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Application requirements for all doctoral programs (phd).

All of our doctoral programs are designed to develop outstanding educational researchers who have a deep understanding of the scientific, practical and policy issues they study. All require full-time study, and we promise five years of full-time financial support for every student we admit. Our doctoral programs are small, typically ranging from about 25 to 35 new students a year. The small size of our doctoral cohorts creates big educational advantages for students: the classes are almost always small, students receive individualized attention from their advisors, and they have many opportunities to develop close collegial relationships with fellow students.

It is extremely important to demonstrate in your statement of purpose that your interests converge closely with the current research of faculty who work in the program to which you are applying. Other doctoral applicants will certainly do this, and if you don't, you will forfeit an important competitive advantage to them. 

If you wish to contact faculty, please read our Which Degree Which Program article, by Professor Eamonn Callan, which outlines the appropriate process for contacting faculty with whom you share research interests. 

• Program website:  Degrees and Programs/PhD
• Length of Program:  5 years (average length)
• Tuition: fellowship/assistantship salary and tuition guaranteed for first five years of the program (autumn, winter and spring quarters) for all students, including international students. Funding includes two summers.

Application Requirements:

Application form.

Complete and submit Stanford's graduate online application .

Application Fee

The application fee is $125 , is non-refundable, and must be received by the application deadline.

Application Fee Waivers

Stanford offers three types of application fee waivers for which GSE applicants may apply and be considered:

• GRE Fee Reduction Certificate-Based Waiver
• Diversity Program Participation-Based Waiver
• School-Based Waiver

Please visit the Stanford Graduate Diversity website for instructions, deadlines, and the fee waiver application form.

Statement of Purpose

A Statement of Purpose is required. Your statement should be typed, single-spaced and should be between one to two pages . Describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program, your preparation for this field of study, and why our program is a good fit for you, your future career plans, and other aspects of your background as well as interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. You may indicate potential faculty mentors as part of your study and research interests. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. What's a Good Statement of Purpose?

A resume or CV  is required of all applicants, depending on which document is most appropriate for your background. There is no page limit for resumes or CVs, though we typically see resumes of one page in length. Please upload your resume or CV in the online application.

Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation . In the online application, you will be asked to identify your recommenders and their email addresses. Please notify your recommenders that they will receive an email prompt to submit their recommendation online. You can submit your request for letters of recommendation through the system without submitting the entire online application.  Stanford GSE only accepts online recommendations through the application system ; Stanford GSE cannot accept mailed, emailed or faxed recommendations.

Recommendations should be written by people who have supervised you in an academic, employment, or community service setting. We very strongly recommend that at least one of these letters be from a university professor familiar with your academic work. Your recommendations should directly address your suitability for admission to a graduate program at Stanford GSE.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all three letters of recommendation are submitted through the system by the application deadline , so please work closely with your recommenders to remind them of the deadline.

College and University Transcripts

Transcripts are required from every college and university you have attended for at least one academic year as a full-time student. When submitting your online application, transcripts should be uploaded to the application as a scanned copy or PDF ; this is sufficient for the application review process. Please refrain from sending a secured PDF/transcript with a digital signature as our system cannot upload these properly. The best way to ensure we receive an upload-able document is for you to print out the secured transcript, scan it, and upload the scanned copy (not to exceed 10MB) as a PDF. 

If you earned a degree at the institution from which you are submitting a transcript, please ensure that the degree conferral date and the degree conferred is clearly visible on the document. If you are currently enrolled in a degree program and will not have earned the respective degree by the time of submitting your GSE application, you should submit your most recent in-progress transcript from your institution.

Only if admitted will we contact you with instructions on sending two copies of your official transcripts to our office. We cannot accept mailed, emailed or faxed copies of your transcripts during the application process. Please note: the instructions for sending transcripts on the online application and on the general Stanford Graduate Admissions Office website differ from this Stanford GSE requirement.

Concerning course work completed in a study abroad program

If the coursework and grades are reflected on the transcript of your home institution, you do not need to submit original transcripts from the study abroad institution.

Concerning foreign institutions

If your institution provides a transcript in a language other than English, we require that you submit a translation of the transcript that is either provided by the institution or a certified translator. Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records.

If your transcript does not include your degree conferral date and the degree conferred , please submit a scanned copy of your diploma, a conferral statement, or a conferral document in addition to your transcript . If you are currently enrolled in a degree program and will not have earned the respective degree by the time of submitting your GSE application, you should submit your most recent in-progress transcript from your institution.

Stanford University requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from all applicants whose native language is not English. The GSE requires a minimum TOEFL score of 250 for the computer-based test, 600 for the paper-based test or 100 for the internet-based test in order to be considered for admission. The Test of Written English (TWE) portion of the TOEFL is not required. Applicants who have completed a four-year bachelor's degree or a two-year master's program (or its equivalent) in the U.S. or at an institution where English is the main language of instruction are not required to take the TOEFL. For more information on TOEFL requirements, please refer to the Required Exams  page on the main Stanford Graduate Admissions website. You may register for the TOEFL test directly at the ETS website .

