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EdDPrograms.org

25 Best Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs

Learn more about admission requirements and doctorate in education specializations & coursework. And ask yourself the hard questions about earning an Ed.D. before you apply for program in your area.

Updated with 2024 Rankings on March 1, 2024

What is a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)?

A Doctor of Education is a practice-based, research-driven qualification that will prepare you for leadership roles within your school or organization. During this terminal degree, you’ll often be exploring topics such as educational leadership, effective learning strategies, curriculum design, educational policy, organizational management, and more. Before you even graduate, you’ll be able to apply this newfound knowledge to real-life challenges in your workplace.

Because of its popularity, Schools of Education now offer scores of career-focused Ed.D. specializations. For example:

• A teacher might opt to major in Curriculum and Instruction.
• An education administrator or aspiring superintendent might choose Educational Leadership.
• A college or university professional might land on a specialization in Higher Education.
• A nursing director, military officer, or business executive might be interested in Organizational Leadership.

Explore the detailed descriptions in our on-campus & hybrid rankings to learn more about how each program is structured.

Best Ed.D. Rankings: On-Campus & Hybrid

You may have seen a number of “Best Ed.D.” lists elsewhere in the metaverse. So what are the unique ingredients that go into the rankings of our Top 25 Doctor of Education programs?

• First, we analyzed Times Higher Education (THE) & U.S. News and World Report rankings for graduate education programs, including rankings in specific fields (e.g. higher education administration).
• Using Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data, we factored student completion rates into our algorithm.
• We also made sure to include data on acceptance rates and earnings for education doctorate graduates from each school.
• Finally, we considered positive signals across these categories. Schools that only did well in one area didn’t necessarily make our rankings. Instead, schools that did well across the board earned the highest scores.

As you’ll discover, we’re highlighting doctorates that are on-campus or hybrid. These innovative programs often combine weekly evening or weekend coursework with summer residencies. Anyone looking to compare virtual options can browse through our separate rankings of the Best Online Ed.D. Programs in the USA.

How Our Placements Changed in 2024

Our Best Ed.D. rankings had a facelift in 2024! Although the big-name players still dominate our top 10, they’ve been joined by even more schools with a history of positive student outcomes, CAEP accreditation, and membership in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) . Here are a few highlights from our profiles:

• Even though it offers only one Doctor of Education, Harvard has muscled aside the other Ivies and climbed to #1 this year.
• Experienced CPED members like Texas A&M University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Denver have joined our rankings!
• Hybrid learning is gradually replacing 100% campus instruction—just be aware that you’ll still need to commute to class.
• Schools of Education are freshening up their offerings. UCLA now puts more of an emphasis on social justice; Michigan State has an unusual new program for higher education professionals.
• Many schools have been dropping niche programs and focusing more on leadership majors.

We’ve also modified our profiles to give you a better sense of the school’s strengths in research, outreach, and subject matter. Urban leadership, national educational policy, AI & technology integration, race research, higher education initiatives—whatever you’re interested in, there is a superb Ed.D. program to match.

Top Schools with Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs

25 university of southern california.

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Multiple Concentrations)

Why Choose USC’s Ed.D. Program?

It’s a name—a big name. The USC Rossier School of Education is a juggernaut in the Los Angeles area. In addition to founding Ednovate in 2012, it has developed long-running partnerships & programs with the Los Angeles Unified School District. It’s strong on equity-focused higher education , urban issues, and education psychology research. It receives outstanding reviews from graduate students. And it’s now collaborating with the USC Institute for Creative Technologies and Army University on the AI Research Center of Excellence for Education . The only big downside is the price.

Ed.D. Offerings at USC

Los Angeles educators in USC’s cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (EDL) can choose to focus on one of 4 concentrations: Educational Psychology, Higher Education Administration, K-12 Leadership in Urban Education or Leading Instructional Change. Classes are weekly & evening-based and all applicants are automatically considered for limited, merit-based scholarships of $10,000.

Check the concentration descriptions to learn more about the Dissertation in Practice (DiP)—they vary in format. For example, Higher Education Ed.D. and K-12 Leadership students finish with a traditional 5-chapter dissertation. But Educational Psychology students can focus on a design curriculum that addresses an existing problem of practice.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? USC also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

Learn More About the Ed.D. Program:

• USC Rossier School of Education
• Ed.D. Admissions
• Ed.D. Tuition

24 University of Denver

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
• Ed.D. in Higher Education

Why Choose DU’s Ed.D. Program?

DU’s Morgridge College of Education is a quiet overachiever. It’s an Experienced CPED member with an impressive track record in community engagement and an intriguing assortment of faculty research projects . The gung-ho Center for Rural School Health & Education (CRSHE) is currently collaborating with 50+ school districts in Colorado. Morgridge professors are working with Denver Public Schools on initiatives like the Black Student Success (BSS) team and School Psychology Inclusive Rural and Innovative Training (SPIRIT). And in 2023, the Marsico Institute for Early Learning became an official DU Research Institute.

Ed.D. Offerings at DU

The 3-year, cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is geared toward educators with principal, teacher-leadership, or other formal leadership preparation. It’s a CPED-inspired doctorate, so you can expect a Dissertation in Practice (DiP) with field research in Morgridge’s partner schools and districts. There’s also an optional six-credit hour administrator internship for those who are pursuing an Administrative License through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).

Your other option at DU is the Ed.D. in Higher Education . This is not a “sit back” doctorate in education—you’ll be expected to consult for Denver-area colleges and universities, tackling a real-life problem of practice in executive leadership and creating an actionable report. Ed.D. students are also encouraged to take part in internships, present at conferences, and collaborate with professors on projects. View the higher education faculty profiles to explore their research interests.

• Morgridge College of Education

23 University of Central Florida

• Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction
• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Why Choose UCF’s Ed.D. Program?

Commitment. That’s the word for UCF’s College of Community Innovation & Education (CCIE) . Not only does the CCIE support a Holmes Scholars program for underrepresented Ed.D. & Ph.D. students, it won the 2024 Outstanding Holmes Program award from the AACTE. We applaud it for supporting research centers on literacy, students with disabilities, and virtual technologies. But we particularly love the fact that the UCF Center for Community Schools champions a holistic model of improvement that involves collaboration between a school district, a community-based nonprofit, a healthcare provider, and UCF. In October 2023, the Center got a $3.9 million funding boost from Florida’s legislature.

Ed.D. Offerings at UCF

UCF’s high-flying Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is available in two concentrations: the 63-credit Higher Education track and the 3-year, 54-credit Executive track for PK-12 professionals. Higher Education students will emerge with a traditional dissertation. Executive Ed.D. students tackle a Dissertation in Practice/field project report that focuses on a complex problem in an education organization.

Alternatively, you could consider the Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction (or it’s online counterpart ). You’ll be able to select a 12-credit specialization in a wide range of disciplines—including Instructional Design and Technology, Educational Psychology, TESOL, Reading Education, and more. And you’ll be challenged to complete a 3-credit Laboratory of Practice/field-based experience and a Dissertation in Practice (DiP).

• College of Community Innovation & Education (CCIE)

22 Georgia State University

Why choose georgia state’s ed.d. program.

If you live anywhere near Atlanta, you’ll already know about the College of Education & Human Development . The College has been producing star-quality teachers for decades—more than 90% end up in the Metro Atlanta area and more than 85% are employed in urban high need schools. But it’s also big enough and prestigious enough to have received $29.8 million in funding in 2023 for its research & outreach initiatives . It fosters centers in urban educational excellence and principalship . It funds Ph.D. students through the Dean’s Research Doctoral Fellowship . And it supports a massive alumni network .

Ed.D. Offerings at Georgia State

Senior-level administrators in the PreK-20 arena will find Georgia State’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership can be adapted to most any situation. Concentrations include Advanced Leadership, Higher Education, and Tier II for Georgia educators. The program hits all the major bases, including central office leadership, and it includes a unique dissertation. After choosing a current issue in educational leadership policy and/or practice, Ed.D. students will be expected to create a literature review and research paper for publication in professional journals.

Aspiring instructional leaders and curriculum specialists in Georgia also have the option to pursue the cohort-based Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction in almost any K-12 subject imaginable! We’re particularly pleased that this doctorate includes a school-based residency requirement, professional engagement activities (e.g. conference presentations), study abroad opportunities, and the chance to add the curriculum and instruction certificate Service Level 7 to your résumé.

• College of Education & Human Development

21 University of Illinois Chicago

• Ed.D. in Urban Education Leadership

Why Choose UIC’s Ed.D. Program?

UIC is one of our top picks for urban educators! The College of Education has an abiding commitment to African American & Latine education and community engagement . It has a highly active & award-winning Center for Urban Education Leadership (CUEL) that’s helping to transform Chicago Public Schools (CPS). It offers scores of rigorous Ph.D. programs. And it’s putting educational leaders to work. 1 out of every 11 CPS principals prepared for their job at UIC. Take a look at the section on recent research grants to learn more about Ed.D. faculty interests. A number of their projects involve wide-scale leadership & policy issues.

Ed.D. Offerings at UIC

The flagship program at UIC is the cohort-based Ed.D. in Urban Education Leadership , designed for aspiring and current school principals. After the first 1.5 years of coursework and supervised practicum experiences, you’ll be eligible to apply for the Illinois Principal Endorsement. After another 2.5-3 years and a culminating capstone, you’ll have a doctorate that has been recognized as an Exemplary Educational Leadership Preparation Program by the UCEA. You may even wish to add on a few courses to earn the Illinois Superintendent Endorsement. This is a competitive program, so get your ducks in a row before applying.

• College of Education

20 University of Pittsburgh

• View All Hybrid Ed.D. Degrees

Why Choose Pitt’s Ed.D. Program?

Connections! Pitt’s School of Education has a global alumni network of 32,000+ educators and a vibrant calendar of networking events for graduate students. Pitt is also an excellent pick if you’re involved in inner city leadership and Black education in Pennsylvania. The Center for Urban Education (CUE) has been active since 2003 and it hosts an educator forum every summer. Take a moment to investigate the Practices of Freedom Project and the PittEd Justice Collective . The Collective has spearheaded efforts such as the Higher Education and Racism Initiative (HEAR), which enables graduate students to publish research on institutional anti-racism in colleges and universities.

Ed.D. Offerings at Pitt

Another bonus? Pitt’s 3-year Hybrid Ed.D. Program is available in a dizzying array of topics, including majors in Education Leadership, Higher Education, and Urban Education. All Ed.D. students participate in a full-day campus orientation, a one-week campus experience, online coursework, and monthly visits to the campus (usually on Saturdays).

Although each major is different, the plan of study is guided by improvement science and applied research—Pitt has been a CPED member since 2010. You’ll also take part in a Laboratory of Practice and complete a Dissertation in Practice (DiP). The Lab is available as a job-embedded, aspirant, or global studies experience.

• School of Education

19 Texas A&M University – College Station

• Ed.D. in Educational Administration: PK-12 Educational Leadership

Why Choose TAMU’s Ed.D. Program?

You’ll be among heady company when you choose TAMU’s School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) for your doctorate! 25% of its students are first generation and almost a quarter are Latino. It’s a particularly strong pick for educators in multilingual settings. The School supports research centers in urban schools, technology-infused learning, and dual language & literacy acquisition. It’s invested in programs like the Project Enhancing Quality Teacher Preparation Through Research-based Instructional Best Practices for Bilingual and English Learners (EBEST) . And it has thousands of alumni working in Texas schools.

Ed.D. Offerings at TAMU

Aspiring school leaders who live in Texas should apply for the Ed.D. in Educational Administration: PK-12 Educational Leadership . This cohort-based, weekend program fulfills the requirements for Superintendent Certification in the state of Texas and meets State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) standards for the superintendent certificate. For your final project, you can tackle a district analysis/redesign, a set of journal-ready articles, or a traditional dissertation.

• School of Education & Human Development

18 Pennsylvania State University – Main Campus

• Ed.D. in Comparative and International Education (CIED)
• Ed.D. in Higher Education (HIED)
• Ed.D. in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education

Why Choose Penn State’s Ed.D. Program?

A global outlook on education. Unique dual degrees. A firm commitment to social equity . These are just three of the reasons Penn State’s College of Education should be on your shortlist. We’re deeply impressed by the sheer variety of faculty projects and the work being done in the College’s many research centers & institutes . From civil rights and educational disparities to rural education and adult literacy, Penn State scholars are involved in nearly every aspect of learning. The College supports a Humphrey Fellowship for international mid-career professionals. It offers plenty of graduate scholarships . And it runs an alumni mentoring program . What’s not to like?

Ed.D. Offerings at Penn State

PreK-12 educators & administrators in Pennsylvania can investigate the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership . It’s a sturdy offering that covers everything from law and policy to organizational theory & practice. You may even wish to take advantage of the Joint Law Degree and Educational Leadership Program . Planning on working overseas? Be sure to consider the Ed.D. in Comparative and International Education . This unusual dual degree explores the analysis & operation of world education systems.

It doesn’t stop at high school! The College of Education also offers an Ed.D. in Higher Education that puts a premium on flexibility—an advisor will work with you to design an individualized program of study. In the Ed.D. in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education , you’ll dig into topics such as family literacy, adult learning theory, and program planning.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? Penn State also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

17 University of Georgia

• View All On-Campus & Hybrid Ed.D. Degrees

Why Choose UGA’s Ed.D. Program?

Engagement is at the heart of UGA’s Mary Frances Early College of Education . The College has invested a great deal into its outreach units and it’s doing some fascinating work in autism research and Latino achievement & success . Check out the currently funded research projects , including deep-dives into STEM topics. Student reviews of the College are glowing. Faculty are often praised for their helpfulness and passion. And diversity is prioritized. In addition to hosting an annual DEI Conference , the College runs a Graduate Students of Color Research Mentoring Program and Holmes Scholar Program for historically underrepresented doctoral students.

Ed.D. Offerings at UGA

School and district administrators in the Georgia area are welcome to explore the 3-year, cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Leadership . This innovative program includes blended coursework, an Advanced Leadership Residency with 750 hours of fieldwork, and an action research dissertation. Teachers even have the option to advance their practice with a doctorate in science education or music education .

Working in the realms of higher education? Consider the 2-year Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Management , with weekend campus intensives, leadership seminars, and an experiential trip abroad. Cohorts begin each January. The College also offers doctoral programs in adult learning and workforce issues & policy , as well as a hands-on Ed.D. in Student Affairs Leadership that features supervised internships and occasional campus meetings.

16 Ohio State University – Main Campus

• Ed.D. in Educational Studies: Educational Administration
• Ed.D. in Educational Studies: Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA)
• Ed.D. in Kinesiology: Physical Education

Why Choose Ohio State’s Ed.D. Program?

It may not be big, but Ohio State’s College of Education and Human Ecology (EHE) punches above its weight. The College has an abiding commitment to early childhood education ; it even has its own School for Early Learning. Run your eyes down the list of faculty research interests and you’ll also notice strengths in urban education, adolescent & at-risk youth, and social justice. There are multiple opportunities for Ed.D. students to get involved in EHE graduate groups & forums . You may even wish to contribute to the EHE’s Inspire Podcast series.

Ed.D. Offerings at Ohio State

Ohio educators will find two sturdy options in the Department of Educational Studies . The cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Studies: Educational Administration is built on the department’s P.L.A.C.E. Framework. This 3-year program makes a point of applying “practice, planning, and problem-solving” to real-life issues encountered in professional settings. In contrast, the Ed.D. in Educational Studies: Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) trains mid-career college & university administrators in the skills needed to reform organizations, improve learning, and evaluate teachers.

Unusually, Ohio State also offers an education doctorate in physical education. Current K-12 PE teachers can up their game with the Ed.D. in Kinesiology: Physical Education , offered by the Department of Human Sciences. For the final project, this Ed.D. degree contains a thesis or a non-thesis option.

• College of Education and Human Ecology

15 University of Virginia

• Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision (Hybrid)

Why Choose UVA’s Ed.D. Program?

It’s no wonder that U.S. News and World Report ranks UVA’s School of Education and Human Development as one of the best in the country. It’s keen on community outreach and rich in interdisciplinary research centers & labs . We especially want to highlight its work on the Partnership for Leaders in Education (PLE) initiative. By combining savvy business advice and thoughtful education research, PLE is turning around struggling schools. Over a multi-year timeline, K-12 administrators and teacher leaders learn how to implement system-wide and school changes that are in tune with their community’s needs.

Ed.D. Offerings at UVA

If you’re lucky enough to live in Virginia, UVA has two content-rich & practice-focused Ed.D. programs. In lieu of a dissertation, all Ed.D. students at UVA complete a capstone project. With small cohorts and monthly Saturday meetings, the Hybrid Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision is an ideal choice for the working professional looking to finish a doctorate within 4 years. Or you could consider the innovative and part-time Ed.D. in Higher Education , with service projects and a content minor of your choice.

• School of Education and Human Development

14 Indiana University Bloomington

Why choose iub’s ed.d. program.

IUB isn’t resting on its laurels! The energetic School of Education supports a huge range of undergraduate & graduate programs, backed by 120+ faculty members with interests in everything from art education to Chinese ESL. Browse through the faculty bookshelf to learn more. As an Ed.D. student, you can explore ways to become involved in the School’s global engagement projects, learn from its current research initiatives (e.g. Equity in Action), or help develop its PK-12 outreach . The possibilities are practically endless. If you need a hand in navigating your choices, reach out to graduates. The School has a massive alumni network .

Ed.D. Offerings at IUB

Like many schools, IUB offers a cohort-based Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Leadership —for K-12 leaders and aspiring superintendents who wish to dive deep into senior-level issues—and a similar Ed.D. in Higher Education for college and university administrators. The Educational Leadership program takes ~3 years to complete. Higher education students who are able to identify a dissertation topic by the end of their second year can finish the Ed.D. degree in 3-4 years.

13 The University of Texas at Austin

• Ed.D. in Cooperative Superintendency
• Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership (Hybrid)

Why Choose UT Austin’s Ed.D. Program?

Yes, UT Austin is one of the best public universities in the country. And, sure, the College of Education has outstanding rankings across the board. But what truly impresses us is how much effort they’ve put into improving the lives of students in their state. Half of its research centers & institutes are focused on Texas educational challenges. The College runs the University of Texas at Austin High School Special Purpose District (UTHSD) . It’s using GEAR UP Partnership grants to support college readiness among underrepresented students in Central and Deep East Texas. And it’s advocating for research-driven policy changes.

Ed.D. Offerings at UT Austin

Aspiring superintendents and chief executives in Texas state education agencies should put UT Austin’s cohort-based Cooperative Superintendency Program on their shortlist. This highly-ranked Ed.D. readies leaders for the mercurial world of public education systems. You’ll take classes like School Restructuring & Renewal and School District Functions and complete a Superintendent Practicum. It takes 30 months/2.5 years to complete.

If you’re aiming for executive or high-level administration roles in education, you can apply to the Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership . In this blended doctorate, you’ll learn about technology in education, student success and learning, and policy and governance from a renowned and diverse faculty. Some e-learning components are offered alongside on-campus work.

• Executive Ed.D. Tuition

12 University of Maryland-College Park

• Ed.D. in School System Leadership (Hybrid)

Why Choose UMD’s Ed.D. Program?

Over the years, UMD’s College of Education has been building up a rock-solid reputation for quality. Alumni praise the encouraging advisors, excellent staff, and flexibility of programs for working educators. (Reviews of the Ph.D. programs are not as fulsome.) Thanks to its position as a major research university near Washington, D.C., UMD has plenty of resources available for practice-based investigations. Within its research centers , you’ll find work on urban initiatives and innovation & improvement in public schools. Within the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, you’ll encounter Dr. Sophia Rodriguez and her ImmigrantEdNext lab . The College also hosts a huge number of colloquiums, conferences & events .

Ed.D. Offerings at UMD

UMD’s 3-year doctorate in education is ideal for Maryland K-12 administrators who wish to tackle current school system challenges, collaborate with like-minded peers, and implement system improvement initiatives. Better yet, this Ed.D. is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education for Superintendent II Certification.

The cohort-based Hybrid Ed.D. in School System Leadership is offered in a blended format, with all-day Saturday seminars and online modules. It contains an 8-credit apprenticeship. And—in lieu of a dissertation—it features a real-world capstone project. Bear in mind that you must have Maryland Administrator I Certification or the equivalent to apply.

