phd online programs education

Education (Online), EdD

School of education.

To address the dramatically changing landscape of education in the 21st century, which includes new research on the science of learning, advances in technology, and the emergence of a for-profit education sector, the Johns Hopkins School of Education offers an innovative online Doctor of Education degree program. This EdD program is designed to prepare an exceptional corps of educational practitioner-scholars, both nationally and internationally, who can set a high standard for transformational leadership in education, apply evidence-based practices to improve educational outcomes, and meet the vast challenges associated with improving learning outcomes in both public and private educational environments.

For more information about the EdD program, please visit  https://education.jhu.edu/academics/edd/ . If you have any questions about the EdD program, please contact  [email protected] .

Admission Requirements

At minimum, applicants to the EdD program should hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Previous degrees must document high academic achievement (a minimum GPA of 3.0) in an area of study closely associated with the objectives of the program. If the earned degree or credit is from an educational institution abroad, the candidate’s academic record must be evaluated by a credential evaluation agency before consideration for admission. Applicants must submit the online admission application form, application fee, official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, a curriculum vitae (résumé), online interview, and two letters of recommendation signed by each recommender. These letters should include the following:

• A professor with whom the applicant worked in their master's program who can speak to the applicant's competency to conduct rigorous scholarly work, and
• A colleague/supervisor from the applicant’s professional context/industry who can attest to the applicant's qualifications to pursue a doctorate, the applicant's impact on the recommender’s  professional practice, and knowledge of and support for the applicant's proposed area of research/Problem of Practice.

Additionally, applicants will submit a personal statement including responses to the following:

• Describe a significant Problem of Practice relevant to your current context/industry of professional practice.
• Indicate the importance of this problem within the applicant’s industry and/or their specific context of professional practice.
• Discuss the potential underlying causes for or contributing factors related to this Problem of Practice.
• Discuss the ways in which this problem aligns with at least one or two areas of interest.

All applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be asked to submit video and written responses to question prompts.

International students must fulfill the general requirements for admission and complete additional requirements—see  https://education.jhu.edu/admission-financial-aid/admissions/international-applicants/ .

Note: This program is not eligible for student visa sponsorship .

Students who enter the program will be required to successfully complete a series of pre-orientation modules prior to enrollment in the program. All students are expected to show competence in the content areas of these modules.

Please note that for the online EdD program, an offer of admission is for the specific cohort to which an application is submitted. Students may accept or decline the admission offer only; deferring to a future cohort is not an option.

Program Requirements

Program structure and requirements.

Program requirements include a minimum of 90 graduate credits. Students must enter the program with a master’s degree with a minimum of 36 graduate-level credits, which will be transferred into the EdD program. If a student does not have the required 36 master’s credits, the student will be admitted on a conditional basis and must complete the additional graduate-level credits at an accredited college or university. Students with post-master’s graduate credit in related education content completed prior to admission to the EdD program may petition to transfer in an additional six credits of equivalent coursework with appropriate documentation and with the approval of the EdD program director. Thus, students must complete between 48 and 54 credits at the doctoral level at JHU. The program includes the following required coursework components (subject to change):

• Foundations of Education (15 credit hours)
• Applied Research & Evaluation (12 credit hours)
• Areas of Interest / Electives (15 elective credit hours)
• Doctoral Dossier Research (12 credit hours)*

In addition to successfully completing all the coursework requirements, candidates must also satisfy written assessments and an oral comprehensive examination that document attainment of competencies. They must also complete either an Applied Dissertation or a Dossier Style Dissertation research project, depending upon the year the candidate was admitted to the program as per the following table:

Students who extend their program of study may be required to enroll in additional independent study credits.

With permission, students admitted between Fall 2013 and Fall 2020 may opt into the Dossier Style Dissertation if they choose not to do an intervention.

Problems of Practice and Doctoral Dossier

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP)—an area of concern they have observed within their professional context—that becomes the focus of the student's Doctoral Dossier, which consists of three main projects described below.

As part of our commitment to social justice, the EdD program does not privilege one form of communication over another. Thus, all components of the Doctoral Dossier can be communicated in a modality of the student’s choosing: video, oral, scholarly writing, or public-facing writing. The Doctoral Dossier is embedded within the EdD program coursework, providing students the unique opportunity to examine an issue important to their field.

To begin their Doctoral Dossier process, students will spend their first year working on a Scholarship of Integration project (Project 1) that focuses on exploration and identification of underlying causes of and factors associated with their chosen POP. Using systems thinking, which includes perspective-taking, and the research literature, students will document their exploration in an introductory narrative that provides the rationale and supporting evidence for their decision to further pursue their research topic throughout their doctoral journey.

During the second year, following completion of the Scholarship of Integration project, students will choose one of the following two options for Project 2:

1. Scholarship of Application: Demonstrate the application of the research to practice. The purpose of this project is to a) consider how the research perpetuates and/or disrupts oppression, b) critique relevant systems, structures, and institutions, and c) determine avenues to effectively disseminate evidence to a wider audience and stakeholder group.

Example projects include: historical analysis of a topic, curriculum creation, community organization, autoethnography, instructional pedagogy, and others.   

2. Scholarship of Teaching: Development and improvement of pedagogical practices. Students examine teaching processes and assessments improve practice.

Example projects include : autoethnography of one’s teaching, innovative teaching materials, curricula, development of new courses, or development of a new pedagogical framework.   

During the third year, following completion of Project 2, students will choose one of the following:

• The scholarship option NOT chosen for Project 2, or
• Scholarship of Discovery: Search for new knowledge. Students conduct evidence-based research that leads to knowledge creation.    

Example projects include: written, oral, or other modalities of research, scholarly publications, empirical study, working paper, or book chapters.                

During the fourth year, students will complete Project 3, write an Executive Summary that ties their three projects together, and write a final reflection of their doctoral journey. The Doctoral Dossier will be presented and assessed during the fourth year.

Students are expected to complete four years of coursework and independent research concurrently. This program is cohort-based, thus if students require a leave of absence for any reason, they will return in the appropriate course sequence with the next cohort the following year.

Problems of Practice and Dossier Style Dissertation (for students admitted Fall 2021 and Fall 2022*)

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP), which is an area of concern that they have observed within their professional context. This POP becomes the focus of the student's Dossier Style Dissertation. The Dossier Style Dissertation is embedded within the EdD program coursework, which provides students with a unique opportunity to examine an issue important to the organization in which they are employed.

During the first year in the program, students synthesize research literature to understand factors relevant to the POP from a broader systems perspective. During the second year of the program, students conduct an empirical project to investigate their POP within their professional context. Students are expected to collect and analyze data to further understand and refine their identified problem. Based on the evidence in the literature review and empirical project, students will engage in a final project that may further explore an aspect of their POP or articulate a potential solution.

Students will demonstrate mastery of first- and second-year competencies through written and oral comprehensive assessments, which will serve as indicators of readiness for conducting their applied research. Students will then evaluate the effectiveness of this solution as their Applied Project (Year 3). Characteristics of the Dossier Style Dissertation that make it unique to this program include:

• Written assignments within courses that focus on the student's POP.
• Coursework that leads students to consider applications that hold the potential for significant change or impact within their organization and/or have implications for policy.
• Dossier Style Dissertation components that are embedded within coursework and distributed across the three years of the program.

Although somewhat different from a traditional dissertation in its completion and focus, students are nevertheless expected to demonstrate mastery of the relevant literature, to obtain extant and/or collect additional data, and to interpret the results in light of previous studies. The Dossier Style Dissertation will be presented at a final oral defense before a Dossier Style Dissertation Panel.

Typically, we expect that students would complete three years of coursework and independent research concurrently. It is possible that some students may need more than three years to complete their research, in which case they will be required to enroll in at least one credit hour per semester after completion of the required 90 credit hours.

*Students admitted Fall 2021 can choose to complete either the Dossier Style Dissertation or the Applied Dissertation described below. Fall 2022 students may only complete the Dossier Style Dissertation.

Problems of Practice and Applied Dissertation (for students admitted Fall 2013-2021*)

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP), which is an area of concern that they have observed within their professional context. This POP becomes the focus of the student's Applied Dissertation research. The Applied Dissertation is embedded within the EdD program coursework, which provides students with a unique opportunity to examine an issue important to the organization in which they are employed.

During the first year in the program, students examine their articulated POP to identify underlying causes and associated factors. During the second year of the program, students develop a potential solution, such as an intervention or policy change, and a plan to study the implementation of this intervention as well as proximal outcomes. Students will demonstrate mastery of first- and second-year competencies through written and oral comprehensive assessments, which will serve as indicators of readiness for conducting their applied research. Students will then evaluate the effectiveness of this solution as their Applied Dissertation (Year 3). Characteristics of the Applied Dissertation that make it unique to this program include:

• Coursework that leads students to consider solutions that hold the potential for significant change or impact within their organization and/or have implications for policy.
• Dissertation components that are embedded within coursework and distributed across the three years of the program.

Although somewhat different from a traditional dissertation in its completion and focus, students are nevertheless expected to demonstrate mastery of the relevant literature, to obtain extant and/or collect additional data, and to interpret the results in light of previous studies. The dissertation will be presented at a final oral defense before the student’s Dissertation Advisory Committee.

Typically, students will complete three years of coursework and independent research concurrently. It is possible that some students may need more than three years to complete their research, in which case they will be required to enroll in at least one credit hour per semester after completion of the required 90 credit hours.

*Students admitted Fall 2013-2020 must complete the Applied Dissertation. Students admitted Fall 2021 can choose to complete either the Dossier Style Dissertation or the Applied Dissertation. Fall 2022 students may only complete the Dossier Style Dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

Program goals.

