In an effort to expand flexibility for doctoral students, USC Rossier’s Organizational Change and Leadership (OCL online) and Doctorate of Educational Leadership (EDL and EDL online) programs will launch new pathways for students this fall.
Students without a master's degree can now enroll in USC Rossier's EDL and EDL online programs through multiple 60-unit pathways. These 60-unit pathways are designed for full-time students with substantial work experience. Students will complete their degrees in four years and can select from four different entry tracks to complete their initial 17 units of the program: Learning Design with AI and Emerging Technologies; Sports Administration and Leadership; Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs; and Postsecondary Educational Counseling.
“These new pathways reflect the diversity of our doctoral students’ professional experiences and offer focused opportunities to deepen knowledge and skills in key areas as they prepare for advanced leadership,” says Professor of Clinical Education Cathy Krop of the new offerings. Krop serves as the governance chair of the EDL program, and expanding accessibility for students is high on her list of goals for the future of the program.
For EDL, EDL online and OCL online students who already hold a master’s degree, a new part-time pathway is available. The new, part-time pathways are designed to provide working professionals with maximum flexibility as they maintain full-time jobs and juggle other responsibilities. Part-time students will complete their degrees in either four or five years.
“We know that our OCL students are often working full-time in demanding roles”, says Professor of Clinical Education Courtney Malloy, current governance chair for the OCL program. “This new part-time pathway opens up doctoral opportunities for those with limited time. We want to make sure that there’s a path for all students looking to advance their leadership skills through our OCL program,” says Malloy.
Applicants interested in pursuing the new 60-unit or 43-unit part-time pathway in either the EDL or EDL online program can view sample curriculum tracks here. Applicants interested in the new part-time pathway for the OCL-online program can view sample curriculum tracks here.
While applicants cannot select their chosen pathway on the application portal, the USC Rossier admission team will follow up with a short survey to confirm each applicant’s interest in a particular pathway.
For more information, please contact the USC Rossier admission team at info@rossier.usc.edu
