Online Doctorate of Education (EdD): Practicing Leaders Making Real-World Impact

For those ready to make an impact through advanced study, Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) offers two dynamic online doctoral programs in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement (LICI): the Doctorate of Education (EdD) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Both programs are designed to empower leaders who wish to inspire, lead change, and drive continuous improvement in their fields. Choosing the right path depends on your personal aspirations and career goals.

The online EdD in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement at CUW is ideal for professionals who want to advance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address real-world challenges. This program focuses on practical application, helping you to continuously improve practices, theories, and strategies in your industry. By building skills in lifelong learning and improvement science, EdD graduates are equipped to bring innovative solutions to organizations in education, business, healthcare, the nonprofit space, and beyond.

Program Highlights:

• • Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Apply learning to real-world applications in education, business, and other fields.
  • Build expertise in continuous improvement, innovation, and leadership.

Ideal For:

• Professionals looking to lead change in educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, or businesses.

• Individuals focused on practical application rather than research-intensive work.

• Leaders who want to improve practices and inspire teams without pursuing traditional academic research.

Career Opportunity Examples:

• • Improvement Specialist or Manager in business, education, or nonprofit sectors
  • Educational Leader (e.g., School Superintendent, Principal)
  • Director of Continuous Improvement

If you’re eager to solve pressing problems and bring impactful change to your organization or industry, CUW’s EdD in LICI offers a pathway to becoming an effective, innovative leader.

Online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Research-Intensive Leadership for Scholarly Experts

For those who aspire to become scholarly leaders, CUW’s online PhD in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement is a research-intensive program that combines coursework with colloquium and dissertation work. This rigorous program is ideal for those who want to make significant contributions to their field through research. PhD students at CUW are immersed in an intellectually stimulating environment that advances their research skills, critical thinking, and confidence. Graduates emerge as trusted experts ready to influence policies, strategies, and practices on a broad scale.

Program Highlights:

• • Engage in advanced research coursework alongside dissertation work.
  • Build scholarly expertise through colloquium courses and in-depth study.
  • Gain the skills to become an influential expert and thought leader in your industry.

Ideal For:

• • Aspiring scholars, researchers, and academic leaders seeking a rigorous research-based degree.

  • Individuals who want to make scholarly contributions and influence policy or educational practices.

  • Professionals interested in enhancing operational efficiency or leading large-scale organizational change.

Career Opportunity Examples:

• • University Professor
  • Director of Business Development
  • Academic Dean

The PhD in LICI at CUW is perfect for those who wish to become scholarly influencers, advance academic thought, and lead transformational research in their fields.

Which Path is Right for You?

Choosing between CUW’s EdD and PhD programs comes down to your career goals and the type of impact you want to make:

• Choose the EdD if you are looking for a practical application of leadership principles to solve real-world problems and lead teams effectively. This path is ideal if you’re focused on continuous improvement and want to enhance your impact in business, higher education, the nonprofit sector, or healthcare settings without a heavy emphasis on research.
• Choose the PhD if you want to dive deep into research, develop evidence-based practices, and contribute scholarly work to your field. This program suits those with a strong interest in academia or research-driven roles where thought leadership and advanced expertise are key.

CUW’s online doctoral programs in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement (LICI) offer pathways to success for both practitioners and scholars. Whether you choose the EdD or the PhD, both degrees will equip you with the skills to inspire teams, drive positive change, and leave a lasting impact in your vocation. Whichever path you pursue, CUW is committed to supporting you on your journey to becoming an exceptional leader.

To learn more about our programs, contact us.