11 Michigan State University

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: K-12 Administration (Hybrid)
• Ed.D. in Leadership for Equity-Minded Change in Postsecondary Education

Why Choose MSU’s Ed.D Program?

It’s easy to fall in love with MSU’s College of Education ! It has a superb national reputation . It makes a point of partnering with Michigan schools on outreach programs. And faculty within its Department of Educational Administration (EAD) are refreshingly diverse. MSU is an especially strong pick for educational leaders with STEM and urban interests. The College funds a dynamic Create for STEM Institute and a number of its current research projects revolve around improving math & science literacy. It has also developed an innovative Urban Educators Cohort Program and Urban Immersion Fellowship for teaching students.

Ed.D. Offerings at MSU

The EAD supports two Ed.D. programs. The 3-year Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: K-12 Administration aims to develop diverse leaders for Michigan schools and community organizations. This CPED-approved program blends face-to-face and online learning with summer intensives. In the third year of the program, group capstone projects bring a team of students face-to-face with a community problem of practice. Ed.D. students will also be prepared to meet the standards for achieving Michigan Central Office Administrator (COA) certification.

In 2024, the EAD launched a new degree—the on-campus and cohort-based Ed.D. in Leadership for Equity-Minded Change in Postsecondary Education for higher education professionals. Over the course of 3 years, students in this program will be able to collaborate together on higher education challenges, complete an individual Dissertation in Practice (DiP), and design & sequence a common 45-credit curriculum. This engaging program is the brainchild of MSU’s Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) unit, supported by the Center for Higher and Adult Education (CHAE) .

10 Boston College

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (PSAP)

Why Choose BC’s Ed.D. Program?

It’s no accident that BC’s Lynch School of Education and Human Development prioritizes holistic learning, equity, and community outreach! Jesuit schools have a long history of thinking beyond the classroom. Skim through the section on centers & initiatives and you’ll find innovative work being done in international higher education, educational policy, equitable instruction, and Catholic education. Follow the breadcrumbs to the section on Urban Outreach Initiatives and you’ll discover details on the School’s work with mental health and K-12 teacher education.

Ed.D. Offerings at BC

BC’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is a Professional School Administrator Program (PSAP) for systems-level educational leaders and aspiring superintendents. It’s an on-campus, cohort-based doctorate that’s been shaped by CPED principles and refined through consultation with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) and the Center for Behavioral Health, Equity, and Leadership in Schools (BHELS) at William James College. On a full-time schedule, you can earn this Ed.D. in 3 years.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? BC also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

• Lynch School of Education and Human Development

9 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Why choose uiuc’s ed.d. program.

If you can dream it, UIUC can help you build it. The College of Education has created scores of Ed.D. programs in curriculum & instruction, learning design, language & literacy—the list goes on. In 2023, the College had 70+ tenure-track faculty members (including 30% from underrepresented populations), $74 million in active grants, 1,500+ graduate students, and more than 36,000 alumni. Read the Impact Report and be amazed by the work in AI and embodied & immersive technologies. Pay a visit to the research section and be astounded by the sheer number of centers and faculty-helmed research sites .

Ed.D. Offerings at UIUC

The first place to start is UIUC’s program finder . This will give you an overview of the possibilities. There are plenty of conventional offerings, such as the Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Administration & Leadership with optional principal or superintendent endorsements. But you may wish to specialize in a field such as diversity & equity and apply a completely fresh way of thinking to your work in P-16 learning environments.

Keep in mind, too, that plans of study & delivery methods will vary widely. For example, students in the on-campus Ed.D. in Higher Education can “build their own” curriculum—only a few research courses are mandatory.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? UIUC also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

8 University of California Berkeley

• Leaders for Equity and Democracy (LEAD) Ed.D. (Hybrid)

Why Choose Berkeley’s Ed.D. Program?

Mention the Berkeley School of Education (BSE) to anyone in the world of education and watch their expressions turn to respect. Founded in 1889, this School has seasoned & diverse faculty , abiding research interests in the intersection of technology with education , and a flurry of positive reviews from alumni. It oversees initiatives in literacy & academic talent development. It collaborates with other top-tier California universities on the Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) project. And it’s part of an amazing network of university and community partners called UC-Links . Check out their innovative programs .

Ed.D. Offerings at Berkeley

There is only one Ed.D. offering at Berkeley, but, boy, is it spectacular! The competitive, cohort-based LEAD doctorate only admits 10-12 students every other year. It’s available in a hybrid format, which means you’ll be required to attend a 4-week summer intensive and 20 all-day sessions (14 Saturdays and 6 Fridays) each year. Some—but not all—weekday courses (late afternoon & evening) are available online. You can work full-time while you study.

You’ll follow a 3-year plan of study, tackling 3 core courses each semester in the first year. Berkeley’s innovative doctorate in education also includes research seminars, LEAD field visits, and a dissertation that’s explicitly designed for submission to journals. Graduates of the LEAD program pursue leadership positions in school districts (e.g. superintendent), as well as C-level roles in non-profit leadership, policy, global educational ventures, and more.

• Berkeley School of Education
• LEAD Frequently Asked Questions

7 University of California – Los Angeles

Why choose ucla’s ed.d. program.

Practice, practice, practice—UCLA’s School of Education & Information Studies (ED&IS) has been sounding the drum for real-world research for decades. The School has created a constellation of K-12 Teaching Schools , which act as sites for research-practice partnerships. It has significant stakes in 20+ centers & labs . Plus it’s the home of the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) and its Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP). This is the largest and oldest empirical study of higher education in the country. Be sure to reach out to current Ed.D. students for their opinions—UCLA lists contact info in its student directory .

Ed.D. Offerings at UCLA

Although it tends to focus more on Ph.D. and M.Ed. programs, the Department of Education does offer one education doctorate—the urban-focused Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for PK-16 professionals. This program melds experiential learning and practice. It also contains strong elements of social justice leadership, anti-racism, and diversity. Because of its flexibility, Ed.D. graduates can work in community colleges, universities, school districts, educational associations, and the like.

Wondering how it will fit in your busy schedule? The 3-year doctorate contains classes on Thursday evenings and Saturdays. In the first year, you’ll work to improve your research skills and educational practices—coursework covers topics like education law, policy, and educational enterprises. In the second year, you’ll focus heavily on research, equity-centered leadership and field experiences. The third year includes a dissertation practicum.

• School of Education & Information Studies (ED&IS)

6 University of Washington – Seattle Campus

• Ed.D. in Leadership for Learning (L4L)
• Ed.D. in Teacher Education & Teacher Learning

Why Choose UW’s Ed.D. Program?

UW’s College of Education is small enough to have a friendly feel and large enough to support 125+ faculty and scores of research centers . Better yet, 43% of the College’s students identify as BIPOC and—since 2006—9 alumni have been named Washington State Principal of the Year. We love the fact that graduate students praise the support of advisors and the care that goes into programs. And we celebrate the College’s commitment to outreach. It has developed 300+ partnerships with schools and communities, including unique initiatives such as the District Leadership Design Lab (DL2) .

Ed.D. Offerings at UW

The Ed.D. in Leadership for Learning (L4L) is designed for professionals in K-12 school systems. From summer leadership institutes to a 360-hour internship, this cohort-based Ed.D. degree is designed to be challenging. There will be coursework in equitable systems and inquiry-focused leadership, online learning experiences, and a rigorous capstone. You’ll also have the option of earning Washington State Superintendent or Program Administrator certification.

Or you could consider personalizing your studies with the Ed.D. in Teacher Education & Teacher Learning . This program focuses on the transformation of educational systems and explores enactments of justice from communities, families, youth, and teachers. Doctoral students are allowed to work with UW advisors to create a tailor-made plan of study.

5 Vanderbilt University

• Ed.D. in K-12 and Higher Education Leadership and Policy

Why Choose Vanderbilt’s Ed.D. Program?

Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development has one of the best reputations for education in the country—and it lives up to it. Faculty efforts to advance the fields of leadership & policy are backed by tangible results and initiatives like The Possibilities Project (TPP) . Coursework is evidence-based. And alumni can be found across the country. Be sure to talk to the program coordinator about your professional interests. Peabody has thrown its weight behind all kinds of research centers, including race research & justice and PEER , a research-practice partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Ed.D. Offerings at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt’s Ed.D. programs are housed in the Department of Leadership, Policy and Organizations (LPO) . Anyone in the Tennessee area should consider the on-campus Ed.D. in Leadership and Policy . It’s available in a K-12 or Higher Education concentration. For 3 years, you’ll attend courses on Friday evenings and Saturdays, explore the realms of advanced leadership, learning & performance, and collaborate with your cohort. The degree culminates in a year-long capstone project.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? Vanderbilt also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

• Peabody College of Education and Human Development

4 New York University

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
• Ed.D. in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities
• Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration

Why Choose NYU’s Ed.D. Program?

Starry student reviews. A global reputation for excellence. A commitment to holistic learning and interdisciplinary collaborations. That’s why NYU Steinhardt is consistently in the top 5 of our Ed.D. rankings, year after year. Visit the research section and learn more about Steinhardt’s work on equity & transformation in New York City schools. Attend the in-person events or conferences . Read through the bios of education & leadership faculty . Whether you’re on the verge of applying for a directorial position or seeking to advance your career in theatre education, Steinhardt is ready to assist.

Ed.D. Offerings at NYU

Steinhardt offers two in-person doctorates for K-20 educators. The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies is available in a full-time or part-time plan of study, with coursework that covers everything from educational reform to policy analysis. In contrast, the cohort-based Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration is delivered in a 3-year, part-time plan of study. It’s packed with engaging elements, including a 2-week research design workshop and a culminating prospectus & workplace project.

Best of all? Steinhardt offers a unique Ed.D. in Educational Theatre with 4 specializations and all kinds of NYC opportunities. You can take part in NYU’s main-stage productions in the Blackbox Theatre and the historic Provincetown Playhouse, sign up for study abroad programs, and/or attend relevant conferences. Ed.D. scholarships are available.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? NYU also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

• NYU Steinhardt

3 Columbia University in the City of New York

• View All Ed.D. Degrees

Why Choose Columbia’s Ed.D. Program?

Columbia’s Teachers College (TC) bills itself is a Graduate School for Education, Health, and Psychology. This explains the interdisciplinary flavor of its research , and its commitment to considering every aspect of learning & development. In fact, over 33% of tenured faculty are psychologists or health educators, lending extra weight to programs such as the Ed.D. in Cognitive Science in Education. If you live in NYC, take a close look at the work being done in urban education and diversity in public schools . The Center for Educational Equity also plays a part in supporting the annual Civic Learning Week.

Ed.D. Offerings at Columbia

When all the Ed.D. concentrations are taken into account, Columbia runs 50+ Doctor of Education programs , easily surpassing the other schools in our rankings. In this top-tier academic candy store, you can have your pick of everything from an Ed.D. in Anthropology and Education to an Ed.D. in Applied Exercise Physiology. Many of these doctorates in education come with certification and non-certification tracks; some feature bilingual extensions.

Aspiring educational leaders may wish to investigate the more conventional offerings in higher & postsecondary education and urban education . The latter is a part-time, cohort-based program that can lead to NYSED School District Leader (SDL) Licensure. Applicants must have a combined 8-12 years of teaching and leadership experience.

• Teachers College

2 University of Pennsylvania

• View All On-Campus & Hybrid Ed.D. Degreees

Why Choose Penn’s Ed.D. Program?

Unlike some public research universities that swallow students in their gaping maw, the Penn Graduate School of Education (GSE) is committed to a personalized experience. The School only has 40 tenured & tenure-track faculty and just over 1,600 students. But small doesn’t mean lazy. Penn is making huge strides in education research . It’s supporting entrepreneurial ventures like Catalyst@Penn . It’s spearheading school partnerships and community engagement activities in Philadelphia. And it’s fostering a global outlook . More than 70% of GSE faculty members are involved in international initiatives.

Ed.D. Offerings at Penn

Penn has created 7 doctorates in education—use the the program finder to narrow down your choices. Mid- to senior-level professionals may wish to pay particular attention to the Mid-Career Ed.D. in Educational Leadership , the Penn Chief Learning Officer Ed.D. and the Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management . These programs often blend online courses and monthly weekend meetings with week-long summer sessions.

Prefer a customizable program of study? Explore the part-time Ed.D. in Higher Education , with a whopping 16 electives, and the Ed.D. in Reading, Writing, and Literacy , which will allow you to choose one or more concentrations, including Adult Literacy Education. Penn also offers practice-based doctorates in teaching, learning, and teacher education and educational linguistics.

• Penn Graduate School of Education

1 Harvard University

• Ed.D. in Leadership

Why Choose Harvard’s Ed.D. Program?

Because it’s the best of the best. Put aside the name and instead look at what the Graduate School of Education is doing in the areas of public education leadership, childhood development, and policy research. Learn more about its impact work in areas like climate change and immigration education. Read the latest issue of the Harvard Educational Review (HER) . And take a minute to scroll through the 4- and 5-star student reviews online. Getting into Harvard isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s about being part of a world-class Ed.D. experience.

Ed.D. Offerings at Harvard

Whenever you decide to take the reins in school environments, non-profit settings, private companies, or government departments, the Ed.D. in Leadership will be waiting. This full-time, 3-year Ed.D. degree brings together a diverse cohort of 25 students and encourages them to shake up the status quo and translate visionary ideas into successful programs. A full-tuition funding package, stipends, and a paid residency are offered to all students.

In the first two years, you’ll engage with classes such as Thinking Strategically about Education Reform and Practicing Leadership Inside & Out. The third year is consumed by a paid residency, where you’ll work with one of the school’s partner organizations to gain practical experience and make a personal contribution. A strategic project and written capstone go hand-in-hand with the 10-month residency so you can reflect on your successes and challenges.

• Graduate School of Education

How to Choose an Ed.D. Program

Combing through our Best Ed.D. list and other Online Ed.D. rankings can be overwhelming. Here is a list of things to consider when choosing a doctorate in education. Rank them according to your values and priorities.

• Delivery Format: Would you prefer a 100% online, campus-based, or a hybrid Ed.D. degree?
• Program Length: Is the doctorate in education part-time or full-time? Can you fit it into your current work schedule?
• Specializations: Do available Ed.D. concentrations align with your educational and career goals?
• Required Ed.D. Coursework: Are Ed.D. course topics relevant, up-to-date, and applicable to your job?
• Internship & Fieldwork Requirements: Are you interested in supervised leadership experiences?
• Dissertation or Capstone: Would you prefer a traditional, 5-chapter dissertation or a less traditional final project?
• Institutional Reputation: Is your university regionally accredited?
• College of Education & Program Reputation: Does the college hold CAEP accreditation? Is it a member of the CPED ? Does it have a strong research arm?
• Faculty Quality: Are Ed.D. professors currently engaged in the profession? Do their research interests align with yours? Is their experience relevant to your leadership goals?
• Total Cost: Is any internal funding available (e.g. scholarships)? How much do Ed.D. students usually take out in loans? Will you be eligible for a substantial salary bump after graduation?

Ed.D. vs. Ph.D. vs. Ed.S.

There are significant differences between the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Education Specialist (Ed.S.) credentials. All of them are advanced degrees, and most require a master’s degree to apply to the program. However:

• Ed.D. The Ed.D. degree sets itself apart from the Ph.D. by focusing on the practical application of knowledge & research, rather than pure theory. Ed.D. programs will contain a traditional dissertation, Dissertation in Practice (DiP), or capstone project.
• Ph.D. in Education: A Ph.D. in Education may have more of a theoretical slant than an Ed.D., with coursework that applies to aspiring professors in academia or research institutions. Ph.D. in Education programs will include a traditional dissertation.
• Ed.S. An Ed.S. typically requires fewer credits than an Ed.D. or Ph.D. — it’s roughly the equivalent of receiving a second master’s degree. It usually does not contain a dissertation.

A Ph.D. in Education and Ed.D. are both research-focused and are—for the most part—considered equivalent degrees. Most institutions simply offer one or the other. That means your choice of program will depend on your career goals.

Pursue an Ed.D. to:

• Become a leader at an educational institution
• Teach courses at the university level (e.g. adjunct professor)
• Get hands-on leadership skills
• Pursue a broader focus on applied research and practical knowledge

Pursue a Ph.D. to:

• Teach education at the university level or become a director of institutional research
• Produce system-wide change
• Understand theories of educational practice
• Conduct rigorous and extensive original research

Pursue an Ed.S. to:

• Create a positive learning environment for students or staff
• Become a school principal, superintendent, or dean
• Focus on developing qualifications for a specific job

Visit our full guides to Ed.D. vs Ph.D. Programs and Ed.S. vs Ed.D. Programs to learn more about the differences and which degree is best for you.

The Ed.D. Admissions Process

An Ed.D. program can be challenging to get into—you’ll need to draw upon all your professional and academic credentials to make it through the admissions process. Ed.D. degrees at well-known schools are highly competitive; even less competitive doctorates in education are intended for well-prepared candidates who have already accomplished a great deal academically. Here’s how to make sure you’re one of those candidates.

Typical Ed.D. Admission Requirements

• Master’s Degree: Ed.D. programs generally require students to have earned at least a master’s degree (or an equivalent number of graduate credits). However, the master’s degree does not necessarily need to be in education. If you already hold an Ed.S. degree, you are often eligible for advanced placement.
• Minimum GPA: Where a minimum GPA is specified, an overall 3.0 (B) or higher is generally preferred.
• Work Experience: If you’ve never worked in the field of education before, it may limit your options. Because the Ed.D. is a practical degree intended for mid-career professionals, at least 3 years of relevant work experience is generally required. This is not always the case—Nova Southeastern University’s Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership is a notable exception—but it’s the norm.
• Letters of Recommendation & Personal Essay: You’re going to need at least two letters of recommendation; most programs also require a personal essay (the format of the personal essay varies widely from program to program). Applicants often treat these two requirements as an afterthought. But in highly competitive programs, the identities of the people writing your letters of recommendation, and the content of your personal essay, can be the most important parts of your application.
• GRE Scores Optional: If you hate the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), we have good news: many Ed.D. programs will accept the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) as a substitute for the GRE. Start your research with our convenient list of No GRE Ed.D. programs . You’ll find 77+ schools that do not require the GRE, as well as details on their admission requirements and available program concentrations.

Ed.D. Admissions Interview

In competitive Ed.D. degrees, it is common for the school to conduct an interview with a prospective Ed.D. student prior to accepting an application. This interview is sometimes conducted online.

In most cases, the purpose of the interview is more to check in with the student — verifying the person’s identity and identifying any obvious red flags — rather than a decisive part of the process. But if the Ed.D. program you’re applying for is especially competitive, we recommend you speak to students and alumni to get a sense of what might be expected.

Ed.D. Admissions Essay

For the doctorate in education, some schools also require an admissions essay, though the format can vary. Maryville Ed.D.’s personal statement essay is fairly complex, requiring both a detailed autobiography and a short dissertation proposal, whereas Northern Arizona University merely asks you to provide a writing sample where you summarize an article in your own words. But whether the required admissions essay is simple or complex, it’s likely to be short.

International Student Requirements

In addition to addressing any relevant student visa requirements, international students who have not already demonstrated English fluency must generally earn a good score on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam.

How Ed.D. Admission Requirements Differ Between Schools

There is no single Ed.D. admissions process. All worthwhile Ed.D. degrees will require you to fill out an application and send official transcripts, but beyond that admission requirements differ from program to program:

• Some schools require a Master in Education and some don’t.
• Some schools require prior work experience in the field (e.g. 3 years or more) and some don’t.
• Some schools require a high minimum GPA (e.g. 3.0-3.5) and some don’t.
• Some schools require you to take the GRE and some don’t.
• Some schools require an admissions interview and some don’t.
• Some schools require an admissions essay and some don’t.

Since there are no universally accepted admission requirements, it’s wise to make a shortlist of regionally accredited Ed.D. programs and go from there.

Ed.D. Admissions Checklist

Here’s a simple checklist of what Ed.D. applicants should have in hand before starting the application process. Be sure to check with the specific school for admission requirements.

• Relevant contact information for every university you’ve attended in the past, so that you can have official transcripts sent.
• A résumé that shows the necessary work experience.
• Money for the application fee(s), which typically ranges from free to $100.
• Your GRE, MAT, and/or GMAT score information, if required.
• Your TOEFL and/or IELTS score information, if required.
• Two authorities in the field who are willing to write you letters of recommendation.
• A general idea of what you might write in an admissions essay, if required to do so.