TOEFL Dates and Deadlines

PhD applicants who are required to take the TOEFL should plan to take the internet-based TOEFL test and have official TOEFL scores sent electronically to Stanford at institution code 4704 (department code does not matter) no later than November 1 . This will give your official TOEFL scores time to be sent from ETS and be received by our system in time for the December 1 deadline. PhD applicants to Knight-Hennessy Scholars should plan to take the internet-based TOEFL test no later than October 16 so your scores can be received by our system in time for the November 16 KHS GSE deadline. Please note that the TOEFL may be taken no earlier than 18 months prior to the application deadline.

Does Stanford accept tests other than TOEFL?

No. We accept only TOEFL scores; we do not accept IELTS or other test scores.

Contact Information

Admissions:  [email protected]  

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Higher Education: Ed.D. - Doctor of Education

The program prepares graduates for careers as leaders and researchers by building a broad and systematic understanding of higher education, a definitive knowledge of selected aspects of educational theory and practice, and research application.

At a Glance

Program results.

Ed.D. - Doctor of Education

Higher Education

Program Type

Estimated length.

2-3 full years for coursework, plus capstone research

Application Deadline

About this program.

• Ed.D. in higher education students complete a program of study consisting of at least 60 hours of coursework (excluding capstone credits), including a required higher education core (12 credits), a minor in research methods (18 credits), a content minor organized around a theme or set of questions of the student’s choice (12 credits), and elective courses in higher education (12 credits).
• Students choose their content minor with the advice and consent of their advisors. Courses for the content minor may be taken outside of the program and the School of Education and Human Development.
• Students entering the doctoral program with a master’s degree may apply up to 24 hours of credit to their doctoral program, provided that the program coordinator judges that the courses are sufficiently comparable to substitute for courses offered in the doctoral program.
• While students study on a part-time basis, high-level professional training and intellectual development require a concentrated experience that is possible only through sustained involvement in the academic and other activities of the program and University. Participation in program area research and service projects, informal work with individual faculty members, and sustained interaction with other students all add substantially to the coursework. In short, to round out an advanced degree program, a student is expected to participate in and contribute to a rich academic community.
• Request Information

Program Overview

Admission requirements.

Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below:

Applicants are welcome but are not required to come to the School of Education and Human Development for an interview.

Visit our  Graduate Admission  page for the full admission process.

Graduate Admission

Application for admission is made to the School of Education and Human Development Office of Admission & Enrollment. For more information about the graduate admission process, please visit our Graduate Admission page.

To learn more about specific courses taken as part of the completion of this degree, visit the graduate record website. These webpages represent the official repository for academic program requirements. 

Total Hours required 72 Course credit hours required 60

Core (12 credits)  EDLF 8665 Contemporary Issues in Higher Education EDLF 8654 Organization and Governance in Higher Education EDLF 8640 Inequality in Higher Education EDLF 8662 Politics and Education 

Higher Education Electives (12 credits minimum)  Coursework should be distributed between the following categories (minimum 1 course per category) :

• Student Experience/Student Development
• History, Philosophy, and Contexts
• Governance and Policy

Research Courses (18 credits required) 

Content Minor (a minimum of 12 credits) Students may take their content minor courses outside the program and the School of Education and Human Development, or they may choose courses from other School of Education and Human Development programs. The minor is meant to supply the student with substantive knowledge of and a theoretical grounding in an area that might be the topic of the capstone. Courses to be taken for minor credit must be negotiated with and approved by the student’s advisor.

Capstone (12 credits minimum required)

Higher Education Course Descriptions

Information on courses that are part of the Ed.D. in higher education curriculum can be found on the UVA Graduate Record website.

Additional Program Details

In 2024, the UVA School of Education & Human Development is ranked #8 for best graduate schools of education in the country by U.S. News and World Report.

The school is ranked #18 in higher education for graduate schools of education.

Higher Education News

Class of 2023: Jackson Matteo

Former UVA offensive lineman Jackson Matteo, graduating with an Ed.D. in Higher Education, reflects on his 10-year journey from undergraduate student-athlete to head coach, mentor, and triple Hoo.

Program Faculty

Juan C. Garibay

• Associate Professor

Karen Kurotsuchi Inkelas

• Professor of Education

Alan Leffers

• Assistant Professor

Brian Pusser

Gerald D. Starsia

• Associate Professor (Retired)

Christian L. Steinmetz

• 434-924-3180
• [email protected]

Ridley Hall 286 PO Box 400265 405 Emmet Street S Charlottesville, VA 22903

Admission & Enrollment

Engaging with prospective students and families on the process of applying to our school.

• 434-924-0742
• Ridley Hall 102
• Monday-Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

A Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree is designed to prepare a student for advanced professional practice directed mainly toward the application or transmission of existing knowledge. The program of study leading to the Doctor of Education, as a professional degree, focuses on the utilization of research knowledge, rather than on the production of new research knowledge. Those who aspire to leadership positions as administrators, policy analysts, curriculum designers, or learning resource specialists, for example, would appropriately seek the Doctor of Education degree. Our graduates have a finely tuned specialty expertise, an understanding of research development and application for positions in administrations, policy analyst, curriculum designer, or learned resources specialist.

Leadership for Learning (L4L)

Teacher education and teacher learning for justice.

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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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EdDPrograms.org

Online EdD Programs: 25 Best of 2024 & Nationwide Directory

Our rankings of the top 25 schools in the U.S. contain detailed profiles of each university's offerings, including info on admissions requirements. Use the advice section to find the perfect fit! You can also skip ahead to our full database of online Ed.D. programs if you prefer to search by state.

