Unlock your team's full capacity and lead talent development performance with evidence-based learning initiatives to strengthen your organization.
Develop your skills as a learning and talent management leader.
The Penn Chief Learning Officer, Ed.D. program prepares 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.
September 1 Application Opens
Fall, Spring, Summer Entry Terms
Executive Enrollment Format
21 Course Units
3 Years Duration
On Campus Modality
The Penn Chief Learning Officer, Ed.D. (Penn CLO) program offers the rigor of an Ivy League institution and the flexibility of an executive format. This 3-year doctoral program empowers senior learning leaders to drive organizational success by strategically aligning learning initiatives with business objectives. The curriculum is structured around five essential blocks—Leadership, Learning, Business, Evidence, and Technology—and equips students with comprehensive skills to thrive as impactful learning executives.
Students will gain expertise in strategic planning, leadership, and persuasive communication to advocate for learning initiatives. Grounded in evidence-based principles of adult and workplace learning, the program emphasizes fostering inclusive environments, leveraging informal learning methods, implementing performance-based assessments, and forming strategic educational partnerships.
Additionally, students will develop essential business acumen in managerial finance, strategic marketing, global learning management, knowledge management, and project management—equipping them to align learning initiatives with organizational goals. They will also gain proficiency in rigorous, ethical research methodologies, enabling them to critically evaluate and conduct impactful scholarly research with a strong emphasis on ethical standards and actionable insights. Finally, students will master the strategic implementation and management of innovative educational technologies, including navigating critical security and privacy issues, to maximize the impact of organizational learning and enhance performance.
Application Requirements and Deadlines Tuition and Fees Financial Aid
As the first program of its kind, the Penn Chief Learning Officer, Ed.D. empowers mid- to senior-level professionals to align learning with strategy, applying evidence-based practices to elevate performance, develop leaders, and drive organizational transformation across industries.
As the first program of its kind, the Penn Chief Learning Officer, Ed.D. empowers mid- to senior-level professionals to align learning with strategy, applying evidence-based practices to elevate performance, develop leaders, and drive organizational transformation across industries.
Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am | Location: Online
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Location: Online
Designed for working professionals, our The Penn Chief Learning Officer, Ed.D. program unfolds over approximately three years. The first 18 months consist of five sequential academic course blocks—each required and offered three times per year. After completing at least three blocks, students begin the Master’s Thesis and Dissertation Preparation course.
Each block includes two intensive weeks per semester featuring a blend of in-person and virtual sessions. Coursework is enriched through seminars, field projects, academic writing, practitioner-oriented writing assignments, and collaborative group work.
Following coursework, students spend 12–18 months completing an independent research project and dissertation. Successful completion of all components—including a comprehensive exam—advances students to become candidates for the doctoral degree.
For more information on courses and requirements, visit the Penn Chief Learning Officer Ed.D. program in the University Catalog.
We are here to help! Contact the program Assistant Director Nicole Guerrero at nicmg@upenn.edu.
| Virtual Sessions | |
| Leadership | June 8–13, 2025 | Jul 13–18, 2025 |
| Learning | Sept. 28–Oct. 3, 2025 | Nov. 9–14, 2025 |
| Business | Feb. 22–27, 2026 | Mar. 22–27, 2026 |
| Dissertation Seminar | May 13–15, 2026 | |
| Evidence | June 7–12, 2026 | July 12–17, 2026 |
| Technology | Sept. 27–Oct. 2, 2026 | Nov. 15–20, 2026 |
Graduates of the program will possess the skills and expertise to strategically implement and manage innovative educational technologies, while addressing key security and privacy concerns, to drive organizational learning and improve performance. Alumni hold senior leadership positions—such as Chief Learning Officers, Vice Presidents of Human Resources, and Training Directors—across diverse industries, recognizing the profound impact a well-developed workforce can have on organizational success. Check out The Practitioner-Scholar: Penn CLO Podcast Series to learn more about our alumni and student accomplishments and their contributions as global impact makers.
A graduate degree from Penn GSE opens up whole new worlds, intellectually as well as professionally. If you are a passionate, innovative, impactful leader—or aspire to be one—Penn GSE is the place for you.
Do you have questions about the application, financial aid, or requirements? We're happy to help!
The Penn Chief Learning Officer Doctoral Program's Podcast Series, The Practitioner-Scholar, showcases and celebrates alumni/student accomplishments and their contributions as global impact makers.
Dr. Milana Hogan shares her groundbreaking research findings, which reveal that non-cognitive traits such as grit and a growth mindset are strong predictors of success for women in the legal profession, as well as her personal journey, the challenges she faced, and how the Penn CLO program has been transformative in her career and personal life.
Dr. Carla Thomas, a seasoned consultant and researcher, former WNBA player, and decorated athlete, shares insights into how organizations can foster belonging, reduce workplace tensions, and create more supportive environments.
In this episode of The Practitioner Scholar, hosts Maria Luisa Underwood and Lisa-Marie Aird interview Dr. Douglas Clayton, a visionary in corporate learning and culture transformation. Dr. Clayton, founder and CEO of Leadership Filmworks LLC, shares his journey through the Penn CLO program and how it shaped his unique approach to leadership development using filmmaking.
Dr. Mark Kaestner, an alum of the Penn Chief Learning Officer program and VP at Ball Corporation, discusses his journey through the Penn CLO program, the essence of leadership authenticity, and strategies for building trust with teams.
Dr. Peg Klein, a distinguished alumna of the Penn Chief Learning Officer (CLO) program, shares her unique journey from growing up near a Naval base to becoming a Navy officer and eventually an ethical leadership scholar, defined by James Bass's concept of self-discipline and accountability, and its critical role in organizational success.
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar podcast, host Jess Jones interviews Dr. John 'Coach' Havlick, a retired Navy SEAL Captain, Hall of Fame swimmer, and Penn CLO graduate. They discuss Dr. Havlick's storied career and his subsequent career in consulting and academia, while Dr. Havlick shares insights from his book 'The Leadership Killer' and his Ph.D. research.
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar podcast, hosted by Lisa-Marie Aird, we welcome Dr. Lilian Ajayi Ore. Dr.Ore, an alum of the Penn Chief Learning Officer (CLO) program, shares her journey and insights from her extensive career in global diplomacy, corporate industry, consulting, and academia. The discussion centers around the importance of having a strategic digital presence for executives and emerging leaders.
In this enlightening episode of the Practitioner Scholar, Lisa-Marie Aird welcomes Dr. Raj Ramachandran, a trailblazer in leadership consulting and an alum of the Penn CLO program's first cohort, who shares his personal journey from being legally blind to becoming a renowned consultant, igniting a passion for creating tangible societal impacts.
Dr. Marikay Forst, a distinguished alumna of the Penn Chief Learning Officer program with over 25 years of experience in learning and development, human resources, and organizational behavior, shares her academic journey, including her decision to join the Penn CLO program after gaining substantial professional experience.