Upon successful completion of the EdD, we expect that graduates will:

• Participate as a self-reflexive, social justice-oriented learner within diverse educational or learning communities.
• Analyze and critique educational practice and research from a social justice and systems perspective.
• Apply relevant methodologies to address critical challenges in education.
• Demonstrate a curiosity for, and a systematic approach to, at least one major topic of study within education resulting in an emerging expertise.
• Integrate research and practice-based knowledge to develop research-informed decisions and opinions about educational experiences, processes, policies, and institutions.
• Communicate effectively to diverse audiences about educational research, experiences, processes, policies, and institutions.

College of Professional Studies

Northeastern University’s online Doctor of Education program provides experienced adult learners, working professionals, and scholar-practitioners from diverse backgrounds and perspectives with the practical knowledge and experience they need to transform the learning landscape. Students gain innovative approaches to create authentic change in their communities. The program was selected as the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate's Program of the Year for 2022-2023.

The Doctor of Education program is designed to be completed in three to four years of study—following a fast-paced quarter system in lieu of a traditional semester format. Students choose from five concentrations to create a curriculum that matches personal and professional interests. The program's dissertation in practice process will begin at the onset of your coursework as you identify your problem of practice and develop an action plan—incorporating cycles of data collection and analysis, collaboration, change work, and reflection—culminating in the dissemination of your action research findings. Our students come from diverse disciplines and professions, seeking more than just a degree. You'll gain a practical education that translates to your everyday working environment.

While all EdD courses can be completed online (except for hybrid courses in Seattle and Charlotte), annual in-person two-day residencies are held on campus. Residencies focus on networking and tools for career success and allow you to connect with faculty and fellow scholars to share knowledge and experience. You'll attend residencies* in your first and second years of the program at one of our campuses in Boston, Charlotte, or Seattle.

The Northeastern Doctor of Education degree is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and was selected as Program of the Year by the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate Program for 2022-2023.

*Please note: International students enrolling in the online EdD program will be provided with an option to complete the residency through online participation in interactive sessions with fellow scholars offered during the residency period.

More Details

Unique features.

• You will choose one of five concentrations—higher education administration, innovative teaching and learning, transformative school leadership, workplace learning, and integrative studies—to focus your studies and further customize your curriculum.
• You'll begin dissertation in practice work at the onset of your program. You'll select a compelling educational/organizational challenge and will be assigned a faculty advisor to support your research throughout the program.
• All coursework is online—providing flexibility for working professionals. Your residencies will be fulfilled in person*, at one of our campuses in Boston, Charlotte, or Seattle.
• You'll learn alongside faculty practitioners—engaging with respected leaders who contribute to the field as authors, journal editors, school board members, bloggers, and podcasters.

*In-person participation in the residency is also available for international students.

Concentrations

• Higher Education Administration: The higher education administration concentration provides an opportunity for experienced higher education professionals to expand their previous understanding of practices within all sectors of postsecondary education—and also advance their professional practice by developing and deepening their understanding of the roles of colleges and universities in our society. Sectors examined include community colleges, four-year colleges, for-profit institutions, and research universities.
• Innovative Teaching and Learning: The innovative teaching and learning concentration focuses on transforming education through innovation, justice, and policy, by providing engaging opportunities for current and aspiring teaching and learning specialists working in various education spaces. The concentration focuses on teaching and learning both inside and outside the bounds of P-20 schools and focuses on developing and leading innovative curricula as well as professional development.
• Transformative School Leadership: The transformative school leadership concentration provides innovative opportunities for experienced education professionals who are current and aspiring leaders of early childhood centers, public or private schools, or school districts. The concentration prepares students to lead and transform educational spaces and be equipped to shape the needs of education in K-12, higher education, organizational contexts, and beyond.
• Workplace Learning: The workplace learning concentration helps professionals gain a deeper understanding of, recognize, and influence real-life social inequalities faced by marginalized populations in the workplace. Courses allow students to advance their professional practice by developing and deepening their knowledge of workplace learning, organizational dynamics, learning strategy, and ethics.
• Integrative Studies: The integrative studies concentration provides an opportunity for students to design a program of study that fits their own professional goals and includes the required foundation and research courses, concentration courses from any EdD concentration, and electives from the Doctor of Education or Doctor of Law and Policy programs.

Program Objectives

Northeastern's Doctor of Education program is designed for experienced professionals interested in deepening their understanding of education, organizational development, and leadership. Throughout the program, students examine various approaches to critical, practice-based issues, learn research methods, and conduct a doctoral research study that investigates a compelling educational or organizational challenge.

2022-2023 Doctor of Education Program of the Year

The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate selected Northeastern's EdD program as the 2022-2023 Program of the Year, noting the “redesigned Dissertation in Practice Curriculum and the adoption of action research as its guiding methodology …” The committee praised “the program’s efforts to move beyond the typical five-chapter dissertation and engage scholarly practitioners in the acquisition of skills to realize meaningful change in their local contexts, emphasizing social justice.”

Testimonials

– sara ewell, phd, assistant dean, graduate school of education, – frawn morgan, current student, doctor of education, – aaron b., program graduate, looking for something different.

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

• Online application
• Academic transcripts: Official undergraduate and graduate degree documentation
• Describe the problem of practice
• Explain why you want to investigate it
• Provide a strong rationale for the significance of the problem
• Minimum work experience: Three years in a related field
• Professional resumé: Must summarize work and education history, include an outline of your educational/academic skills with examples such as research and teaching experience, affiliations, publications, certifications, presentations, and other professional skills.
• Faculty recommendation: Must be from a faculty member in your previous graduate program who can attest to your readiness for doctoral work. If you are no longer acquainted with a faculty member, please choose a professional who can speak of your academic capabilities to engage in doctoral-level research and writing. Recommendations should be presented as a letter attached to the general recommendation form.
• Two professional recommendations: Must be from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities, a supervisor, mentor, or colleague. It is preferred that one letter of recommendation come from your current employer and/or supervisor. Recommendations should be presented as a letter attached to the general recommendation form.
• Proof of English language proficiency: ONLY for students for whom English is not their primary language.

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Professional Studies admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:

Domestic Application Guidelines

International Application Guidelines *

*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

View curriculum

The core of the mission of the program is to allow educators to remain in the places they work, focus on a problem of practice, and through experiential learning and site-specific research opportunities in the program, make an immediate impact in their professional environments. The program explicitly integrates research and practice for professionals so they develop the requisite skills for conceiving, designing, conducting, and producing original site-based research in order to effect ethical change related to real-life problems of practice.

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Joseph McNabb, PhD

Cherese Childers-McKee, PhD

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Below is a look at where our Education & Learning alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

Where They Work

• Boston Public Schools
• Chicago Public Schools
• NYC Department of Education
• Lockheed Martin
• Veterans Affairs
• Johns Hopkins
• Columbia University

What They Do

• Media Consultant
• College President
• Chief Information Officer
• Instructional Designer
• Diversity Officer
• Founder-CEO
• VP of Student Services
• Community Services Director

What They're Skilled At

• Experiential Learning
• Team Building
• International Education
• Change Agency
• Entrepreneurship
• Urban Education
• Strategic Management
• Student Engagement

Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on  Linkedin .

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• Doctor Education Leadership Innovation

Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Innovation

Admissions requirements.

• Ways to Save on Tuition
• Career Outcomes

Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation Overview

It’s time to take your education career even further. Become a change agent ready to make a difference in your workplace. Earn an EdD degree online in leadership and innovation.

• Prepare for leadership roles within all areas of education, including postsecondary, government, corporate, and nonprofit institutions.
• Take doctoral courses 100% online and complete a research project you can apply to your workplace, community, or area of expertise.
• Get the credit you deserve. Save up to $12,600 (or 33%) on tuition and graduate in 2 years by transferring up to 30 credits from your master’s.
• Find resources and support every step of the way, including a Faculty Advisor and Consultant, access to a comprehensive online library, writing support, and more.
• Gain leadership, diversity and inclusion, and research skills to create innovative and transformative learning environments.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC ( HLCommission.org ) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

A master’s degree in a related field is required to enroll in a postgraduate program. You will need to provide an official transcript that shows completion of your master’s degree from an accredited institution, though an unofficial copy may be provided during the application process. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

What Courses Will I Take?

The 100% online courses for the EdD degree build your skills in leadership and innovation, with diversity, equity, and inclusion principles integrated throughout. Topics include diversity, equity, and inclusion; transformative learning; ethics and accountability; and more. Your studies culminate in an applied research project, which you can complete at your workplace or in your community.

Sample Courses

• Trends, Patterns, and Ethical Issues That Impact Education
• Research in Responsive Curriculum Design and Development Learning and Professional Practice
• Transformative Learning Environments
• Creativity, Innovation, and Intrapreneurship in Education

Program Requirements

Upcoming start dates.

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Develop with Faculty Expertise and Support

Our faculty are pioneers and leaders in online higher education and are dedicated to supporting you on your educational journey. You will be assigned a faculty member who will guide you. A Faculty Advisor will review your master’s degree and discuss your career goals to ensure alignment of your EdD cognate electives.

During your final four applied research courses, a Faculty Consultant will be there to assist you in choosing a research project that focuses on a practical application in your field of expertise. The Consultant will help you with completing the Institutional Review Board process, choosing a methodology, collecting and analyzing data, and defending your research project.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions.

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions .

Graduate tuition savings for military include a 17–30% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and, 14% per credit for veterans for graduate programs.

Earn credit for your military training . We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for administrators in postsecondary education is expected to grow through 2032. Opportunities for training and development specialists and instructional coordinators are also expected to grow during this timeframe. The online doctorate in education at Purdue Global equips you with the skills and knowledge to lead education-related organizations in a fast-changing landscape.