The Doctor of Education: What to Expect

During the course of your Ed.D. degree, you’ll typically be expected to tackle doctoral coursework, internships, and a research-based dissertation, DiP, or capstone project.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Coursework

Classes for the Doctor of Education vary widely by school, which is why we suggest you take a close look at the curriculum before applying. Standard coursework for all doctorates in education will include:

• Qualitative and Quantitative Research
• Writing for Research
• Doctoral Seminar or Capstone
• Dissertation, Doctoral Writing Assessment or “Consulting Project”

Sample Ed.D. Course Titles

Outside of those common denominators, schools will alter the Ed.D. coursework quite a bit. Here are a few real-life examples:

Drexel University has an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in Management with nine specializations and a set of core courses such as:

• Creative Strategies for Educational Leaders
• Educational Leadership and Change
• Transformative Leadership: Finding One’s Source

Mississippi College’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership contains courses such as:

• Comparative Philosophies of Education
• Curriculum Planning and School Improvement
• Instructional Supervision
• Intermediate and Advanced Statistics

University of Southern California (USC) offers a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership with classes like:

• Challenges in Urban Education: Accountability
• Analyzing Organizational Change and Its Effectiveness
• Education Performance Problems
• Fundamentals of Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Ed.D. Concentrations/Specializations

Some schools offer only one Ed.D. specialization/concentration; others offer ten. We’ve assembled some common titles. This is by no means an exhaustive list—there are more specializations than one could imagine!

• Adult Education
• Athletic Administration
• Curriculum Studies
• Curriculum, Teaching, Leadership and Learning
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Leadership and School Change
• Global Executive
• Higher Education Administration
• Human Resource Development
• Information Technology
• Literacy Education
• Organizational Leadership Studies
• Urban and Multicultural Education

Ed.D. Internships

Many Ed.D. programs require that students complete a focused internship. This allows students to combine theory with practical knowledge in a supervised environment. Internships create a situation for students to learn from other professionals, become more effective leaders, and apply the skills they have learned in their coursework.

• For some Ed.D. degrees, like ETSU’s Ed.D. with an Administrative Endorsement , this is a 540-hour requirement. All internships are planned and completed in district offices, schools, and community settings under the guidance of a faculty member.
• UNCW’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Educational Administration) includes one internship and other applied learning experience, as well as multiple certificate options that can be completed during the program.

Internships for a doctorate in education often differ by concentration. For example, an internship at a multinational corporation might be arranged for a global executive specialization, whereas a non-profit internship might be arranged for organizational leadership studies. This is yet one more area for students to look into when researching Ed.D. degrees.

Ed.D. Dissertation, Dissertation in Practice (DiP) or Capstone

All Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs will contain a large, research-based project. Some Ed.D. degrees opt for a traditional dissertation along the lines of a Ph.D. Other Ed.D. programs contain a Dissertation in Practice (DiP) or capstone project.

Traditional Dissertation

• Doctorates in education that require a traditional dissertation include classes to assist students with each of the steps required to write one (e.g. how to come up with a dissertation topic, how to structure the dissertation, and how to conduct effective research).
• After the dissertation is planned, proposed, and written, the final step is defending it. Typically, an Ed.D. committee will read the student’s dissertation, and—on a set date—faculty members will ask questions of the student to ensure they fully understand the focus area of their dissertation.
• Questions will be open-ended so that Ed.D. students must think critically about their work. The thought of defending a thesis can be stressful, but students are given months to prepare. And committees generally want students to succeed, not fail!

DiP or Capstone Project

Questions to consider before committing to an ed.d., why do i want to earn a doctorate in education.

An Ed.D. can put your résumé at the top of the pile for many positions. But not every position. Do a little market research before making a commitment. Ed.D. holders tend to become school administrators, college administrators, college-level teachers (e.g. adjuncts), and instructional coordinators. If you’re considering one of these roles, it’s doubtful you’ll regret the knowledge gained from this degree.

Do I Really Need an Ed.D. Degree?

The short answer is no—an Ed.D. is not always necessary in order to snag a job in K-20 leadership. However, salaries for elementary and secondary school administrators vary widely; the top 10% make more than $150,000, while the bottom 10% earn less than $66,000. The gap is even more pronounced for postsecondary administrators . A doctorate in education can often help you secure a stronger salary and better job options.

Have a look at our guide to Ed.D. Careers & Salaries for detailed advice on this question.

Should I Study Part- or Full-Time?

If life circumstances allow a full class load, then full-time study is ideal. An accelerated Ed.D. degree takes 2+ years. That’s short enough to avoid feeling too much of a sting from lost income, yet long enough to take advantage of more internship opportunities and on-campus networking.

However, while part-time Ed.D. students may only have time to get the work done (and little else), most will likely walk away with less student debt, which may be worth it even if the doctorate in education takes longer.

What Are the Pros and Cons of an Ed.D. Degree?

• Advancement possibilities in your career
• New learning can revive a passion for your industry
• Opportunity to become a scholar and researcher in your field
• Earn the title of “Doctor”
• Opportunity costs—the time and length of the degree means potentially forgoing other useful ways to spend those years
• May be expensive in terms of both program cost and lost income due to reducing work hours
• Balancing family/work commitments can be challenging

Do I Opt for a Ph.D. in Education or an Ed.D.?

Ed.D. programs might not pack the same punch as Ph.D.s in terms of “perceived” prestige for academic positions, but they serve an important role in terminal degree studies and they’re well-recognized by employers.

The practical application of the Ed.D. is the hallmark of the program. Whereas Ph.D. programs have a strong theoretical research component, Ed.D. programs stress the importance of real-life function and application.

Check out our guide to the Ed.D. vs Ph.D. if you need more help in this area.

Doctor of Education : Doctorate Degree in Education

Johns Hopkins’ newly redesigned, global online Doctor of Education is at the forefront of education doctoral programs with the most innovative, challenging, and student-centered program of its kind.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the program continues to lead with the “EdD 2.0” offering, which is ideal for the busy education practitioner within any professional context. Our program recognizes that learning is both lifelong and occurs outside of formal schooling.

The vision of the Johns Hopkins EdD program is to prepare education-practitioners across the country and around the world to think critically about problems within their education environment and develop the insights and capacity to lead positive, sustained change.

Questions? Please reach out and we’ll be in touch soon.

Upcoming admissions events.

Have questions about our degree programs, the application, or financial aid and costs? Join us for an inside look at a graduate experience defined by innovation and driven by evidence-based research. Learn more about your area of interest or career path, meet some of our faculty, and connect to the Johns Hopkins School of Education community. Check out our admissions events and register for a virtual information session today.

Doctor of Education Info Session

Core Faculty

Yolanda abel, edd.

Associate Professor

Affiliation

Advanced Studies in Education

Administration, Organization & Leadership, Education Policy & Politics, Social Context of Education

Camille Bryant, PhD

Joshua travis brown, phd.

Assistant Professor

Administration, Organization & Leadership, Education Policy & Politics, Postsecondary Education, Social Context of Education

Marcia Davis, PhD

Associate Professor (Research) Co-Director, Center for Social Organization of Schools Director of Research, Baltimore Education Research Consortium

Center for Social Organization of Schools, SOE Leadership

Learning & Instruction, Research, Evaluation & Assessment

Christine Eith, PhD

Interim Department Chair, Advanced Studies in Education Assistant Professor

Keri M. Guilbault, EdD

Associate Professor Interim Director, Doctor of Education Program Faculty Lead, Gifted Education Programs

Counseling & Educational Studies

Gifted Education, Learning & Instruction

Ranjini Mahinda JohnBull, PhD

Learning & Instruction, Mind, Brain, & Teaching

Olivia Marcucci, PhD

Advanced Studies in Education, Center for Safe and Healthy Schools

Social Context of Education

James Diamond, PhD

Educational Technology, Learning & Instruction

E. Juliana Pare-Blagoev, EdD

Eric rice, phd.

Social Context of Education, Urban Education

Laura Flores Shaw, EdD

Assistant Professor Faculty Lead, Doctor of Education

Learning & Instruction

Henry M. Smith, EdD

Administration, Organization & Leadership, Education Policy & Politics

Program Overview

Exceptional education-practitioners will engage with an internationally renowned faculty to cultivate and practice curiosity, critical discourse, and perspective taking in a unique and rigorous course of study using the lenses of social justice, systems thinking, appropriate research methods, and empirical inquiry.

Coursework includes the latest research on the social determinants of education; mind, brain, and teaching; entrepreneurship; data and measurement; and technology. The redesigned program allows our doctoral students to customize their program by expanding their choice of electives so that they may focus more deeply on their professional interests that align with their problem of practice. Our online EdD prepares education practitioners to be transformational leaders within their professional settings.

The vision of the Johns Hopkins EdD program is to impact complex educational problems across the globe by preparing education practitioners to think critically and systemically about problems within their professional settings and develop deep understanding and insights to lead positive, sustained change within those settings.Our graduates create new areas of research, promote distribution and utilization of research findings in professional practice, and contribute to wider public discourse and policy.

Areas of Interest

The EdD program includes areas of interest. Applicants can indicate one or more areas of interest they think are related to a problem of practice and would like to explore. Current areas of interest are:

Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education

• Learning Design and Technology
• Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation

Urban Leadership

*Courses and course sequences are subject to change.

Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education offers a unique opportunity for school and other educational organization leaders in both public and private educational environments. Students develop their knowledge, skills, and dispositions as they engage in leading efforts to build new venture opportunities in varied educational organizations. Through multidisciplinary lenses, educational leaders promote innovation in the paradigms, strategies, values and culture in school systems, social entrepreneurial ventures, and education companies. Each of the courses offers an opportunity to explore leadership theoretical frameworks, identify a Problem of Practice, and create a plan of action, through analysis and synthesis of presentations, readings, and discussion of the current state of multiple educational environments and the visions and challenges for the future.

Available Courses:

• Entrepreneurship in Education
• Talent Management and Organizational Finance for Entrepreneurial Leaders
• Data Driven Decision Making
• Partnerships and Educational Organizations

Mind, Brain, and Teaching

Mind, Brain, and Teaching is designed for educators interested in exploring research from cognitive theories and neurosciences and its potential to inform the education field. Courses promote integration of diverse disciplines that investigate human learning and development. This area of interest builds upon basic and applied research from the fields of cognitive science, psychology and brain sciences, neurology, neuroscience, and education. It provides educators with knowledge of how emerging research in the learning sciences can inform teaching and learning. Students gain the knowledge and skills to interpret basic and applied research and apply relevant findings to educational practices and policies. This area of interest is designed to support the development of knowledge, insights, and competencies among students with two different levels of prior knowledge in the learning sciences: those who have had limited formal exposure to the learning sciences, and those who have a master’s degree or master’s certificate in the learning sciences.

• Fundamentals of Cognitive Development
• Neurobiology of Learning Differences
• Cognitive Processes of Literacy and Numeracy
• Special Topics in Brain Sciences

Cities are usually characterized by diverse populations with rich communities made up of many different races, classes, languages, and nationalities, and this dynamism is a chief strength of urban areas. However, urban schools typically serve populations characterized by high concentrations of poverty and therefore face difficult choices about how to allocate scarce resources. Urban Leadership is designed for educational professionals interested in exploring this dual nature of urban schools through a deep understanding of a Problem of Practice based in their unique context of professional practice. This area of interest prepares educational leaders to work in urban environments through a focus on topics such as building a strength-based understanding of the complexities of urban communities, engaging the latest research on urban educational programs, developing strategies for program improvement, and building partnerships with families, communities, and other organizations.

• Approaches to Urban Education
• Individuals in Urban Context
• Organizations and Institutions
• Partnerships and Community Organizing

Graduates from our EdD program work in diverse areas, including executive roles in educational organizations and start-ups, leadership in K-12 school districts and systems, consultancy in specialized education fields, and more.

• Administrator
• Superintendent
• Instructional Designer
• Chief Learning Officer

100% Online

Continue your full-time career and apply what you learn in real time as you earn your degree 100% online.

Legal Disclosure

State-specific information for online students.

Students should be aware of additional state-specific information for online programs . Johns Hopkins University is a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate , which is the knowledge forum on the EdD. It has a membership of over 100 schools of education in the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand working collaboratively to improve professional preparation in education at the highest level.

Education Leadership

The Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) prepares experienced educators to become the transformational preK–12 leaders that the country needs — passionate about educational quality and equity, well versed in learning and development, and knowledgeable about public policy and organizational management, so they can translate visionary ideas into real-world success. Graduates of the three-year, multidisciplinary Ed.L.D. — taught by faculty from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Business School, and the Harvard Kennedy School — are uniquely prepared for system-level leadership positions in schools, nonprofits, mission-driven for-profits, and state and federal departments of education.

• 1-800-NAT-UNIV (628-8648)
• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education (BAECE)
• Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Development with an Inspired Teaching and Learning Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (California)
• Bachelor of Arts in English
• Bachelor of Arts in History
• Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning
• Master of Education in Inspired Teaching and Learning with a Preliminary Multiple and Single Subject Teaching Credential and Intern Option (CA)
• Master of Arts in Education
• Master of Early Childhood Education
• Education Specialist
• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

• Ed.D. in Organizational Innovation
• Certificate in Online Teaching (COT) Program
• Online Medical Coding Program
• Building Our Team Through Community Policing
• Inspired Teaching and Learning with a Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential
• Inspired Teaching and Learning with a Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Internship Option (California)
• Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (CA Option)
• Preliminary Education Specialist Credential: Mild/Moderate with Internship Option (CA)
• All Teaching & Education
• Associate of Science in Business
• Bachelor of Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration
• Bachelor of Arts in Management
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Science in Data Science
• Master of Public Administration
• Doctor of Criminal Justice
• Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership
• Doctor of Business Administration
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Business
• Post-Master's Certificate in Business
• Graduate Certificate in Banking
• Certificate in Agile Project Management
• All Business & Marketing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) (California)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Second Bachelor Degree (California)
• Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science
• Bachelor of Science in Public Health
• Master of Science in Nursing
• Master of Science in Health Informatics
• Master of Healthcare Administration
• Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)
• Doctor of Health Administration
• Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership
• LVN to RN 30 Unit Option Certificate
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
• Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
• Emergency Medical Technician Certificate
• All Healthcare & Nursing
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Psychology
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis Degree
• Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology
• Master of Arts in Consciousness, Psychology, and Transformation
• Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) Program
• Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
• Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy
• Graduate Certificate in Trauma Studies
• Post-Master's Certificate in Psychology
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Pupil Personnel Services Credential School Counseling (PPSC)
• University Internship Credential Program for Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling (California Only)
• All Social Sciences & Psychology
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Doctor of Education in   Educational Leadership   (EdD-EdL)

100% online doctorate.

Complete your studies on your own time.

New start date every Monday

Start your first course when it’s convenient for you.

35 Months to your Doctorate

Finish your EdD-EL degree in just 18 courses.

Advance your ability to inspire and influence change with the 100% online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD-EdL) degree program at National University. Through this comprehensive degree, you’ll obtain the skills it takes to identify problems, create solutions, and enhance learning environments.

NU’s Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in Educational Leadership (EdL) is a practitioner-researcher degree designed to prepare educational leaders who desire to improve educational practice across private and public sectors of PK-12, higher education, military, and corporate learning organizations. 

Lead the Way for Change and Transformation

You will acquire skills to ethically address the complex problems within educational practice using data-driven decision-making and other conceptual frames linking systematic inquiry with innovative solutions. The degree culminates in the completion of empirical research with direct implications for educational practice.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.

4th largest in the US for graduating students with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership among nonprofit 4-yr online University.

Course Details

• Credit Hours: 54
• Courses: 18
• Estimated Time to Complete:  35 months

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD-EdL) program can be completed in 54 credits. Each foundational course runs 8 weeks, and dissertation courses run 12 weeks. 

This foundational course will introduce you to the concepts and practices of advanced graduate study. You will examine concepts and expectations of advanced graduate study and academic integrity as well as investigate best practices of scholarship and research. You will explore university resources and supports associated with student success, including technologies for learning and research. You will also evaluate the program process and requirements for success. Finally, you will advocate for self-care and reflection during your studies.

Academic writing is at the heart of scholarly writing. How you explore and navigate your topic of interest is both a personal and professional matter. In this course, you will integrate effective research and writing skills, and evaluate standards of academic writing, honesty, and integrity. Literature and writing are closely related, so this course also offers you a first chance to examine the elements of conceptual and theoretical frameworks and critique the role of supporting literature and inquiry with conceptual and theoretical frameworks. Finally, you will synthesize the frameworks commonly used in educational research.

Required Specialization Courses:

You will develop effective search and scholarly writing strategies to create a scholarly review of literature. The course emphasizes how to: (a) use effective literature search strategies; (b) develop a scholarly synthesis of research literature; (c) organize research literature around identified research themes, including a study problem, purpose, and theoretical perspectives for an empirical research study; and (d) focus on developing a scholarly exposition that reflects divergent viewpoints and contrasting perspectives. The overarching goal of this course is for you to understand strategies to survey scholarly empirical and theoretical literature to avoid bias, focus on educational practice-based research problems, and address the required components of a scholarly literature review.

In this introductory research course, you will explore the underpinnings of the research process, examine research paradigms, and investigate theoretical and practical foundations of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies used within educational research. You will identify criteria for the development of a quality research study that is ethical, accurate, comprehensive, cohesive, and aligned. Specific course topics will involve the ethics of conducting research; data collection and analysis techniques; and issues of feasibility, trustworthiness, validity, reliability, generalizability or transferability, and rigor. This course is intended to familiarize you with concepts and skills associated with conducting theoretical and applied research.

This course offers foundational knowledge to become a critical consumer of statistical- based research literature as well as develop the necessary skillset for non-inferential quantitative analyses. The emphasis will be on understanding multivariate data, non-inferential and inferential statistical concepts, the conventions of quantitative data analysis, interpretation and critical inferences from statistical results. Statistical computations will be completed using statistical software applications for quantitative data analysis. The course culminates in a synthesis project to demonstrate statistical skills and aligned with APA guidelines for presentation of statistical results.

This course focuses on qualitative research methodology and designs and the methods used to collect and analyze data in educational research. You will examine the principles of qualitative research and explore commonly used designs (also referred to as qualitative traditions or genres) with a focus on application and feasibility. Qualitative data collection and analysis methods will be examined for their suitability with regard to the research design selected. Alignment between qualitative designs and research methods, issues of trustworthiness pertaining to qualitative research, and the role and responsibilities of the qualitative researcher will also be explored.

This course explores the quantitative research methodology and associated designs and methods. You will examine paradigmatic perspectives along with the tenets and conventions of quantitative research. This examination of designs and methods will include topics such as feasibility, validity, reliability, variable operationalization, inferential designs, and analytic software applications used within the quantitative research paradigm. You will also explore the components of aligned and coherent quantitative research designs that support meaningful research within the field of education.

This course builds on a foundational understanding of qualitative designs and measurements to focus on analyses of the data. The course takes you deeper into the skills and techniques necessary to ensure the appropriate analyses of qualitative data, including integrating relevant frameworks, verifying trustworthiness of the findings, and selecting suitable methods to present the analyses and findings.

You will learn advanced statistical principles and how to apply them to quantitative research. You will be provided an overview of advanced statistical concepts used in empirical research, including inferential analyses. Advanced computations will be performed using SPSS. The focus involves helping you build independent scholarly skills with an emphasis on understanding multivariate data; the use, comprehension, and evaluation of sophisticated statistical concepts; and presentation of statistical results.

The doctoral comprehensive assessment is your opportunity to demonstrate your preparation for entering the dissertation phase as a doctoral candidate. You will synthesize discipline-specific content with research designs and methods as you create a prospectus for a problem of applied practice within an educational context. This prospectus will likely become the foundation of your dissertation. Note that you will take this course only after all foundation, specialization, and research courses have been completed.

In this 12-week course, you will complete all relevant subsections of Section 1: Foundation. You will use your school-specific template and guidance from your chair to determine which subsections apply to your individual work. Section 1 must be completed and approved by your committee in order to pass the course and move forward. If you do not receive committee approval of Section 1, you will be able to take up to three supplemental 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of Section 1.

