Leadership Studies in Education and Organizations

Education Doctorate in Organizational Studies

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Why Choose Organizational Studies?

You can deepen your understanding of leadership and change within organizations by earning an Ed.D. in organizational studies at Wright State. Develop into a scholar-practitioner committed to exploring and expanding research related to the practices and processes of organizations. You will benefit from practice in organizations and in establishing networks for education, psychology, urban affairs, health, and human services. 

Curriculum

  • Structured to help you develop your research skills, as well as scholarly relationships with peers, faculty, and organizations in the Dayton region 
  • Will prepare you to become a scholar practitioner adept at using systematic inquiry and research skills to advance your work and career 
  • Takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of topics, theories, and research often used by successful leaders in a myriad of organizations 
  • Offers core courses addressing systems theory, leadership, decision making, personnel issues, external relations, planning, program evaluation, and organizational behavior 
  • Develop or enhance research skills  

Graduates will become:

  • Organizational leaders who incorporate their knowledge of organizational and leadership theories into skillful interactions within larger systems (organizational, local, regional, national or global) while enhancing the development of others in surrounding contexts 
  • Research practitioners who identify organizational processes, test hypotheses through systematic inquiries, and share the findings through broad-scale oral and written means to expand the knowledge in the field 
  • Professional mentors and leaders who build a capacity for and promote a culture of change in their workplace 
  • Educational facilitators and problem solvers who develop and inspire diverse and critical thinking, group knowledge-building, and open-ended processes to manage problems that cannot be anticipated and require nonlinear problem solving 

Contact Information

Yoko Miura, Ed.D., Program Director
937-775-3282
yoko.miura@wright.edu

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Academics and Curriculum

View the Ed.D. in organizational studies program information and degree requirements in the Academic Catalog.  

Organizational Studies Program of Study (PDF)

Admission

Admission to the program is on a rolling basis.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree in education, leadership, human services or a related field from an accredited university, with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher. 
  • Evidence of two years of successful professional management experience, e.g. project leader, assistant manager, principal, education administration, classroom teacher with leadership role, associate director and/or personnel manager. 
  • Proof of basic statistical competence, i.e. course work in the master's degree (no more than 5 years prior to admission) or work in a profession where statistical competence is required. If evidence is not provided, a basic statistics course may be taken by the student prior to an admission decision. 
  • Written expository essay included with application in response to a specified topic in organizational studies. 
  • Interview with the admissions committee which will include a career statement (plans) and an assessment for potential doctoral level work, e.g. oral skills, ability to conceptualize issues, etc. 
  • Written responses completed during the interview to demonstrate writing ability.
  • Two letters of recommendation from individuals who know the applicant's current work and/or academic achievements in previous academic work. Specific topics to be addressed in the reference letters are included in the handbook. Letters should be on the letterhead of the recommender's employer. 

Admission Process

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Submit:

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Successfully complete an interview with program faculty.

Questions about the graduate school application? Contact:

The College of Graduate Programs and Honors Studies
Location: 160 University Hall
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 937-775-2976
Fax: 937-775-2453
Email: wsugrad@wright.edu


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