Penn Chief Learning Officer, EdD
The PennCLO Executive Doctoral Program prepares the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) and other senior-level executives for success in their roles as learning and talent development leaders. Developing an organization's talent is a critical component of its success. Learning leaders who are committed to human capital development within organizations must use evidence-based practice to create and oversee leadership development, learning, and managerial initiatives. The program provides a rigorous academic environment where members build the skills necessary to ensure successful learning outcomes that will align with the organization's strategy.
For more information: https://www.gse.upenn.edu/academics/programs/penn-chief-learning-officer-edd
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Curriculum
A total of 26 course units is required for graduation.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence | ||
| EDCL 7150 | Qualitative Data Analysis | 1.5 |
| or EDCL 7150A & EDCL 7150B | Qualitative Data Analysis and Qualitative Data Analysis | |
| EDCL 7160 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 1.5 |
| or EDCL 7160A & EDCL 7160B | Quantitative Data Analysis and Quantitative Data Analysis | |
| EDCL 7170 | Research Design & Delivery | 1 |
| or EDCL 7170A & EDCL 7170B | Research Design & Delivery and Research Design & Delivery | |
| Technology | ||
| EDCL 7010 | Learning Technology in the Workplace | 1.5 |
| or EDCL 7010A & EDCL 7010B | Learning Technology in the Workplace and Learning Technology in the Workplace | |
| EDCL 7020 | Technology Strategies for Corporate Learners | 1.5 |
| or EDCL 7020A & EDCL 7020B | Technology Strategies for Corporate Learners and Technology Strategies for Corporate Learners | |
| EDCL 7030 | Managing Technology in the Workplace | 1 |
| or EDCL 7030A & EDCL 7030B | Managing Technology in the Workplace and Managing Technology in the Workplace | |
| Leadership | ||
| EDCL 7040 | Individual Effectiveness | 1 |
| or EDCL 7040A & EDCL 7040B | Individual Effectiveness and Individual Effectiveness | |
| EDCL 7050 | Organizational Leadership | 1 |
| or EDCL 7050A & EDCL 7050B | Organizational Leadership and Organizational Leadership | |
| EDCL 7060 | Functional Leadership | 1 |
| or EDCL 7060A & EDCL 7060B | Functional Leadership and Functional Leadership | |
| EDCL 7070 | Learning Leader as Performance Consultant | 1 |
| or EDCL 7070A & EDCL 7070B | Learning Leader as Performance Consultant and Learning Leader as Performance Consultant | |
| Master's Thesis and Preparation for Dissertation | ||
| EDCL 9900 | Master's Thesis 1 | 3 |
| Learning | ||
| EDCL 7080 | Organizational Effectiveness | 1.5 |
| or EDCL 7080A & EDCL 7080B | Organizational Effectiveness and Organizational Effectiveness | |
| EDCL 7090 | Organizational Learning | 1.5 |
| or EDCL 7090A & EDCL 7090B | Organizational Learning and Organizational Learning | |
| EDCL 7100 | Individual and Social Learning | 1 |
| or EDCL 7100A & EDCL 7100B | Individual and Social Learning and Individual & Social Lrng | |
| Business Acumen | ||
| EDCL 7110 | Marketing for Executives | 1.5 |
| or EDCL 7110A & EDCL 7110B | Marketing For Executives and Marketing For Executives | |
| EDCL 7120 | Finance for Executives | 1.5 |
| or EDCL 7120A & EDCL 7120B | Finance for Executives and Finance for Executives | |
| EDCL 7130 | Management for Executives | 1 |
| or EDCL 7130A & EDCL 7130B | Management for Executives and Management for Executives | |
| Dissertation | ||
| EDUC 9950 | Dissertation 2, 3 | 3 |
| Total Course Units | 26 | |
- 1
Penn-CLO master's thesis can be either be taken independently or concurrently with academic 'blocks'. EDCL 9900 is graded Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory and is attempted twice with students earning 3 CU's upon successful completion in the second term.
- 2
Taken at least twice over the fall and spring term. Graded with an Satisfactory Complete or Unsatisfactory Progress grade. The first fall term carries per term cost of attendance. The first spring term carries no cost of attendance. If students do not finish all required milestones by uploading their dissertation at the end of the spring they will continue on in EDUC 9950 at the standard GSE EdD dissertation rate.
- 3
Attempted each term after completing coursework to finish EdD milestones. Students will earn 3 CU's in the term they upload their dissertation and complete all requirements for the degree. Graded Satisfactory Complete/Unsatisfactory Progress.
Required Milestones:
Master's Thesis
The Master’s Thesis consists of a complete literature review of a proposed topic that will be the foundation for a first draft of the student's dissertation literature review. All students are required to complete the master's thesis. Upon completion of three academic blocks and the master's thesis, students are awarded a MSEd. There are no direct admissions into the PCLO MSEd, and students must be pursuing the PCLO EdD to be eligible to earn the PCLO MSEd.
Qualifications Evaluation (Also known as Program Candidacy)
The purpose of program candidacy is to provide rigorous review and feedback to Ed.D. students regarding their academic progress within the first two years of study. Program candidacy is a prerequisite to doctoral candidacy.
Preliminary Examinations (Also known as Doctoral Candidacy)
The preliminary examination is a test of knowledge in the candidate’s area of specialization. The examination requires students to demonstrate knowledge and reasoning in the key content areas in their specialization as specified by the academic division. The format of the examination varies from program to program, but must include at least six hours of examination, at least three hours of which must be written.
Oral Proposal
All doctoral candidates must present their dissertation proposals orally and in person to the dissertation committee.
Final Defense of the Dissertation
The final dissertation defense is approximately two hours in length and is based upon the candidate’s dissertation.
Required Milestones:
Qualifications Evaluation (Also known as Program Candidacy)
The purpose of program candidacy is to provide rigorous review and feedback to Ed.D. students regarding their academic progress within the first two years of study. Program candidacy is a prerequisite to doctoral candidacy.
Preliminary Examinations (Also known as Doctoral Candidacy)
The preliminary examination is a test of knowledge in the candidate’s area of specialization. The examination requires students to demonstrate knowledge and reasoning in the key content areas in their specialization as specified by the academic division. The format of the examination varies from program to program, but must include at least six hours of examination, at least three hours of which must be written.
Oral Proposal
All doctoral candidates must present their dissertation proposals orally and in person to the dissertation committee.
Final Defense of the Dissertation
The final dissertation defense is approximately two hours in length and is based upon the candidate’s dissertation.
Dissertation Supervision Registration
For students registered after the sixth semester of the program, registration for consecutive semesters is required in the form of dissertation supervision (EDUC 9950). Applicable Penn tuition and fees will apply.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| Coursework for Academic Block Running that Term | 4 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Coursework for Academic Block Running that Term | 4 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Summer | ||
| Coursework for Academic Block Running that Term | 4 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Coursework for Academic Block Running that Term | 4 | |
| EDCL 9900 | Master's Thesis | Attempting 3 |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Coursework for Academic Block Running that Term | 4 | |
| EDCL 9900 | Master's Thesis | 3 |
| Course Units | 7.00 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 9950 | Dissertation | Attempting 3 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 9950 | Dissertation | 3 |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 26.00 | |