Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organization Development
College: The Goodwin College of Business and Liberal Arts
Department: Marketing, Management and Organizational Behavior
Student Type: Doctorate Semester
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Organization Development (Ph.D. O.D.)
Campus: Lisle Campus
Introduction
The PhD in OD at Benedictine University combines the best of our history and tradition of educating scholar-practitioners in the field to lead change. Our doctoral program is a rigorous, fully accredited doctoral program that provides the opportunity to earn the PhD degree in three years while continuing to work full time.
Our face-to-face learning environment allows students to engage in deep, personal interaction, rich dialogue, and generative learning with Benedictine University’s world-class faculty, distinguished visiting scholars from top global universities, and a cohort of accomplished peers. On-campus classes are held over long weekends during the first two years of the program. During the third year of the program, students work with their dissertation committee to research and write their dissertation on a topic of their choice.
The doctoral degree in organization development (OD) at Benedictine University was one of the first graduate OD programs in the country. The program is built on a 50-year history of successful graduate-level OD education and is intended for those persons with extensive experience, who currently hold responsible positions in their organizations and institutions.
Other distinctive features of the PhD in OD program include:
- World-Class Faculty: Benedictine University’s award-winning faculty teach side-by-side with distinguished visiting scholars from leading universities, exposing students to the latest theories and bold ideas with marketplace impact.
- Cutting-Edge Research: Benedictine faculty and a global network of scholars work with students on research ideas that explore the exemplary practices of sustainable, responsible companies and leaders.
- Action-Based Learning: Students integrate theory and practice by designing local and global application projects that have a direct and immediate impact on their organizations and communities.
- Global Exchange: Students travel internationally and engage in dynamic learning exchanges with top scholars and executives from other countries and cultures, such as Australia, Belgium, China, Dubai, France, Ghana, India, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, South Africa, Spain, and the U.K.
- A Cohort of Leaders: Engaging in the classroom with an exceptional group of peers — experienced senior level executives like yourself who share a passion for values-driven leadership.
- One-of-a-Kind Curriculum: Engaging coursework that integrates the fields of business; leadership and organizational change; and social, ethical, and environmental responsibility.
- Convenience: Attending classes on a schedule convenient for senior leaders working full-time and for those who commute from outside the Chicago area. Complete the degree in three years.
- Personal Transformation: We are committed to your personal and professional transformation; our faculty work with students to tailor their research and writing to help advance the student’s career and individual goals.
In addition, students are expected to contribute to the field before they graduate from the program by presenting at conferences and publishing in leading journals.
Coursework
Students take a common core of courses during the first two years that prepare them for their dissertation research.
The first-year courses concentrate on setting the tone and developing sensitivity to the role of organization development and leadership within the applied behavioral sciences. Coursework topics focus on the empirical research that helps us understand behavior at all levels – self, interpersonal, teams, organizations, inter-organizational, and society. Heavy emphasis is placed on the philosophy of science, the development of research skills, and organization research and theory.
The second-year courses extend the depth of study in leadership and change and also develop further research skills in preparation for a student’s dissertation research.
At the end of the second year, students embark on a yearlong dissertation research. During the third year, students work with their dissertation chairs and committees to tailor their research and writing to help advance the student’s career and individual goals. This results in a defended dissertation based on original research. Additionally, students receive credit for an international experience by attending an international academic conference or other international experience with a faculty member.
Semester Curriculum:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core | ||
MNGT 7132 | Foundations of Organization Development and Leadership | 3 |
MNGT 7135 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
MNGT 7138 | Leading Organization Change and Design | 3 |
MNGT 7740 | Leading Teams and Group Processes | 3 |
MNGT 7770 | Moral & Ethical Foundations of Leadership and Change | 3 |
MNGT 7780 | Organizational Theory and Behavior | 3 |
MNGT 7191 | Lecture Series Seminar | 1-3 |
MNGT 8112 | Qualitative Methods | 3 |
MNGT 8113 | Quantitative Methods | 3 |
MNGT 8114 | Organization Consultation | 3 |
MNGT 8115 | Advanced Topics: Views of Organization Development and Leadership | 1-3 |
MNGT 8116 | Integrative Quantitative & Qualitative Seminar | 3 |
MNGT 8191 | Lecture Series Seminar | 1-3 |
MNGT 8197 | International Conference/Global Exchange | 6 |
MNGT 8810 | Leadership & Corporate Social Responsibility | 1-3 |
MNGT 8820 | Leading Corporate Sustainability | 1-3 |
MNGT 8830 | Leading Self and Developing Others | 3 |
MNGT 8840 | Leading in the Global Environment | 3 |
MNGT 8850 | Strategic Leadership | 3 |
MNGT 8901 | Research in Organization Development | 1-3 |
MNGT 8902 | Dissertation Phase I PhD Organization Development | 9 |
MNGT 8903 | Dissertation Phase II PhD Organization Development | 9 |
Total Hours | 69-81 |
If the required dissertation was not completed by the end of third year of the program, students will continue to enroll in either MNGT 8904 Dissertation Research Continuation– Phase III (4 credits) each subsequent semester until the dissertation is completed to remain active in the program.
Dissertation:
While the program is a three-year initiative, the dissertation is designed to be integrated throughout all years of study. Students are encouraged to begin reviewing dissertation possibilities upon being accepted into the program and to continue to explore and develop dissertation topics throughout their coursework. Students are encouraged to select topics consistent with the major research themes within the program. It is expected that research topics be selected during the first year as part of the initial research course. During the second year, it would be expected that papers be presented at local or regional professional meetings as part of the learning and feedback process. In the final year of the program, during completion of the dissertation, students would be expected to present their work at national meetings and submit papers for publication.
Students in the Ph.D. in OD Program will achieve the following student learning outcomes (SLO):
- Student Learning Outcome 1: Foundational Knowledge: Understand and apply core knowledge in the field of OD from the frame of a scholar-practitioner, including history, emerging concepts and theories, current and projected global trends and problems, and application through practice.
- Student Learning Outcome 2: Research Methods and Analysis: Understand and apply appropriate research methods in the field of Organization Development.
- Student Learning Outcome 3: OD in a Global Setting: Describe and understand major global environmental trends, including economic, demographic, political, legislative, influencing organizational effectiveness and the role of organizational development.
- Student Learning Outcome 4: Scholarly Contributions to the Field: Demonstrated command of both theory and practice in the field of organizational development.