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Doctorate in Organization Development

As organizations face continuous change, there is an increasing demand for professionals capable of providing leadership and guidance through times of transition. Our graduates are capable of creating effective organizations, envisioning desired futures in times of uncertainty and managing sustainable changes. Candidates learn advanced research methods, understanding of organizations, designs and methods for changing organizations.

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organization Development (OD) is designed to prepare students for careers in a variety of settings. Upon earning this degree, students will be equipped to:

  • Understand organization dynamics and how to improve effectiveness
  • Work effectively as a self-aware, reflective change practitioner or leader
  • Demonstrate skills and knowledge in using sound OD practices and concepts across all levels of human systems


What you can earn

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  • Doctorate (Ed.D.)

 

Where you'll learn

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  • On-campus (St. Thomas)

 

 

 

When you can start

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  • May 2014 

 



Questions about this program

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Liz Knight

Program Manager

651-962-4459

egknight@stthomas.edu

Program Details

For the Doctorate

ODOC 900 Panorama of ODL Practice, Vision and World Trends
3 Credits

This weeklong, in-residence launch of the program is designed to introduce students to the theoretical base of OD, incorporating visionary perspectives and application models

ODOC 903 The Application, Research and Theory of Org Dev't (ART)
2 Credits

This course will focus on the Application, Research, and Theory (ARTTM) of OD. It will bridge learning from previous courses with a general grounding in the field through an abbreviated, albeit comprehensive, exposure to all phases of OD.

ODOC 907 Process Consulting and Action Research
2 Credits

This course is designed to help students develop skills to carry out the essential steps of process consultation, including: contracting for action, formalizing expectations, developing working relationships and reporting patterns, deliverables, time frame and costs involved in the intervention.

ODOC 908 Strategic Planning
2 Credits

This course is designed to further develop the students' understanding of strategic planning and their ability to guide clients through the strategic planning process, incorporating critical phases, models and practices.

ODOC 909 Large-Scale Change
2 Credits

This course will be devoted to learning the theory and technique of large-group intervention, the foundation of whole-systems transformation. This is a strategy in which the critical mass of an organization is brought together to share information about issues they face, explore common ground across functions and levels within the organization and develop action plans and next steps based on this common ground.

ODOD 910 2 Negotiation
2 Credits

This course is designed to improve the students' negotiation skills and effectiveness in helping clients resolve conflict. Key focus areas include conflict management concepts and skills, and negotiation strategies.

ODOC 911 Bldg Consulting Practice
2 Credits

This course is devoted to the details and processes involved in establishing a consulting practice either as an external or internal OD consultant.

ODOC 915 Appreciative Inquiry
2 Credits

This seminar will introduce Appreciative Inquiry (AI) as a positive alternative/complimentary approach to traditional interventions in organization development. The purpose of this course will be to become acquainted with the AI model, practice appreciative processes and explore the potential of generative theory building through the appreciative lens. The course will be both theoretical and practical: we will explore, appreciate and critique the theoretical underpinnings of AI and also develop basic skills in designing appreciative inquiry interventions.

ODOC 916 Multicultural Aspect of Organization Development
2 Credits

Culture is one of the key influences on all interactions of individuals and organizations in our globalizing world. Ability to analyze culture and understand cultural influences (whether it be culture of an organization or culture of another country) has become an important part of OD practitioners' toolkit. This course is intended to help you acquire knowledge and skills that will increase your intercultural competence, which is immensely important for OD practitioners who deal with diverse population and different organizational cultures. The course consists of two parts which are interconnected and interdependent. First part is focused on intercultural aspects of OD practice; the second part will emphasize organizational culture issues.

ODOC 920 Emerging Trends in Leadership
3 Credits

This weeklong, in-residence session will focus on the evolution of leadership and emerging concepts of leadership in today's global society. This course presents a rich array of perspectives, as well as applications-based outcomes, on state-of-the-art and science leadership practices. It focuses on what the emerging trends in leadership mean to the organization development profession and, specifically, to the leadership development of others.

ODOC 925 Critical Theory and Organizational Development
2 Credits

This course is built around three overarching questions: How do we learn ideological blindness; that is, how is it that we can live unaware of the way dominant, unquestioned beliefs shape our choices and actions? How do we live in a manner that doesn't support hegemony; that is, how do we learn to challenge the process by which we embrace ideas and practices that harm us? How do we use this knowledge in OD? We will approach the questions from three perspectives: the theory about transformative learning, critical theory, and the theory put forth by Chris Argyris.

ODOC 930 Residency: Moral, Spiritual and Ethical Issues in Organization Develop.
3 Credits

This weeklong, in-residence program will focus on the moral, values-based and ethical dimensions of OD practice. Discussion will revolve around core values of the OD profession.