Average Salary

In Your State

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Join an Extensive Alumni Network

Upon graduation, you’ll become part of the Purdue Alumni Association, a vast and prestigious network of professionals. You’ll be able to make connections and access alumni benefits.

Download the Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

Prepare yourself for success with a doctoral degree in education.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

Faculty publications in 2022–2023

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2022–2023

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023. 2022–2023 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

* Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Credit for Prior Learning: Estimate based on maximum cognate open elective credits available in degree plan. The EdD program is a new offering and thus historic data on credit for prior learning are not available. Exact transfer amount may vary. All credits must be validated on official transcript(s) to be eligible for transfer. Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit. See the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience and opportunities for employment.

Postsecondary Education Administrator Job Growth and Openings: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Education Administrators, www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm . National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

Training and Development Specialists and Instructional Coordinators Job Openings: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Training and Development Specialists, www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/training-and-development-specialists.htm ; Instructional Coordinators, www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm . National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

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Best Online Doctor of Education Programs for 2024

Online Doctor of Education programs have become as rigorous as their on-campus counterparts. For many Education Ed.D. candidates, an online degree might even be the smarter choice. Online programs offer flexibility, affordability, access to innovative technologies, students from a diversity of career backgrounds, and global opportunities.

This unranked list appears in alphabetical order.

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Arcadia university - doctor of education in educational leadership (deel), from the school, university of dayton - online doctor of education (ed.d.) in leadership for organizations, vanderbilt university - online doctor of education in leadership and learning in organizations, a.t. still university of health sciences - doctor of education in health professions, abilene christian university - online doctor of education (ed.d.) in organizational leadership program, andrews university - ed.d. in educational leadership, arizona state university - doctor of education (ed.d.) in leadership and innovation, aspen university - doctor of education (ed.d.) in leadership and learning, baylor university - online doctor of education (ed.d.) in learning and organizational change, boise state university - doctor of education in educational technology, boston college - doctor of education (ed.d.) in educational leadership (psap) program, bradley university - online doctor of education-higher education administration program, cabrini university - doctor of education (edd) in organizational learning and leadership online, capella university - doctor of education program, concordia university chicago - ed.d. program in leadership, drexel university - online doctorate in educational leadership and management (ed.d.), edgewood college - doctoral program in educational leadership, florida state university - educational leadership & policy - ed.d. program, fordham university - doctor of education (ed.d.) in educational leadership, administration and policy, grand canyon university - online ed.d. degree: doctor of education, indiana university - online doctor of education in literacy, culture, and language education, johns hopkins school of education - online ed.d. program, kennesaw state university - education doctorate in educational leadership (ed.d.), lamar university - doctor of education in educational leadership, liberty university - online doctor of education (ed.d.) program.

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Earn an Online Doctorate in Education from NYU

Innovative change in your organization starts here. expand your leadership skills and create new solutions to persistent challenges with your edd in leadership and innovation..

NYU Steinhardt’s EdD in Leadership and Innovation is more than an educational leadership degree program. It’s a cohort of professionals, faculty, and distinguished cross-sectoral leaders interested in education and learning. Collectively, they understand that by working together, they can effect sustainable and scalable change through education leadership jobs in their organizations.

This Doctorate in Education serves a diverse range of experienced professionals. Rooted in a rigorous academic experience and shared passion, the advanced degree is designed for cross-sector leaders who are motivated to create change in education and learning.

Students accepted into the program bring with them real-world challenges. They are encouraged to question and explore, to take risks and succeed, to push and innovate.

This is a unique educational leadership degree that addresses the needs of working professionals with a rigorous online doctorate in education program that can be completed in as few as 24 months.

We [leaders] need to know how to speak to each other in a common language. Our EdD in Leadership and Innovation creates the space where we can find a common language as we work across sectors to solve problems. Dr. Noel S. Anderson Founding Faculty

Solving problems means challenging preconceptions.

Transformative change can result when you allow your point of view to be questioned. So, one of the best ways to develop knowledge, skills, new approaches, and solutions is to work with others — people across all sectors who will challenge you with differing perspectives.

We bring together students and instructors from inside and outside the scope of traditional education to push you to think differently and to ask tough questions.

When you intentionally gather people from different personal and professional backgrounds to collaborate, something powerful occurs: change happens. It’s how to build new processes, solutions, policies, and powerful new tools — and how to create visionary leaders.

We believe leaders are learners, and that education is essential to great leadership.

The NYU EdD is a rigorous online doctorate degree program that combines the discipline of a top-tier university with an innovative approach to education and leadership. We offer accessibility through enhanced technology and the personal connection of face-to-face instruction.

We examine the most important issues leaders in education and learning face today and discover solutions that make change possible for tomorrow. We apply an academic lens to myriad sectors so students graduate from the doctoral program in education with the core competencies for impactful director and executive-level career options.

The research, analysis, writing, and critical thinking involved in students’ strategic design and implementation of a change management project are assets that students will bring to current and future employers.

30 Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs [2024 Guide]

When your life is committed to teaching students, earning an online doctorate in education may be the next natural step in your career development.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Universities Offering Online Doctorate in Education Programs

1. andrews university.

Andrews University is a private university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, that is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Founded in 1874, Andrews offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs for its more than 3,300 enrolled students. More than 70 graduate and post-graduate majors can be pursued.

• EdD in Curriculum and Instructions
• EdD in Educational Leadership
• EdD in Higher Education Administration
• EdD in Leadership
• PhD in Curriculum and Instructions
• PhD in Educational Leadership
• PhD in Higher Education Administration
• PhD in Leadership

Andrews University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

2. Baylor University

Baylor University is a private, Baptist-affiliated research university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is the oldest continuously operating university in the state of Texas. Students can pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across 12 academic units.

Baylor has been ranked in 76th place on the U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” list. Annual enrollment at Baylor is just over 18,000.

• EdD in Learning and Organizational Change

Baylor University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

3. Boise State University

Boise State University is a public research university in Boise, Idaho, that was founded by the Episcopal Church in 1932. The university offers more than 190 fields of study for students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees today. Current annual enrollment at Boise State is over 25,000.

• EdD in Educational Technology

Boise State University  is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

4. Concordia University – Chicago

Concordia University Chicago is a private liberal arts university located in River Forest, Illinois. This former teaching college now offers more than 100 degree options for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students.

Concordia was founded in 1864. Its current annual enrollment tops 6,000. Concordia is affiliated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS).

• EdD in Leadership – Curriculum and Instruction
• EdD in Leadership – Early Childhood Education
• EdD in Leadership – Educational Leadership
• EdD in Leadership – Education Technology
• EdD in Leadership – Gerontology
• EdD in Leadership – Health and Human Performance
• EdD in Leadership – Higher Education
• EdD in Leadership – Organizational Leadership
• EdD in Leadership – Reading, Language and Literacy
• EdD in Leadership – Special Education
• EdD in Leadership – Sports Leadership
• EdD in Leadership – Teacher Leadership
• PhD in Leadership – Curriculum and Instruction
• PhD in Leadership – Early Childhood Education
• PhD in Leadership – Educational Leadership
• PhD in Leadership – Education Technology
• PhD in Leadership – Gerontology
• PhD in Leadership – Health and Human Performance
• PhD in Leadership – Higher Education
• PhD in Leadership – Organizational Leadership
• PhD in Leadership – Reading, Language and Literacy
• PhD in Leadership – Special Education
• PhD in Leadership – Sports Leadership
• PhD in Leadership – Teacher Leadership

Concordia University Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

5. Drexel University

Founded in 1891, Drexel University is a private research university based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition to 70 undergraduate degree programs, Drexel offers more than 100 options for master’s and doctoral studies. Drexel has an annual enrollment of more than 24,000 students.

The school is known for utilizing a cooperative education program (co-op) that allows students to take advantage of paid, full-time work experience.

• EdD in Educational Leadership and Management

Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

6. Edgewood College

Edgewood College of Madison, Wisconsin, is a Roman Catholics college that was founded by the Dominican order in 1927. Edgewood College offers more than 60 majors and 40 minors for students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Edgewood enrolls more than 2,500 students annually.

The school is known for its small class sizes, low instructor-to-student ratios, and extensive job counseling for future graduates.

Edgewood College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

7. Grand Canyon University

With an annual enrollment topping 100,000, Grand Canyon University is best known for being one of the largest Christian universities in the world. GCU is based in Phoenix, Arizona. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across nine distinct colleges. GCU was founded in 1949.

• EdD in Organizational Leadership – Behavioral Health
• EdD in Organizational Leadership – Christian Ministry
• EdD in Organizational Leadership – Healthcare Administration
• EdD in Organizational Leadership – Higher Education Leadership
• EdD in Organizational Leadership – K-12 Leadership
• EdD in Organizational Leadership – Organizational Development
• EdD in Organizational Leadership – Special Education
• EdD in Teaching and Learning – Adult Learning

Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

8. John Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland, dating back to 1876. Just over 26,000 enroll in the prestigious school annually to pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across a wide variety of majors covering the arts and sciences. Johns Hopkins is one of the most cited research institutions in the world.

• Doctor of Education

Johns Hopkins University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

9. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University is split between two primary campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta. KSU’s annual enrollment passing 35,000 makes it one of the 50 largest universities in the United States. The school offers more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree options. Kennesaw State was founded in 1963.

• EdD in Instructional Technology
• EdD in Teacher Leadership

Kennesaw State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

10. Liberty University

Founded in 1971, Liberty University offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across 17 colleges. Liberty offers 289 of its 550 total programs fully online. An annual enrollment number topping 100,000 solidifies Liberty’s reputation as one of the largest evangelical Christian universities in the world.

