Dec 05, 2025  
Graduate Catalog 2025-26 
    
Graduate Catalog 2025-26

Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership and Learning (OLLD)


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Advisors: D. Eric Archer, Louann Bierlein Palmer, Wanda Hadley, Ramona Lewis, Jianping Shen, Donna Talbot

Room 3571 Sangren Hall

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organizational Leadership and Learning is targeted toward professionals working in various educational and learning environments that may or may not align with traditional K-12 and/or postsecondary organizations in the U.S. Key program goals include preparing individuals to become transformational leaders, ready to help educational or other institutions to address current challenges, including the need to better educate students who have historically not been well served by traditional learning institutions. In addition, graduates will expand their inquiry and research skills, enabling them to add to the knowledge base concerning education, especially as it relates to the growing challenges facing all educational institutions.

Admission Requirements
Admission to the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and Learning requires that students submit the following information within WMU’s on-line graduate application, and meet the established criteria, including:

  1. A master’s degree from an accredited institution, indicated on an official transcript.
  2. An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 for all graduate work undertaken beyond the bachelor’s degree.
  3. Official transcripts as required by WMU.
  4. A Career and Professional Goals Written Narrative in which an applicant clearly describes his/her professional goals, and how this doctoral program fits with those goals.
  5. Graduate Reference Forms completed by three different individuals who can address an applicant’s ability to successfully complete doctoral-level work.
  6. A Professional Vitae or Resume.

WMU’s graduate application, along with more details on the application requirements and processes, can be found on the Department of Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology’s website, wmich.edu/leadership.

The total number of students accepted in any given year will depend upon the quality of individual applicants, as well as available resources to support the program.

Program Requirements


A program of study for the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and Learning must include at least 60 hours as noted below.

I. Leadership Core (6 hours)


II. Professional Inquiry, Research, and Dissertation Core (30 hours total)


A) Professional Inquiry Component (18 hours)


B) Research Methods Component (12 hours)


III. Organizational Analysis Core (24 hours total)


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