In this 12-week course, you will compose all relevant subsections of Section 2: Methodology and Design and complete your proposal. Both of these components must be approved by your committee in order to pass the course and move forward. You will use your school-specific template and guidance from your chair to determine which subsections apply to your individual work. If you do not receive approval of Section 2 and the complete proposal, you will be able to take up to three 8-week supplementary courses to finalize and gain approval of Section 2 and your completed proposal.

In this course, you will prepare, submit, and obtain a determination from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) application before collecting data and, if applicable, executing your project modeling. You will also submit documentation that you have closed data collection. If you are still collecting data or modeling your project at the end of this 12-week course, you will be able to take up to three supplemental 8-week courses to complete the required components.

In this 12-week course, you will complete all relevant subsections of Section 3: Findings, Implications, and Recommendations, finalize your manuscript, and disseminate your findings. You will use your school-specific template and guidance from your chair to determine which subsections apply to your individual work. The final manuscript, which includes Section 3 and the dissemination of findings, must be approved by your committee in order to pass the course and be eligible to graduate. If you do not receive committee approval of all components, you will be able to take up to three supplemental 8-week courses to finalize these requirements and be eligible to graduate.

Higher Education Specialization

• 18 credit hours

In this foundational course, you will examine major theories and practices of organizational development and improvement in educational settings. You will also critique educational leadership competencies related to ethical behavior in educational organizations and synthesize various leadership theories using an educational approach to leadership. Finally, you will utilize educational leadership theories as they apply to real-world leadership situations in education and explore self-evaluation and personal reflection techniques supportive of leadership improvement within educational organizations.

In this course, you will review current literature and theories related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. You will also relate knowledge and personal experiences, and examine the educator dispositions necessary for effective diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice practices. Finally, you will justify the role of and recommend practices for diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in the context of educational leadership.

Higher education institutions in the United States are bound by different legislation and regulation. There are also different types of institutional and programmatic accreditation that leaders must consider. In this course, you will explore the implications of these different accreditations, regulations, and legislation with specific attention to institutional self-studies and issues of copyright and fair use across different types of institutions.

The operational complexity of higher education institutions grows exponentially with the size of the institution. In this course, you will investigate the typical departments and processes before examining more specific operational aspects of higher education institutions, such as human resources, data-based decision making, institutional effectiveness, environmental scanning, strategic planning, and continuous improvement. Your exploration will consider your specific interests in these topics and types of institutions.

Select Two of the Following:

There are many functions within the area of higher education student services. You will explore these functions across the student lifecycle in a variety of delivery modalities. Some of the functions you will explore in this course include enrollment, advising, academic support, accommodations and modifications, as well as persistence and retention through to graduation. You will have the opportunity to examine these functions generally within higher education as well as specifically related to the context of your individual interests.

The facilitation of learning is the core function of all institutions of higher education. As a leader in higher education, you need to know how this core function is designed and maintained. In this course, you will explore academic program planning and evaluation, theories and principles of curriculum development, assessment of student learning, and the value of open educational resources and co-curricular activities. You will be able to tailor your work in this course to your current or future institutional contexts.

Financial considerations in higher education can be complex. While accounting departments may be responsible for most of the details, higher education leaders need to understand the scope of the financial considerations across the institution. In this course, you will examine budget cycles and specific budgets of higher education institutions. You will explore sources of revenue, including financial aid, grants, and fundraising, and the regulations that govern these activities within higher education institutions in the United States. Throughout your examination, you will consider the role of fiscal accountability and related challenges.

Conflict is a normal part of living and working together. Conflict can give you opportunities to learn and grow both personally and professionally. Of course, the positive potential of conflict does not eliminate the discomfort we can feel around conflict. In this course, you will examine conflict and mediation within a variety of educational organizations. You will evaluate conflict management skills and practices, including discerning the implications of diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness in the process of conflict interpretation and management within educational organizations.

In this course, you will explore the role of ethical leadership in attaining organizational excellence. Given the many types of educational organizations, you will examine leadership competencies that relate specifically to ethical behavior in your choice of educational organizations. Organizational leaders create a culture of ethical behavior. You will critique the techniques leaders use to communicate decisions, manage conflict, and address ethical dilemmas within the educational organization. You will also use case studies as a method of analyzing and responding to ethical dilemmas. 

In this course, you will determine the conditions necessary for innovation as well as recommend change theories to promote innovation in educational organizations. You will assess major barriers to and opportunities for change. You will also critique organizational resources to promote innovation and change. Finally, you will evaluate the effects of culture and climate and advocate for ethical decision-making practices in organizational innovation and change.

PK-12 Specialization

In this course, you will explore models of supervision and evaluation of personnel and analyze policies and practices supporting diversity and inclusion in PK-12 settings.  Additionally, you will determine the effects of culture on interpersonal and group communication and evaluate policies and programs for effectiveness. Finally, you will evaluate the role of leadership in managing change and conflict and examine strategies for talent development of instructional and organizational leadership.

In this course about legal issues in education, you will explore legislation and regulation in PK-12 education and evaluate institutional liability and risk management policies. You will investigate procedural due process and administrative remedies policies and explain the implications of different status such as PK-12 public, private, charter, for-profit, non-profit schools, and homeschooling. Finally, you will synthesize education case law supporting diversity in the workplace.

In this course, you will learn to evaluate leadership skills for effective instructional planning and critique professional learning strategies for curriculum, instruction, and assessment in PK-12 environments. You will examine trends in instructional leadership and curriculum development as well as how to analyze data-driven decision-making processes for continuous improvement. Finally, you will recommend assessment practices for and of learning and review multi-tiered systems of support in PK-12 environments.

In this course, you will examine the relationships among policy, leadership, accreditation and research and critique the processes related to operations and policy development in PK-12 education. You will evaluate the impact of educational policies on school operations and practices and synthesize how the policies and practices facilitate effective school performance.  Finally, you will evaluate methods for strategic planning and policy implementation in PK-12 education.

In this course, you will assess components of funding formulas and critique budgeting and auditing processes in PK-12 education. You will review categorical funding policies and explain fiscal accountability in PK-12 education. Finally, you evaluate funding challenges and recommend sources of grant funding for initiatives in PK-12 education.

This course allows for a deep dive into the leadership paradigms in school safety, security, and emergency management. As you develop leadership support strategies for staff and students before, during, and after a crisis incident and advocate for team approaches in planning for prevention-mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery of crisis incidents in K-12 schools, you will also assess current legal and political issues in K-12 school safety, security, and emergency management. Further, you will evaluate leadership responses to ethical issues in school safety, security, and emergency management and create risk assessment plans for evaluating physical risks within K-12 schools. Finally, you will determine school emergency manager responsibilities in the planning of systems to prevent and mitigate crisis incidents at K-12 schools across diverse settings.

This is an introductory course in which you will analyze community resources and educational organizations related to trauma-informed educational practices. You will explore how historical contexts and practices have influenced current conditions and pedagogy. Additionally, you will examine cultural and economic contexts with respect to local trauma-informed educational practices. Finally, you will create artifacts of learning as a researcher and develop assignments to aid you in a cumulative signature presentation to address professional development for Trauma-Informed Educational Practices.

This course supports your efforts to propose or support social emotional learning (SEL) initiatives. You will synthesize your work in the previous courses for the purpose of planning, implementing, and assessing social emotional learning at the school level or beyond. In this course, you will develop comprehensive proposals and plans for implementing and assessing SEL initiatives based on needs analyses, organizational climate and culture, and other relevant factors. By the end of the course, you will be ready to propose new SEL initiatives or revise existing SEL initiatives.

The areas of finance, law, and leadership are deep topics in special education. This course will touch on each of these topics at a higher level. You will explore the various funding models for special education programs and services. This exploration will include the legal considerations related to special education programs with specific references to service delivery models. Related examinations include specific leadership scenarios and reporting obligations. Throughout the course, you will consider the role of leadership in cultivating culturally responsive relationships with all stakeholders to ensure equity and fairness.

Degree Requirements

The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership (EdL) requires 54 credit hours for degree completion. Coursework includes foundations, educational leadership, research methods, the pre-candidacy prospectus, and the dissertation. Additional credit hours may be allowed as needed to complete dissertation research in alignment with the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Academic Maximum Time Frame policies. Students who do not complete their program within these requirements may be dismissed.

The EdD-EdL degree program has the following graduation requirements:

• A minimum of 42 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed through NU
• Official transcripts on file for all transfer credits accepted by the University
• Grade Point Average of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”) or higher
• University Approval of Dissertation Manuscript and Oral Presentation completed
• Submission of the approved final dissertation manuscript to the University Registrar, including the original unbound dissertation manuscript and an electronic copy
• Official documents on file for basis of admission: a conferred master’s degree from an accredited academic institution
• Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
• All financial obligations must be met before the student will be issued their diploma and/or degree posted transcript. 

The University may accept up to 12 semester credit hours earned with a grade of “B” or better for graduate coursework completed at an accredited college or university and evaluated to be substantially equivalent in content with the required coursework for the EdD-EdL program.

Note: Students who complete NU’s EdS program may be eligible to apply up to 30 credits from the EdS program to the School of Education’s Doctoral programs. School Dean (or their designee) approval is required to determine the number of applicable credit hours from EdS to the selected doctoral program.

Career Potential*

• Educational Administrators, PreK-12 and Higher Ed 
• Distance Learning Coordinators
• Related education professionals (school social workers, resource officers, guidance counselors)

*Positions may require additional experience, training, and other factors beyond successfully completing this degree program. Depending on where you reside, many positions may also require state licensure, and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all licensure requirements are met. We encourage you to also review program specific requirements with an NU advisor. Any data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee that completion of any degree program will achieve the underlying occupation or commensurate salary.

DISSERTATION PROCESS

Faculty assists each NU Doctoral student to reach this high goal through a systematic process leading to a high-quality completed dissertation. This process requires care in choosing a topic, documenting its importance, planning the methodology, and conducting the research. These activities lead smoothly into the writing and oral presentation of the dissertation.

A doctoral candidate must be continuously enrolled throughout the series of dissertation courses. Dissertation courses are automatically scheduled and accepted without a break in scheduling to ensure that students remain in continuous enrollment throughout the dissertation course sequence. If additional time is required to complete any of the dissertation courses, students must re-enroll and pay the tuition for that course. Continuous enrollment will only be permitted when students demonstrate progress toward completing dissertation requirements. The Dissertation Committee determines progress.

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of National University’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD-EdL) program, you’ll be able to:

• Illustrate effective educational leadership vision and integrity through strategic planning involving data-driven decision-making and evidence-based practice
• Determine the aspects of professional capacity and resource needs for a quality professional learning community within a sector-specific learning organization
• Develop effective leadership traits to improve educational practice across diverse learning organizations within public and private sectors
• Devise informed evidence-based solutions to address a complex problem from educational practice
• Conduct empirical research to address a complex problem within educational practice

National University’s dedicated admissions team is here to help you throughout the admissions process. We accept and review applications year-round, and, once you’re admitted, you can begin your studies as soon as the next week.

To apply to the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD-EL) , you must have a conferred post-baccalaureate master’s degree and/or doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution or a qualifying international institution.

Questions? Call our admissions team at  866.776.0331  or request information, and an advisor will be in touch soon. Ready to apply?  Start your NU application today .

Weekly Course Starts

Finish Your Dissertation!

Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP) is a 100% online pathway helping students “All But Dissertation” finish their doctoral degree.

• Block transfer of credit from your previous institution
• Flexible monthly start dates
• Highly trained faculty providing feedback each week on your dissertation
• Strategic support and targeted resources to help you finish

Why Choose National University

• Weekly Course Start
• 100% Online Coursework
• No Physical Residency Requirements

We’re proud to be a Veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with 240,000 alumni worldwide.

“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”

-Francisco R., Class of 2016

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Program Disclosure

Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.

Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.

NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.

All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.

National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.

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By submitting your information to National University as my electronic signature and submitting this form by clicking the Request Info button above, I provide my express written consent to representatives of National University and National University affiliates (including City University of Seattle) to contact me about educational opportunities. This includes the use of automated technology, such as an automatic dialing system and pre-recorded or artificial voice messages, text messages, and mail, both electronic and physical, to the phone numbers (including cellular) and e-mail address(es) I have provided. I confirm that the information provided on this form is accurate and complete. I also understand that certain degree programs may not be available in all states. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary.

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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.

Please note there are different program requirements for different cohorts. Those requirements can be found under the tabs labeled: Program Requirements 2023 & Forward, Program Requirements 2022 Cohort, Program Requirements 2021 Cohort, and Program Requirements 2013-2020 Cohorts.

For more information about the EdD program, please visit the  website . 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), a Problem of Practice Statement, online (asynchronous) 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, applied 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, and the applicant’s impact on the recommender’s  professional practice.

International students must fulfill the general requirements for admission and complete additional requirements—see International Students Admission . 

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 Cohort 2023 and Forward

Program structure and requirements.

Program requirements include a minimum of 90 graduate credits. Students must enter the program with a master’s degree with 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 a regionally accredited college or university (or its equivalent) by the final semester before expected degree conferral. 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 (6) 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*:

For a full listing of academic standards and policies, please visit the website .   

In addition to successfully completing all coursework requirements,  students admitted in 2023 and thereafter  must also complete a Doctoral Dossier consisting of three faculty-mentored research projects.

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. Additionally, students can choose the type of scholarship project they will work on during years two and three of the program. Our Doctoral Dossier is based upon  Boyer’s Four Domains of Scholarship  (1990) and includes:

          RESEARCH PROJECT 1 :

Scholarship of Integration:  To begin their Doctoral Dossier process, all students will spend their first two semesters reviewing the research literature and using systems thinking to refine their Problem of Practice. The culmination of this process will be the Scholarship of Integration project, which is a synthesis of the literature reviewed that identifies and describes the underlying causes of and factors contributing to their chosen POP. This project is foundational to understanding the identified problem and determining what students choose to research in years two and three.

Example projects include :  A podcast, video series, manuscripts for publication in a professional or scholarly journal, lengthy presentation targeting policymakers. Within all project modalities, the factors contributing to the POP are discussed through a synthesis of the research literature.

 RESEARCH PROJECT 2 :

Following completion of the Scholarship of Integration project, students will  choose one of the following two options  for Research Project 2 :

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.  

Scholarship of Teaching:   Development and improvement of pedagogical practices.  Students examine teaching processes and assessments to 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.  

 RESEARCH PROJECT 3 :

Following successful completion of Research Project 2, students will choose one of the following projects and orally present a proposal for their third project to a panel of faculty:

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 :  investigating the effectiveness of a curriculum created during year 2 (Scholarship of Teaching), interviewing people related to a Problem of Practice whose voices are missing from the research literature; examining the perspective of LGBTQ+ teachers living in the southern United States using Photovoice, etc. This project may be provided in any modality to better reach the student’s intended audience.               

RESEARCH PROJECT 4:

During the final year, students will complete Research Project 3, write an  Executive Summary  that ties their three projects together, and write a  final reflection  on their doctoral journey. The Doctoral Dossier will be presented and assessed during the final Doctoral Dossier course. Additionally, students may choose to present their Doctoral Dossier work at a school-wide student conference.

Students are expected to complete the program 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.

The following table below provides an overview of the program requirements for cohorts admitted in 2023 and later:

 *Courses and course sequences are subject to change.

Program Requirements 2022 Cohort

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 by the final semester before expected degree conferral. 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 6 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):

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

Additionally, students admitted in 2022 must also pass an oral comprehensive examination, demonstrating attainment of competencies, and complete a Dossier Style Dissertation research project. 

Problems of Practice and Dossier Style Dissertation 

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP)—an area of concern they have observed within their professional context. This POP becomes the focus of the student's Dossier Style Dissertation, which is embedded within the EdD program coursework. The Dossier Style Dissertation includes two pathways: 1) Applied Project or 2) Empirical Project Deeper Dive.

Applied Project:

Year 1 :  During the first year in the program, students synthesize research literature to understand factors relevant to the POP from a broader systems perspective.

Year 2 : Students conduct an empirical study examining their POP within their professional context. Students then defend their proposal for an applied project based on their findings as well as a brief literature review that supports their rationale and justification for their proposed applied project.

Year 3 : Students create and defend their final applied project to their Doctoral Committee.

Empirical Project Deep Dive:

Year 1 : During the first year in the program, students synthesize research literature to understand factors relevant to the POP from a broader systems perspective.

Year 2 : Students design a more robust empirical study to more deeply examine their POP within their professional context. Students orally present their proposed design to their Doctoral Committee.

Year 3 : Students analyze and write up their data and orally defend their findings to their Doctoral Committee.

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.

All students will also demonstrate mastery of first- and second-year competencies through an oral comprehensive assessment. 

Typically, we expect students to complete three years of coursework and independent research concurrently. 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.

The following table below provides an overview of the program requirements for the 2022 cohort:

Program Requirements 2021 Cohort

 Additionally, students admitted in 2021 must also pass an oral comprehensive examination, demonstrating attainment of competencies, and complete either a Dossier Style Dissertation or Applied Dissertation research project. For information regarding the Applied Dissertation, please see the 2013-2020 Cohorts tab.  

The following table below provides an overview of the program requirements for the 2021 cohort:

Program Requirements 2013-2020 Cohorts

 Additionally, students admitted in cohorts 2013-2021 must also pass an oral comprehensive examination, demonstrating attainment of competencies, and complete an Applied Dissertation or Dossier Style Dissertation research project. For information regarding the Dossier Style Dissertation requirements, please see the 2021 Cohort tab.  Information regarding the Applied Dissertation is provided below.

Problems of Practice and Applied Dissertation 

Students examine a Problem of Practice (POP)—an area of concern 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).

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.

The following table below provides an overview of the program requirements for the 2013-2020 cohorts:

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
• The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)
• Admissions statement: Please provide a personal statement that describes a significant issue or topic within an educational or learning context that you are interested in investigating. Why are these topics important to address? How have your previous work, life, or research experiences prepared you for investigating this topic or issue in the Northeastern doctoral program? (~1500 words)
• 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 be connected to students at our 13 campuses, as well as 300,000-plus alumni and more than 3,500 employer partners around the world. Our global university system provides you with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally and serves 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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Home / Online Doctorate Degree Programs / Online Doctor of Education (EdD) — Higher Education Leadership

Maryville University’s Doctor of Education | Online Maryville University’s Doctor of Education | Online Maryville University’s Doctor of Education | Online

We are a tech-forward and future-focused university that has been disrupting higher education for over 150 years. Maryville University’s online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership Program prepares students for positions that require high-level decision-making within education. We are a tech-forward and future-focused university that has been disrupting higher education for over 150 years. Maryville University’s online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership Program prepares students for positions that require high-level decision-making within education. We are a tech-forward and future-focused university that has been disrupting higher education for over 150 years. Maryville University’s online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership Program prepares students for positions that require high-level decision-making within education.

Take Your Next Brave Step

Receive information about the benefits of our programs, the courses you'll take, and what you need to apply.

• Graduate in as few as 32 months – this degree can be completed in as little as 32 months.
• Flexible Residency Options – Attend your residency on campus or virtually.
• Personalized Support – Support every step of the way – from application to faculty mentorship to graduation.

Great leaders don’t accept the status quo. They accept a challenge.

How do you improve delivery and efficacy in higher learning? How can you better prepare students for the workforce? How can you adapt educational settings to emerging technology and modern faculty-administration dynamics? Answering today’s big questions in higher education takes reflective, future-focused leadership. Maryville University’s online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership program can provide you with the leadership abilities and perspective to meet the challenges of today — and tomorrow .

Explore higher education-focused leadership theory and develop the expertise to apply it in real-world situations. Build a contemporary understanding of administrative relationships and the student experience. Gain actionable insight into higher-ed governance, policy and financing to help you effect institutional change. Pursue your online Doctor of Education at Maryville and learn to impact higher education on a sweeping scale in ways that matter most.

View our program guide for more information.

Receive information about the benefits of our programs, the courses you'll take, and what you need to apply.

Access coursework  100% online  with no campus visits required.

Attend residency  on campus or virtually .

Complete your  courses and dissertation simultaneously .

Receive  personal mentorship  from scholar-practitioner faculty.

Benefit from the added support of our  cohort learning model .

Graduate in as few as  32 months .

Why choose Maryville for your online EdD program?

Our online EdD program offers unique benefits.