• EdD in Community Care and Counseling
• EdD in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education
• PhD in Education – Organizational Leadership
• PhD in Education – Special Education

Liberty University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

11. Maryville University

Maryville University is a private university located in Town and Country, Missouri, with a history dating back to 1872. The university currently offers more than 90 degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels to more than 6,400 enrolled students annually. Maryville’s student population includes students from all 50 states.

• Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership

Maryville University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

12. Morehead State University

Morehead State University is a public university in Morehead, Kentucky, that was founded in 1887. MSU enrolls more than 9,600 students annually. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees are offered across four schools at Morehead. U.S. News & World Report ranks Morehead State in 19th place among public regional universities in the South.

Morehead State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

13. National University

National University is a growing network of nonprofit institutions headquartered in San Diego, California. Established in 1971, NU has over 30,000 students enrolled and over 220,000 alumni from around the world. The university offers a variety of online options for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

• EdD in Instructional Design

National University  is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

14. Northwest Nazarene University

Northwest Nazarene University is a private Christian university located in Nampa, Idaho, that was founded in 1913. NNU is one of eight liberal arts colleges in the United States affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. Annual enrollment at NNU is just over 2,000.

NNU currently offers more than 70 degree programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies.

NNU  is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

15. Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University is a private university with a main campus in Davie, Florida. Founded in 1964, Nova’s annual student enrollment has grown to over 20,000. Nova is comprised of 18 total colleges, centers, and schools offering more than 150 degree options for bachelors, master’s, and doctoral students.

Nova Southeastern University enjoys the distinction of being classified among both the R2: Doctoral Universities for high research activity and the “community engaged” universities by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

• EdD in Curriculum and Teaching
• EdD in Higher Education Leadership
• EdD in Instructional Technology & Distance Education
• EdD in Organizational Leadership
• EdD in Reading Education
• EdD in Special Education

NSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

16. Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is a private Christian university located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Regent’s annual enrollment hovers near 8,630 students. A variety of associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees spanning 70 courses of study are available for Regent students.

Regent’s online graduate education program is ranked 21st in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

• PhD in Education

Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

17. Rowan University

Rowan University is a public research university in Glassboro, New Jersey, with an annual enrollment topping 9,400. Founded in 1923, Rowan offers students dozens of robust options for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across 12 colleges.

Rowan also operates a Division of Global Learning and Partnerships for graduate and remote learning. U.S. News ranks Rowan 187 on its Best Colleges ranking.

• EdD in Educational Leadership – Community College Leadership Initiative
• EdD in Educational Leadership – Higher Education
• EdD in Educational Leadership – Nurse Educator
• EdD in Educational Leadership – P-12

Rowan University  is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education, a unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

18. Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University is a public university in Huntsville, Texas, with a history as a teaching college that dates back to 1879. SHSU is a member of the Texas State University System. More than 20,000 students are enrolled across Sam Houston’s more than 80 undergraduate, 59 master’s, and 10 doctoral programs.

• EdD in Developmental Education Administration
• EdD in Instructional Systems Design and Technology

Sam Houston State University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

19. St Thomas University

St. Thomas University is a private Catholic university in Miami Gardens, Florida, offering 23 undergraduate majors, 24 graduate majors, and several doctoral programs. Founded in 1961, STU enrolls more than 4,200 students annually. The university’s Miami Gardens campus was once the long-term training camp home of the Miami Dolphins.

Formerly known as Biscayne College, St. Thomas University has enrolled students from more than 70 countries.

• EdD in Leadership and Innovation

St. Thomas University is accredited by Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

20. Texas A&M University Commerce

More than 12,000 students enroll annually at Texas A&M University–Commerce. This public research university in Commerce, Texas, was founded in 1889. It is comprised of more than five academic colleges offering degrees in more than 100 subjects and disciplines.

Degree paths for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral are offered. Texas A&M University–Commerce has been ranked the top school in Texas for teaching education by the Directory of U.S. Colleges Database Online Magazine.

• EdD in Educational Administration

Texas A&M University – Commerce  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

21. Trevecca Nazarene University

Trevecca Nazarene University is a Christian liberal arts college located in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1901, TNU is one of eight liberal arts colleges in the United States affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. Trevecca is divided into six schools offering associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees.

• EdD in Leadership and Professional Practice

Trevecca Nazarene University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

22. Triden University

Trident University is an online university based in Cypress, California, that was founded in 1996. Trident offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees for its more than 6,800 enrolled students annually. Roughly 75 percent of Trident’s enrollment is comprised of active and retired military personnel.

The school offers a fully online learning experiences across four academic colleges.

Trident University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

23. Union University

Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, is a private evangelical school with an annual enrollment topping 3,377. Union University has been ranked 14th among Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News more than 19 times! The school currently offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across a variety of disciplines.

• EdD in P-12 School Administration – Instructional Leadership
• EdD in P-12 School Administration – Leadership in School Reform
• EdD in P-12 School Administration – Teacher Leadership
• EdD in Higher Education

Union University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

24. University of Dayton

Ohio’s University of Dayton is a private Roman Catholic research university that was founded by the Society of Mary in 1850. UD currently enrolls more than 11,306 students annually. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees covering more than 80 academic programs in the arts and sciences are offered by UD.

• EdD in Leadership for Organizations

The  University of Dayton  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

25. University of Florida

The University of Florida boasts an alumni list that includes Tim Tebow, Erin Andrews, and Emmitt Smith. This research university located in Gainesville, Florida, has a history dating back to 1853. The nearly 57,000 students who enroll at UF annually can pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees spanning a variety of majors and disciplines.

• EdD in Teachers, Schools, and Society

The  University of Florida  is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

26. University of Houston

The University of Houston is the main institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, this public research university boasts an annual enrollment of more than 46,000. More than 282 degree programs are offered at UH for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies.

The Princeton Review has ranked the University of Houston as one of America’s best colleges. The Academic Ranking of World Universities has placed UH among the Top 50 American Research Universities.

• EdD in Professional Leadership – Literacy Education
• EdD in Professional Leadership – Social Studies/Social Education

The  University of Houston  is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

27. University of Nebraska – Lincoln

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is the largest and oldest school within the University of Nebraska system. Founded in 1869, UNL enrolls close to 26,000 students annually. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees are offered through more than 200 areas of study. UNL’s list of impressive past graduates includes Warren Buffett.

• EdD in Educational Administration – P-12 School Leadership
• EdD in Educational Studies – Educational Leadership and Higher Education
• PhD in Educational Studies – Educational Leadership and Higher Education

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

28. University of New England

The University of New England is a private university with a main campus in Biddeford, Maine. UNE’s history dates back to its founding in 1831. More than 13,743 students enroll annually across the school’s more than 70 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral programs.

The Brookings Institution has ranked UNE second among Maine universities and colleges in terms of increasing career earnings for graduates.

The  University of New England  is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

29. University of Southern California

As the oldest private research university in Los Angeles, the University of Southern California enjoys a reputation for offering a robust assortment of bachelors, master’s, and doctoral majors. USC was founded in 1880. It currently enrolls more than 45,000 students across 17 professional schools offering hundreds of majors.

USC’s impressive alumni list includes Neil Armstrong, George Lucas, Robert Zemeckis, John Wayne, Forest Whitaker, Will Ferrell, and Abe Shinzo.

• EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership

The University of Southern California is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Senior College and University Commission.

30. Vanderbilt Peabody College

Peabody College is one of 10 colleges and schools under the Vanderbilt University umbrella. Peabody College is comprised of five academic colleges offering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1875, Peabody enrolls more than 2,023 students annually.

It has consistently been ranked among the best graduate schools in education by U.S. News & World Report.

• EdD in Leadership and Learning in Organizations

Vanderbilt Peabody College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Online Doctorate in Education Programs

A doctoral program can help you rise to the top of your field and give you the skills to guide teachers and students toward greater knowledge.

• Education (no specialization)

Curriculum & Instruction

Educational leadership, special education.

A number of accredited colleges and universities now offer online Doctor of Education and PhD in Education programs in a wide-range of specializations.

If your passion is for teaching, then it makes sense that you’d choose to earn your doctoral degree in education. This is a generalist degree that may allow you the opportunity to customize your studies or choose an area of specialization. Concentration options may include higher education, administration and classroom technology.

Do you have your sights set on becoming a school administrator? Getting this degree in education online can help qualify you for the job. With a doctorate, you could also consider a job as an instructional coordinator or a special education director. In higher education, you might become an academic dean or a professor.

Outside of the school setting, you could use this degree to improve your abilities as a corporate trainer. If you’re interested in public policy, you could help shape new education laws and initiatives.

The core courses for this degree program may cover topics like education theory, curriculum assessment, classroom diversity, education law and school leadership. You may have the opportunity to choose several electives on topics that are of interest to you.

Your self-selected classes may address early childhood education, social development, special education, literacy instruction, school finance or other relevant issues.

Effective teaching requires that educators use appropriate materials and convey information in meaningful ways. You can explore these concepts in a doctoral program about curriculum and instruction.

This degree can be a good choice for people who want to head up curriculum and instruction departments in school districts or education departments. For example, you could become an instructional coach or a curriculum director.

The knowledge you gain can also increase your capabilities as a principal or a superintendent. Alternatively, you could teach in the education department of a college.

Not all doctoral candidates who choose this program work in formal school settings. This course of study can also be useful if you run education initiatives in museums or community organizations. Your knowledge in this area may also help you shape public policy or become a trusted consultant.

To prepare for these responsibilities, you will probably take courses about the ideas and theories that shape curriculum selection. You may also study how to evaluate whether an instructional approach is working and think about how to conduct research in this area.

The classes may cover additional topics, such as cultivating a team approach to curriculum selection and using technology in the classroom.

