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Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning in Organizations

The online program from vanderbilt peabody college of education and human development, request more information.

Ranked as a top-6 education school in the nation by  U.S. News & World Report  in 2023, Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development offers the transformative Peabody experience to forward-thinking leaders inspired to drive organizational change across industries . 1

Gain Critical Leadership Skills for Any Industry

Earn an Ed.D. from a Top-Ranked Education School 1

Apply New Practices Directly to Your Career

Vanderbilt Has the #1 Online Doctorate in Education, According to Fortune Education 2022 Rankings 2

Peabody College faculty developed the doctor of education (Ed.D.) in leadership and learning in organizations with the aim of bridging the divide between theory and practice. The curriculum they built equips Ed.D. students with the deep understanding and contextual experience they need to implement positive change in diverse career fields and communities.

Visit the Ed.D. admissions page to view upcoming deadlines and application requirements.

The Vanderbilt Peabody Online doctoral program is  designed for mid-career professionals who have at least three years of leadership experience . While ranging in age and background, all students in the online Ed.D. have this in common: They are motivated to build on their organizational leadership skills and are committed to creating meaningful change within their industry. 

Build on a Strong Leadership Foundation

Earn a Peabody Online Doctor of Education.

Advancing Your Career in Education and Organizational Leadership

Leaders who want to improve organizations — to drive better results for the people they serve — will find an effective path for advancement in the Peabody Online Ed.D.

Whether corporate, nonprofit, educational, or governmental, workplace communities need support and direction to foster development, leverage resources, create solutions, and resolve complex challenges . The Ed.D. develops inquisitive, results-oriented professionals who can confidently drive widespread change.

Peabody Online Ed.D. students will strengthen their skills in:

• Organizational communication
• Management and leadership
• Inquiry and assessment of systemic issues
• Data analytics for leadership
• Learning and program design

The Ed.D. curriculum prepares students to identify, assess, and resolve organizational challenges from a learning and design perspective, which teaches students to make a positive impact in any industry. Through intensive, applied learning, professionals in the program will be empowered to implement advanced techniques that improve their day-to-day efficacy and long-term career success.

“My peer group is spectacular. It’s just an incredible group of very motivated, bright, and kind people from a lot of very different backgrounds . When I first started the program, I did wonder if I would be the only one who did not come from academia or a teaching background, and that’s very much not the case.”

Amrita Bhowmick, Ed.D. ’22 Chief community officer at Health Union Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Ph.D. vs. Doctorate in Education

Both a Ph.D. in education and a doctorate in education (Ed.D.) are advanced doctoral degrees that emphasize the study of learning and development, but they  differ greatly in curricular and research content, and in potential career outcomes .

An Ed.D. is for professionals who want to solve organizational challenges and improve their abilities as leaders in a wide range of industries and settings.

A Ph.D. in education is for those pursuing a career in education research or teaching within a college or university setting.

If you are wondering “What is a doctorate in education?” or have other doctoral degree-related questions,  visit our Ed.D. vs. Ph.D. page .

What Can I Do with a Doctorate in Education?

Ed.D. programs typically explore advanced management practices, leadership theory, the science and structure of organizations, and curriculum development. While students may apply these subjects to education, they are not limited to this field. The range of curricular topics prepares many Ed.D. graduates to advance in their current positions or seek out new leadership opportunities across industries.

The Peabody Online Ed.D. places a unique emphasis on organizational leadership . The program focuses on three core areas: leadership theory and practice, learning and design, and data analytics. Students examine these subjects as they apply to any organization, be it a higher education institution, a private company, a nonprofit, or a community group. Grounded in theory and practice, this focused study empowers graduates to improve outcomes within any organizational system.

Ed.D. Career Options

Graduates may advance in or enter fields such as:

• Public policy
• Human resources
• Health care
• Government and military
• Criminal justice

Students may advance in or rise into leadership roles such as:

• Chief learning officer
• Policymaker or analyst
• Educational consultant
• Director of human resources
• Training and development manager
• Academic dean
• Superintendent

Top executives, such as chief learning officers or school superintendents, have an annual median salary of $107,680. 3

Take the Next Step toward Advanced Leadership

Now is the time to start your Peabody Online application or request additional information. Scholarships are available.

The Peabody Ed.D. Online Experience

Students in the online Ed.D. complete 54 hours of course work across three areas of leadership and learning: leadership and organizational development, learning and design, and data and analytics . The course work is delivered through a sophisticated online platform and customizable tools that enable advanced collaboration, discussions, and learning.