Updated for 2024 on March 1, 2024

How to Choose the Best Online Ed.D. Program

You’ll find 25 outstanding schools in our rankings of the best online doctoral programs in education ! All of them are well-regarded, regionally accredited universities. But there the similarities end. Each one has developed their own unique take on the Ed.D. Here’s how to find the right doctorate at the right price:

• Scan the Main Points: Start with the degree title, delivery method, and time-frame. If it looks like it aligns with your career goals, you can skim through our profiles and check on admissions requirements. Keep in mind that some 100% online programs will still include synchronous/live online classes.
• Find a Relevant Concentration: You don’t have to settle for a generic online doctorate in leadership. All of these universities have highly specific concentrations and foci. Some are PreK-12 based. Some are centered on social justice. Some can even help with certification needs.
• Look for Multiple Quality Markers: We favor universities with CAEP accreditation, membership in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) , great alumni reviews, active & experienced professors, ongoing community partnerships, and awards for research-based projects within the College of Education.
• Create a Comprehensive Budget: Many online Ed.D. programs have campus components—we’ve highlighted them under the title. If so, you’ll need to allow for any travel expenses, commuting costs, and accommodation. You should also ask the Ed.D. program coordinator if online students are eligible for scholarships & fellowships.
• Consider the Merits of Public vs. Private: Public universities tend to have the most affordable online rates, but they don’t always charge the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state Ed.D. students. You’ll notice that our highest ranked schools tend to be a) private; b) internationally known; and c) expensive.
• Assess the School of Education: This will give you a sense of its realm of expertise and research strengths. Even in online doctorates, the School’s location will influence the coursework (e.g. USC Rossier and urban education). We’ve provided a brief rundown in our profiles, but you can also follow our links to learn more about each College or School.
• Examine Recent Ed.D. Dissertations: And reach out to the students who wrote them. A solid portion of your doctorate in education is going to be centered on your final project. Think about how you’re going to use the School’s resources and research centers to strengthen your ideas. We’ve provided links to dissertation archives when we’ve found them.

Best Online Ed.D. Rankings

Our methodology for the top 25 online doctoral programs in education follows the same procedure as our on-campus & hybrid Ed.D. rankings . For our 2024 list:

• We’ve assessed each school’s standing in Times Higher Education (THE) World University rankings and U.S. News & World Report rankings of Best Education Schools & doctoral disciplines.
• But our unique algorithm also factors in data points such as student completion rates—garnered from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) —acceptance rates, and earnings for education doctorate graduates.
• To qualify for our rankings, doctorates in educational leadership had to be delivered in a 100% online format or limited to 1-3 campus visits. That means we excluded top-notch hybrid programs from the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, Boston University, the University of Arkansas, and William & Mary.

One important note—these rankings focus on educational leadership programs. You won’t find schools that offer online doctorates in Curriculum & Instruction (e.g. University of Central Florida, University of Virginia, and Texas A&M) or programs in a range of niche areas (e.g. Indiana University Bloomington and University of Houston). However, you’re welcome to explore our specialty guides to learn more about them!

Rankings Update: How Placements Changed in 2024

Our 2024 rankings of the Top 25 Online Doctor of Education Programs were a mix of predictable showings and pleasant surprises. Here are a few revelations from the list:

• Year after year, Vanderbilt and New York University continue to vie for the #1 and #2 online spots. In 2024, NYU just squeaked past its Tennessee rival.
• The University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign held its ground at #3 and Boston College and Johns Hopkins joined the top 5. Another repeat achiever was the University of Florida.
• Public universities continue to impress. Newcomers like Penn State and Virginia Tech can now be found in our top 10.
• You don’t have to sacrifice quality for price! Five schools in our top 14-25 slots also appear in our rankings of the most affordable online Ed.D. programs in the country.

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

25 drexel university.

• Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Management (Multiple Concentrations)

Delivery : 100% Online or Hybrid Credits : 60.5-61.5 Length : 3 or 5 Years

Why Choose Drexel’s Online Ed.D. Program?

It’s ridiculously flexible, super supportive, and backed by a highly reputable School of Education . The School has a history of embracing new technologies & virtual learning and funding in-depth research . It’s also strong on networking. In the list of events & workshops , you’ll discover a monthly Doctoral Student Colloquium , a K-12 School Leadership Council, and annual citywide events centered around Critical Conversations in Urban Education . All online Ed.D. students have access to Mentoring and Coaching (MAC) in the first year and a 1:1 relationship with a supervising professor. We’re not surprised it won the CPED Program of the Year Award in 2019!

Online Ed.D. Overview

Admissions to Drexel’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Management will be competitive—candidates should have a master’s degree in education (or a closely related field), a minimum 3.5 GPA on graduate work, and at least 3 years of relevant work experience. It’s a 100% online doctorate with opportunities for face-to-face meetings. The 3-year plan of study is cohort-based; the 5-year plan of study is not.

One of Drexel’s key selling points is choice—this doctorate is offered in 10 concentrations that cover every aspect of education, both within PreK-20 settings and without. You can find & read recent Ed.D. dissertations in the Drexel Research Discovery portal. These take the form of a traditional 5-chapter dissertation.