School systems and other educational programs need strong leaders who can take the helm of their organizations and make reliable decisions. To become qualified for this type of role, you may want to pursue your degree in educational leadership. Under your direction, you can help organizations thrive and learners take their knowledge to the next level.

Not surprisingly, this degree is best for those who want to assume leadership roles within organizations. Often, those organizations will be traditional school settings; for example, you could be a school principal or a superintendent at the district, regional or state level.

You could also serve as an administrator at levels of education outside of the K–12 bracket — for example, working for a university or a daycare chain.

Getting your educational leadership doctorate has value in non-school settings as well. You could work in a corporation to head up employee development or serve as a training consultant. Another option would be to work as a community services manager who coordinates outreach efforts.

Many of your courses will likely focus on the art and practice of organizational leadership. You will likely discuss how to use creative thinking, make decisions and spearhead changes for the betterment of educational systems.

Some groups of students need individualized instruction or extra classroom supports. Schools’ special education programs are designed to meet those needs. By enrolling in a doctoral program, you can learn to provide strong, effective, student-focused leadership for these programs.

You may be able to pursue a concentration in an area like early childhood or visual impairment.

Special education leaders work in schools and the organizations that support them. You could be a special education director or serve as the administrator of a special-needs school. Working as a curriculum developer can equip classroom teachers with materials that are accessible to students of all ability levels.

Studying special needs can also prepare you to provide leadership in community organizations. You might work in the area of behavioral health or early intervention. You could also make it your mission to shape policies and advocate for special-needs learners at the state or federal level.

During your time in school, you’ll need to study the ethics and laws that should guide special education practice. You may also talk about ways to oversee special education teachers, manage change in your department, make good use of your financial resources and ensure that all students are receiving an appropriate education.

Courses for a Doctorate in Education

Your doctoral program may be largely tailored to your area of interest. Even still, your school will probably have a core set of doctoral classes that every student in your program will need to take. This will probably include some courses that focus on leadership and effective practice in education.

There will also likely be classes that concentrate on conducting research and preparing your dissertation or another final project. Your curriculum may resemble the list below.

• Change and Transition in Schools: Change is inevitable in learning institutions, and your leadership can make all the difference in how your employees respond to times of transition. In addition to learning how to guide others through these situations, you may also discuss how to push for changes that will benefit your staff or students.
• Culture and Diversity in Education: Classrooms are often filled with students from a wide variety of backgrounds, and that can affect educational outcomes. In this course, you can explore how to be sensitive to students’ cultures, and you can discuss how to ensure that education is accessible to all students.
• Education Law: Working in a school system requires abiding by a host of regulations. You’ll need to comply with federal and state laws related to education and employment, and you’ll also need to obey your local school board’s rules. In this course, you may talk about the rights and responsibilities of each member of your school community. Other topics may include navigating legal developments, creating policies for your organization and dealing with legal concerns that may arise.
• Evaluating Learning Outcomes: A particular curriculum or instructional method is only as good as the outcomes it produces. Your studies in this course can teach you to assess programs and procedures to determine whether they’re producing desirable results. It can also help you learn how to approach adjustments when things aren’t working as well as you’d hoped.
• Organizational Leadership: Ultimately, school systems are organizations, so you’ll need to consider team dynamics and administrative structure as you lead. This course may address communication, organizational culture, change management and ethical decision-making.
• Research Design: A doctoral degree usually involves drawing on others’ research and conducting your own studies. You’ll probably take classes to help you understand the research process, learn from scholarly reports, choose an area of study, design informative experiments and present your findings.

You’ll probably have the opportunity to select elective classes, and these may tie in closely with your research area for your dissertation. If you choose a degree concentration, you may have fewer free electives and will instead take classes that are specific to that specialization track.

What Can I Do with a Doctorate in Education?

School roles.

School administration is one of the most popular career paths for this degree. You could become a principal in a K–12 school or work as the superintendent of the district. Superintendents are needed at the regional and state level as well.

Your doctoral degree may also prepare you to take leadership roles over specific school departments. For example, you could become an instructional coordinator, a special education director or a classroom technology director. You could also look for a job as a head teacher.

As an administrator, you could also oversee college operations. Potential roles for you may include president, vice president, provost or academic dean.

Programs for young children need strong leadership as well. You could head up a preschool facility or a daycare center. These roles might be done at the local level or in the upper management of a childcare chain. Tutoring programs have similar needs.

Writing curricula is another way that you can contribute to school settings. Good curriculum programs support both kids and teachers.

Community Roles

Education continues outside the school walls. In organizations throughout your community, education experts are helping pass knowledge on to others.

A museum could be an interesting place for you to work. You could oversee programming to ensure that participants are engaged in meaningful experiences that help them interact with the exhibits or learn more about the world around them. Many museum programs are aimed at young learners, but outreach efforts can target adults as well.

Social services need this sort of expertise as well. Through community programs, people can learn about nutrition, childcare, job placement, literacy and other essential skills. Your work among local populations can better individual families as well as the whole community.

Education professionals work in government and public policy as well. Your expertise could be critical in determining future education policies or establishing new academic standards.

In a corporate setting, you could oversee training programs for new or experienced employees. Effective development programs can increase productivity, reduce waste and boost morale. You could also become a training consultant who works with many different companies.

Academic Roles

Although many doctoral graduates stay in professional practice, others choose an academic track for their careers. This is often done in university settings.

You could be a professor who teaches new students how to become teachers or to improve their skills in education. Your responsibilities might involve teaching undergraduate or graduate students.

Conducting research can be an important career path as well. Your studies may help schools learn more about reaching vulnerable populations, educating special-needs students, supporting teaching staff, engaging parents, keeping kids in school or evaluating curriculum choices.

The research you perform may also play a role in shaping public policy.

Doctorate in Education Salary

It’s often said that people don’t go into teaching for the salary, and, indeed, basic teaching salaries are sometimes low. Despite that, increasing your education and your experience has the potential to significantly increase your earnings.

The following table provides an overview of the salary potential from the Bureau of Labor Statistics of various doctorate in education careers .

Some of these jobs are available to people with only bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Earning your doctorate may qualify you for an automatic salary bump.

The median earnings for these careers can vary significantly throughout the country. For example, elementary and secondary school administrators in New York, California, and Connecticut earn the highest salaries. Wages in areas of Texas and Louisiana may be significantly lower.

Professional Organizations for those with an Education Doctorate Degree

As a leader in education, it’s important to connect with others who feel deeply about reaching students and increasing knowledge. Through membership in a professional organization, you can have opportunities to build relationships with others in your line of work. You can also learn from others’ expertise and share your own ideas with them.

• American Association of School Administrators (AASA) : This group is comprised primarily of school superintendents but also represents education professors and the leaders of related organizations. Joining this group will give you access to industry publications, an online Career Center and professional discounts. At some membership levels, you can be enrolled in the group’s legal support program.
• American Association of University Administrators (AAUA) : Membership in this group is for anyone who has a leadership role in higher education. This includes department heads and institution administrators. As a member, you can read the online journal, participate in professional development initiatives and purchase professional or personal insurance. You may also have opportunities to visit other universities or serve on a committee.
• American Educational Research Association (AERA) : If you’re a researcher, then membership in AERA can help you improve your professional skills and share your findings with others. When you join, you can participate in the organization’s various divisions and special interest groups. You’ll receive discounts on publications and conferences, access to the job board, and political advocacy.
• International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) : Those who are passionate about using technology to enhance education tend to appreciate the support of ISTE. Membership in this group includes a magazine, webinars, discounts and videos of past conferences. You will also be able to use the group’s school standards.
• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) : School administrators at the elementary and middle school levels learn from one another through membership in NAESP. When you join, you can network with other members through online platforms, read newsletters and magazines, take online courses and receive professional discounts on conference registration and other resources.
• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) : If you lead at the middle school or high school level, then NASSP can be a good resource for you. As a member, you may have opportunities to attend both in-person and online training programs. The group will provide advocacy for your profession, and you can rely on the included liability insurance policy.
• National Education Association (NEA) : Not just for administrators and other leaders, NEA represents people from throughout the education profession. This includes teachers, aides, administrators, substitute teachers and more. You can join this group if you work in schools at any level, from early education through college. Benefits include personal and professional discounts, website resources, group insurance rates and political advocacy.
• National School Boards Association (NSBA) : State school board associations can participate in NSBA so their members and superintendents can benefit from networking opportunities. The group offers a magazine, a newsletter and an annual conference. NSBA also runs the Council of School Attorneys.

Joining a professional organization can benefit you as a leader. As a result, it can have positive effects on those under you as well as the students in your care. Collaborating with others has the potential to make you a better teacher, administrator and advocate for education.

Certification and Licensure Following a Doctorate in Education Degree

For some positions, just getting a doctorate isn’t enough. You’ll also need to be licensed by your state.

Teachers, especially those in public schools, need to hold state teaching certification. The same goes for school administrators. Principals and superintendents must have administrator licensure. Rules and regulations vary by state, so you’ll need to consult your local board of education to learn how to fulfill the requirements.

You may need to be certified for teaching education at the college level as well. Because this job involves training future teachers, your state may want proof that you are fully qualified for that responsibility.

If you are interested in a licensure position, it’s a good idea to consider your state’s requirements before you begin your schooling. That way, you can make sure that the program you choose will provide the proper preparation.

Admission Requirements for Online PhD or Online EdD Programs

When applying to accelerated doctoral programs in education online, you’ll want to set yourself apart from the pack by submitting a strong application that showcases your strengths.

Doctoral programs often rely on a set of qualification standards for their applicants. You will certainly need to possess a bachelor’s degree, and you may need to have a master’s degree as well. The college may be looking for minimum GPA or test scores.

For some programs, you may need to have taken certain prerequisite classes or hold a teaching license in your state.

Admissions requirements vary among schools. You may need to submit an application packet that includes many of the following elements.