Learn more about our unique Peabody Online experience .

Weekly Online Classes

Live, online classes led by the Peabody faculty serve as the starting point for engaging group discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and guided learning. The classes take place live on our online platform, allowing students to interact face-to-face no matter where they are.

The program is designed for established professionals. Classes are held weekly during the evening, Central Time, Monday through Thursday . Class attendance is required for all students.

Capstone Project

Using their knowledge and existing data, students identify a real-world organizational issue or problem of practice, test a solution, and make recommendations for long-term improvement. Students then present their projects in front of a faculty panel for assessment.

On-Campus Convenings

Convenings organized by Peabody Online bring students and instructors together, in person, for in-depth discussions, collaborative projects, and creative problem-solving exercises meant to demonstrate students’ new mastery of subject matter and leadership skills.

Students are required to attend three convenings throughout the duration of the program. Each on-campus convening takes place at Vanderbilt University’s campus in Nashville, Tennessee, and happens over the course of two days.

Hours of course work

Final capstone project

Renowned and Supportive Faculty

Our multi-disciplinary faculty members are experienced professionals and experts in their fields. They have designed a high-quality, insightful curriculum, and many serve as mentors who guide Ed.D. students toward success.

All Peabody faculty work toward the objective of helping students give back to their communities. Their dedication ensures that students feel supported as they take the next steps in their careers.

Learn more about our faculty and leadership.

Class Profile

The Peabody Online Ed.D. community comprises leaders from various industries and diverse personal, educational, and geographic backgrounds. Peabody Ed.D. students are inquisitive scholars: They value different perspectives and exchange knowledge with classmates in order to develop innovative solutions.

79 percent of students have 8 or more years of professional experience .

Students range from 25 to 68 years old, with a median age of 39.

States represented

Historically underrepre-sented 4

“I’m starting to see nuances and ideas connect that I didn’t know existed before. I think it’s making me a better not-for-profit leader , and I certainly think it’s making me a more thoughtful supervisor and program leader.”

Michael Hill, Ed.D. ’22 President of the Chautauqua Institution Washington, D.C.

About Peabody College

Founded in 1785, Peabody College of education and human development is known as a world-class research institution dedicated to education, policy, and public service. Ranked one of the nation’s best graduate schools of education in the country by U.S. News & World Report , Peabody College has a longstanding mission to make a meaningful difference in education and leadership. 1

Peabody College also offers graduate and doctoral degree programs on campus. Learn about our on-campus programs.

Get Started Now

Find out how Peabody Online can help you reach your ambitious career goals.

1 U.S. News & World Report ,  Best Education Schools in 2023 . (accessed July 2023) arrow_upward Return to footnote reference

2   Fortune, Best Online Doctorate in Education (EdD) Programs in 2022 . Accessed December 2022. arrow_upward Return to footnote reference

3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Top Executives  (2020). Accessed May 2021. arrow_upward Return to footnote reference

4 African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander arrow_upward Return to footnote reference

Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning in Organizations

Bridge the divide between theory and practice while gaining the deep understanding and contextual experience needed to lead organizational change across industries.

• Request Information

Program Overview

The doctor of education (Ed.D.) in leadership and learning in organizations is an online program developed by faculty within Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development. The program is designed for mid-career professionals who have at least three years of leadership experience and are inspired to drive positive systemic change.

Why Earn an Online Ed.D. in Leadership from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College?

Since its founding, Vanderbilt University's Peabody College has educated passionate individuals who lead change that positively impacts society. The online doctor of education (Ed.D.) in leadership and learning in organizations allows students to join this Peabody tradition by gaining the expertise needed to create widespread change in communities and organizations.

Developed by Vanderbilt faculty who are active researchers and practitioners, the curriculum is designed to help learners build the skills needed to drive organizational success and develop a deeper understanding of human development within the context of management practices. 

Throughout the program, students collaborate with classmates who are leaders from various cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds and who bring years of professional experience to their learning.

Program Facts

Program Director: Eve Rifkin

Program Start Dates: January, May and August

Application Deadline: The final deadline for the Summer 2024 cohort is March 8, 2024.

Credit Hours: Our 54-credit program can be completed in three to four years. Students in the program are required to attend all classes, complete a capstone project, and attend three on-campus convenings.*

OPM Disclosures : Vanderbilt Peabody College works with an online program manager to offer this degree program. Learn more about Vanderbilt's partnerships with OPMs.