Note: Drexel also offers a hybrid version of this doctorate in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

For More Information:

School of Education

• Online Ed.D. Admissions
• Online Ed.D. Tuition

24 University of Kentucky

• Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Delivery : 100% Online Credits : 46 Length : 4 Years

Why Choose UK’s Online Ed.D. Program?

Fascinated by holistic approaches to education? Take a close look at UK’s College of Education and its remarkable portfolio of projects. The College supports engagement work in early childhood development, applied behavior analysis, addiction prevention, and health promotion. It has launched an Education and Civil Rights Initiative (ECRI) with Equity Audits. And it provides training for Kentucky K-12 schools and districts through the Center for Next Generation Leadership . Any of these ideas could provide the seeds for an interdisciplinary dissertation.

For its 4-year Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership , UK would like to see candidates with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum graduate 3.5 GPA. The doctorate is 100% online, but you will be expected to participate in synchronous/live online activities 5-6 times per semester, usually on a Saturday or in the evening. It’s a doctorate that can be adapted to fit most PreK-20 or education-related leadership roles.

The curriculum consists of 16 courses of pre-dissertation coursework, including 2 electives. Anyone who plans to seek K-12 administrator certification can use those electives to partially fulfill certification requirements. UK uses a Mixed Methods Action Research (MMAR) design for its dissertation. To get a sense of how this plays out, download some recent UK Ed.D. dissertations . Or get in touch the authors to ask them about their Ed.D. experience.

College of Education

23 Baylor University

• Online Ed.D. in Learning and Organizational Change

Delivery : Online with 2 Campus Immersions Credits : 54 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose Baylor’s Online Ed.D. Program?

Flexibility. Unlike traditional educational leadership doctorates, Baylor’s program fits almost any career. The School of Education is founded in Christian principles and supportive of doctoral students—check out the accolades earned by recent EdD graduates. And it’s invested its research dollars into disabilities, gifted children, and a dedicated Baylor Center for School Leadership . If you’re interested, have a look at the program’s Baylor Emerging Research Conference (BERC) and the EdD LOC Newsletter . There are many reasons this Ed.D. won the CPED Program of the Year award in 2022!

For the Online Ed.D. in Learning and Organizational Change , Baylor is looking for applicants with a master’s degree in any field, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and the appropriate background & experience for an education doctorate. To encourage collaboration, the program includes weekly live online classes and 2 in-person immersions on the Waco campus in Texas.

You can plan ahead by viewing the Course Sequence —it’s divided into 3 years. The curriculum covers everything from psychology and diversity to instructional design and community leadership, but it’s particularly strong on the final project. You’ll start your Problem of Practice (PoP) dissertation in the second year and work on it throughout the third. Browse through the EdLOC Newsletter for samples of recent projects.

22 Virginia Commonwealth University

• Online Ed.D. in Leadership – General Leadership
• Online Ed.D. in Leadership – Higher Education Leadership
• Online Ed.D. in Leadership – K-12 Leadership

Delivery : Online with 1 Summer Residency or On-Campus Credits : 48 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose VCU’s Online Ed.D. Program?

If you enjoy collaborating with other educational leaders, then VCU may be just the ticket. This is one of the few online doctorates to include a group-based capstone. The well-respected—and highly ranked— School of Education fosters collaboration opportunities with faculty and projects in local schools (e.g. Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium ). It’s been an Experienced CPED Member since 2014. And it funds a number of research centers in PreK-12 arenas (e.g. STEM, teacher leadership, minority education, etc.).

VCU offers its cohort-based Ed.D. in Leadership in an online version with 1 summer residency or in a face-to-face format. All candidates must have a master’s degree. When you apply, you’ll select a relevant learning community in K-12 Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, or General Education. VCU will then tailor the coursework & case studies to suit your cohort’s needs.

During the 3-year program, you’ll take 2 courses per semester up until the last year. Your final year will be devoted to tackling a collaborative, group-based capstone project. Coursework is fairly standard for a leadership doctorate, with classes in ethical & legal decision-making, sustainable change, and evidence-informed perspectives on practice. But you’ll have the additional benefit of insights from your learning community and capstone group.

Note: We profile the Online Ed.D. in Leadership – Higher Education Leadership in our Higher Education rankings!

21 Fordham University

• Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy

Delivery : Online with 2 Campus Immersions Credits : 50 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose Fordham’s Online Ed.D. Program?

The Graduate School of Education (GSE) has created a hands-on doctorate for PreK-12 leaders that reflects the university’s Jesuit principles (e.g. social justice, acting as change agents, moral practice, etc.). Because of that, it may be an especially attractive pick for educators who are interested in serving students in Catholic schools or marginalized, urban, and underserved communities. Have a look at the NYC work being done within the Center for Educational Partnerships and the GSE News section to learn more about its initiatives.

Get your ducks in a row! To apply for the Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy , you must have a master’s degree with a minimum 3.5 graduate GPA and at least 3 years of appropriate leadership experience in a PreK–12 educational institution. And expect to be engaged. In addition to seminars and Laboratories of Practice, this education doctorate includes two in-person immersions on the Westchester campus in New York.

Fordham is an Experienced CPED member, so it’s no surprise to see that the curriculum includes coursework in multiple realms of leadership (e.g. Leading Instructional Improvement, Economics and Finance of Education, Urban Education, etc.). The 3-year program finishes with a solutions-oriented Dissertation in Practice (DiP) that addresses a challenge in your school or district.