• Transcripts: These should come from all of your previous college experiences at the undergraduate or graduate level.
• Resume: Providing a record of your work history demonstrates how much professional experience you are bringing into the program.
• Letters of reference: The admissions committee may want to see two or three letters. You should ask professional or academic colleagues to provide these reviews.
• Personal statement: This essay should express your motivation for pursuing doctoral studies and address a potential research topic for your dissertation.
• Test scores: Some doctoral programs require GRE scores as part of the admissions process. You may be able to qualify for a waiver if you have sufficient professional experience or high GPA scores.

In addition, there will probably be a basic application form that you must fill out. A fee may be required.

Be sure to start the application process early. It can take time to collect letters of recommendation and to craft your best essay. By beginning well in advance of the deadline, you won’t feel rushed.

After gathering your materials, submit them as soon as possible so you won’t have to worry about last-minute delays causing you to miss the application deadline.

Accreditation

For a college degree at any level, you should always choose a regionally accredited school. Whether you’re earning an undergraduate degree, a master’s or a doctorate, you need to know that you’re going to get a quality education. Regional accreditation serves as a seal of approval for a school’s academic offerings.

There are seven organizations in the U.S. that are authorized to grant regional accreditation. Your school might be accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) or one of the other accreditors.

Keep in mind that regional accreditation and national accreditation are two different things. Regional accreditation is a more rigorous process and is generally more respected by employers and other universities. For better post-graduation job prospects and the opportunity to transfer credits elsewhere, don’t settle for less than regional accreditation.

Financial Aid for an Education Doctoral Degree

Getting an EdD or a PhD can be expensive, so look into tuition help from the government, your school or an outside source.

State and federal government programs may be able to reduce your tuition costs through low-interest loans or work-study arrangements. If your financial need is great enough, you may also qualify for grants. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility.

Some schools provide stipends for doctoral students who serve as research assistants or teach classes. Opportunities may vary for online programs, so talk to your school to learn more.

Scholarships and fellowships are monetary gifts that are available to some doctoral students. To earn these, you may need to distinguish yourself as the best applicant.

Scholarships are often intended to help with tuition, and fellowships may be geared toward funding research projects or educational travel. If you need additional assistance, consider private student loans.

What Are the Cheapest Online EdD Programs?

Finding the cheapest online doctorate for you may take some digging, but keeping your tuition rates low will be worth the work. Start by looking into the public universities in your state; for many students, in-state schools offer the lowest tuition rates. Consider also whether you have any credits to transfer in.

If so, a college that allows a large number of transfer credits may be your most affordable option. Finally, inquire about financial aid options. The school that gives you the largest scholarship or work-study package or may be the best one to select.

What Is the Difference between an ED D and a PhD in Education?

After you get your doctoral degree, do you plan to put your education into practice in a school district or another hands-on setting? If so, you may be interested in the online EdD programs no GRE . This is professional doctorate is intended for people who are involved with the daily work of teaching young students or increasing knowledge among the general public.

On the other hand, if you want to be a college professor or a researcher, then a PhD may be the better choice for you. This academic track focuses on furthering educational theories and equipping university students with teaching skills.

Is an Education Doctorate Degree Worth It?

Yes, an education doctorate degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 5% job growth in education, training, and library occupations over the next 10 years. Common careers in this field include adult literacy teacher, SPED teacher, instructional coordinator, university dean, and K–12 principal.

Few things are more important than helping students get a good education. If advancing this cause is your life’s mission, then fully equip yourself for the job with a doctorate in education. By earning an online doctorate in education, not only can you have greater influence over others’ learning experiences, but you may also increase your salary.

Earning an online degree doctorate in education may allow you to study from home while maintaining your full-time job. Apply to flexible, accelerated programs to complete your doctoral studies in education on a schedule that works for you.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Additional Information

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The Harvard Ph.D. in Education trains cutting-edge researchers who work across disciplines to generate knowledge and translate discoveries into transformative policy and practice.

Offered jointly by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Ph.D. in Education provides you with full access to the extraordinary resources of Harvard University and prepares you to assume meaningful roles as university faculty, researchers, senior-level education leaders, and policymakers.

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will collaborate with scholars across all Harvard graduate schools on original interdisciplinary research. In the process, you will help forge new fields of inquiry that will impact the way we teach and learn. The program’s required coursework will develop your knowledge of education and your expertise in a range of quantitative and qualitative methods needed to conduct high-quality research. Guided by the goal of making a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice, you will focus on independent research in various domains, including human development, learning and teaching, policy analysis and evaluation, institutions and society, and instructional practice.   

Curriculum Information

The Ph.D. in Education requires five years of full-time study to complete. You will choose your individual coursework and design your original research in close consultation with your HGSE faculty adviser and dissertation committee. The requirements listed below include the three Ph.D. concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; and Human Development, Learning and Teaching . 

We invite you to review an example course list, which is provided in two formats — one as the full list by course number and one by broad course category . These lists are subject to modification. 

Ph.D. Concentrations and Examples

Summary of Ph.D. Program

Doctoral Colloquia  In year one and two you are required to attend. The colloquia convenes weekly and features presentations of work-in-progress and completed work by Harvard faculty, faculty and researchers from outside Harvard, and Harvard doctoral students. Ph.D. students present once in the colloquia over the course of their career.

Research Apprenticeship The Research Apprenticeship is designed to provide ongoing training and mentoring to develop your research skills throughout the entire program.

Teaching Fellowships The Teaching Fellowship is an opportunity to enhance students' teaching skills, promote learning consolidation, and provide opportunities to collaborate with faculty on pedagogical development.

Comprehensive Exams  The Written Exam (year 2, spring) tests you on both general and concentration-specific knowledge. The Oral Exam (year 3, fall/winter) tests your command of your chosen field of study and your ability to design, develop, and implement an original research project.

Dissertation  Based on your original research, the dissertation process consists of three parts: the Dissertation Proposal, the writing, and an oral defense before the members of your dissertation committee.

Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS) Concentration

In CIS, you will examine the broader cultural, institutional, organizational, and social contexts relevant to education across the lifespan. What is the value and purpose of education? How do cultural, institutional, and social factors shape educational processes and outcomes? How effective are social movements and community action in education reform? How do we measure stratification and institutional inequality? In CIS, your work will be informed by theories and methods from sociology, history, political science, organizational behavior and management, philosophy, and anthropology. You can examine contexts as diverse as classrooms, families, neighborhoods, schools, colleges and universities, religious institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and more.

Education Policy and Program Evaluation (EPPE) Concentration

In EPPE, you will research the design, implementation, and evaluation of education policy affecting early childhood, K–12, and postsecondary education in the U.S. and internationally. You will evaluate and assess individual programs and policies related to critical issues like access to education, teacher effectiveness, school finance, testing and accountability systems, school choice, financial aid, college enrollment and persistence, and more. Your work will be informed by theories and methods from economics, political science, public policy, and sociology, history, philosophy, and statistics. This concentration shares some themes with CIS, but your work with EPPE will focus on public policy and large-scale reforms.

Human Development, Learning and Teaching (HDLT) Concentration

In HDLT, you will work to advance the role of scientific research in education policy, reform, and practice. New discoveries in the science of learning and development — the integration of biological, cognitive, and social processes; the relationships between technology and learning; or the factors that influence individual variations in learning — are transforming the practice of teaching and learning in both formal and informal settings. Whether studying behavioral, cognitive, or social-emotional development in children or the design of learning technologies to maximize understanding, you will gain a strong background in human development, the science of learning, and sociocultural factors that explain variation in learning and developmental pathways. Your research will be informed by theories and methods from psychology, cognitive science, sociology and linguistics, philosophy, the biological sciences and mathematics, and organizational behavior.

Program Faculty

The most remarkable thing about the Ph.D. in Education is open access to faculty from all Harvard graduate and professional schools, including the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Harvard Kennedy School, the Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Learn about the full Ph.D. Faculty.

Jarvis R. Givens

Jarvis Givens studies the history of American education, African American history, and the relationship between race and power in schools.

Paul L. Harris

Paul Harris is interested in the early development of cognition, emotion, and imagination in children.

Meira Levinson

Meira Levinson is a normative political philosopher who works at the intersection of civic education, youth empowerment, racial justice, and educational ethics. 

Luke W. Miratrix

Luke Miratrix is a statistician who explores how to best use modern statistical methods in applied social science contexts.

Eric Taylor

Eric Taylor studies the economics of education, with a particular interest in employer-employee interactions between schools and teachers — hiring and firing decisions, job design, training, and performance evaluation.

Paola Uccelli

Paola Ucelli studies socio-cultural and individual differences in the language development of multilingual and monolingual students.

View Ph.D. Faculty

Dissertations.

The following is a complete listing of successful Ph.D. in Education dissertations to-date. Dissertations from November 2014 onward are publicly available in the Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH) , the online repository for Harvard scholarship.

• 2022 Graduate Dissertations (265 KB pdf)
• 2021 Graduate Dissertations (177 KB pdf)
• 2020 Graduate Dissertations (121 KB pdf)
• 2019 Graduate Dissertations (68.3 KB pdf)

Student Directory

An opt-in listing of current Ph.D. students with information about their interests, research, personal web pages, and contact information:

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Student Directory

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Program Highlights

Explore examples of the Doctor of Philosophy in Education experience and the impact its community is making on the field:

Improving the Teacher Workforce

With her research work, doctoral marshal Mary Laski, Ph.D.'24, is trying to make teaching in K–12 schools more sustainable and attractive

Building The ‘Bridge’ Between Research and Practice

Marshal Doug Mosher, Ph.D.'24, reflects on his journey to the Ed. School and the lessons — musical and teaching — learned along the way

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Data Analytics Graduate Certificate

Deepen your analytics knowledge to inform strategic business decisions.