*The full program requires a total of 84 credit hours - 54 credit hours in addition to 30 credit hours transferred from a regionally accredited institution, preferably from a completed master’s program.

Online Ed.D. Curriculum

The online Ed.D. in leadership and learning in organizations curriculum prepares students to identify, assess, and resolve organizational challenges. Students will learn how to improve operations in organizations across industries while focusing on three key competency areas:

• Leadership and organizational development
• Data and analytics
• Learning and design

Students will also develop leadership skills and an in-depth understanding in the following areas:

• Organizational change and systemic improvement
• Different methods of inquiry and analysis
• Issues of practice from a variety of perspectives
• Impact of systems and practice on learning
• Methods to address organizational challenges
• Context-specific individual and organizational learning
• Organizational improvement, practice, and processes
• Data analytics

The program culminates with a capstone project that provides the opportunity to identify a problem of practice, conduct research, test a solution, and make recommendations for improvement . Students will work in small teams of two to three with the approval of a faculty adviser. More specifically, students will:

• identify and analyze a problem of practice, challenge, or complex phenomenon in an external organization;
• investigate the problem and provide multiple forms of evidence that demonstrate a need to focus on the problem in the particular organizational context;
• design an intervention or process that implements a learning, improvement, or change to solve the problem;
• develop a system of evaluation for the recommended intervention; and
• share a detailed plan and evaluation strategy to address the organization’s challenges.

Ed.D. Admissions

Admission to the online Ed.D. in leadership and learning in organizations depends on several factors, including the overall quality of application materials, depth and relevance of leadership experience, and a record of academic and professional achievements.

Those with less than three years leadership experience are unlikely to be admitted to the program. Internships, student teaching, and assistantships during undergraduate or graduate study will not be counted as work experience.

Applicants interested in applying to the online Ed.D. in leadership and learning in organizations must meet the following requirements:

• A  bachelor’s degree  from an accredited institution.
• A superior undergraduate scholastic record, normally  above a 3.0 GPA .
• The 30 applicable graduate-level hours must be transferred to this degree program from a regionally accredited institution, and preferably from a completed master’s program. Applicants should have earned Grades of B or better in their 30 hours. Grades of P, S, or CR will transfer if approved by the department.
• Submission of GRE or GMAT scores is optional.
• A  Statement of Purpose  that explains your reasons for wishing to undertake doctoral study at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development, your professional goals, and any additional information that may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your application.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Evidence of a minimum of three years of successful  leadership experience .
• Results of either the  TOEFL or IELTS for applicants whose native language is not English, unless they have demonstrated competence while attending an accredited institution in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or an English medium university in South Africa.

Required Application Materials

You must submit official academic records from all institutions where you earned your bachelor’s or master’s degrees. You must also submit records from any additional college- or university-level course work, even if you did not earn a degree from these institutions.

Many schools issue transcripts electronically, either through their own web services or through vendors. If this option is available, please have your transcript(s)emailed to this address: [email protected]. This will expedite the delivery of your transcript(s) and the completion of your application.

Your transcripts can be sent by mail to:

Vanderbilt University Application Processing Center Peabody Online P.O. Box 30096 025-001 College Station, TX 77842

Please note: To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s), through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution, or delivered in the original sealed envelope from the institution(s). If a transcript appears to have been opened, unencrypted, or downloaded by any party other than Vanderbilt University Application Processing Center, it will be marked as unofficial.

Official verification of prior degrees is required for any new student who has earned a university degree prior to enrolling at Vanderbilt. Students must submit final, official transcripts (and any necessary supporting documentation) prior to the first day of classes of their first semester at Vanderbilt. Students who have not submitted required documentation by the first day of classes are subject to having their classes canceled.

All entering students to Peabody College must have their prior degrees verified in order to register for classes for their first term. A final, official transcript should list the degree(s) awarded and the month and year of conferment.

Applicants to the online doctor of education (Ed.D.) in leadership and learning in organizations program are required to write a Statement of Purpose that explains their desire to pursue doctoral study at Peabody College.

The Statement of Purpose gives prospective students the opportunity to outline their professional goals and highlight any professional or academic experiences that have prepared them to pursue a doctor of education. This portion of the application is also used to evaluate effective verbal, writing, and analytical skills. To write an effective Statement of Purpose, applicants should provide clear and compelling reasoning for their motivations and qualifications for doctoral study.

Peabody requires at least three letters of recommendation. Letters should come from current or former employers who can comment on your professional contributions and/or former instructors who can speak to your academic preparation for doctoral-level work. Personal recommendations will not be accepted. 