Our dissertation is different

Most doctoral programs conclude with a dissertation, but we believe your dissertation should be more than just a paper. It should inform your research, drive your leadership focus and keep your writing and thinking sharp throughout the doctoral program. Our approach allows you to apply valuable knowledge as you learn it.

Our focus is different

The online EdD program is more than a doctorate in education — it’s an innovative program that will provide you with a doctorate in higher education leadership You’ll focus squarely on impacting higher education at the institutional level, helping institutions grow in the face of a fluctuating economy, changing technology, increased competition and an influx of degrees in the job market.

We’re cohort based

This means you benefit from smaller class sizes, collaboration and individual attention and mentorship from faculty members. You also get to continue coursework with the same cohort so you can develop your skills together.

We provide greater support

As you work on your assignments and dissertation, you’ll have complete access to the Maryville library and librarians. Additionally, your courses will include integrated writing tools, such as pre-submission proofreading with detailed feedback.

What can you do with an online Doctor of Education?

Our online Doctor of Education program is a leadership-focused degree that promotes strategic high-level decision making. Our online EdD graduates can teach, but the degree is most applicable outside of the classroom. Positions at the top levels of higher education can empower you to have a greater influence. They can also be financially rewarding. Earning your online doctorate in education is a great way to advance your career and increase your earning potential while shaping the future of higher education.

Career opportunities with an EdD in Higher Education Leadership

Professionals with a  Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership  possess the skills and knowledge to identify problems and opportunities in higher education and make improvements in the field.

Completing your online EdD in Higher Education Leadership at Maryville can qualify you for leadership roles such as:

• Academic dean
• Admissions director
• Chief academic officer
• College/university administrator
• College/university president
• Dean of students
• Department chair
• Education researcher and consultant

In settings such as:

• Colleges and universities
• Government agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Private businesses

Learn more on  our careers page .

What is the typical Doctor of Education salary?

With your  online EdD in Higher Education Leadership , you can build a foundation to pursue careers with median salaries of leadership positions such as:

College/University President

College/University Administrator

Department Chair

Dean of Students

Admissions Director

Chief Academic Affairs Officer

Why earn an EdD instead of a PhD in Higher Education?

The value and utility of doctoral degree programs in higher education vary significantly. It is crucial to ensure that the skills acquired from your online education degree align with your aspirations. Let’s explore why pursuing an online Doctor of Education could be the best option for you.

Time —  Our online Doctor of Education program is a 32-month, 48-credit program. Compared with a PhD in Higher Education, this credential could save you one to three years in completion time.

Practice-Based Research  — In a PhD program, your primary goal is to master and extend the body of knowledge on a subject. However, your research isn’t necessarily applicable in a leadership role. With our Doctorate in Educational leadership online program , you can apply existing research methods to the critical issues affecting your institution and inform decision making directly.

Leadership —  An online Doctor of Education is all about leadership. PhD programs are typically designed for educational leaders in specific academic disciplines. With an online EdD degree , you have the potential to become a provost or president of a university.

Faculty insights

We asked  Jason Castles , director and assistant professor of higher education leadership, for his thoughts on the online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership program. Here are his responses:

What are some of the trending areas of focus in the online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership program?

We strive to stay current on trends and the future of higher education. Some recent areas of focus include the impact of the pandemic in higher ed (budgeting, enrollment, and mental health); diversity, equity and inclusion work; and demographic shifts (who is attending and how many students are attending). Additional trends impacting higher ed include data analytics; financial sustainability and affordability; changes to tenure systems; and the growing reliance on adjunct faculty members.

What advice would you give to someone studying higher education leadership?

• Have a plan/create a schedule, as time management is crucial.
• Consider the “cost” of attending, weighing factors such as being a full-time student, working full time and commitments to family and friends.
• Try not to get “stuck” in one area and strive to broaden your perspective.
• Have an open mind.
• Enjoy the process — both classes and your dissertation.

What are the most important skills employers are looking for?

Employers value flexibility, data analysis skills and the ability to develop outcome assessment plans. They also look for candidates with cultural competence, empathy and active listening skills (especially during the pandemic).

Why should students choose to take this program at Maryville?

We offer a high level of student support and engagement from faculty and staff, providing students with constructive feedback and tools to learn to be successful in higher ed. We also offer a financially efficient 32-month, 48-credit program with a solid, rigorous curriculum.

Online EdD in Higher Education Leadership curriculum

The best higher education doctoral programs prepare you to address the critical issues that will shape the future of higher ed. That’s why we focus on topics such as quantitative and qualitative data analysis, future-focused governance and finance, contemporary student experiences, new and innovative technologies, and just about anything else you may face in an educational leadership role. We also let you explore your individual interests through professional practice courses based on current trends in higher education.

Our  online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership  program is designed for completion with 48 credit hours and in as little as 32 months of year-round study. Find out more about our program on  our curriculum page .

Lead inside and outside of the classroom.  Our curriculum can help you develop the competencies to be a top educator in the classroom or apply your knowledge and skills toward outstanding research. Learn to solve the complicated challenges of classroom dynamics in courses such as Leadership in Higher Education and Leading in a Complex Environment, and hone your research skills with Research Residency I and II and Understanding Data and Analysis.

Experience a dynamic, future-focused education doctorate. Maryville University has been an innovator in education for nearly 150 years. When you earn your Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership with us, we can help you take that pioneering spirit with you. Through courses such as Strategic Change and Innovation, you can develop a progressive and change-oriented mindset, so wherever you go in your education career, you will go with confidence.

Discover that leadership starts with compassion. As an educator, your students are a primary focus. That’s why our curriculum includes courses such as The College Student Experience and Reflective Leadership Practice and Inquiry to help you understand your students and design your higher education strategies around their needs, concerns and abilities.

Online Doctor of Education admission requirements

• A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for master’s transcripts
• At least three years of professional experience in higher education (exceptions considered for demonstrated professional leadership experience transferable to higher ed)
• Both bachelor’s and master’s transcripts
• Personal essay: 500–600 words

Learn more on  our admissions page .

Frequently asked questions

What can i do with an online doctor of education in higher education leadership degree.

Our online EdD in Higher Education Leadership prepares students for careers in educational leadership, growing their knowledge of advanced theories and practical skills so they can manage organizations, solve problems and promote positive change in higher education. Graduates of our online EdD program may advance to administrative roles, overseeing higher education institutions, programs or departments. They may work behind the scenes to assess, improve and create new curricula and instructional methods, train other educators or conduct research to advance higher education.

What is the typical salary for online EdD program graduates?

The median annual salary for professionals holding an EdD in Higher Education Leadership can vary significantly depending on factors such as industry, location, years of experience, specialization, and job role.

What does the future hold for the higher education industry?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment of postsecondary education administrators to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032. 7 The need to replace professionals who change roles, switch careers or retire will drive most of this growth.

How long is the online EdD program?

Our online EdD program is a 32-month, 48-credit program. Compared with a PhD in Higher Education, this credential could save you one to three years in completion time.

What are the benefits of earning an online EdD degree?

Earning your online EdD can put you on a path for career advancement, higher earnings and administrator-level leadership positions. An EdD is practice based, meaning it allows you to research your areas of interest and also leverage the results of your research to influence the decision-making process of an institution or organization. Pursuing an EdD means you will focus on identifying problems and developing strategies to help solve those problems. An EdD program prepares you with skills in conducting qualitative research, collecting data, conducting interviews, making observations and participating in focus groups. If time to completion is important to you, consider that EdD students generally finish their programs faster than PhD students. On average, a PhD takes five to six years to complete, with some studies showing that students regularly take as many as eight years. On the other hand, earning an EdD generally takes between three and four years. Students can complete ours in as little as 32 months.

Apply to the online Doctor of Education degree program at Maryville University

Bring us your ambition and we’ll guide you along a personalized path to a quality education that’s designed to change your life.

  1 Top Executives. (2023). Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote reference

  2 Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote reference

  3 Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics . Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference

  4 Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics . Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference

  5 Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics . Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference

  6 Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics . Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference

  7 Postsecondary Education Administrators. (2023). U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics . Retrieved February 9, 2024. arrow_upward Return to footnote referenceReturn to footnote reference

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Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Innovation

Arizona State University’s online Doctor of Education in leadership and innovation is designed for practicing educator-leaders looking to transform their practice and create better learning opportunities for all students. Delivered in a collaborative, cohort model, this program incorporates academic and personal support through leader-scholar community groups made up of your peers and a faculty member.

Quick facts

Next start date: 01/13/2025

Total classes: 20

Weeks per class: 7.5–15

Total credit hours: 90

Degree questions, answered

Have questions about the Leadership and Innovation (EdD) ? Fill out this form and we’ll get in touch!

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Transform education and learning opportunities for students of all ages

• Higher education change leadership.
• Pre-K–grade 12 change leadership.
• Systems, professional and reimagined change leadership.

Collaborate with faculty and fellow students

Who’s a good candidate for this online edd, will my diploma say ‘online’.

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”

Online EdD in leadership and innovation courses

This program features a curriculum that encourages both self-reflection and collaboration with your leader-scholar community group. In your courses, you’ll build competencies in continually evaluating your professional practice, making informed decisions and understanding the implications of educational innovation. The program culminates in completing and defending your dissertation.

The jobs this Doctor of Education prepares you for

As a graduate, you can put your action-research experience into practice in your workplace and contribute to positive outcomes for learners. You’ll also be equipped to excel in advanced education leadership roles in settings ranging from pre-K–grade 12 to higher education. Potential career paths include, but aren’t limited to:

Today’s educators supporting tomorrow’s change leaders

The Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College faculty draws from a range of academic disciplines including cognitive science, psychology and economics. They seek to answer questions about the process of learning, teaching practices and effects of education policy. Our faculty is also committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments. They ensure teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.

Online doctorate in education leadership admission requirements

Applicants to the Doctor of Education in leadership and innovation program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.

This program has a highly competitive admission process.

Application requirements

Applicants must currently hold a position related to education that will allow them to implement change in their workplace.

All applicants must show proof of a completed master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their bachelor's program. Additionally, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in an applicable master’s degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• Graduate admission application and application fee.
• Official transcripts.
• Letters of recommendation.
• Personal statement.
• Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume.
• Writing sample.

Application review criteria

The online program admits students two times a year in the spring and fall semesters. Your application will be rated and ranked based on the following:

• What interests you about this particular doctoral program, given your current or prior professional experiences?
• The extent to which your local problem of practice is unique, important and worthy of investigation as part of your action research projects and dissertation.
• How you envision the program helping you address your identified problem of practice and achieving your professional goals.
• How you see the program improving your commitment and ability to engage with issues of diversity and inclusion.
• Your overall fit, given the goals and objectives of the program.
• The overall quality of your writing.

Personal statement

For the committee to gain a better understanding of your fit for the program, you must submit a three-page, double-spaced (1" margins and 12-point font) personal statement that answers the following three topics:

• In approximately 250 words, explain why you’re interested in pursuing an EdD in MLFTC’s leadership and innovation program. Describe how your professional goals intersect with the values and action research methodologies of the program.
• In approximately 200 words, describe a local problem of practice in your current professional work. Focus on why this problem is significant to you and others, and the change you hope to see. This is explored more deeply in your writing sample — here you should focus on how this problem captured your attention and what motivates your interest or passion for addressing it.
• In approximately 300 words, share how your background and experiences demonstrate your commitment to and exemplify the ASU Charter, which states: “ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.” Discuss how those commitments might be reflected in your research should you join our program.

The admission committee pays particular attention to the quality of writing and clarity demonstrated in your answers to these questions.

Guided writing sample

To allow the admissions committee to best evaluate your qualifications for entrance into the EdD program, please submit a 3–5-page essay to address the following question:

What is action research and how can it be used to address problems of practice?

Your essay should be between 800 and 1,200 words (not including references). The writing sample must be double-spaced, use 1" margins and written in 12-point font.

We have made three articles available to you to read and consider when formulating your response (see below). We encourage you to refer to these resources and other literature in your essay. You must ensure all literature is appropriately cited and referenced following APA 7th edition style guidelines.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or need assistance.

Provided research literature:

• Rasmussen, H. T. (2018) . Getting to maybe: Improving the education doctorate in an era of uncertainty. Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, 3 (2), 24-29.
• Hammond, M. (2013) . The contribution of pragmatism to understanding educational action research: value and consequences. Educational Action Research, 21 (4), 603-618.
• Buss, R. R. (2018) . Using Action Research as a Signature Pedagogy to Develop EdD Students’ Inquiry as Practice Abilities. Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, 3 (1).

Recommendations

For a complete application, you’ll need three professional references. The admission committee prefers to review a reference from each of the following categories:

• Your current supervisor or someone in a supervisory position with whom you’ve worked.
• Someone in an academic position with whom you’ve studied or worked, such as a professor or someone who can write about your ability to undertake graduate studies.
• A person of your choice, such as someone who you know professionally and who can write about your qualities that will contribute to your success in a practice-focused doctoral program.

Your recommenders will receive a form that asks them to explain your qualities and fit for the program with respect to the following desired professional attributes:

• Collaboration with others.
• Dedication to equity access and inclusiveness.
• Initiative.
• Overall potential for graduate studies.
• Perseverance.
• Potential for leadership.
• Professionalism.
• Receiving and using feedback.
• Research aptitude.
• Writing ability.

Please provide the recommenders’ names, current places of business, and email addresses when submitting your application. Recommenders will receive a form to complete and provide their feedback.

Additional admission information

An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.

Join one of the best colleges of education in the nation

Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College brings people and ideas together to increase the capabilities of educators and the performance of education systems. According to U.S. News & World Report, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is the only U.S. college of education to rank in the top 15 for both on-campus and online graduate education degrees.

best online master’s in educational administration programs.

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Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (online)

This program is designed for working professionals with leadership experience who desire to lead K-12 schools, universities, community colleges or other educational settings.

To address the existing gaps in education, the EDL online program empowers students to lead change through an equity and social justice lens. The program will prepare students to improve academic opportunities and outcomes.

Program Overview

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership online (EDL online) program prepares you to be a critically conscious leader equipped with strategic thinking, evidence-based research skills, and the ability to create equity and foster continuous organizational improvement. The online program offers four concentrations: K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings, Leading Instructional Change, Higher Education Administration, and Educational Psychology.

Through this program, you will:

• Earn a doctorate recognized by employers in the field of education.
• Be able to maintain a full-time work schedule while taking two courses one night a week.
• Learn alongside a cohort of experienced educational professionals nationwide.
• Become equipped to address critical issues in historically marginalized communities and make a lasting impact.

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EDL) program will equip you with knowledge and skills in six core competencies:

• Accountability
• Critical reflection
• Diversity and equity
• Learning organizations
• Research and data

In the first year of the program, you will complete core courses that reflect USC Rossier’s mission and the program’s purpose. Explore the dynamics of power and privilege in education, leadership, and addressing inequities in learning opportunities. Subsequent coursework will build on this foundation and prepare you to become a leader in schools, colleges and universities or educational settings.

Online Concentration

Each concentration path includes four courses and a concentration-specific format for the dissertation in practice. A faculty member in your chosen concentration will provide guidance throughout your dissertation completion. Relevant career experience is a requirement for the concentration you select.

The K-12 leadership concentration will prepare you to become a leader in classrooms, schools or school districts. The courses help develop an understanding of how to create high-performing schools that address the diverse needs of all students regardless of school setting. The course sequence culminates in either EDUC 720: Leadership for Principals or EDUC 721: Leadership for Superintendents, an integrated composite of effective leadership practices that result in more effective organizational outcomes, including increased student achievement.

Recommended career background for this concentration:

Teacher, administrator or education professional in PK-12 education at the local, state and federal levels.

Dissertation in practice: Study an existing problem of practice and complete a traditional five-chapter dissertation.

Career Outcomes: The K-12 leadership concentration prepares you for employment as an educational leader in the K-12 field. This includes school site leadership, district leadership and systems leadership. Roles include teacher leaders, district office leaders, superintendents and CEOs of independent schools and charter schools.

Alumni have held positions such as:

• Superintendent, Covina-Valley Unified School District
• Director of community partnerships, Long Beach Unified School District
• Chief innovation officer, National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
• Superintendent, Garden Grove Unified School District

The higher education administration concentration focuses on administrative theory and best practices for leading higher education institutions. Courses in the concentration address policy, economic issues, assessment, student learning and the history and major philosophical assumptions that undergird the system of higher education.

Recommended career background for this concentration: Professional in higher education administration at a two- or four-year college or university (including student, academic and administrative affairs) or secondary and postsecondary college advising.

Career outcomes: The higher education administration concentration prepares you for employment in senior administration in two- and four-year colleges, academic executive positions, key leadership roles in education-related organizations, and more.

• Associate dean of students and director, Stanford University
• Executive director, undergraduate advising and programs, School of Business, George Washington University
• Director of intercollegiate athletics, California State University, Northridge
• Vice president for student affairs and dean of students, University of Texas, Austin

The leading instructional change concentration focuses on theories, practices and policies supporting curriculum and instruction that foster equitable educational opportunities for students from historically marginalized groups in urban PK-12 and higher education settings. This concentration is designed for individuals interested in leading and teaching teachers (pre- and in-service) and faculty (higher ed) so that they are prepared to provide their students with high-quality instruction that is anti-racist, culturally relevant and LGBTQ+ inclusive.

Recommended career background for this concentration: Teacher or administrator in PK-12 or higher education, instructional leader or designer, curriculum developer or professional in non-traditional educational settings.

Dissertation in practice: Conduct action or participatory action research addressing the relationship between leadership and instructional improvement in PK-20 educational settings and complete a non-traditional written product (not a five-chapter dissertation) and public presentation.   Career outcomes: The leading instructional change program prepares you for positions such as university faculty member, professional development specialist, curriculum developer/administrator and more.   Alumni have held positions such as:

• Director, metrics and LCAP, Azusa Unified School District
• Director, student support and intervention, Antelope Valley Union High School District
• Senior director of teaching and learning, Los Angeles Education Partnership

The educational psychology concentration* focuses on research and practice in the areas of learning, motivation and development in diverse social contexts. Courses in the concentration explore how people learn, what motivates them, which instructional and motivational strategies are most effective within varied cultural systems and how the social context of instruction affects learning.

*The educational psychology concentration does not meet the requirements for licensure as an educational psychologist.

Recommended career background for this concentration: Professional in K-12, higher education, or counseling, special education, social services, instructional technology, non-profit organizations, or other non-traditional educational settings.

Dissertation in practice: Study an existing problem of practice and complete a five-chapter dissertation or design curriculum to address an existing problem of practice.

Career outcomes: The educational psychology concentration prepares you for employment in areas such as instructional design, human performance personnel, school/community counseling and more.

• Innovation program manager, Applied Materials
• Managing director, school performance accountability and research, California Charter Schools Association
• Dean of innovation, The Derryfield School
• Vice president of education, Fusion Education Group

Dissertation in Practice

The dissertation in practice prioritizes real-world application, using relevant research methods to address practical issues in equitable education. It equips you with skills to tackle workplace challenges. Format options for the dissertation will vary based on concentration.

Scholarships

Applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships of up to $10,000, without needing a separate application. However, scholarship availability may be limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, commitment to the USC Rossier mission, and other factors. All scholarships are awarded upon admission.

For additional scholarship opportunities, consult the Scholarship Finder . Please note, separate applications and deadlines may apply.

Financial Aid

The USC Office of Student Financial Services provides information regarding student accounts, tuition payment plans, campus-based loans, payment options and tax credits.

To be considered for financial aid, you must apply by filing the FAFSA. After you apply, the financial aid office will determine your financial need and inform you of the federal or private loans that are available to you.

Program Details

Degree awarded, estimated length, program cost.

$2,354 per unit (estimated)

Estimated cost of attendance

Next Deadline

December 1, 2024

See all deadlines

August 25, 2025

Class Times

Prior to the dissertation phase, students are assigned to one evening of classes per week on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 5:00 to 9:50 p.m. in the Pacific Time Zone.

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Program Outcomes

Sitting superintendent alumni , of edl alumni said their usc rossier education prepared them to be more effective in their career, of edl alumni said their studies at usc rossier prepared them well for future employment, of edl alumni said their studies at usc rossier prepared them to understand research, from our alumni.

As a change agent for underrepresented students, my time at USC sharpened my mind and equipped me with the tools necessary for success. As I was taught by the USC Rossier world class instructors and surrounded by top-tier educational professionals, there was never a wasted moment or opportunity.