• Graduate School of Education (GSE)

20 Texas Tech University

Delivery : 100% Online Credits : 66 Length : 3.5 Years

Why Choose Texas Tech’s Online Ed.D. Program?

Affordability and relevance. The College of Education is an Experienced CPED member, so it knows how to put together a doctorate for PreK-12 working professionals. Within its research centers & institutes , you’ll find well-funded work on autism, sensory disabilities, policy, and teacher preparation. The College is part of a Principal Fellows Partnership Program that transforms teachers into leaders. It’s nurturing rural educators in West Texas. And it’s working with Raise Your Hand Texas on a number of programs.

Texas Tech’s cohort-based Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is open to PreK-12 education professionals with a master’s degree who are set on an administrative career trajectory in schools and school districts. The Ed.D. is 100% online, but you will be expected to take part in an online program orientation, virtual Summer Institutes in the first two years, and bi-monthly synchronous meetings.

Have a look at the Program Handbook to get a handle on the coursework. Superintendent professional certification preparation—including an internship—has been incorporated into the curriculum. But you’re not required to go through with certification if it’s not of interest. The doctorate finishes with a Dissertation in Practice (DiP).

Note:  Texas Tech also offers an Online Ed.D. in Instructional Technology and features in our Most Affordable Ed.D. rankings!

19 University of Colorado Denver

• Online Ed.D. in Leadership for Educational Equity – Executive Leadership (K-12)
• Online Ed.D. in Leadership for Educational Equity – Higher Education
• Online Ed.D. in Leadership for Educational Equity – Justice, Equity & Diverse Identities (JEDI)
• Online Ed.D. in Leadership for Educational Equity – Research Leadership

Delivery : 100% Online for Most Concentrations; 2 Annual Campus Visits for Higher Education Credits : 54 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose CU Denver’s Online Ed.D. Program?

CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development is small enough to form relationships and big enough to support all kinds of unusual projects, including innovative teacher preparation programs . It’s been working on equitable tech access in K-12 schools, digital technologies in higher education , and improving the education continuum from birth to pre-school.  If you’re interested in experiments, it’s also worth noting that Denver Public Schools underwent a seismic education reform strategy from 2008-2019. Visit the Center for Education Policy Analysis (CEPA) to learn more about the results.

For CU Denver’s Online Ed.D in Leadership for Educational Equity , you will need a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Visit the Admissions section on each specialty page to learn more about the Statement of Purpose. The doctorate is set up as a cohort-based, 3-year online program, but check the details in each degree. Some specialties may run longer (e.g. JEDI). Others will have synchronous elements (e.g. Executive Leadership) or in-person intensives (e.g. Higher Education).

CU Denver includes one-of-a-kind elements in each specialty. For instance, Research Leadership students will have the opportunity to collaborate with the Center for Practice Engaged Education Research (C-PEER) and developers of the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) on their doctoral research project. Higher Education students can elect to receive executive coaching services for up to one year after graduation.

Note: CU Denver also features in our Most Affordable Ed.D. and Higher Education rankings!

• School of Education & Human Development
• Online Ed.D. Admissions (Listed on Each Specialty Page)

18 University of Alabama

Delivery : 100% Online Credits : 72 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose UA’s Online Ed.D. Program?

#1: It’s affordable. #2: It’s taught by diverse faculty . #3: It comes from a flagship public research university with an indefatigable College of Education . In addition to supporting labs & offices in everything from evaluation & school improvement to early intervention and neuroscience, the College regularly collaborates with the Alabama Department of Education on PreK-12 programs like the Alabama Superintendents Academy and the University of Alabama Gadsden Early Learning Initiative (ELI) . Online students have plenty of access to academic resources and scholarships . Some COE Graduate Scholarships may also apply.

Although it doesn’t lead to certification or licensure, UA’s cohort-based Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is geared toward PreK-12 leaders in schools and districts. Applicants should have a master’s degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA, as well as professional experience in teaching and/or leadership. It’s a doctorate for working professionals, with synchronous weekend meetings and asynchronous learning activities.

The curriculum begins ordinarily enough, with courses in organizational theory, policy, and leadership. But then it dives much deeper into PreK-12 leadership issues such as school partnerships, superintendency, finance, and advanced educational law. You’ll take part in advanced seminars in Curriculum Leadership and Educational Leadership and complete a dissertation.

Note: UA also offers an Online Ed.D. in Special Education (Multiple Tracks) and a  Hybrid Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration

17 George Washington University

• Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Administration

Delivery : 100% Online or On-Campus Credits : 48 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose GW’s Online Ed.D. Program?

Diversity of voices. Thanks to its urban location, GW’s Graduate School of Education & Human Development (GSEHD) has developed a close relationship with D.C. Public Schools (DCPS).  But it also runs the Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership and serves as a UNESCO Chair in International Education for Development (IED) . 50% of the student body are students of color and/or international students and alumni can be found in 75 countries. It’s a CPED Implementing member, a serious policy player, and a thought leader in education. Check out the EdFix Podcast !

GW’s cohort-based Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Administration is designed for PreK-12 educational leaders. You must have a master’s degree in order to apply; international students are welcome. The virtual version of the doctorate is 100% online, but you will be expected to take part in weekly synchronous meetings and complete asynchronous components.

