Program Overview

Doctorate in Organizational Change

Overview

The Doctorate in Organizational Change is a practice-based doctorate for those who want to make an impact that matters. The program is designed for individuals who feel a sense of emptiness about their professional lives and wish to explore deeper territories beyond conventional organizational needs.

Key Program Features

• Flexible part-time study
• Hybrid / 5 years
• A community-based approach to learning
• Dedicated supervisor support
• Access to world-renowned, research-active faculty

Program Structure

The program is divided into three phases:

Phase 1 - Engaging in Inquiry

• Inquiry Proposal: Develop an 8,000-word inquiry proposal.
• Three workshops covering research paradigms; ontology, epistemology, writing skills, methodology & ethics.
• 28 hours group supervision + 4 hours individual supervision.

Phase 2 - Developing Inquiry

• Transfer Paper: Establish a rigorous basis for your inquiry and submit a 20,000-word transfer paper.
• Five faculty-led workshops exploring forms of inquiry & presentation + advanced writing skills.
• 28 hours group supervision + 6 hours individual supervision.

Phase 3 - Testing Propositions

• Thesis Preparation: Get your work out into the world. Present to academic peers, external practitioners, and academic conferences.
• Participant-designed & led workshops supported by faculty.
• 34 hours group supervision + 32 hours individual supervision (8 hours post-Viva).

Dissertation and Viva

• Dissertation: 80,000-word dissertation submission.
• Bi-annual progress report to be discussed with faculty supervisor.
• Mock viva in front of peers.
• Final Viva to defend your work in front of a doctoral panel including faculty and external practitioners.

Faculty

The faculty selected to teach the Doctorate in Organizational Change are award-winning researchers in both academic- and practitioner-related channels.

• Dr. Kerrie Fleming, DOC Academic Director
• Dr. James Traeger, Faculty Supervisor
• Dr. Steve Marshall, Faculty Supervisor
• Dr. Katherine Semler, Faculty Supervisor
• Dr. Margaret Gearty, Faculty Supervisor
• Dr. Geoff Mead, Faculty Supervisor
• Dr. Gill Coleman, Faculty Supervisor
• Dr. Kathleen King, Faculty Supervisor
• Dr. Nick Wildling, Faculty Supervisor
• Dr. Matt Gitsham, Faculty Supervisor
• Dr. Josie Gregory, Faculty Supervisor
• Dr. Richard Hale, Faculty Supervisor

Accreditation

The Doctorate in Organizational Change is a US degree, accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accrediting organization recognized by the US Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Regional accreditation is considered the most prestigious form of accreditation in the US.

Tuition Fees

The program costs £60,000, plus a £450 application fee. There are payment plans available to spread the cost over the duration of the program.

FAQs

• Where is the program accredited?
  • The Doctorate in Organizational Change PhD is a US degree, accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
• Can I still apply if I have a master's in a non-business-related field?
  • Yes, while many of our doctoral students hold Master's Degrees in business or MBAs, several participants have held Master's Degrees in a range of fields.
• What is the difference between a PhD and a DBA?
  • A DBA, like its PhD counterpart, requires advanced research skills that lead to a dissertation or thesis and the conferral of a doctoral title. However, DBA programs often focus on the application of theory to a real-world business problem and are aimed at working professionals with years of extensive managerial experience.
• When will my supervisor be assigned?
  • Supervisor-student matches are communicated to new students immediately after matriculation.
• Can I get a scholarship?
  • Currently, Hult does not provide sponsorship or scholarships for our doctoral programs. Note that Hult and Ashridge alumni are eligible for a 10% discount.
• Will I need to publish my dissertation to get my degree?
  • No, we do not require the publication of research output in journals. The Hult DOC requires all research output to be of publishable standard—that is, of a standard that is acceptable by journals and conferences. While you are not required to publish, students are strongly encouraged to present at prestigious conferences.
• What is the cost of the program? What are the payment options?
  • The program costs £60,000, plus a £450 application fee. There are payment plans available to spread the cost over the duration of the program.
• How often will I have lectures? When are they held?
  • You will meet at the Hult Ashridge campus for one 5-day residency each year for faculty-led, participant-led, and group supervision. Other compulsory workshops will take place online, and the exact dates are already scheduled for the four-year duration of the PhD. The remaining group and individual supervision takes place online as a flexible arrangement between the supervisor, group, and individuals.
• Can I transfer credits from a previous or current doctorate program?
  • Transfer credits from a previous or current doctorate are not accepted into the program.