Letters of recommendation must be submitted directly in the online application by the references themselves, not by the applicants. Contact the admissions team at +1-855-338-4540 or [email protected] to discuss any questions you may have about this process.

A professional résumé is required. Your résumé should include all relevant professional and academic experiences and accomplishments.

Results of either the  TOEFL or IELTS  for applicants whose native language is not English, unless they have demonstrated competence while attending an accredited institution in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or an English medium university in South Africa.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, or permanent U.S. residents, who reside in the United States. Current exceptions to this policy include active members of the U.S. military who are stationed abroad.

Ed.D. Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for the 2023-2024 school year is $2,245 per credit hour. The cost of the 54-credit Ed.D. program is $121,230, not including fees and campus convenings. Please note that tuition and fees are subject to change and may rise each year.

Financial Aid

In order to qualify for federal student aid, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be enrolled in a degree-seeking program with at least a half-time status. At the graduate level, federal student aid includes the Direct Unsubsidized loan and the option to apply for the Direct Graduate PLUS loan.

International students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents can apply for a private alternative educational loan. Some private education loan lenders may require the assistance of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident as a cosigner.

Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations 

Lead results-oriented, organizational change..

• School Peabody College
• Duration 84 credits, with 30 applicable graduate-level credit hours transferred
• Format Online
• Enrollment Fall, Spring, Summer
• Tuition $2,245/credit

About the Program

The online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning and Organizations program offered by Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development is designed to transform experienced professionals into forward-thinking educational leaders, who have the knowledge to create lasting systemic change. Through a robust curriculum covering all facets of organizational leadership, students will develop their problem-solving and inquiry-based thinking skills to enable successful navigation of the complexities of organizational improvement. The program’s hands-on learning focus enables graduates to become well-versed practitioners in the field and have an immediate impact on their organizations’ challenging environments.

Put simply, Vanderbilt’s online Doctor of Education program can help you unlock your potential as an inspirational leader and drive positive change wherever you are.

Facts & Stats

• #1 Online education doctorate, Fortune ranking 2022
• 38 M+ Annual research expenditures, among the most productive research schools of education

Key Takeaways

• Participate in weekly, live online classes taught by Peabody College faculty
• Identify, assess, and resolve organizational challenges from a learning and design perspective
• Learn data analytics tools to lead organizational growth
• Join your peers and professors at on-campus convenings
• Complete a capstone project with a partner organization

Who Should Enroll?

The online Leadership and Learning in Organizations program is specifically tailored for professionals, seasoned leaders, and aspiring leaders who are looking to elevate their influence. Designed to challenge leaders to become more knowledgeable and intentional as they uncover innovative learning opportunities that directly impact their organizations, this program is a perfect fit for individuals who want to develop a unique edge in the workplace.

Through collaborative activities, leaders will be equipped with creative ideas, powerful relationships, and cutting-edge design skills that support continuous improvement of their organization’s performance.

Because of my professional position, I couldn’t take multiple years of a leave of absence to complete an on-campus degree program, but I also wanted a doctorate that would be as rigorous as any residential program in the nation. I found that at Vanderbilt. Michael Hill Vanderbilt Ed.D. graduate and president of the Chautauqua Institution 

Graduate Academic Programs

At Vanderbilt, students of the Graduate School can follow a varied path model to earn a customized post-baccalaureate degree that will propel them forward in their chosen field of study and help them meet their career goals.

Your Path to a Graduate Degree

The Vanderbilt Graduate School confirms academic requirements for and grants degrees that are either:

• Focused programs offered within a specific academic department located in other colleges or schools at the university.  
• Interdisciplinary programs designed to draw from faculty in departments across two or more academic units.  

There are 49 different Ph.D. programs offered by the Graduate School

There are 4 different Master of Arts programs offered by the Graduate School

There are 4 different Master of Science programs offered by the Graduate School

The Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing program is overseen by the University’s Department of English

The Master of Liberal Arts and Science program is overseen by the University’s College of Arts and Science

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This program finder has been filtered to include only degrees granted by the Graduate School. If you don't see your discipline, it may be housed in a professional school and searchable on the full university program finder . 

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Looking for Another Degree or Discipline?

If you are pursuing a specific discipline that is not offered by the Graduate School, your program may be housed within a Vanderbilt professional school that grants their degrees independently (i.e. M.Ed. from the Peabody College of Education and Human Development). For these programs, the student takes classes solely at the professional school and receives their degree from them instead of the Graduate School.  

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