Lead with Vision. Transform with Purpose.
2026-2027 Practicum Dates: August 22-23, 2026 and February 20-21, 2027
For nearly 50 years, the University of La Verne has shaped value-centered, visionary leaders who drive change across sectors. To meet the urgent challenges of today’s complex world—from financial pressures to growing equity gaps—we have thoughtfully redesigned our premier program.
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership is an accelerated, blended program that equips working professionals to lead with integrity, advance equity, drive innovation, and achieve lasting impact in their organizations and communities.
Why Choose La Verne’s Ed.D. in Leadership?
Traditional leadership training often falls short of preparing leaders for today’s realities. Organizations urgently need leaders who can:
- Navigate financial and organizational complexities.
- Communicate effectively across diverse stakeholders.
- Advance equity and inclusion.
- Drive meaningful, sustainable change.
Our program is part of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED), a national effort to make the Ed.D. the degree of choice for scholarly practitioners. This alignment ensures your learning goes beyond theory, focusing instead on problems of practice that matter in real organizations.
Program Highlights
- Accelerated 2-Year Completion – Earn your doctorate efficiently without stepping away from your career.
- Blended Learning – Two-day, in-person practicum each semester + live online sessions + flexible coursework.
- Small Cohorts – Join a close-knit community of leaders for collaboration, peer support, and professional networking.
- Dissertation in Practice (DiP) – As part of the CPED model, you’ll research and solve a pressing challenge within your own organization—embedded directly into your coursework.
- Affordable Investment – $1,000 per unit for this 45-unit program
Why Choose La Verne?
- A community of leaders committed to equity and innovation.
- Faculty who are both scholars and practitioners, bringing real-world expertise into the classroom.
- Since 1976, the University of La Verne’s Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership has prepared individuals to be value-centered, visionary, and authentic leaders who inspire trust and collaboration.
- A proven track record of preparing leaders across community colleges, higher education, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, and law enforcement to drive innovation and transformation in their fields.
Who Should Apply?
This program is designed for:
- Professionals with 5+ years of experience (leadership experience preferred).
- Mid- to senior-level leaders in education (including community colleges and higher education), nonprofit, healthcare, business, or law enforcement/public service.
- Practitioners ready to design actionable, research-informed solutions to real-world problems.
When I began the doctoral program, becoming a Superintendent of a County Office was the professional goal I had in mind. The knowledge, guidance, and support you provided throughout my journey were instrumental in helping me become the leader I needed to be to achieve this milestone.
David M. Toston, Sr. '25Superintendent of Schools for the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE)
Ready to Apply?
La Verne’s organizational leadership program starts in the fall; join the next cohort today!
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