Continual learning is crucial for leaders to stay ahead in today’s ever-evolving business landscape. Effective leaders must include education and skills development programs in their regimens to enhance their skills, promote innovative thinking, and hone their decision-making capabilities.
The rise of online education makes it more accessible than ever for busy leaders and executives to complete professional development. This article outlines the top three factors when researching degree programs that reinforce executive leadership development. It also spotlights the benefits of earning an online Doctorate in Education (EdD) in Leadership and Innovation from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University.
Curriculum Relevance to Business Challenges
When evaluating executive leadership degree program options, closely examine the curricula of your prospective programs. Does the curriculum focus on knowledge and skills applicable to current trends in leadership? Does it serve your career goals? Does it enable you to put theoretical knowledge into practice?
The NYU EdD in Leadership and Innovation offers a cutting-edge curriculum that addresses contemporary leadership issues and innovative practices. The program’s coursework addresses students’ real-world organizational challenges through an academic lens. Topics include organizational theory, policy analysis, applied research methods, leadership, change and innovation.
Steinhardt EdD students benefit from the opportunity to apply their knowledge through the program’s capstone requirement. The online EdD capstone project revolves around students’ Problem of Practice (POP), which focuses on an idea they believe can make a difference or a problem they want to solve in their organization. The POP remains central throughout the program, with faculty and advisors helping students shape, examine, and refine their POP, building upon its execution throughout each course.
Neil Persaud (EdD ’22), cofounder, LiveMore, Singapore, used his POP to answer the question: How do you enable your workforce to thrive from a well-being standpoint? And what tools do you give them to support them in this space? “I anticipate that I’ll walk away from my POP with a toolkit to help other organizations enable their workforce to thrive,” Persaud said.Â
Dr. Elisa A. Valls (EdD ’21), director of communications, Conchita Espinosa Academy, Miami, Florida, focused on developing each child as a whole person within a sophisticated academic and artistic environment for her POP. She explains: “I was interested in codifying the school’s methodology and exploring its impact on the child. Why is respecting the child as an individual important? Why is arts education important? Digging deeply into these concepts has been a powerful experience and further contextualized my work. Now, I’m bringing these findings back to my organization and looking at how we can apply what we’ve learned to different demographics and continue to grow and improve.”
Transform Your Career with NYU’s EdD
Harness Leadership Skills for Real-World Impact
Program Flexibility and Accessibility for Executive Leaders
When evaluating programs, consider the balance between synchronous and asynchronous coursework, the virtual collaboration tools used, and which support services the university provides. NYU’s online EdD accommodates executives’ demanding schedules while providing robust support and resources. The curriculum includes seminars, immersive experiences, research-intensive coursework, synchronous class discussions with faculty, asynchronous instruction with fellow students, and independent work.
Students can pursue this degree without putting their careers on hold. In fact, the POP enables them to integrate their coursework with their daily work, providing relevance and impact to them and their organization. The Steinhardt EdD stands out as one of the country’s most efficient leadership and innovation doctorates; leaders can complete the program in 24 months at a rate of just 12 hours per week (on average).
Faculty Expertise and Networking Opportunities
Faculty play an essential role in students’ executive leadership development. Look for a program with experienced instructors who bring real-world knowledge and the latest industry research to the classroom.
The NYU Steinhardt online EdD boasts expert faculty. Founding faculty member Dr. Noel S. Anderson has held leadership positions in major public school districts, higher education institutions, and national non-profit organizations. Founding faculty member Lisette Nieves brings valuable expertise as an experienced social entrepreneur, public sector leader, and scholar.
Consider the program’s student demographics and testimonials as well. Choosing a program with a cohort of industry leaders will enable you to build valuable professional relationships. Lindsey Peelman (Cohort ’19) explains, “It creates a bonded network of professionals who will be lifelong partners in career and life.” NYU’s online EdD emphasizes collaboration, focusing on shared learning within each cohort to promote lasting connections. Joseph Durney (Cohort ’20) observes: “The support and encouragement of the cohort is a critical factor in the learning process in this program. It is clear the program is designed with a deliberate intention to ensure a collaborative professional learning community adds value to the course work. The camaraderie, communication, and cooperation between cohort members supports learning and is inspirational.”
Explore an EdD Built for Leadership Roles Across Sectors
NYU Steinhardt’s online EdD benefits cross-sector leaders motivated to create change in education and learning. The program design allows executives to earn their advanced degrees without putting their careers on hold. It combines rigorous coursework with real-world problem-solving through the POP and enhances the experience with the expertise of skilled faculty and a collaborative cohort model.
Connect with an enrollment advisor to learn more about the program, its expectations, and how to apply.