The 48-credit curriculum is practical and straightforward—you’ll cover a series of high-level courses in leadership, policy, planning, and research. There are no concentrations or electives. If you crave interaction, ask the program coordinator about the Seminar in Administration & Supervision. If you’re looking for inspiration, search for previous Ed.D. dissertations in GW’s ScholarSpace .

• Graduate School of Education & Human Development (GSEHD)

16 University of Missouri-Columbia

Delivery : 100% Online with Optional Campus Opportunities Credits : 54 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose Mizzou’s Online Ed.D. Program?

Mizzou takes its position as the state’s flagship university very seriously. The College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) spearheads school partnerships, community initiatives, and outreach programs in every county within the state. In 2023, the CEHD launched a new multi-faceted Rural Education Initiative to grow the teacher pipeline and expand student opportunities. You’ll also notice unique work on social science and student behavior within its research centers . All of this expertise is wrapped up in an Ed.D. with a super low price tag.

Mizzou’s straightforward Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership can be adjusted to fit almost any career, from PreK-20 education to non-profits and consulting. However, as Mizzou points out, it does not lead to professional licensure or certification. Applicants should have a master’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and organizational or educational leadership experience (3 years is recommended).

Once you’re in, you’ll proceed with a cohort of other Ed.D. students through 3 years of coursework , comprehensive exams, and a Dissertation in Practice (DiP). No electives or concentrations are available. And although it’s 100% online, there will be synchronous live components on a weekday evening. Locals have the option to take part in campus opportunities like networking events and faculty meetings.

Note: Mizzou also features in our Most Affordable Ed.D. rankings!

• College of Education & Human Development (CEHD)

15 University of South Carolina-Columbia

• Online Ed.D. in Educational Practice and Innovation – Education Systems Improvement

Delivery : 100% Online Credits : 60 Length : Check with Program Coordinator

Why Choose USC’s Online Ed.D. Program?

Community is the watchword at USC’s College of Education . The College has partnered with 340+ schools across the length and breadth of the state. In addition to running a slew of outreach programs , it’s investing plenty of research money into families from underserved populations, African American students, and rural schools. And it’s actively involved in professional development for South Carolina educators. Oh, and did we mention it’s an Experienced CPED member with an extensive range of doctoral programs and a large alumni network?

For our leadership-focused rankings, we’ve chosen the Online Ed.D. in Educational Practice and Innovation – Education Systems Improvement for PK-20 leaders. It’s available for post-Ed.S., post-Graduate Certificate, or post-master’s degree entry—master’s degree students must complete 60 doctoral credits in order to graduate. USC bills it as 100% online, but we recommend you chat to the program coordinator about how coursework will be delivered.

Unsurprisingly, USC’s doctorate in education is strong on equity. If you look through the course requirements , you’ll see unique credits in diversity & curriculum and transformative leadership. But there are plenty of practical courses, especially when you tackle your cognate in either PK-12 or Higher Education. Think of subjects like law, finance, and data-informed decision making. The program culminates in a Dissertation in Practice (DiP).

Note: USC also offers online doctorates in Curriculum Studies, STEM Education, and Learning Design & Technologies and features in our Most Affordable Ed.D. rankings!

14 University of Kansas

• Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies – Educational Administration
• Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy – Higher Education Administration

Delivery : 100% Online Credits : 51 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose KU’s Online Ed.D. Program?

KU is the one you never saw coming. Although it may not be as famous as NYU or Vanderbilt, the School of Education & Human Sciences has plenty to boast about, including strong student reviews, an unusual and interdisciplinary Achievement & Assessment Institute (AAI) with both tactical and strategic initiatives, and a dedicated Center for Evaluation and Educational Leadership (CEEL) . It’s one of the most affordable doctorates in the country for in-state and out-of-state students. The program fulfills the academic requirements for Kansas licensure endorsement in school district administration. And scholarships are available.

The Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies – Educational Administration is open to candidates with a master’s degree or equivalent and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants should be in a current full-time position in a relevant educational setting; 3 years of work experience is recommended. It’s a 100% online, 3-year program that focuses on PreK-12 district leadership, especially in a Kansas or Missouri context. Courses are delivered online with synchronous/live Zoom meetings every 1-2 weeknights throughout the semester.

The bulk of your coursework will be devoted to district-level concerns such as supervision of instruction, district leadership, HR management, financial management, and policy. KU’s doctorate also includes supervised & directed field experiences in educational settings and a dissertation. The program is structured for school district leadership endorsement, but additional courses may be added for a building-level endorsement.

Note: We profile the Online Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration in our Higher Education rankings!

• School of Education & Human Sciences

13 Loyola Marymount University

• Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Social Justice

Delivery : 100% Online Credits : 46 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose LMU’s Online Ed.D. Program?

The name says it all! LMU’s School of Education is building on the Jesuit tradition of social justice to create a world of diversity, equity, and inclusion. You can see this being manifested in partnerships like the LMU Family of Schools and the work with Teach for America . Just as importantly, doctoral faculty are experienced. Alumni are breaking new ground in their communities. Classes are intimate—the program insists on a 1:1 dissertation chair to student ratio. And generous doctoral scholarships & fellowships are available. Read the latest Impact Report to learn more about the school and its students.