ODOC 931 Introduction to Research
4 Credits

In this course students are introduced to epistemology, methodology and methods as they apply to research in the social sciences, with a particular stress on research in organization development.

ODOC 932 Research Methods Lab
4 Credits

This course deepens the student gain a deeper understanding of the methods used in research in Organization Development, concluding with writing a research proposal similar to the one which will be written for the doctoral dissertation. is designed as a laboratory in which students learn to explore and research the OD literature, both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

ODOC 933 Research Lab
4 credits

This course is designed to give students hands-on experience in positivistic and interpretive research.

ODOC 941 Mentoring Practicum
3 credits

This experience is designed to provide students with opportunities to observe expert OD professionals at work in the real-time practice of OD. Students will reflect on the mentor's  professional behaviors and skills, identify key !earnings and then use these !earnings as a basis for action in their own work.

ODOC 942 Team Practicum
3 credits

In this practicum, the student carries out a team organizational assessment and intervention with the guidance of a field and a faculty mentor.

ODOC 943 Individual Practicum
3 credits

In this practicum, students independently conduct an organizational assessment and intervention.

ODOC 950 Residency: Pre-Dissertation Seminar
3 credits

The pre-dissertation seminar is designed to assist doctoral candidates in shaping their research question, choosing the appropriate methodology , and developing their dissertation plans. This workshop format course includes a review of the dissertation research process, the IRB application process, and ethics of research, as well as an intense examination of the candidate's research interests.

Dissertation
12 Credits

The dissertation represents the student’s original research in an area of their interest. It involves identifying a clear research question, appropriate use of existing, relevant literature and designing research methods to effectively answer their question. As a scholar-practitioner doctoral program, the student is expected to contribute to the body of knowledge in the field, relate their work to others and bridge their work to practical application in the field. The dissertation is completed under the supervision of a faculty chair and two committee members and is formally presented in an oral presentation with the committee.

Elective Credits
9 Credits

Courses to be chosen in collaboration with student's academic advisor to best fit area of study.

TOTAL 72 Credits

John P. Conbere, Ed. D.

Professor (651) 962-4456
MOH 430 | Opus Hall

Alla Heorhiadi, Ph.D., Ed.D.

Distinguished Service Professor (651) 962-4457
MOH 426 | Opus Hall

David W. Jamieson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor & Department Chair, Organization Learning & Development (651) 962-4387
MOH 432 | Opus Hall

Brendel, William 80x72

William Brendel

Assistant Professor (651) 962-4419
MOH427

 
 

Socio-Economic Approach to Management (SEAM) Conference

The conference will feature presentations, papers and in-depth discussion. This will be a small conference, with a maximum number of 70 participants. Registrations will be accepted until the limit of 70 is reached.

Who will attend: the leaders of SEAM from Lyon, France; SEAM practitioners; SEAM clients; faculty and graduate students.

To register: http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/?eventid=1126792

 

The Value of a St. Thomas Degree

Calculating the cost of your degree can be challenging, as every institution approaches it a bit differently. At St. Thomas, we list our tuition cost as cost per credit:

  • Each course can be 1-3 semester credits, but the standard course is 3 credits.  
  • A typical part-time student in our graduate programs takes 3-6 credits per term.
  • To view the total number of credits per program you can view the courses tab above.

It may be possible for you to receive some type of financial assistance. To learn more, please visit our Graduate Financial Aid page.

We offer our students much more than just a degree. We offer the chance to be a part of a personal and professional network like no other, which means your graduate education will enrich your life and career long into the future.




Welcome to your
NETWORK.

Cost

Education (Ed.D.)

On-campus Tuition (per credit) $1291.50
Books and materials
(estimate per course) $150-250
One-time application fee $50


1 | Meet the basic requirements:

  • A master's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum GPA of 3.5 preferred from a combined mean of undergraduate and graduate work.
  • At least three years of full-time OD work experience or five years of leadership experience.

2 |  Meet the supplementary requirements:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) required for any candidate whose primary language is not English.

3 |  Submit the following application materials:

  • Application form and one-time $50 application fee.
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended sent directly from the institution to the University of St. Thomas. Transcripts must show completion of a bachelor's degree and master's degree.
  • Current Resume or CV
  • Statement of purpose (pdf) This brief written statement will serve as a writing sample and a summary of your professional and academic goals. 
  • Executive Summary that outlines a recent OD or leadership project, with a demonstrated change management outcome, maximum two pages, double-spaced.

Deadlines

 Application Deadline:

  • August 1 - December 31, 2013 
  • The next cohort will begin in May 2014. New Cohorts begin every other year. 
 
 

Looking for More?

 

Apply online


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