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• Learn to select, apply, and interpret appropriate statistical analyses and data mining methods for real-world data problems.
• Master programming skills for business analytics. Gain basic skills with information management tools and cloud databases to store, analyze, and extract business-relevant information.
• Use data visualization to understand and communicate data analyses and report data findings effectively to diverse audiences.
• Apply your knowledge and skills to real-world business challenges in advertising, sports, health, media and emerging technologies.

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The professional graduate certificate in data analytics requires four courses or 16 credits.

You may choose from the following course groups, using the certificate course search.

• Introductory course (you may select up to 1 course; however, intro courses are not required for this certificate)
• Required statistics course (choose one course from select group)
• Certificate elective courses (choose 2–3 courses from select group)

Courses taken before the 2018–19 academic year do not apply toward this certificate.

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You can browse courses by term — fall, spring, or summer — in the DCE Course Search & Registration platform.

Upcoming Term: Summer 2024

Summer course registration is open through June 20. Learn more about how to register →

Fall 2024 courses and registration details will be live in June.

Earning Your Certificate

To meet the requirements for the certificate, you must:

• Complete the  four certificate courses for graduate credit .
• Earn at least a  B grade  in each course.
• Complete the courses within three years .

Learn more about  pursuing a certificate  and the process of  requesting your certificate .

Prerequisite Knowledge

Introductory statistics is recommended. Some courses require calculus and linear algebra. Business experience is a plus.

If you have a solid foundation in statistics, you may take an additional data analytics elective (for a total of three) in place of the introductory course option. If you have a limited statistical background, you should begin with an introductory course.

Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.

This graduate certificate stacks to the following degrees:

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Navigating the nuances: quantifying linguistic diversity in online tutoring.

Jürgen Dieber

Online tutoring, a practice integral to educational adaptability during the post-pandemic era, hinges on effective tutor-student interactions. This study investigates how tutors in virtual settings develop and diversify their language over time, contributing to a growing body of research on interpersonal communication within educational environments. By applying computational language measures to a dataset of online elementary literacy tutoring sessions, we quantify the evolution of linguistic diversity among tutors as they gain experience. Our research examines the development of tutors' linguistic diversity both across and within sessions, and how this diversity relates to the content of their discourse. Analysis of over 4,000 tutoring sessions reveals that tutors not only adapt their language in response to varied student needs and educational contexts but also face constraints from standardized curricula and protocols. Our findings propose a nuanced understanding of how personalized linguistic strategies correlate with effective tutoring, underscoring the potential of computational analysis to enhance tutor training and educational quality.

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She Just Earned Her Doctorate at 17. Now, She’ll Go to the Prom.

Dorothy Jean Tillman II of Chicago made history as the youngest person to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health at Arizona State University.

By Alexandra E. Petri

When Dorothy Jean Tillman II successfully defended her dissertation in November 2023 to earn her doctoral degree from Arizona State University, she couldn’t wait to share the news with her best friend.

“It was a surreal moment,” Dr. Tillman said, “because it was crazy I was doing it in the first place.”

Dr. Tillman, at only 17, became the youngest person to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from Arizona State’s College of Health Solutions, all before she was eligible to vote. Earlier this month, Dr. Tillman, now 18, took part in Arizona State’s commencement ceremony and delivered remarks as the outstanding 2024 graduate at the College of Health Solution’s convocation.

Lesley Manson, program director for the doctorate of behavioral health at Arizona State and Dr. Tillman’s doctoral chair, said Dr. Tillman displayed extraordinary perseverance, hard work and dedication for her young age, tackling every challenge head-on.

“She can serve as a real role model,” Ms. Manson said.

Dr. Tillman, called D.J. by her family and friends, was an early bloomer. She grew up in Chicago and was home-schooled from a young age, first in a group setting through online classes, and then by her mother, Jimalita Tillman, a single parent with a background in community theater.

Dr. Tillman was part of a gifted program before transitioning to home-schooling. Jimalita Tillman continued her daughter on an accelerated track: By the time she was 8, she was taking high school classes. While most 9-year-olds were learning math and reading, Dr. Tillman was starting college online.

At the time, they lived with Jimalita Tillman’s mother, Dorothy Wright Tillman, a civil rights activist who worked alongside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was a Chicago alderman. Dr. Tillman is her grandmother’s namesake (hence the II at the end of Dr. Tillman’s name).

During her early college days, Dr. Tillman’s classroom was often a Starbucks in Chicago, and her days began as soon it opened, she said. Her go-to order was an iced peach green tea with lemonade.

“Around the time when kids went to lunch, we’d be closing the computer,” said Dr. Tillman, who said her discipline and focus come from her grandmother.

Because of her age, Dr. Tillman lived at home while pursuing her higher education, and most of her coursework was online — a challenge for a self-described social butterfly. “I do love meeting new people and talking to people and understanding them and how their brains work,” she said. She found other ways to stay connected with friends through after-school activities.

At 10, she earned her associate degree in psychology at the College of Lake County in Illinois. At 12, she received her Bachelor of Science in humanities at Excelsior College in New York, and at 14, she earned a Master of Science from Unity College in Maine. She chose those fields because they can help scientists “understand why people treat the environment the way they do,” she told Time for Kids in a July 2020 interview.

Ellen Winner, a professor of psychology at Boston College and the author of “Gifted Children: Myths and Realities,” said that children like Dr. Tillman have a motivational intensity she calls a “rage to master.”

“One of the reasons they push themselves is they have a high, innate ability of some kind, and so learning, in whatever they are gifted in, comes easily to them and it’s very pleasurable,” she said. Schools are often not equipped for such gifted children, she added, which may lead parents to home-school their children. The trade-off, she and some experts say, is missing out on socialization and learning with children their age.

“There’s no perfect solution to kids like this,” Ms. Winner said.

Jimalita Tillman said she was sure her daughter was finished with higher education after earning her master’s degree. Dr. Tillman had just launched an organization to support Black youth in Chicago interested in STEM and the arts called the Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Leadership Institute. It was 2020, just after the beginning of the pandemic.

She was surprised when her daughter said she wanted to pursue her doctorate, and even tried to dissuade Dr. Tillman. But Dr. Tillman wanted to help young people with their mental health. She told her mother to trust her.

“I had to follow her lead,” Jimalita Tillman, 42, said.

Dr. Tillman was accepted into the management concentration at Arizona State’s College of Health Solutions, an online doctorate program. Her thesis on developing programs to reduce the stigma for college students seeking mental health services was based on a study she conducted for an in-person internship at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Dr. Tillman hopes her story resonates with girls who are talkative, outgoing “out-there kind of girls who are trying to figure themselves out but are very smart.”

“I want them to see someone who has taken that energy, sparkle and excitement and packaged it in a way that is classy and beautiful,” she said.

Dr. Tillman may now have her doctorate, but she’s also excited about teenage things — like attending a prom. On Saturday, she going as her best friend’s date to his senior dance. They’re taking an Escalade outfitted with stars on the ceiling, she said, a feature she requested and that her mother made happen.

Dr. Tillman has been focused on school and her professional pursuits, and she plans to host her institute’s summer camp again. Then, she said, she plans to take a beat and have a “fun teenage summer,” doing things she loves, discovering new hobbies and figuring herself out in the process.

“I want to focus on who I am,” she said.

Best Engineering Schools to Be Published June 18

Here's how U.S. News calculated rankings across 13 specialties, from chemical engineering to mechanical engineering.

New Best Engineering Rankings June 18

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On June 18, 2024, U.S. News will publish its 2024 Best Engineering Schools rankings, including an overall ranking of nearly 200 doctorate-granting schools of engineering. Rankings across 13 specialties, such as chemical engineering and mechanical engineering, will also be published.

In line with last year's revamped methodology, half of each school’s rank is based on research activity, while the remaining combined factors comprise the other half. U.S. News favors this approach because research productivity is a core attribute of a department enrolling doctoral students.

The increased research focus is in line with diversifying the underlying metrics used to measure engineering research so that each school’s ranking was not too dependent on a single measure.

To be clear, the total dollar amounts of external research expenditures at engineering schools are a reliable indicator of research activity. These metrics also reflect the American Society for Engineering Education's standardized definition , which includes only activity tied to grants and contracts budgeted for research from applicable external sources, including federal, state, local and foreign governments, industry, nonprofits and individuals.

Even so, total spending is not the only factor to consider when evaluating a school’s research activity. One limitation is that while these aggregated amounts signify the quantity of research an engineering school conducts, they inform less about the quality and impact of that research.

Bibliometric data helps with quality. How often publications are cited in other research, especially in top journals, indicates whether schools’ publications left favorable impressions. Consequently, U.S. News reduced by 10 percentage points the weight placed on research grants indicators, replacing them with the following four new bibliometric ranking factors: citations per publication, field weighted citation impact, and shares of publications cited in the top 5% and top 25% of the most-cited journals.

Citations per publication is the total number of citations divided by the total number of publications for each engineering school. Field-weighted citation impact is the citation impact per paper, normalized for each engineering field to account for some fields being more likely than others to be cited. The remaining two factors account for the extent publications appear in top journals.

The data reflects a five-calendar-year time span, 2019-2023, and were calculated and compiled by Elsevier, a global leader in information and analytics.

Note that all statistics are scaled, meaning they measure the impact of research produced rather than the quantity. This was done purposefully for a couple of reasons. First, it was in response to a 2023 ASEE survey of its members, many of whom suggested the rankings formula had been overleveraged on rewarding schools for their size. Second, this meant logical issues involving the publications that Elsevier attributed to each engineering school were not instrumental in how each school performed.

