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EdD in Performance Improvement Leadership
Doctor of Education
As an education professional, you understand the importance of great educators and administrators. A Capella University Doctor of Education (EdD), Performance Improvement Leadership degree can help you evaluate human performance interventions to establish benchmarks for success.
This specialization is designed to help prepare you to pursue leadership roles such as chief learning officer, training director, or manager of learning and performance improvement. Lead with a broader understanding of applied research, and develop strategies that improve the quality of education in K-12, higher education, or corporate settings.
Classes start January 10
Use the code WINTER to waive the $50 application fee.
At a Glance
- Online
- 16 Core courses
- Capstone
- 0 max transfer credits
With Capella Tuition Cap, you won't pay more than $32,000 in tuition costs for your degree.
*Eligibility rules apply. Books, supplies, and other fees apply. Connect with us for details.
Applicants must provide the following information for admission to Capella programs and specializations:
- A master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International Student Requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
GuidedPath
A more structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule; you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–2 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$745 per credit, 40 coursework credits, 24 capstone credits, 0 max transfer credits
Tuition breakdown
Program Phases
Coursework
$745 Per quarter credit
40 coursework credits; capstone is additional 24 credits
Coursework
What is coursework?$745
Fees
Resource kit fee
$175 Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Resource kit fee
$175
Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Application fee
$50 One-time fee
Application fee
$50
One-time fee
Total Tuition Cap
Capella Tuition Cap
$32,000 Per quarter credit
- Pay no more than $32,000 in total tuition for your degree*
- Applies to both GuidedPath and FlexPath learning formats
- Available to all students who start now through January 2022
*Books, supplies and other fees apply
Capella Tuition Cap
What is the Capella Tuition Cap?$32,000
Per quarter credit
- Pay no more than $32,000 in total tuition for your degree*
- Applies to both GuidedPath and FlexPath learning formats
- Available to all students who start now through January 2022
*Books, supplies and other fees apply
Tuition and program length are unique to you
Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:
- Academic performance
- Complexity of your capstone
- Number of quarters spent working on capstone
- Prior coursework
- Scholarships and finances
- Unexpected life events
- School/work/life balance
- Employer and/or military benefits
About cost scenarios
The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2020–21 Capella tuition rates, and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing information is current as of January 1, 2020. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price. You are responsible for paying your own travel costs related to residencies, including plane, hotel, and food expenses.
To discuss whether the specialization you’re interested in has additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.
Cost scenarios
| Estimated cost of completion, assuming 1 course/quarter and continuous enrollment |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $745/credit 16 quarters |
$47,680.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$47,680.00 |
| Est. Savings with Capella Tuition Cap*
|
$-15,680.00 |
| Est. subtotal with Capella Tuition Cap*
|
$32,000.00 |
| Resource Kit fee: $175 16 quarters |
$2,800.00 |
| Application fee: $50 one-time fee |
$50.00 |
|
Est. Total with Capella Tuition Cap* 16 quarters |
$34,850.00 |
*Eligibility rules apply. Connect with us for details. Capella Tuition Cap is available to students who start now through January 2022.
Get the details
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Your education is an investment in your future that’s within your reach. There are more ways to save than you might think.
The EdD in Performance Improvement Leadership develops a research-based approach to performance improvement in diverse educational environments. The curriculum is designed around the International Society for Performance Improvement and the Association for Talent Development competency model.
| ED7631 |
Introduction to Training and Performance Systems
This course is an overview of training and human performance improvement (HPI). Learners review the evolution of HPI through the introduction of associated theories, concepts, and processes. Learners experience the power and value of HPI in organizations by reviewing and assessing real-world projects that include business, performance, gap and cause analyses, intervention selection and implementation, and change and evaluation plans. Prerequisite(s): ED5010 or EDD8010 or HRM5002. Cannot be fulfilled by prior learning assessment. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| ED7641 |
Needs Assessment: Models and Procedures
This course is a survey of the needs assessment models and procedures used to diagnose the causes of organizational performance problems. Learners design and develop needs assessment instruments and collect and analyze data to differentiate organizational performance issues that require training solutions from those that require non-training interventions. Cannot be fulfilled by prior learning assessment. |
4 quarter credits |
| EDD8534 * |
Designing, Delivering, and Managing Human Performance Improvement Interventions
In this course, learners design effective solutions to resolve human performance problems in organizations. Learners apply the procedure and tools needed to select, design, and evaluate interventions to improve performance. The design and delivery process incorporates both training and non-training interventions, including electronic approaches. Prerequisite(s): ED7631, ED7641. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| EDD8536 * |
Implementing and Sustaining Organizational Change
Learners in this course are immersed in the professional literature to provide the knowledge and skills needed to manage and control changes designed to improve organizational performance. The course is designed to prepare learners to initiate a planning process that includes the process, tools, and techniques to manage the people side of change to achieve the required business outcome. Prerequisite(s): EDD8534. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| EDD8538 * |
Evaluation of Human Performance Improvement Interventions
In this course, learners evaluate human performance improvement interventions to determine if they were efficient, effective, and led to improved workplace and organizational performance. Learners acquire skills to resolve evaluation design issues, select appropriate data collection and analysis methods, and overcome evaluation implementation issues such as using technology, communicating results, gaining management support, and sustaining the evaluation process. Prerequisite(s): EDD8536. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
Learning outcomes
The Capella EdD, Performance Improvement Leadership program prepares you to formulate, implement, and evaluate human performance improvement initiatives in K-12, adult education, and corporate settings. It draws on professional standards to help you advance your career. On successful completion of this degree program, you should be able to:
- Assess human performance systems
- Select and design interventions to improve performance
- Implement successful human performance
- Evaluate effectiveness of human improvement interventions
- Lead performance improvement processes and initiatives
- Support training and performance improvement in the workplace
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career opportunities.
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to explore with an EdD in Performance Improvement Leadership.
Related job titles to explore*
- Training manager
- Development manager
- Learning manager
- Training director
- Director of staff development
- Consultant
- Full-time faculty of education courses
Employment settings to explore
- Corporation
- Health care
- Nonprofit organization
- P-12 education (organizational performance)
- Land-based or online college or university
- Military
- Government—local, state, federal
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions .
Support to reach the finish line
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces that build on one another to help you earn your doctorate. You’ll have support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.
Doctor of Education: Exploring the Possibilities
Explore eight EdD possibilities that can help you transform your skills in education leadership.
EdD program guide
Get details on the Doctor of Education program at Capella University, learning formats, financing options, and more, all in one place.