David D. Smith, EdD ‘’

Chief Technology Officer, Tustin Unified School District

Is an EdD worth it? Leaders share insights and experiences

Those wondering if an EdD is worth it often want to make a positive impact while advancing their career. A doctoral degree in education can be an effective way to land leadership positions in K–12 schools, higher education and other industries as well. Because doctoral programs require rigorous study and professional experience, an EdD represents the highest level of preparation for many roles in education and related fields. 

PhD vs. EdD in education: nine expert tips to help you choose

If you want to elevate your career in education, an advanced degree can open the door to more job opportunities. Many schools offer graduate programs in education, but before you go down a rabbit hole of research, first decide if you want to get a PhD or EdD degree.

News and Insights

September 4, 2024

District leaders gathered to tackle the persistent challenges faced by their school communities

USC Rossier hosted the second annual Breakthrough Leadership Institute from July 14 to 17.

Featured Faculty

• Pedro Noguera
• Darline P. Robles

September 3, 2024

USC’s EdTech Accelerator Program opens its application portal

Program helps aspiring EdTech professionals with training, mentorship and access to build solutions that improve outcomes for learners all over the world.

• Mark DeGennaro

August 22, 2024

Jessica DeCuir-Gunby named president of the APA’s Educational Psychology Division

In the new role, DeCuir-Gunby aims to expand the group’s membership, improve the integration of DEI into the field and better connect research to practice.

• Jessica T. DeCuir-Gunby

August 20, 2024

New USC study sheds light on adolescent mental health crisis in the United States

Results emphasize the interconnectedness of mental health, attendance and school grades—a necessary reality for schools to grapple with.

• Morgan Polikoff

August 14, 2024

Roger Rossier MA ’63, EdD ’72, lifelong educator known for his significant contributions to educational research and policy, passed away at 92

The namesake of the USC Rossier School of Education passed away on Aug. 11, 2024.

Research Centers

Center for education, identity and social justice.

Established in 2017, the Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice has a compelling interest in eradicating all forms of discrimination based on the intersection of an individual’s identities that include religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and disability. Using rigorous research and legal analysis, we empower educators to utilize laws and policies in order to identify and extricate bias and unequal distributions of power within educational institutions.

Website  |  Brochure

The University of Southern California Race and Equity Center

Established in 2017, the Race and Equity Center is the epicenter for interdisciplinary scholarship, resources and meaningful activities on racial equity that significantly benefit the University, other institutions of higher education and the broader society.

Program Contact

Callah Darmali

Associate Director, Office of Admission and Scholarships

• [email protected]
• (213) 205-0609

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Connect with us to receive more information about this program and reminders about upcoming events and application deadlines.

Privacy Policy: USC Rossier School of Education will never share or sell your personal information.

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Catalog Contents

Doctor of education in leadership and innovation, description and outcomes.

The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Innovation is for professionals who want to teach at the postsecondary level and/or become leaders in varying educational settings. You will develop skills to become change agents within your educational setting. You will learn how to become ethical and innovative leaders who advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The program begins with the assistance of a Faculty Advisor who will review your master’s degree field of study and future career goals to ensure alignment of your EdD cognate electives . The program culminates in the successful completion of an applied research project over the course of several terms. You will complete the applied research project under the mentorship of your instructor and a Faculty Consultant.

Program Length

The Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation consists of a minimum of 90 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a doctorate degree.

Program Outcomes

• Educational Systems: Analyze the context and conditions in which educational systems and teams operate.
• Ethical and Innovative Leadership: Evaluate the impact of policy and practices on educational settings from multiple, diverse perspectives. 
• Research and Technology: Improve learning, innovation and professional practice using research-based information and technology. 
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Empower agents of change to advocate for individuals and groups who are historically marginalized, oppressed, underrepresented, or underserved. 
• Curriculum and Instruction: Design responsive and sustaining curriculum and instruction. 

Professional Competencies

In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the professional competencies associated with your academic program in the Professional Competencies section of this Catalog.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information .

Admissions Requirements

You must meet the below admissions requirement in addition to Purdue Global's  general requirements . 

A transcript indicating completion of a master's degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher must be submitted.

Progression Requirements

• You may transfer in up to 30 credits of cognate electives from your master’s degree. Y our Faculty Advisor may recommend that you take additional cognate area courses at Purdue Global to align with your career goals, in which case you may decline the award of eligible prior learning credit to pursue the recommended curriculum.
• You must have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 prior to starting ED810 Applied Research Project I Academic Writing and Project Proposal .
• If you are unable to complete your applied research project within the normal course of study, you may contact your instructor to secure an extension. The purpose of the extension is to provide you with additional time to complete the project. Approval of the Dean's designee is required. If granted, you will enroll in an extension course. The University will not charge tuition for the extension course; however, you will be required to pay the normal resource fee.
• You must successfully complete IRB training, and IRB approval is required for the development of your applied research project. 
• You may not use credit for prior learning to fulfill any 700- or 800-level course.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment.  Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information  to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.

The 🌐 icon appears in the title of traditional courses that are also available as a set of module courses. Module course availability may be limited to certain academic calendars. See Course Types for information about module courses.

Program Requirements

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Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership Outstanding Institutions Need Audacious Leadership

Credit Hours

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100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Be an Impactful Educator with an Online Educational Leadership Degree

As an educator, you find the best ways to help your students learn in an effective and engaging way. But if you want to use your teaching experience to help lead your school and fellow educators to build a better learning environment, it is important to foster skills in leadership and management.

Liberty University’s online doctorate in educational leadership is the perfect program to help provide you with the leadership and research skills that are integral to evaluating educational challenges, finding viable solutions, and creating a positive experience for students.

By combining affordability and flexibility with academic excellence, our online doctoral program can give you the credentials you need to reach your full potential and open up career advancement opportunities.

At Liberty, we do not just train professionals — we train professionals who are prepared to lead with integrity. Our mission is Training Champions for Christ , meaning we offer quality online doctoral programs from a biblical worldview to prepare you to change the world for Christ.

With a foundation of excellent teaching practice and innovative scholarship, you can be an effective, ethical leader in your school district or university. Earning your EdD in leadership can give you the tools you need to build a better future for students. Come be a part of our mission to make a positive impact on the world of education!

Please note: Students enrolling in Educational Leadership programs after April 1, 2020, will not be eligible to receive Georgia Tier I or Tier II Educational Leadership Certification.

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership Program?

At Liberty University, your success is our success, so we use cutting-edge technology to bring you the best online learning experience possible. Liberty University has been pioneering distance learning since 1985, adapting to meet the educational and career needs of our students with world-class online learning. You can be confident that Liberty’s online EdD in leadership degree leverages practical, effective online tools to support your studies and help you succeed.

As you pursue your EdD in Educational Leadership at Liberty, you can be confident that your online EdD degree has met rigorous educational standards. And with the innovative research you complete in your capstone project, you can stand out as a knowledgeable educator with practical skills.

Our 100% online EdD program format is designed to complement your schedule, allowing you to continue your education with the flexibility you need to maintain your relationships and responsibilities. This focus on building a doctoral degree in educational leadership that provides quality training while meeting your schedule needs lets you earn your degree in less time and use your new skills sooner.

What Will You Study in Our Educational Leadership Doctorate Degree?

Our online education classes seek to provide the tools you need to understand the context of current educational issues and trends so you can evaluate and solve real-world problems that exist in schools today. Our online professors have experience in educational leadership and can help equip you with practical skills you can use to both further your career and create a better learning environment for your students.

Through our online EdD in Educational Leadership degree program, you can be prepared to take on leadership roles within your school and community as well as advocate for the needs of your students. At Liberty University, we care about you as an individual and are committed to helping you achieve your full potential. Let us come alongside you to help you make an impact on education.

Potential Career Opportunities

• College administrator
• Curriculum director
• Instructional supervisor
• School board administrator
• University professor

Please note: this program does not lead to initial or advanced licensure.

Featured Courses

• EDUC 701 – Advanced Learning Theory and Research
• EDUC 741 – Theories of Educational Leadership
• EDUC 742 – Educational Leadership and Public Relations
• EDUC 746 – Conflict Resolution

Degree Information

• This program falls under the School of Education .
• View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required) .
• View the Post-Graduate Advising Guide .
• Please note : Students enrolling in Educational Leadership programs after April 1, 2020, will not be eligible to receive Georgia Tier I or Tier II Educational Leadership Certification.

Degree Completion Plan

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Our Online EdD in Educational Leadership Degree Program

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

The Office of Graduate Admissions may request additional documentation when conducting admission reviews to evaluate a candidate’s record before a final admission decision can be made.

Please note: Guidelines are subject to change in federal or state regulations for the licensure of school personnel.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Please note: Due to the competitive nature of the EdD online program, preliminary acceptance is not guaranteed.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
• Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

• Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for EdS and EdD courses
• Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)
• 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online doctoral programs in educational leadership respected.

Educational leadership doctoral programs were usually taken at a brick-and-mortar campus in previous years. But online programs such as Liberty’s EdD degree demonstrate that high-quality academics and cutting-edge research don’t have to come from a campus. Schools and employers need professionals who can apply advanced theory to practical solutions, and earning your Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership online with Liberty University can help you fill that need.

With our program meeting rigorous standards for quality and teaching, you can take advantage of the flexibility of online studies while gaining the skills and knowledge you need for your career. Paired with your teaching experience and previous education studies, you can expand your options to make a positive impact on students around the world.

What can I do with an EdD in Educational Leadership?

Pursuing an online EdD program in educational leadership may be the most flexible and affordable way to earn your doctorate in education, but it is still an investment that you want to make sure you fully weigh. But when considering the career options that can open up for you with an EdD, you can have many new opportunities to look forward to. With previous education experience and related teaching licensure, an EdD in Educational Leadership can open the door to many roles, such as:

• Chief learning officer
• College executive administrator
• K-12 curriculum director
• University provost or dean

Please note: any of these roles may require specific initial or add-on licensure. See your state’s Department of Education website for details about special requirements.

What makes educational leadership different from business administration?

If you already have an extensive education background, you may wonder if a business degree might be a better fit to give you the management and leadership skills you need. There is some crossover between the management, business, and strategic skills needed to be a good leader in business and education. However, educational leadership EdD programs are specially designed to fulfill all of the areas you need for the field of education.

Earning your EdD in Educational Leadership from Liberty University could be the best path forward to ensure that you can tackle any challenges in your future career in education administration.

What are the benefits of pursuing a program like this?

While completing our EdD in Educational Leadership degree online, you can hone your instructional methods and understanding of learning theory so that you can manage the crucial higher-order curriculum and instruction improvements needed in K-12 and higher education institutions.

Additionally, the online EdD in Educational Leadership degree seeks to provide training in essential research and testing skills so that you can ensure your institution is providing effective instruction.

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10 Doctor of Education Degrees in Management Studies Leadership in USA for 2024

Popular degree type

Popular study format

Popular education type

Doctor of Education Degrees in Management Studies Leadership

Leadership is the ability to direct and manage other people, whether within formal or informal contexts. It requires skills such as decisiveness and communication, which may be acquired through participation in a leadership educational program.

Education in the United States is mainly provided by the public sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: state, local, and federal, in that order. The common requirements to study at a higher education level in United States will include your admissions essay (also known as the statement of purpose or personal statement), transcript of records, recommendation/reference letters, language tests

The Doctor of Education degree allows education professionals to further their knowledge in specialized areas of study. Graduates can be prepared for roles in academia, administration, or policymaking in either educational or civic institutions.

• Faculty/Staff
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Online Learning Doctor of Education

Currently accepting applications, next class start: august 2025, request info, advance your career with a doctor of education.

At the University of Southern Indiana, our online Doctorate in Educational Leadership prepares you to effectively solve problems, manage school policy issues, cultivate curriculum planning, and demonstrate ethical and legal leadership skills.

As an educator, you know that classrooms and educational delivery continue changing and transforming. To keep pace with an ever-evolving world and build a strong future, schools and universities need innovative leaders. Join the ranks of change-makers shaping the next chapter of American education by completing an online Doctor of Education program.

At the University of Southern Indiana, our 100% online Doctorate in Educational Leadership is designed for working professionals like you — dedicated educators who have earned a master’s degree from an accredited university.

Our convenient and affordable Doctor of Education in Leadership program will give you the critical tools and strategies to become an effective leader or administrator. Choose from three concentrations in our online Educational Leadership Doctoral program:

• Higher Education Administrative Leadership – a track that focuses solely on higher education administration
• Pedagogical Leadership – which focuses on classroom planning and management
• School District Administrative Leadership – a track that leads to school district-level licensure

Our online Doctor of Education program consists of just two classes each semester and one in the summer. Whichever specialty path you choose, USI’s program provides an exemplary education that puts you in control. Our program provides some synchronous learning (meets Wednesday's 5:30-8:30pm CST) opportunities that are a personalized, interactive experience for each student. The program is cohort-based, with fall-only admission.

Tuition & Fees     Get Started!

Boost your earning power with our online doctorate in educational leadership.

A Doctor of Education in Leadership provides the credential you need to enter the highest-paying positions in educational leadership. On average, professional educators who pursue an online educational leadership doctoral program earn $98,490 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

When you complete USI’s online Educational Leadership Doctoral program, a whole new world of vocational possibilities becomes available, including:

• Chief academic officer
• Elementary or secondary school administrator
• Educational policy advocate
• College professor or administrator
• Educational researcher
• Curriculum developer
• Submit an online application , $40 application fee, and a list of 3 references (names, relation to you and email address). One must be an employment supervisor and the other two must be professional references.
• A current resume/curriculum vitae. The file should be a PDF and use the following naming convention: First Name Last Name EdD resume.pdf (example: Joe Smith EdD resume.pdf).
• How do you foresee this program positively impacting your community?
• What do you perceive as a major social justice issue in your field? How do you hope to address it?
• How will your work contribute to equitable outcomes in education?
• Imagine yourself in 5 years from now/after you graduate, what do you see yourself doing professionally and with whom will you be working with?
• Official transcripts are required only from the institution at which your highest degree was earned. Electronic transcripts are preferred and can be emailed from the previous institution to [email protected]  
• Unofficial transcripts from other institutions attended can be submitted via email by the applicant to [email protected]  
• Applicants who wish to seek transfer credit for graduate coursework must submit an official transcript from the institution where that work was completed.  
• Mailed transcripts can be sent to this address: Graduate Studies University of Southern Indiana   8600 University Blvd.   Evansville, IN 47712
• Read the full transcript policy by clicking here .
• International applicants may be required to submit additional information .

Courses within the EdD are offered entirely online using a learning management system and videoconferencing. Classes meet on Wednesday evenings 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. CST. Access to a reliable computer with internet access, microphone, speakers and a camera are required. 

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Indiana is a cohort program based on a practitioner-scholar, community-based model. The purpose of the program is to transform leaders, organizations, and communities through focused, flexible study addressing real-world problems and issues. A unique characteristic of the program is a curriculum in which each course is community-based, i.e. course content is connected to the graduate student's community. Academic study is connected to concepts, issues, and content that are familiar, understandable, accessible, and personally relevant to each student. In each course, students will apply learning in practical real-life settings. The program of study includes an 18-hour leadership core, a 12-hour research sequence, the choice of a 15-hour concentration in administrative leadership or pedagogical leadership, and a 15-hour dissertation sequence. Both concentration areas include an internship.

Go Further with an Accredited Doctor of Education Online Program.

USI’s community-based approach provides unique benefits

Our Doctor of Education in Leadership course content connects you to your community. That means you’ll study ideas and concepts that are familiar and personally relevant. You will gain an understanding of the interplay between schools and community well-being.

After you complete your online Doctorate in Educational Leadership, you can immediately apply your classroom knowledge, practical experience and theoretical training to real-world settings.

We know strong leaders are prepared leaders. You’ll appreciate our online Doctor of Education program as it prepares you for the issues and problems you’ll face, both in your school community and the larger community where you serve.

Our outstanding curriculum prepares you for the future

At USI, our online doctorate in educational leadership features diverse courses taught by exceptional faculty members. Our challenging online educational leadership doctoral program sets you up for success.

As you pursue your Doctor of Education in Leadership, you’ll gain a solid educational foundation that includes knowledge of the law, policy, finance and diversity.

Our online educational leadership doctoral program prepares you to become an effective and thoughtful educational leader. Along with your cohort, you’ll study:

• Legal and Ethical Issues for Educational Leaders
• Analyzing Race, Class, and Gender Dynamics in American Education
• Creating Community-Based Curricular Change
• Orchestrating a Community-Based Educational Vision

Expand each section below to see the complete 60 credit hours you'll earn to complete the program. 

• EDLE 725 - Becoming a Community-Based Educational Leader 
• EDLE 731 - Analyzing Race, Class, and Gender Dynamics in American Schooling 
• EDLE 705 - Introduction to Educational Research 
• EDLE 706 - Statistical Literacy for Educational Leaders 
• EDLE 707 - Survey of Qualitative Research Methods 
• EDLE 708 - Advanced Research Methods and Design

Choose one specialization.

This specialization leads to school district-level licensure.

• EDLE 726 - Legal and Ethical Issues for Educational Leaders
• EDLE 727 - Special Education Policy and Practice
• EDLE 728 - Evaluating School Effectiveness Through a Community Lens
• EDLE 732 - Creating Community-Based Curricular Change
• EDLE 755 - Orchestrating a Community-Based Educational Vision 
• EDLE 756 - School Personnel Management 
• EDLE 757 - Analytical Decision-Making 
• EDLE 758 - School Finance
• EDLE 760 - Internship in School District Administration
• EDLE 723 - The History and Leadership of Higher Education
• EDLE 724 - Policy and Practice in Higher Education
• EDLE 742 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Higher Education
• EDLE 743 - Organization and Management of Colleges and Universities
• EDLE 744 - Technology & Organizational Innovation
• EDLE 745 - Competitive Context of Higher Education
• EDLE 746 - Budgeting and Finance in Higher Education
• EDLE 748 - The College Student Experience
• NOTE: EDLE 780 Internship in Higher Education Administration is taken Summer, Fall, and Spring for 1 credit hour for a total of 3 credit hours.

The following courses are required for the Pedagogical Leadership Concentration:

• EDLE 762 - Curriculum Theory
• EDLE 763 - Community-Based Curriculum and Instruction
• NOTE: EDLE 770 Internship in Pedagogical Leadership is taken Summer, Fall, and Spring for 1 credit hour for a total of 3 credit hours.

You will then choose 4 courses from the following pairs:

• EDLE 723 - The History and Leadership of Higher Education OR EDLE 728 - Evaluating School Effectiveness through a Community Lens
• EDLE 724 - Policy and Practice in Higher Education OR EDLE 727 - Special Education Policy and Practice
• EDLE 726 - Legal and Ethical Issues for Educational Leaders OR EDLE 742 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Higher Education
• EDLE 748 - The College Student Experience OR EDLE 764 - Literacy and Technology in Twenty-First Century Schools

The final 15 credits are the dissertation-in-practice.

• EDLE 800 - The Research Proposal 
• EDLE 805 - Seminar in Community-Based Educational Research 
• EDLE 899 - Dissertation Research -  A total of 9 credits is required.

Earn Your Doctor of Education with USI.

Pursue an Online Doctor of Education Program at USI: The Right Choice for Your Future

You earned a master’s degree because you’re passionate about education. Now it’s time to reach your full potential. Apply for our online Doctor of Education program today.

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• Another Degree of Success

Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership is designed to produce educational leaders with the knowledge and skills to enhance the leadership capacity in K-12 school systems as well as the state and federal educational departments. Several areas of concentration are available including educational leadership and management, instructional leadership, higher education, and a specialty area. 

This program is offered jointly by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Education & Human Development and Southeastern Louisiana University. UL Lafayette was ranked among the country's best for graduate programs in education in the 2023 edition of U.S. News & World Report's "Best Graduate Schools." 