For the Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Social Justice , LMU is looking for candidates with a master’s degree and—preferably—a cumulative 3.5 GPA on graduate coursework and 3.0 on undergraduate coursework. If accepted, you’ll join a cohort of 18-24 students in a structured, 3-year program that has a 97% completion rate. Coursework is 100% online, with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Live classes are held in the evenings.

View the curriculum to learn more about your studies. You’ll notice that the first year focuses on “big picture” topics and the second year digs into prosaic concerns like policy, law, and the management of fiscal & human capital. Your third year will be devoted to your dissertation. Check out the Repository of Ed.D. Dissertations to get a sense of what this 20-year-old program has achieved. LMU encourages collaborations with faculty and fosters networks of international research.

12 Arizona State University

• Online Ed.D. in Leadership & Innovation – PK-12
• Online Ed.D. in Leadership & Innovation – Higher Education
• Online Ed.D. in Leadership & Innovation – Systems, Professional, and Reimagined Change (SPARC)

Delivery : 100% Online Credits : 60 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose ASU’s Online Ed.D. Program?

ASU has a way of making our heart sing. The online doctorate is a distance learning version of its campus program, which means both versions are taught by the same faculty. The Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is nationally respected. Ed.D. students can choose from 3 different concentrations and participate in collaborative Leader-Scholar Communities (LSCs). Graduate alumni praise the program’s flexibility & helpful professors. And per credit tuition rates are the same for in-state and out-of-state students. It’s no wonder this Ed.D. won the CPED Program of the Year Award in 2018.

To apply to the Online Ed.D. in Leadership & Innovation , you must have a bachelor’s and master’s degree—in any field—from a regionally accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA on graduate work. You should also be working in a professional position that allows you to implement change. The Ed.D. curriculum consists of a professional core, a research core, directed field study, LSC seminars, and an action-research dissertation. Overall:

• The PK-12 concentration tends to attract aspiring superintendents, education administrators, teacher leaders, and curriculum specialists.
• The Higher Education concentration is tailored to mid-level professionals (e.g. directors of units, student services personnel, instructional technologists, etc.).
• The Systems, Professional, and Reimagined Change (SPARC) concentration is for individuals in educational environments outside of schools & universities (e.g. professional schools, continuing education, corporate training, museums, etc.).

This is an attractive choice for working professionals who want an efficient degree schedule—courses are only 7.5. weeks long and the entire program can be finished in 9-10 semesters.

Note: We profile ASU’s Online Ed.D. in Leadership & Innovation – Higher Education in our Higher Education rankings!

• Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College

11 University of Southern California

• Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Multiple Concentrations)
• Online Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership

Delivery : Online with 1 Immersion Weekend (Educational Leadership); Annual Immersion Weekends (Organizational Change) Credits : 43-60 Length : 3-4 Years

One of USC’s secret superpowers is urban education. Thanks to its physical location, the USC Rossier School of Education is well-known for its work with the Los Angeles Unified School District. It supports plenty of research centers that focus on urban issues. And it has reputation for being helpful—graduate student reviews often mention the excellent support networks. All of this quality comes with a price tag. Visit Rossier’s section on Scholarships and talk to the Ed.D. program coordinator about the $7,500 admissions scholarship before you apply.

The 43-credit Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is open to those with a master’s degree, leadership experience, and a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience. This challenging doctorate features core coursework in topical areas (e.g. equity), mandatory work in research methods, and a Dissertation in Practice. 4 concentrations are available: K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings, Leading Instructional Change, Higher Education Administration, and Educational Psychology. You’ll also need to be prepared for weekly live/synchronous classes in the evenings and a 2-day, on-campus orientation.

The Online Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership welcomes applicants with a minimum of 6 years of proven leadership experience. It comes in two forms: a 3-year, 43-unit curriculum for folks who already hold a master’s degree and a 60-unit curriculum for candidates who have a bachelor’s degree and substantial work & leadership experience. All students complete a hefty number of courses in urban education and a Dissertation in Practice. Plan for weekly live class sessions on weeknights or Saturdays and annual immersion weekends on the Los Angeles campus.

Note: Looking for in-person alternatives? USC also offers a Hybrid Global Executive Ed.D. and features in our Best Ed.D. rankings!

• USC Rossier School of Education
• Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Admissions
• Online Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership Admissions

10 Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

• Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

Delivery : 100% Online or Hybrid Credits : 69 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose Virginia Tech’s Online Ed.D. Program?

Seasoned faculty. Flexible scheduling. And measurable results. These are just 3 reasons to choose Virginia Tech for your online doctorate. The School of Education is well-known in the state—approximately 30% of division superintendents in Virginia are graduates of its Educational Leadership programs—and it’s working on a number of unusual research projects & outreach programs . Learn more about its initiatives in rural Appalachia and its partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

Virginia Tech’s cohort-based Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies for PreK-12 leaders is remarkably flexible. You can opt for a 100% online degree with synchronous and asynchronous classes. Or you can choose a hybrid version with classes at Virginia Tech extension sites. Candidates must have school leadership experience, a master’s degree, and a 3.3 GPA on the most recent 2 years of university coursework.

If you’re accepted, you’ll be immersed in a huge range of courses on public education, budgeting, law, and administration. We give Virginia Tech full marks for incorporating an internship and field studies into the curriculum—you’ll gain experience working on advanced applied research and/or an evaluation study for educational institutions & agencies. You’ll also have the opportunity to choose between a traditional 5-chapter dissertation or an alternative format (e.g. journal article).

