Essential Information
Experienced professionals and students who already have a graduate degree in human resources or organizational development can advance their skills and research abilities by pursuing a Ph.D. These three-year programs prepare students to conduct research and use strategic approaches to deal with the daily organizational challenges of running a company. Advanced studies build on students' prior knowledge of corporate development and resource management to challenge them to find innovative ways for managers to solve organizational problems.
Ph.D. in Organizational Development
Students in Ph.D. programs spend most of their time engaging in independent research, and they begin preliminary work on their final dissertations as soon as they are accepted. Second-year courses focus primarily on current intervention strategies, while the third year is dedicated to publishing papers and preparing the dissertation. The core curriculum covers various organizational theory and business strategy concepts, including:
- Global trends
- Qualitative research
- Statistics
- Group processes
- Organizational strategies
- Economics
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
After earning a Ph.D. in organizational development, students are prepared for top executive positions in the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for human resource managers was $121,220 per year as of 2020, and employment was expected to increase by 6 percent between 2019 and 2029, as much as the national average for all occupations. Alternatively, graduates can pursue employment in academia, consulting, or writing.
Continuing Education Information
A Ph.D. in organizational development is the terminal degree in the field. However, graduates may participation in national, state and area organizational development conferences in order to stay on top of industry trends, network with other professionals, and pursue career advancement opportunities. For instance, the Organization Development Network is a global network of organizational development professionals.
In summary, doctoral degree programs in organizational development prepare students for top-level careers in the field through advanced research and lecture-based studies, as well as the completion of a dissertation.