Concentrations  

The Curriculum Leadership concentration will give you the knowledge and skills you need to provide effective instructional leadership. This concentration is designed to address the growing emphasis on the need for modes of teaching and learning to support pedagogy for diverse populations. Learn more about the Curriculum Leadership concentration>  

The Exceptional Learner concentration is designed to prepare you as a leader the knowledge and skills that provide effective administrative support for special and gifted education teachers. Many point to poor administrative support as a reason for special education teachers leaving the profession during the first three years of employment. This concentration is intended to give you a better understanding of the needs of special and gifted education and the kind of administrative support required for you to be effective. Learn more about the Exceptional Learner concentration>  

The Higher Education Administration concentration prepares you for leadership roles in university and college administration or a career influencing higher education policies. As higher education in Louisiana and across the country becomes more complex with greater demands on its leaders, the Educational Leadership Ed.D. Higher Ed executive concentration will help you meet today’s challenges. Learn more about the Higher Education Administration concentration >  

The K-12 Leadership Education concentration will make you a strong leader who can identify and solve complex problems in primary and secondary schools. Our doctorate in educational leadership, K-12 Leadership Education Concentration will teach you the leadership and management theories, practices, and techniques you need both in a school setting and outside the walls of your elementary, middle, or high school. Learn more about the K-12 Leadership Education concentration >  

Related Programs

Educational leadership at ul lafayette.

Experienced Faculty

Learn from faculty who maintain a highly productive blend of extensive experience in both higher education, as well as K-12 organizations. As researchers, they have garnered national and international recognition with their research, publications, and presentations. Faculty members also have extensive experience as school and district level administrators, as well as teacher leadership.  

Ideal for Working Professionals

Ed.D. courses are offered through an Executive Format with Friday evening and Saturday face-to-face classes four times each semester (fall and spring) supported by online activities. Summer course schedules vary by concentration. 

Cohort Support

Our cohort model offers a learning community approach that allows you to work with experienced education professionals and leaders. 

Funding Opportunities

Explore diverse funding options for your UL Lafayette graduate education. Make your graduate journey financially accessible and rewarding through graduate assistantships and fellowships , the teacher tuition incentive program , GSO funding , SGA funding , or financial aid options . 

Application Information

Application Deadlines

Fall: June 30 (Domestic) May 15 (International) 

Admission into the doctoral program occurs in Fall semesters only.  

Funding opportunities such as assistantships and fellowships can help pay for your degree while letting you earn valuable experience for your career.  

Learn more about funding opportunities and how to apply >>  

Assistantship Application Deadlines

Fall: March 1 

For more information about the program and funding availability, please contact: Dr. Sebnem Cilesiz, Graduate Coordinator [email protected] (337) 482-6470

Educational Leadership According to Grad Students and Faculty

“The thing I love the most about our Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program is the faculty. Thus far, our faculty have been so supportive -- it has been the single most influential factor in continuing in the program. A special mention for Dr. Giroir, Dr. Olivier, Dr. Hellums, and Dr. Slater, as they have enlightened Cohort 8, as well as encouraged us to keep moving forward. Without their enthusiasm, wonderful course content, and continuous support, I for one might have succumbed to academic fatigue and taken a break or quit all together. Bravo to this program and its inspiring faculty!" Keith Thibodeaux, educational leadership Ed.D. student

“Two main aspects really struck me. First, the program was very practical, teaching potential school leaders practical skills to utilize in their quest to become true agents of educational leadership. Second, the program recognized me as a working professional. While some programs required sabbaticals, etc., the program at UL Lafayette really worked with us and actually tapped into our experience in our current positions to better prepare us for future leadership roles.”  Donald Thornton Ed.D, educational leadership Ed.D. alum

“I believe mentoring doctoral students is all about developing a working relationship with each student that is based on open communication and a genuine concern for their overall well-being. Being available when they need help and oftentimes taking on the role of cheerleader/motivator is what I have found my students really appreciate.”  Christopher Giroir Ed.D, associate professor of educational foundations & leadership

"As an adult learner who successfully completed the Ed.D program while managing a career and family, I find immense joy in guiding current students along this transformative journey, fostering their discovery of the meaningful intersections between their careers and learning, which deeply excites me as a mentor at UL." Robert McKinney Ph.D., Professor of Architecture

Careers in Educational Leadership

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Donald Thornton, Jr

Dr. Donald Thornton, Jr., the former principal of Lafayette High School and Westminister Christian Academy, is a testament to the excellence of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's (UL Lafayette) Educational Leadership program, where he earned both his master's and doctoral degrees. Emphasizing UL Lafayette as the obvious choice, Dr. Thornton praises the program for its practical approach, teaching essential skills for aspiring educational leaders. Noteworthy are the courses' focus on current research in leadership, change, and data-driven decision-making. Reflecting on his day-to-day role, Dr. Thornton acknowledges the lasting impact of the program, particularly highlighting insights from educators like Dr. Paula Montgomery, Dr. Nathan Roberts, and Dr. Richard Fossey. Additionally, he shares his enthusiasm for teaching Education Law and Ethics at UL Lafayette, emphasizing the joy of preparing students for leadership roles. Dr. Thornton's involvement in the National SAM Innovation Project further exemplifies his commitment to instructional excellence and mentorship. His advice to future education leaders includes congratulations on completing a quality program, staying current with education law, and actively engaging with the UL Lafayette community for a successful and fulfilling career in education.

Career Opportunities

• Superintendent
• Regional Compliance Manager
• Instructional Designer
• University Administrator
• Department Chair
• Program Director or Coordinator
• Educational Consultant
• Research or Policy Analyst
• Faculty Member

Program Requirements

In addition to satisfying the  Graduate School application and admission  requirements , you must also have: 

A master’s degree from an accredited university 

Letter of Interest 

Curriculum Vitae 

Interview 

To earn the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, the student must complete 60+ hours of coursework beyond the master's degree, organized as listed below. The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership provides an opportunity for the student to specialize in a content area with the approval of the Faculty Advisor and Graduate Coordinator. The student must complete all requirements within six calendar years beginning with the first semester after successfully defending the qualifying paper. 

Learn more about the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership curriculum in the catalog . 

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COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Doctor of Education (EdD) Program

Locations: Distance + in-person immersions Formats: Online + hands-on Program duration: The program can be completed in as few as 3 years or less based on transfer credit and prior learning experience. The average time to degree is 4 years for students who have graduated within the last 3 years* See Requirements & Program Details

EdD at a Glance

• Online coursework
• Two required residencies and two optional immersions
• Acceleration options
• Sept., Jan. & May start dates
• Dissertation

*The program can be completed in as few as 3 years or less depending on individual progress, traditional vs. accelerated pathway, credits transferred, prior learning experience, and other factors. The average time to degree is 4 years for students who have graduated within the last 3 years*

Earn Your EdD in Our Healthcare-Focused Program

USAHS’ specialized Doctor of Education degree is devoted to healthcare practitioners and educators. It brings together students across healthcare disciplines who form a diverse cohort and collaborate on interprofessional projects together. Because the doctoral program is focused on healthcare education, you can more easily customize it to your career goals.

With our online EdD program, you can help fill a critical shortage of healthcare educators as you prepare for an academic, administrative, or leadership role in a variety of healthcare industry and educational settings. Your clinical experience is invaluable to the next generation of healthcare professionals.

USAHS’ EdD program received the  Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Effective Practice Award  in 2019, “recognizing successful efforts that help make quality online education accessible and affordable for anyone, anywhere, any time.”

How Our EdD Program Stands Apart

We offer specializations..

The online doctorate in education program offers specializations in Nurse Educator, Athletic Training, Teaching and Learning, and Executive Leadership. You’ll study with faculty mentors who are experts in these areas of education.

We’re online + hands-on.

We’ve long been at the forefront of innovative and applied learning methods, such as case-based teaching and realistic, immersive virtual simulations. Alongside online coursework, our doctoral program in education features two required on-campus or virtual residencies. Two core courses also offer optional virtual immersions, a chance to enjoy connections with faculty and fellow students—and complete the course faster.

We offer acceleration options.

In the flexible and individualized online EdD education program, your advisors will work with you to design a customized plan of study. You can take self-paced courses that award credit according to competency assessments While USAHS does not offer Title IV for any term in which an accelerated learning course is taken with a full term “Anchor” course, other financing alternatives may be available. Please refer to the Financial Aid webpage for additional information. , receive academic credit for your professional experience, and ask to transfer credits from another graduate program.

We’re interprofessional.

Our core courses and optional virtual immersions emphasize interprofessional education, enabling students from different healthcare professions to learn together and practice working in a team. You will contribute your educator’s perspective to problem-solving in collaborative scenarios.

PPOTD to EdD Bridge Program

For those who wish to teach in an occupational therapy academic program, we offer a bridge program from our Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) program to our EdD degree. Most students may transfer 24–27 PPOTD credits to the EdD and complete the EdD faster.

Professional Certification Opportunities

The ImPACT® Trained Athletic Trainer (ITAT) certification is available for students who complete the Concussion in Sport course, part of the Athletic Trainer specialization.

Tuition Savings

USAHS supports your EdD journey with Special Tuition Grant savings. Over the life of the program. This offer is not a guarantee that all candidates eligible for the offer will be granted acceptance or admission into USAHS. All prospective students will be subject to the same standard admission and registration process when applying to USAHS. The Grant is applicable to tuition only and does not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees. This offer is only valid for eligible new students who enroll and start classes in the above programs at USAHS for in 2024 only. Please refer to the Financial Aid webpage for additional information.

EdD: $7,500

Criteria Available to all eligible students No application is needed

EdD Requirements and Program Information

Edd specializations, optional specializations.

You may choose to follow the general program, or optionally earn one of the following specializations.

Nurse Educator Specialization

If you’re an experienced nurse interested in teaching in higher education, choose our concentration in Nurse Educator. This specialization includes four elective courses focused on practical theory and application within nursing education. It’s designed for experienced nursing professionals who seek to train the next generation of practitioners.

Athletic Training Specialization

Athletic trainers who are currently in higher education, or who wish to pursue a teaching role, will find it helpful to study topics uniquely challenging to educators. This specialization includes timely and relevant topics such as cultural competency, evidenced-based injury treatment and other emerging fields of interest to the AT educator.

Teaching and Learning Specialization

Through this specialization, you’ll have the chance to increase your expertise in teaching practices designed for today’s healthcare student. You can develop the skills you need to teach in a traditional or online classroom, develop curricula, and understand generational learning. Choose 12 credits from among six courses to earn the specialization.

Executive Leadership Specialization

In this specialization, you’ll prepare to lead departments and teams across academic and clinical settings. Courses focus on human resources, organizational leadership, and other subjects related to healthcare education administration. This specialization will support your current or future role as an academic department chair, a lead trainer within a health system, a human resources coordinator, and much more.

EdD Curriculum

Students in the online Doctor of Education (EdD) program take a total of 60 credits. All core courses are required (38 credits). Students complete 22 elective credits, which may include 12 credits to achieve a specialization plus 10 credits from any course in the general electives and specialization tracks.

Elective Courses

Students choose 22 elective credit hours to complete the 60-credit-hour EdD program. Students may take 12 credit hours in their chosen specialization plus choose 10 credit hours from the general electives or any specialization track or choose all 22 elective credit hours from any course in the general electives and specialization tracks.

General Elective Courses

Nurse Educator Elective Courses

Athletic Training Elective Courses

*Students earn the ImPACT® Trained Athletic Trainers (ITAT) certification and 3.0 continuing education units (CEUs).

Teaching & Learning Elective Courses

Executive Leadership Elective Courses

TLS -Course may be applied to the Teaching & Learning Specialization.

EdD Admission Requirements & State Authorization/Post-Graduation Licensure

USAHS is currently accepting applications for enrollment to the doctorate program from the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

USAHS is not accepting applications from states where the institution does not have state authorization, nor conducting on-the-ground activities. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future as the program may be offered in additional states.  Current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program.  It remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to authorization or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides.

Post-Graduation Licensure

USAHS’ EdD program is not designed or intended to lead to professional licensure in any state.

The map below identifies the states from which the University is now accepting applications for the EdD program (indicated in blue).

Admissions Requirements

To ensure your success in the program, a candidate must have completed a master’s or clinical doctoral degree and have the desire to develop or advance their career in higher education for health science. To be considered for admission, a candidate must submit the following:

• Online application for admission
• Official transcripts from each college or university previously attended. An official transcript is one that is sent directly to the Admissions Office by the Registrar of the issuing institution or one forwarded in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution.
• References from two professional colleagues.
• Writing assessment
• Current resume or curriculum vitae
• Copy of professional license, if applicable

EdD Tuition & Fees

Student loans may be available to assist with funding your EdD program. USAHS has financial aid counselors who are available to explain your options.

Financial aid counselors can be reached by email, phone, or on campus. Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday in each time zone. If you are unable to meet during regular office hours, after-hours appointments are available by request.

Please visit our Financial Aid Contact page for more information.

EdD Advisory Board

Clinical and research expert – hannah y. oldenburg, edd, otr/l.

Dr. Hannah Oldenburg is a clinical and research expert in clinical education, occupational roles and outcomes in acute care, and mechanical circulatory devices. In her current role as an occupational therapist at the Mayo Clinic, she hosted a collaborative model for Level II occupational therapy students within acute care. She has also served as an adjunct professor for St. Catherine University and an occupational therapist at Recovery Health, Inc. Dr. Oldenburg received her B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in 2009. She went on to receive her Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy at St. Catherine University in 2012. She transitioned to her clinical education role in 2016 while pursuing a Doctor of Education from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. She obtained her EdD degree in 2018 with her dissertation, “Retrospective Comparison of Clinical Reasoning Among Rehabilitation Students During Experiential Learning.”

State and Foundation Grant Specialist – Delia C. Garcia, EdD

Dr. Delia C. Garcia is a former dean of the College of Education at Florida International University, where she continues to serve as associate professor in what has been renamed the School of Education and Human Development. Prior to her appointment as dean, she served as interim dean, as well as chairperson of FIU’s departments of Educational Leadership and Professional Studies.

Dr. Garcia has published in the areas of family involvement, teacher and parent efficacy, and urban teacher preparation. She has also developed curriculum guides for teacher education in the areas of home school relations, adult literacy, and English as a second language. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in research, urban education, and teacher education. She has supervised and participated in numerous doctoral dissertations. She has also taken on leadership roles within professional organizations, including serving as an elected member of the board of directors of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE), receiving gubernatorial appointments to Florida’s State Advisory Committee in the area of family literacy, serving as president of the Bilingual Association of Florida for six years, and chairing state and district advisory committees that focused on narrowing the achievement gap in schools and preparing adult educators in Florida.

Dr. Garcia has been a leader in the area of community engagement for the past 35 years, forging university-school partnerships that address community needs and focus on problem-solving.

EdD Program Data

Click the program below to view the program data: Doctor of Education

Students Residing Outside the United States

Foreign-trained candidates who do not require a student visa to participate in University courses and/or degrees can be considered for admission. Please note that many countries have their own accrediting and licensing bodies, and degree recognition and licensure differ from country to country. Additionally, a number of countries do not recognize an online EdD education degree for employment or promotion purposes, particularly government agency employment or promotion. University programs are designed to meet accreditation, licensure and other requirements in the United States. If you reside outside of the United States, it is important that you review and understand the requirements of your country of residence to confirm licensure requirements, as well as recognition of your program for employment or promotion purposes in those countries.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the doctor of education (edd) program, graduates will be able to:.

• Establish an advanced scholarly agenda.
• Employ interprofessional education techniques to teaching and/or leadership practices.
• Evaluate an education or organizational leadership practice and create solutions.
• Use effective communication skills in teaching or leading.
• Formulate a teaching and/or leadership philosophy that reflects professionalism, integrity, and ethical standards.
• Use a leadership development plan to guide professional growth.
• Contribute to the analysis of scholarly works through the evaluation of evidence-based literature.

Related Articles

Latest EdD News

Upcoming edd events.