U.S. News and Elsevier made significant efforts to compile bibliometric statistics for each school based on comprehensive records that followed a standardized approach. The data was derived from how publications’ authors identified their school, research centers and lab affiliations. Specifically, Elsevier used advanced clustering technology to map affiliation text from five types of peer-reviewed documents – articles, conference papers, reviews, books and book chapters – to organizational identifiers.

In early May 2024, engineering schools were given a comprehensive list of affiliates and their name variants that Elsevier had mapped to their schools. Schools could offer additional name variants they believed were missing.

This approach was admittedly subject to the limitations of how faculty have identified their school affiliations in publications. But requiring an explicit identification to a school best ensured only relevant publications would be applied to the rankings. Other approaches fail this test.

For example, mapping publications using faculty names instead of school attribution, as some schools have proposed, would result in including publications that are not connected to the corresponding engineering school, in part because faculty may have changed institutions over a five-year period. Relying on 199 schools to self-report comparable information on eligible faculty would also undermine the benefit of using third-party data.

Finally, this is a ranking of engineering schools, not individuals working in engineering departments. This is why it’s important to focus on the affiliations of engineering schools. But as an acknowledgement that the roster of publications used in the rankings were subject to methodological approach, U.S. News will not publish schools’ total publication counts on its website.

The objective of the rankings is to help prospective graduate students better understand their options for improving their skills, specializing in fields of interest and gaining leadership opportunities that lead to higher salaries. More sophisticated rankings better inform those choices. The latest adjustments to the 2024 Best Engineering Schools rankings methodology help provide a more complete assessment of schools’ research activity by complementing research grant statistics with data on the impact of that spending.

Tags: engineering , engineering graduate school , colleges , education , rankings , students

About Morse Code: Inside the College Rankings

Robert Morse is chief data strategist for U.S. News & World Report and has worked at the company since 1976. He develops the methodologies and surveys for the Best Colleges and Best Graduate Schools annual rankings, keeping an eye on higher-education trends to make sure the rankings offer prospective students the best analysis available. Morse Code provides deeper insights into the methodologies and is a forum for commentary and analysis of college, grad and other rankings.

2024 Best Colleges

Search for your perfect fit with the U.S. News rankings of colleges and universities.

I quit my Ph.D. program to be a wife and mother at 23. It's not what I expected for my post-college life, but I'm happier.

• After college, I ennrolled in a Ph.D. program I wasn't actually interested in. 
• I eventually dropped out of the program so that I could focus on my husband and being a mother. 
• I am now pregnant, and I'm so happy with my decision.

In high school, I knew college would be an important step toward success and a career. Nonetheless, my deeper desires involved finding "the one" — friends-to-lovers style.

I had a full scholarship to the college of my dreams, but I quickly shifted focus from my studies to my personal development. I wanted to know more about myself than my classes.

And that's what I did. I created a podcast with my friends. I fell in love with my best friend and got my friends-to-lovers romance. We even got married in college. I also discovered my passion for mental health.

But by the end of my senior year, reality started to set in. I became so fearful of graduation because I had no job prospects or future plans. I suddenly realized I would become a stay-at-home wife , and that terrified me even more.

To avoid that, I desperately searched for a career and enrolled in a graduate program I wasn't interested in.

I quickly lost interest in my Ph.D. program

I was among a small number of students who were able to get into a Ph.D. program directly from undergrad.

Related stories

I was an academic in training, which meant having two part-time jobs, doing side research projects, and attending class. I saw my husband less, but he supported the sacrifice as long as I got what I wanted. I started working at 8 a.m. and finished around 7 p.m. I worked on the weekends, too.

The Pinterest-inspired home I hoped to have would have required my creativity and time, both of which are limited resources when you're running the career race. So, we kept the white walls, with no time to hang the framed pictures of our wedding day .

I started therapy during this time, and I was forced to address the fear and anxiety that had pushed me to jump head-first into a career I wasn't sure about. Toward the end of my first semester , I knew this career was not for me. I wasn't able to invest in my marriage. I wasn't able to write creatively on topics that mattered. I wasn't becoming who I wanted to be.

So, I left the program, prompting everyone in my life to wonder why I would leave a school that would earn me the highest degree you can get in academics.

I chose to be a wife and mother instead

After leaving my program, I felt relief, then sadness, and then relief again. Undergrad was about becoming myself, but graduate school showed me the realities of unbecoming — unbecoming a perfectionist, unbecoming a planner, and unbecoming a high-achiever . The pain of unbecoming had given me the freedom to change.

When I let go of grinding toward a career, I learned about my desire to be a mother. I wanted to share the beauties of the world with someone else, someone I created. Now, I'm pregnant .

When I let go of the negative connotations of being a stay-at-home wife, I realized my desire to make my home into a creative and comfortable space. So, I created it. When I let go of the fear of being a wife, I saw my husband as a compassionate, servant, and loving person who needed it in return. Now, I give love freely. When I let go of the fear of people seeing me as wasted potential, I found writing again. So, I write.

This is not what I expected for my post-graduation life , but my life is both better and different than my expectations.

In the year after graduation, I've learned that becoming's shadow is unbecoming. They exist together. The becoming is full of excitement and hope. The unbecoming is full of pain, truth, and even fear. But there's hope on the horizon.

• Main content

University of Wisconsin nursing deans lobbied for money to graduate more nurses. Then DEI questions arose

Nursing school deans across the state were hopeful around this time last year. They were working with a Republican state senator on a plan to increase student enrollment and graduate more nurses.

But concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, became a sticking point in the process and played a role in the plan stalling out, according to recently released emails obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The records offer another example of how DEI is influencing the legislative process and reshaping how higher education leaders respond.

Leading the failed effort were state Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, R-Appleton, and Kim Litwack, dean of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Nursing. Litwack told the other UW nursing school deans last June that Cabral-Guevara had the votes in the Senate to give the six UW nursing schools $1 million each, as well as $3 million to private institutions with nursing schools.

There was a caveat.

"IF … we can somehow separate UW nursing from the UW DEI issue that Robin Vos is hot about," Litwack wrote to the other nursing deans, referring to the Republican Assembly speaker who last year launched a campaign against DEI programming on UW campuses. "He is willing to support the nursing initiative IF we can find a way, truthfully, to talk about our way of doing things."

The Legislature never took up Cabral-Guevara's proposal to get nursing schools more money. The records don't show why the plan didn't pan out. Vos did not return requests for comment, nor did Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg.

Cabral-Guevara's office declined an interview request. Her chief of staff, Ryan Retza, said DEI "was not the sole reason the proposal did not come to fruition." Other nursing-related budget priorities "were given emphasis," such as a nurse educators program that Republicans continued funding at $5 million per year but declined to increase to $10 million annually as Democratic Gov. Tony Evers requested.

“This is one budget project that just simply was not able to pan out successfully,” Cabral-Guevara said in a statement to the Journal Sentinel about her plan. “The proposal would have supported our nursing students and schools, boosting retention and improving access to programs.”

UW nursing deans discuss DEI policies within their schools

Emails show Cabral-Guevara reached out to Litwack in March 2023 about nursing education legislation she was crafting. The state senator is a nurse practitioner who previously taught at the UW-Oshkosh College of Nursing.

Modeling by the state Department of Workforce Development shows Wisconsin is expected to be short by about 20,000 nurses by 2040.

Litwack asked the other deans at UW-Madison, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Green Bay, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point for feedback on Cabral-Guevara's proposal. The records, which were part of a broader Journal Sentinel request that took the UW System nine months to turn over, show the deans agreed on a plan to increase enrollment by 10% over two years.

In mid-June, Litwack told the other deans Cabral-Guevara told her she had enough votes in her chamber but DEI remained a concern for Vos. Litwack said she explained to the senator how nursing colleges' accrediting bodies encourage a holistic admissions process that considers factors beyond GPA, how hospitals prioritize diversifying their workforce and how health outcomes improve when patients identify with their caregivers.

"I explained and Rachel being a nurse gets it," Litwack wrote, but she asked the deans for help explaining their position. She also asked them to confirm whether their schools gave extra points for diversity in the admissions process or employed their own diversity officer.

UW-Green Bay nursing dean Christine Vandenhouten thanked Litwack for "taking on this behemoth of an issue" and answered Litwack's questions.

"Good luck," Vandenhouten signed at the end of the email.

Litwack then asked about schools' pronoun policies and mandatory diversity statements. She said UWM didn't require students to designate their pronouns but respected students who made their own requests.

Seon Yoon Chung of UW-Oshkosh confirmed the nursing college has no personal-pronoun requirement, no diversity statement mandate and no diversity officer.

Vandenhouten weighed in again, saying UW-Green Bay also didn't require students to declare personal pronouns or sign a diversity statement. "Good grief," she wrote.

"This is all coming from RV, not Rachel," Litwack emailed back, referring to Vos.

Litwack did not respond to an interview request. UWM referred the request to the UW System. UW System spokesperson Mark Pitsch in a statement offered appreciation to Evers and the Legislature for past nursing program funding and said additional money would "help us increase our capacity to train the next generation of nurses our state desperately needs."

DEI dispute entangled University of Wisconsin for months

Three days after the email exchange among the deans appeared to end, the GOP-controlled budget committee cut the UW System's budget by $32 million , the estimated amount spent on salaries of DEI employees. Republican lawmakers said campuses shouldn't force students to view the world through a racial lens.

The temporary cut launched a six-month budget standoff that ended when Vos reached a deal with UW System President Jay Rothman and UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin last December. The agreement required campuses to restructure 43 DEI positions, among other provisions.

The deal also reversed the $32 million cut but redirected the money toward workforce development initiatives. Under this plan, nursing schools received $4.5 million more, but the UW System's overall budget held flat.

Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at  [email protected] or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at  @KellyMeyerhofer .