity and a strong foundation for final data analysis. By the conclusion of the course, students will have completed a final draft of Chapter 3, concluded data collection, and produced a working draft of Chapter 4.

Credit Hours: 3

Dissertation Completion 3

EDD 8233

The final course in the Dissertation Completion Track focuses on completing Chapter 4, preparing for the dissertation defense, and producing a polished, submission-ready manuscript. Students will conduct final data analysis, synthesize findings with the literature and theoretical framework, and refine their work to meet the highest scholarly and stylistic standards. Emphasis is placed on clarity, alignment, and the practical implications of the research. Assignments guide students through full-chapter integration, final stylist review, and defense preparation. The course culminates in a recorded oral defense and the formal submission of the completed dissertation to the university. By the end of this course, students will demonstrate the ability to present and defend their research with academic rigor and professional excellence.

Credit Hours: 3

Doctoral Foundations of Organizational Theory and Systems

EDOS 8001

This course examines foundational theories and frameworks that inform the study of organizations as complex systems. Emphasis is placed on organizational structure, systems thinking, and the interdependence of people, processes, and environments. Students explore classical and contemporary perspectives on organizational behavior, design, and governance, with attention to how systems-level dynamics influence organizational effectiveness and decision-making.

Credit Hours: 3

Doctoral Foundations of Organizational Culture & Change

EDOS 8002

This course explores the role of culture, climate, and change within organizations. Students examine theoretical and applied approaches to understanding how organizational values, norms, and behaviors shape performance and influence change initiatives. The course emphasizes strategies for leading and sustaining change, with attention to organizational development, transformation, and innovation across diverse contexts.

Credit Hours: 3

Doctoral Foundations of Ethics & Power in Organizations

EDOS 8003

This course examines ethical frameworks, power dynamics, and decision-making processes within organizational settings. Students explore the influence of authority, policy, and organizational structures on ethical practice and leadership behavior. Topics include governance, accountability, equity, and the responsible use of power in complex organizational environments.

Credit Hours: 3

Doctoral Foundations of Strategy and Organizational Performance

EDOS 8004

This course focuses on strategic thinking and performance within organizations. Students examine how organizations develop, implement, and assess strategies to achieve desired outcomes. Emphasis is placed on aligning mission, resources, and performance metrics, as well as understanding how internal and external factors influence organizational effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

Credit Hours: 3

Doctoral Foundations of Professional Practice in Organizations

EDOS 8005

This course explores the application of leadership and organizational knowledge in professional practice. Students examine the role of the practitioner-scholar in diagnosing organizational challenges, applying theory to practice, and leading improvement efforts. Emphasis is placed on reflective practice, professional identity, and the integration of knowledge across organizational contexts.

Credit Hours: 3

Advanced Doctoral Electives in Organizational Studies I

EDOS 8006

This course provides advanced, doctoral-level study in topics aligned with Organizational Studies. Content may include leadership in organizational systems, organizational development, strategy, policy, innovation, or sector-specific applications. Coursework is approved based on alignment with program learning outcomes and is designed to deepen understanding of organizational theory and practice.

Credit Hours: 3

Advanced Doctoral Electives in Organizational Studies II

EDOS 8007

This course continues advanced doctoral-level exploration of topics within Organizational Studies. Students engage in focused study of organizational systems, leadership practice, culture, strategy, or related areas. Coursework emphasizes application, analysis, and synthesis of knowledge within organizational contexts and is approved based on alignment with program outcomes.

Credit Hours: 3

Advanced Doctoral Electives in Organizational Studies III

EDOS 8008

This course provides additional advanced doctoral-level study in Organizational Studies, allowing for deeper specialization or exploration of contemporary organizational issues. Students engage in rigorous analysis of topics relevant to organizational leadership, systems, policy, or practice. Coursework is evaluated and approved based on demonstrated alignment with program learning outcomes.

Credit Hours: 3

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Ed.D. in Organizational Studies

Program Benefits

National Recognition

What to expect from your organizational studies doctorate

Tuition & Costs

Cost/Credit Hour

$725

Hours

28

Tuition Cost*

$20,300

Career Opportunities: Ed.D. in Organizational Studies