This doctorate emphasizes advanced research and the theoretical foundations needed to create innovative, evidence-based solutions for continuous improvement across organizations. Key courses include:

• Leadership and Organizational Innovation: Develop leadership skills to foster a culture of innovation and adaptability in fast-changing environments.
• Strategic Change, Improvement, and Innovation: Study advanced models of change management and research methodologies that support long-term, research-driven improvement processes.
• Research-Informed, Data-Driven Decision-Making: Learn to use data analytics to inform research and develop scholarly insights that lead to sustainable organizational improvement.

PhD students will complete a dissertation that addresses a real-world challenge on a student-led topic, contributing new knowledge to the field and providing practical insights that can be applied across various sectors.

• Educational leaders who seek to research and implement innovative strategies to drive continuous improvement in schools or districts.
• Business professionals who aim to develop research-based approaches to lead large-scale organizational change and improvement initiatives.
• Nonprofit and public sector leaders looking to enhance operational efficiency and drive mission-aligned innovation through scholarly work.
• Senior executives and managers aspiring to influence policy, shape best practices, and implement sustainable improvement strategies on a large scale.
• Healthcare Leaders striving to drive policy reform, enhance patient care outcomes, and implement sustainable improvement strategies across healthcare systems.
  
  

For PhD students, two on-campus residencies are required, with the first held at the beginning of the program and the next during the second year. These residencies create opportunities for face-to-face interactions with peers, faculty, and staff, enhancing learning through discussions and collaboration. They are designed to deepen research abilities, build strong professional connections, and strengthen students' leadership skills, all while guiding them through key stages of their dissertation work.