Doctorate in Organization Development

This doctoral program has been designed to develop highly skilled, reflective and ethical organization development (OD) practitioners who possess an advanced level of knowledge, technical skills, business acumen and leadership ability. The core curriculum incorporates consulting skills, organizational culture assessment, change management, group facilitation, leadership development, intervention techniques and three practical field experiences. Coursework also emphasizes skills in organizational diagnostics, research, strategic planning, leadership, large-scale change, organizational communication and the multicultural dimensions of OD.

The curriculum has been designed to promote learning in a flexible, innovative mode characterized by:

• Synergy across disciplines and organizations.
• Integration of Application, Research and Theory (ART) Team learning.
• Learning experiences created by the learning community.
• Practitioner focus.
• Global learning.

Learner Outcomes

By the end of their course of study, doctoral students will be able:

• To work effectively as a reflective organization development practitioner.
• To demonstrate knowledge and ability in all areas of technical expertise and habits of the heart needed for organization development practice (as listed by the Organization Development Institute).
• To conduct original research pertinent to organization development.

Program Components and Features

• One weeklong in-residence learning session, per year
• Weekend classes, every other month for eight months
• Web-based learning
• Practica (field experiences)
• Co-creation of selected components of the curriculum
• One elective once per year for three years (these may also be transferred from any university accredited to offer graduate course work)
• Pre-dissertation seminar
• Dissertation

Course of Study

Year One
ODOC 900 Panorama of OD: Practice, Vision and World Trends – 3 Credits
ODOC 931 Introduction to Research--4 Credits
ODOC 903 The ART (Application, Research and Theories) of OD – 2 Credits
ODOC 907 Process Consulting and Action Research – 2 Credits
ODOC 905 Advanced OD Practice: Strategic Evaluation – 2 Credits
ODOC 941 The Mentoring Practicum – 3 Credits

Year Two
ODOC 920 Emerging Trends in Leadership – 3 Credits
ODOC 932 Research Methods Lab – 4 Credits
ODOC 902 Storytelling and Organizational Culture – 2 Credits
ODOC 911 Appreciative Inquiry – 2 Credits
ODOC 908 Strategic Planning – 2 Credits
ODOC 942 Team Practicum – 3 Credits

Year Three
ODOC 930 Moral, Spiritual and Ethical Issues in OD – 3 Credits
ODOC 933 Research Methods Lab – 4 Credits
ODOC 909 Large-Scale Technology – 2 Credits
ODOC 910 Negotiation: Transforming Organizations to Manage and Resolve Conflict – 2 Credits
ODOC 906 Organization Development – Critical Perspectives – 2 Credits
ODOC 943 Individual Practicum – 3 Credits

Year Four (and beyond, as needed)
Doctoral Comprehensive Examination
Pre-Dissertation Seminar – week long residency – 3 cr.
Dissertation – 12 cr.

Summary of Years 1-4

9 weekend sessions – 2 credit courses (18 Semester Credits)
3 weekend sessions – 4 credit courses (12 Semester Credits)
3 one-week residencies (9 Semester Credits)
3 elective courses (9 Semester Credits)
3 practica (9 Semester Credits)
1 Pre-dissertation – week long residency (3 Semester Credits)
Dissertation (12 Semester Credits)

Total Credits: 72

Admission to the Organization Development Doctorate Program

The doctoral program in organization development is designed for individuals who demonstrate a commitment to the principles, purposes and processes of organization development. The program seeks candidates who:

• Demonstrate the potential for leadership in the field.
• Model the values and objectives of the OD profession and the mission of the graduate Department of Organization Learning and Development in their present professional or leadership practice. Admission is based on a variety of criteria. No single factor guarantees admittance; no single factor excludes admittance.

Admissions Cycle
Cohorts will be admitted to the program every two years. The first cohort entered the doctoral program in the 1999-2000 academic year. Cohort 3 began in June 2004. Cohort 4 is planned for 2006.

Prerequisites
Candidates should be leaders or OD professionals who wish to further develop themselves through a high level of demonstrated commitment to the field and competence in selected aspects of human resource development, human resource management, organizational management, industrial or organizational psychology or similar specialties.

Candidate Requirements

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university; GPA of 3.5 or above preferred from a combined mean of undergraduate and graduate work.
• Three or more years of full-time OD work experience or five years of leadership experience.

Admission Process

Step One

Applicants submit an application file that includes:

• One official copy of an official undergraduate transcript that shows receipt of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• One official copy of a graduate transcript showing receipt of a graduate and professional degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• One official copy of all other undergraduate and graduate transcripts from other colleges and universities attended
• Résumé of educational and work experiences (two pages maximum)
• Written statement (two pages, double-spaced maximum) of why student is seeking to pursue this course of study
• Executive summary (two pages, double-spaced maximum) of a recent OD or leadership project, with a demonstrated change management outcome

Step Two

The admissions committee reviews all completed applicant files and select finalists for interview.

Step Three

Admissions committee members interview each finalist. This process consists of an on-campus interview with a with a two-member faculty team.

Step Four

The admissions committee selects the cohort. A variety of factors are considered in the creation of the cohort. The mixture of factors is necessary to realistically reflect the field and the changing socio-cultural climate, and to create as powerful a learning community as possible.

The guidelines for cohort member selection and the rationale for their use will be determined by the admissions committee, but will include factors such as:

• The student’s profile, demonstrating the ability to engage in a challenging program and scholarly activities, a commitment to the OD field, and involvement in reflective practice
• Representation across industries as defined by government standards
• Mix by organization size, large through small
• Representation from for-profit and nonprofit organizations
• Equity factor (e.g., racial and cultural diversity, gender, years of professional experience)