Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology Receives Top Ranking in 2012 Leadership 500 for Doctoral Program

LOS ANGELES, January 17, 2013 – The Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (EDOL) program ranks 17th in the Education/Universities/Schools of Management and Business category for excellence in leadership development, 2012 Leadership 500.

Based upon the evaluation of 1,000 organizations known for developing top leaders, Leadership Excellence, selects 500 top programs to feature across seven unique categories. Ranking placement considers the quantity and quality of programs, and includes the names of program directors in its listing.

Leadership Excellence co-founder and president, Ken Shelton, comments on the importance of this inclusion, “I find that the quality of the LD program is directly related to the quality of the current program leadership.” He went on to say that the quality of a leadership development program “is directly related to the quality of the current program leadership.”

The EDOL program at Pepperdine University has been under the direction of Dr. June Schmieder-Ramirez for the last several years. With extensive leadership experience in both education and business, Schmieder was instrumental in designing and launching the program.

“It is an honor for our program to be recognized for success in preparing the next generation of leaders,” said Schmieder-Ramirez, academic chair and program director for the EDOL program. “We are very proud of the work accomplished by our students and alumni, many of whom hold high ranking positions in prestigious organizations across the nation and globe.”

Top leadership development programs are ranked according to seven criteria: program vision/mission and the degree to which these strategies are linked to outcomes and meaningful to participants; the design, content and quality of the curriculum; the breadth and depth of involvement by program participants; measurements of return on investment and the level at which performance accountability is integrated into the program; the quality of presenters and effectiveness of presentations; the take-home value of the program and its impact on participants; and outreach, or how the program benefits stakeholders and the broader community.

Schmieder-Ramirez, along with EDOL faculty, approach curriculum design strategically to ensure real-world relevancy and student application. Emphasis is placed on providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in their workplaces and to immediately increase the value they bring to their organizations upon entrance in the program. This is an outcomes focused program.

“The EDOL program draws a very diverse group of students who work in a variety of fields spanning education, nonprofit, and corporate,” says Schmieder-Ramirez. “We employ the scholar-practitioner model, which links theory and learning to field practice. This method is key to ensuring student engagement and outcomes, as curricula are relevant to students’ individual careers and experiences.”

About Leadership Excellence and the Leadership 500
Leadership Excellence was founded in 1984 by Ken Shelton, Stephen R. Covey, Ken Blanchard and Charles Garfield with the goal of helping organizations achieve positive growth and improvement and to help individuals find a better way to live their lives and lead their organizations. Leadership Excellence publishes books, a monthly magazine and an online resource center available at leaderexcell.com. They also offer motivational workshops and seminars.

Selected leadership development programs are featured in seven categories: large organizations, small/midsize organizations, universities, nonprofits, government/military, consultants/trainers/coaches and large consulting groups.

About the Pepperdine’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology and the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership program
The Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) is an innovative learning community where faculty, staff, and students of diverse cultures and perspectives work collaboratively to foster academic excellence, social purpose and personal fulfillment. Through its integrative coursework and practical training, GSEP prepares students to serve the needs of others through skilled leadership. GSEP offers six master's and five doctoral programs across its five graduate campus locations throughout Southern California and online. Programs are fully accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the American Psychological Association.

The Organizational Leadership doctoral concentration is designed to develop individuals who have the capability to take on leadership roles in a variety of settings. The program was created to provide an environment where professionals can advance their leadership skills while sharing ideas and experiences with business and academic professionals. The coursework has applications to community colleges, liberal arts colleges and comprehensive universities, as well as business and other organizations engaged in training and development, life-span learning, health care and adult occupational education. To provide students with tools to function effectively as leaders in the next century, computer-based technology is utilized throughout the curriculum. Teamwork is a skill highly valued in academic arenas and professional environments. To hone this skill, students work cooperatively in small groups both face-to-face and via electronic media. For more information, visit gsep.pepperdine.edu.

Pepperdine University GSEP
6100 Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Veronica Orozco
Public Relations Manager
310.568.5773
veronica.orozco@pepperdine.edu

This release was published on openPR.