Alumni Reunion and Family Weekend 2024

Doctor of Education (EdD) Webinar - October 2 | USAHS

Doctor of Education (EdD) Webinar - November 6 | USAHS

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	Sep 07, 2024   National University Volume 86C-2 Catalog - July 2024     National University Volume 86C-2 Catalog - July 2024 Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Description of program. The Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in Educational Leadership (EdL) is a practitioner-researcher degree designed to prepare educational leaders who desire to improve educational practice across private and public sectors of PK-12, higher education, military, and corporate learning organizations. You will acquire skills to ethically address the complex problems within educational practice using data-driven decision-making and other conceptual frames linking systematic inquiry with innovative solutions. The degree culminates in the completion of empirical research with direct implications for educational practice. Please be advised that this program is NOT accredited in Kentucky by the Education Professional Standards Board and is NOT recognized for initial, additional, or renewal of certification or salary enhancement (rank change) for P-12 educators in Kentucky. For more information, please visit the Education Professional Standards Board’s website at  http://www.epsb.ky.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=12 . Click here for potential career opportunities within the EdD-EdL. Learning Outcomes Illustrate effective educational leadership vision and integrity through strategic planning involving data-driven decision-making and evidence-based practice Determine the aspects of professional capacity and resource needs for a quality professional learning community within a sector-specific learning organization Develop effective leadership traits to improve educational practice across diverse learning organizations within public and private sectors Devise informed evidence-based solutions to address a complex problem from educational practice Conduct empirical research to address a complex problem within educational practice Basis for Admissions Admission requires a conferred post-baccalaureate master’s degree and/or doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution or an international institution determined to be equivalent through an approved evaluation service. Degree Requirements The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership (EdL) requires 54 credit hours for degree completion. Coursework includes foundations, educational leadership, research methods, the pre-candidacy prospectus, and the dissertation. Additional credit hours may be allowed as needed to complete dissertation research in alignment with the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Academic Maximum Time Frame policies. Students who do not complete their program within these requirements may be dismissed. The EdD-EdL degree program has the following graduation requirements: A minimum of 42 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed through the University Official transcripts on file for all transfer credits accepted by the University Grade Point Average of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”) or higher University Approval of Dissertation Manuscript and Oral Presentation completed Submission of the approved final dissertation manuscript to the University Registrar, including the original unbound dissertation manuscript and an electronic copy Official documents on file for basis of admission: a conferred master’s degree from an accredited academic institution Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University All financial obligations must be met before the student will be issued their complimentary diploma The University may accept up to 12 semester credit hours earned with a grade of “B” or better for graduate coursework completed at an accredited college or university and evaluated to be substantially equivalent in content with the required course work for the EdD-EdL program. Note:  Students who complete the University’s EdS program may be eligible to apply up to 30 credits from the EdS program to the Sanford College of Education’s Doctoral programs. School Dean (or their designee) approval is required to determine number of applicable credit hours from EdS to the selected doctoral program. Dissertation Completion Pathway The University’s mission is dedicated to assisting students in achieving their academic aspirations and helping them become valuable contributors to their community and profession. To support our mission, the University now offers a dissertation completion pathway for students who have successfully completed their doctoral coursework and achieved doctoral candidacy at a previous institution but were unable to complete their dissertation. The University’s Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP) offers a unique opportunity for students to complete their doctorate in one of the doctoral programs offered at the University (excluding the PhD-MFT and DNP). Students successfully meeting the entrance and application requirements will complete a minimum of 23 credit hours to earn their doctorate. Click for more information on the  Dissertation Completion Pathway.     Time to Completion The University allows 7 years to complete all doctoral programs of 60 credits or less. The median time to completion for this program is 41 months. Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most students are working adults, balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance advisors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs. Students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 35 months. Certification and Licensing The Sanford College of Education serves educational leaders by providing online graduate studies in education to reach worldwide populations. The EdD-EdL program is designed to reach national and international markets and does not purport to provide licensure or certification in any particular state or country. Dissertation Process Faculty assists each Doctoral student to reach this high goal through a systematic process leading to a high-quality completed dissertation. This process requires care in choosing a topic, documenting its importance, planning the methodology, and conducting the research. These activities lead smoothly into the writing and oral presentation of the dissertation. A doctoral candidate must be continuously enrolled throughout the series of dissertation courses. Dissertation courses are automatically scheduled and accepted without a break in scheduling to ensure that students remain in continuous enrollment throughout the dissertation course sequence. If additional time is required to complete any of the dissertation courses, students must re-enroll and pay the tuition for that course. Continuous enrollment will only be permitted when students demonstrate progress toward completing dissertation requirements. The Dissertation Committee determines progress. Course Sequence This program can be completed with a minimum of 54 credit hours, but may require additional credit hours, depending on the time required to complete the dissertation research. If needed, additional courses will be added to the student degree program in alignment with the SAP and Academic Maximum Time to Completion policies. Students who do not complete their program in accordance with these policies may be dismissed. The EdD-EDL has two specializations (PK-12 and Higher Education). All EdD-EDL students will take the first two introductory courses and will then take their remaining specialization courses (four required and two electives courses) within the PK-12 specialization, and EdD-EDL students in Higher Education will then take their remaining specialization courses (four required and two electives courses) within the Higher Education specialization.  All EdD-EDL students, regardless of specialization, will then take a series of research courses, a comprehensive examination course, and a series of dissertation courses. EDU-8050 - Foundations of Advanced Graduate Study and Research EDU-8060 - Foundations of Academic Writing, Conceptual & Theoretical Frameworks Required Specialization Courses:  Specialization Course 1 Specialization Course 2 Specialization Course 3 Specialization Course 4 Specialization Course 5 Specialization Course 6 EDR-8200 - Scholarly Literature Review EDR-8300 - The Research Process EDR-8201 - Statistics I EDR-8400 - Advanced Qualitative Methodology and Designs      - or -  EDR-8500 - Advanced Quantitative Methodology and Designs       EDR-8206 - Applied Qualitative Analysis     - or -  EDR-8202 - Statistics II      CMP-9602E - Doctoral Comprehensive Assessment: Pre-Candidacy Prospectus DIS-9911A - Applied Doctoral Introduction DIS-9912A - Applied Doctoral Proposal DIS-9913A - Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Data Collection DIS-9914A - Applied Doctoral Manuscript Higher Education Specialization Specialization courses - 18 credit hours. Required Specialization Courses:  EDL-9000 - Educational Leadership Theories EDL-9100 - Leadership for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice LHE-7300 - Legal Issues in Higher Education LHE-7600 - Strategic Planning and Operations in Higher Education Select 2 of the following: LHE-7200 - Student Services in Higher Education LHE-7400 - Academic Program and Curriculum Development in Higher Education LHE-7500 - Financial Considerations in Higher Education OL-7100 - Conflict Resolution and Mediation OL-7102 - Leadership Ethics to Attain Organizational Excellence EDL-9500 - Innovation for Change in Educational Organizations PK-12 Specialization Required Specialization Courses: EDL-9200 - Leadership, Supervision, and Personnel in PK-12 Education EDL-9300 - Legal Issues in PK-12 Education EDL-9400 - PK-12 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment EDL-9600 - Policy Development & Implementation in PK-12 Education EDL-9700 - Finance & Budgeting in PK-12 Education SEM-7300 - Leadership Paradigms in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management TRA-7100 - Trauma-Informed Educational Practices within Community Contexts and Conditions SEL-7600 - Comprehensive Planning for SEL Initiatives SE-7300 - Leadership, Law, and Finance in Special Education be_ixf; php_sdk; php_sdk_1.4.26 https://www.evangel.edu/future-students/admissions/graduate-education/ Apply to EU’s Graduate Education Programs Admitted Students Next Steps Evangel Student Portal Admissions Standards Master’s degree programs, doctoral degree program, international students. For master’s and doctoral students to qualify for admission, international students whose first language is not English must earn a TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based exam, 213 on the computer-based or 79-80 on the Internet-based exam. Information on the TOEFL exam can be found at www.toefl.org . Application Steps Apply Online When possible, we prefer to receive transcripts electronically from services such as Parchment (Naviance), SCOIR, or through the National Clearinghouse. Transcripts can be emailed from your school counselor or administrator to [email protected] . Connect with your admissions counselor when requesting graduate course transfer credit. Transcripts can be mailed to: Evangel University Admissions, Online & Graduate Student Services 1111 N. Glenstone Ave. Springfield, MO 65802 When taking the GRE, please send your test scores to Evangel University. For information on the GRE, visit Educational Testing Service (ETS) at ets.org . Send your final official transcripts. Final official transcripts are required before beginning classes. All offers of admission are conditional until final official transcripts are received. Application Deadline Meeting priority deadlines provide you the best opportunity to secure a seat in the program. Meeting the standard deadline will allow you ample time to complete all necessary pre-enrollment steps including course registration, financial aid, and flexible payment options. After the standard deadline, applicants are considered as space is available. When admitted, our team will work with you to help you complete all necessary steps to enroll. Priority Deadline: March 1 Standard Deadline: May 1 Final Deadline: August 1 Spring Start Priority Deadline: October 1 Standard Deadline: November 15 Final Deadline: December 1 Summer Start Priority Deadline: March 1 Final Deadline: April 5 After Admissions Upon admission, you will receive an email with instructions on how to sign into your student portal . All pre-enrollment steps can be completed online through your student portal. You can also click here for instructions on setting up your student portal . Questions? Connect with your admissions counselor for assistance. When planning to utilize federal financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using Evangel’s code 002463 as soon as possible after it becomes available. Review your financial aid offer and respond promptly to financial aid requests for additional information and/or paperwork. Finalize financial aid and payment prior to beginning class. Education Department College of Online Learning Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction Leadership (Online) Highly skilled educators shape today’s students while anticipating and preparing for the needs of tomorrow. Our Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction equips you with the latest instruction and curriculum design techniques so you can become an innovative teacher-leader who effectively meets the learning challenges of an ever-changing world. Master of Education in Educational Leadership (Online) If you’re a big-picture thinker with a desire to impact students across all grade levels, consider becoming a principal with the help of our Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree. Master of Education in Literacy (Online) Teachers with a deep understanding of literacy can offer students a future filled with possibilities. Our Master of Education in Literacy prepares you to become a certified reading specialist equipped to work in classrooms, Title I schools, and in interventionist and administrative roles. Special Education Director add-on Certificate Doctor of education in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction. Educators with a deep understanding of curriculum and technology provide leadership to shape the future of education. Our Doctor of Education Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction equips you to be an effective leader who leaves a lasting impact on the field of education. Recognized Excellence Gain Valuable Research and Leadership Skills   Purdue University’s online Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.) degree  bridges the gap between academic research and industry practice. Unlike a traditional Ph.D., which generally focuses on theoretical research, the D.Eng. program emphasizes applied research, hands-on projects, and collaboration with industry partners.  The  interdisciplinary program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals. The 90-credit-hour program—60-credit-hours for those with a relevant a master’s degree—features research methodology coursework, advanced mathematics and statistics, a choice of hundreds of engineering and other courses, and a culminating research project.   The program enables learners to tailor the degree and research project to their professional area of focus. In the process, students can gain significant knowledge, experience, and capability in a particular   technology or technical domain directly related to their career goals.   The full curriculum can be found  here.    Engineering Doctorate Holders Are Highly Valued  Earning Purdue’s D.Eng. will open doors to higher salaries, leadership positions, and consulting opportunities. Professionals with a doctoral-level degree in engineering earned approximately $25,000 more per year in 2023 compared with individuals who have attained a master’s degree, and the average salary for engineers with a doctoral degree is $125,300 per year.   Learning Outcomes Envision, plan, and conduct applied research and development activities. Identify, comprehend, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize research and professional practice in one or more engineering disciplines. Employ quantitative, qualitative, analytic, and statistical techniques in solving engineering problems. Communicate effectively and employ constructive professional and interpersonal skills. Apply advanced leadership practices to organizational challenges. Identify and execute ethical and responsible research and professional practices. Why Choose Purdue’s D. Eng. Program? Ranked among the top:  Purdue's graduate engineering programs are consistently ranked in the top 3 nationally by U.S. News & Report, which also ranks Purdue as a top 10 most innovative school. Industry Relevance:   Our curriculum is designed in consultation with industry experts, ensuring that you acquire skills directly applicable to today’s engineering challenges. Interdisciplinary Approach:   Explore diverse fields within engineering. Our program encourages cross-disciplinary learning and collaboration. Faculty Expertise:   Learn from world-class faculty who are not only accomplished researchers but also industry practitioners who bring real-world insights to the classroom. Research Opportunities:   Engage in innovative research projects, collaborate with industry partners, and contribute to technological advancements. Professional Development:   Enhance your leadership, communication, and project management skills. Our program prepares you for leadership roles in academia, industry, or government. Admissions Requirements Below includes a few admissions requirements, please find all requirements here . Criteria for Admissions Minimum GPA of a 3.0   in graduate and/or undergraduate degree program(s) Math Background: One semester each of Calculus I, Calculus II and either Linear Algebra or Differential Equations   Engineering Background: undergraduate degree and/or master’s degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics or Technology.    Minimum two years’ professional experience in a relevant engineering field.   Full admissions criteria here Application Requirements Below includes a few admissions requirements, please find all requirements and how to apply here . Transcripts from all universities attended   3 recommenders with at least one recommender familiar with candidate’s academic performance.   Academic Statement of Purpose   Personal History Statement   A professional resume   Proof of English Proficiency , if applicable.   Application Deadlines For Fall Start: For Spring Start: For Summer Start Resident of Indiana $1,139 per credit Nonresident of Indiana $1,459 per credit Domestic students and permanent residents may qualify for the following types of financial aid: US federal financial aid Military, veterans, and military-connected students *The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The  Office of the Bursar  website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our  tuition calculator  to estimate tuition costs. Frequently Asked Questions What degree would i earn with the online program. You would earn a Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.).   How can I have transfer credit reviewed and applied towards my program? The program requires 90 credits (minimum of 60 credits if you hold a master’s degree). You may complete the program as a full-time or part-time student. A full-time student takes at least 8 credit hours every term and may be able to complete this program within 3-4 years (90 credit program) or 2-3 years (60 credit program ). A part-time student takes less than 8 credit hours every term (on average 3-6). As a part-time student, the expected time to complete the degree is - 10 years—the upper range likely for 90-credit-hour program students and the lower range likely for 60-credit-hour program students.   Is there a minimum course registration required each semester? You need to register for at least one credit to be considered an active student. If you do not enroll for more than two consecutive semesters, you will lose your student status and must reapply.   Are all courses available every term? No, all courses are not available every term. You can see our course availability on the Courses List page. How long does it take to finish the program? The program requires 90 credits (60 credits if you hold a master’s degree and a full 30 credits are approved for transfer) . You may complete the program as a full -time or part -time student. A full-time student takes at least 8 credit hours every term and may be able to complete this program within 3-4 years (90 credit program) or 2-3 years (60 credit program ) . A part-time  student takes less than 8 credit hours every term (on average 3-6). As a part-time student, you may complete the program within 5 -10 years —the upper range likely for 90-credit-hour program students and the lower range likely for 60-credit-hour program students.   Can I take time off during my program? You may take a maximum of two consecutive semesters off. If you take more than two semesters, you will need to reapply to the program.   Are letters of recommendation from employers acceptable? We suggest that you try to get at least one academic reference. If that is not possible, recommendations from employers will be accepted.   How are the online courses structured? The courses will be offered asynchronously. We upload recordings of live lectures for you to view on your time. You will follow along weekly to complete your assignments, projects, and/or exams. Exams may require a proctor (virtual or in-person depending on the instructor’s preference).   Are scholarships or funding offered for students? Scholarships and funding are not available through Purdue as this program is a course-based, self-funded master's program. U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible for federal financial aid. The Purdue Division of Financial Aid can answer your questions. Veterans can visit the Dorothy Stratton Veteran and Miltary Success Center to learn more about wrap-around support services for Purdue students who are veterans, members of the military, or benefit-using family members.   Is there prerequisite coursework required for this program? Please visit the admission criteria page for information. Are there career services or resources after graduation? Yes, students will have access through the Purdue Center for Career Opportunities . What kind of academic and professional development support does Purdue University offer for online students? Students enrolled in the online Doctor of Engineering program, which is supported by Purdue University Online, receive robust support from a dedicated team of student engagement professionals. All students have an assigned academic advisor, who is available for one-on-one support and to help s students with academic-related questions or issues. Academic advisors also offer workshops on topics relevant to academic planning and preparation, including plan of study workshops and specialty information sessions for students enrolled in specific programs.     Additionally, students have an assigned student success coach, whose role is to support students who may be struggling in the online learning environment. Students can access their assigned success coach from the point where they accept their enrollment offer through graduation. Success coaches also work to build community among online students, offering networking events, resources, and opportunities for professional development.   Izak Faiena, MD Locations and Appointments Columbiadoctors - midtown, cuimc/herbert irving pavilion, insurances accepted. Please contact the doctor's office directly to verify that your particular insurance is accepted. About Izak Faiena, MD Dr. Izak Faiena MD, MSCR is a urologic oncologist with a specialized focus on prostate cancer. His expertise spans advanced diagnostic techniques, such as MRI fusion and transperineal biopsy, as well as cutting-edge treatments including focal therapy and robotic surgery. With a solid foundation from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he graduated with Alpha Omega Alpha honors, Dr. Faiena went on to complete his urology residency at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. During this time, he earned multiple research awards for his contributions to prostate and bladder cancer studies. Following his residency, Dr. Faiena pursued a fellowship in urologic oncology and earned a Master's in Clinical Research from the esteemed UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute. His work here garnered significant research funding and resulted in impactful publications on clinical trials in urologic cancers. Currently, Dr. Faiena is dedicated to advancing the field of prostate cancer through innovative clinical trials, targeting both localized and advanced stages of the disease. His groundbreaking research has been featured in top national and international medical journals, reflecting his commitment to improving patient outcomes and advancing cancer care. Board Certifications Specialties & expertise. Bladder Cancer Focal Therapy Kidney Cancer MRI Fusion Prostate Biopsy Prostate Cancer Prostate Surgery Robotic Prostatectomy Robotic Surgery Transperineal Prostate Biopsy Fellowship: UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine Residency: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center Internship: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center Leadership, Titles & Positions Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology Hospital Affiliations NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center NewYork-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical Center NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital Need Help Finding a Doctor? 153 IMAGES Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Doctor of Education in Leadership Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies (EdD) Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership Admission: Ph.D. in Educational Leadership Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership VIDEO Class of 2024 Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies Commencement and Hooding Ceremony MPhil Education Leadership and Management Student Purdue Global Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation HGSE 2020 Doctor of Education Leadership Degree Ceremony OLDEST Presidents in U.S. History: Trump Oldest If Elected? Urban Education Leadership: Challenges at an Inner City School COMMENTS Doctor of Education Leadership The Ed.L.D Program — taught by faculty from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Business School, and the Harvard Kennedy School — will train you for system-level leadership positions in school systems, state and federal departments of education, and national nonprofit organizations. Ed.L.D. is a full-time, three-year ... 25 Best Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies is available in a full-time or part-time plan of study, with coursework that covers everything from educational reform to policy analysis. In contrast, the cohort-based Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration is delivered in a 3-year, part-time plan of study. Doctoral Degree Programs The Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D) is a three-year, practice-based program designed to produce system-level leaders in American pre-K-12 education. The Ed.L.D. curriculum mines the vast intellectual and professional resources of HGSE, the Harvard Business School, and the Harvard Kennedy School, and includes a 10-month residency in the ... Doctor of Education (EdD) Credits 54. Johns Hopkins' newly redesigned, global online Doctor of Education is at the forefront of education doctoral programs with the most innovative, challenging, and student-centered program of its kind. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the program continues to lead with the "EdD 2.0" offering, which is ideal for the busy ... Education Leadership Graduate. The Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) prepares experienced educators to become the transformational preK-12 leaders that the country needs — passionate about educational quality and equity, well versed in learning and development, and knowledgeable about public policy and organizational management, so they can translate ... Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership | USC Rossier ... Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD-EdL) The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD-EdL) program can be completed in 54 credits. Each foundational course runs 8 weeks, and dissertation courses run 12 weeks. EDU-8050 - Foundations of Advanced Graduate Study and Research. EDU-8060 - Foundations of Academic Writing, Conceptual & Theoretical Frameworks. Education (Online), EdD Overview. 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. Doctor of Philosophy in Education 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. Doctor of Education (EdD) 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 ... Online Doctor of Education (EdD) Maryville University's online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership Program prepares students for positions that require high-level decision-making within education. Graduate in as few as 32 months - this degree can be completed in as little as 32 months. Flexible Residency Options - Attend your residency on campus or virtually. Doctor of Education in Leadership + Innovation Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Innovation. Arizona State University's online Doctor of Education in leadership and innovation is designed for practicing educator-leaders looking to transform their practice and create better learning opportunities for all students. Delivered in a collaborative, cohort model, this program ... Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (online) Callah Darmali. [email protected]. (213) 205-0609. This program is designed for working professionals with leadership experience who desire to lead K-12 schools, universities, community colleges or other educational settings. To address the existing gaps in education, the EDL online program empowers students to lead change through an ... Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation The Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation consists of a minimum of 90 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a doctorate degree. Program Outcomes. Educational Systems: Analyze the context and conditions in which educational systems and teams operate. Doctor of Education in The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program prepares scholar-practitioners for leadership roles across a range of educational levels and contexts. Most graduates of this program have served as school and district leaders, higher education faculty, and policy directors. Apply by Feb. 1 to begin the next summer cohort. EdD in Educational Leadership Program Overview. The University of Alabama offers students and busy professionals the ability to earn a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in a fully online format. Upon completion, our graduates are equipped with an expanded skill set to lead their schools and organizations to promote effective and inclusive learning environments. Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership Liberty's 100% Online EdD In Educational Leadership Can Equip You to Lead And Mentor Others Within The Education Field! Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Online | Liberty University ... 10 Doctor of Education Degrees in Management Studies Leadership in USA New Executive Doctor of Education (EdD) from Saint Francis University The new Executive Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Innovation is an entrepreneurial and transformative 32-month program for confident leaders who are inspired to drive future innovation, using servant leadership as a framework for doing so. Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership (EdD) A Doctor of Education in Leadership provides the credential you need to enter the highest-paying positions in educational leadership. On average, professional educators who pursue an online educational leadership doctoral program earn $98,490 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership is designed to produce educational leaders with the knowledge and skills to enhance the leadership capacity in K-12 school systems as well as the state and federal educational departments. Several areas of concentration are available including educational leadership and management, instructional leadership, higher education, and a specialty ... Doctorate in Education All students enrolled in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree program will demonstrate and apply knowledge and skills related to PSEL and NELP organisation standards. Program Requirements. The Ed.D. requires the completion of a minimum of 60 credits - 51 credits of required courses and 9 credits of electives. Doctor of Education (EdD) Degree Program USAHS' specialized Doctor of Education degree is devoted to healthcare practitioners and educators. It brings together students across healthcare disciplines who form a diverse cohort and collaborate on interprofessional projects together. Because the doctoral program is focused on healthcare education, you can more easily customize it to ... Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, EdD The Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in Educational Leadership (EdL) is a practitioner-researcher degree designed to prepare educational leaders who desire to improve educational practice across private and public sectors of PK-12, higher education, military, and corporate learning organizations. Application Instructions Under Program of Study, select Educational Leadership - Doctor of Education (EDL_EDD) A $30.00 (non-refundable) Application Fee is required. Credit card payments require an additional $7.00 processing fee ... In the meantime, follow us on social media HERE. Application Deadlines. All application materials for the Online Ed.D. Program must be ... PhD in Education To prepare candidates to be critical thinkers who focus on leadership, policy, ethics, and social justice. General Requirements Candidates for the PhD in Education degree must complete a minimum of 54 academic credit hours, pass the comprehensive exam, and submit and successfully defend a research-based dissertation. PhD in Education, Leadership, and Organization (ELO) The PhD in Education, Leadership, and Organization is so versatile that it can be utilized in any career. We focus on leadership and organization. Those skills apply to limitless opportunities such as: Superintendent, educational administration, leadership and management; Senior administration and leadership positions at two- and four-year colleges Graduate Education Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction. Educators with a deep understanding of curriculum and technology provide leadership to shape the future of education. Our Doctor of Education Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction equips you to be an effective leader who leaves a lasting impact on the field of education. Online M.Ed. School Leadership Track A bachelor's, master's, or terminal degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a degree deemed equivalent by the University Of Florida Office Of Admission. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 upper-division (last 60 credits) undergraduate work. An acceptable graduate grade point average for previous graduate work. Students completing the certification track are eligible for ... Doctor of Engineering Gain Valuable Research and Leadership Skills Purdue University's online Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.) degree bridges the gap between academic research and industry practice. Unlike a traditional Ph.D., which generally focuses on theoretical research, the D.Eng. program emphasizes applied research, hands-on projects, and collaboration with industry partners. Izak Faiena, MD, Urology Izak Faiena, MD at ColumbiaDoctors - Midtown in New York, NY specializes in Urology and Urologic Oncology. Call today (212) 305-0114 assignment essay homework paper phd report review speech thesis