9 University of Arizona

Delivery : 100% Online Credits : 63 Length : 3 Years

Consistency. UA’s College of Education has a long track record in distance education and a history of supporting indigenous education and Hispanic populations. That makes this online Ed.D. a good fit for K-12 educational leaders who want to combine training in areas like policy with research into issues surrounding social justice, race, and culturally responsive leadership. Tuition rates are fairly reasonable for an education doctorate and out-of-state students pay the same rate as in-state students.

UA’s comprehensive Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is a practical, part-time program that’s open to applicants with a master’s degree, a cumulative 3.0 GPA on graduate work, and current or previous leadership experience. This cohort-based doctorate is 100% online, with no residency requirements and mostly asynchronous coursework.

In the first 2 years, you’ll tackle 2-3 courses in the fall, spring & summer semesters. In the final year, you’ll take 3 courses in the summer and then pivot to focus on your Dissertation in Practice (DiP). UA is an Experienced CPED member, so the curriculum covers a wide range of leadership courses, including Market-Based Educational Reforms, Policy Analysis, and Bilingual Education.

8 Pennsylvania State University – World Campus

• Online D.Ed. (Multiple Specializations)

Delivery : Online with 1 Summer Summit Credits : 37 Length : 1 Year (Full-Time); 2-4 Years (Part-Time)

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

Anyone looking to customize their online doctorate should be looking at Penn State! The World Campus is doing a bang-up job of supporting distance learners who are working professionals. And the College of Education funds a wide range of research centers . Education faculty are spearheading DEI and anti-racist leadership initiatives in higher education settings, questioning educational policy, and pushing the boundaries of science in schools. Check out the section on active funded research projects for capstone inspiration and read up on the Department of Education Policy Studies (EPS) before applying.

Penn State’s Online D.Ed. is the first doctorate the College of Education has developed to be offered online, but it’s led by an experienced Faculty Director and packed with intriguing elements. You’ll be required to complete a Quantitative Data Analysis Workshop, an in-depth capstone project, and a mandatory 5-day Summer Summit at the University Park campus. The summit is packed with career-building opportunities, including workshops and professional development training.

Moreover, you can create your own Ed.D. specialty by choosing 12 credits of electives from 170+ online graduate courses offered by the College of Education. That makes this doctorate fit for almost anyone interested in education & leadership. Candidates with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in education or an associated field are welcome to apply to Penn State. Have a look at the Set Your Own Pace section to decide whether you’re ready for 3-4 courses per semester or a less frenetic part-time schedule.

Note: Penn State also appears in our Higher Education rankings!

• Penn State World Campus

7 Florida State University

Delivery : Online with Annual 3-day Summer Institute Credits : 69 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose FSU’s Online Ed.D. Program?

FSU has a Carnegie designation of Very High Research Activity. That gives it street cred. But we were more impressed with the reviews for the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) . Alumni are full of praise for the hands-on learning, knowledgeable professors, supportive staff, and positive atmosphere. Be sure to read up on the latest faculty initiatives and research-practice projects within the Learning Systems Institute (LSI) . FSU is a great pick for mid-level professionals who aspire to become senior-level educational leaders, policymakers, and policy researchers. It’s also worth noting that Florida residents get a good deal on tuition rates and access to a number of FSU scholarships.

FSU isn’t fooling around! U.S. candidates for the Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Administration are expected to have a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.5 GPA (3.0 for international applicants). Those high standards are reflected in the curriculum. The virtual, 3-year doctorate includes in-depth asynchronous coursework with a strong emphasis on policy and a 3-day Summer Institute each year in Tallahassee.

It gets better. FSU is an Experienced CPED member. That means the Ed.D. includes Laboratories of Practice in the first two years, a Dissertation in Practice (DiP) in the final year, and Scholarly Engagement requirements. As part of your doctoral studies, you’ll be expected to complete a number of benchmark activities (e.g. attending conferences, participating in workshops, presenting at a conference or submitting an article, etc.).

Note: FSU also offers a cohort-based Online Ed.D. in Learning Design and Performance Technology with on-campus meetings and an applied dissertation.

6 University of Florida

• Online Leadership in Educational Administration Doctorate (LEAD) Ed.D.

Delivery : 100% Online Credits : 90 Length : 4 Years

Why Choose UF’s Online Ed.D. Program?

UF is a flagship university with a massive budget. So it’s no surprise to see that the College of Education oversees three schools and receives more than $219 million in research awards for work within its centers & institutes . We were particularly intrigued by the College’s investment in advanced learning technologies . According to the annual Impact Report , students in the College are actively involved in creating AI initiatives, user-friendly data dashboards, and innovative tech solutions to educational challenges. If you’re fascinated by 21st century tools and need a convenient delivery method for your doctorate, UF is a very strong option.

First off, UF has been a CPED member since 2007. That means there’s a high level of quality baked into the cohort-based Online Leadership in Educational Administration Doctorate (LEAD) Ed.D. This part-time program is open to applicants with a master’s degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA on undergraduate work. It’s 100% online, with a combination of two synchronous Saturday meetings per semester via Zoom and asynchronous components in-between.

To accommodate working professionals, LEAD studies at UF are spaced out over 4 years. You’ll be required to complete 2 courses per term. Core courses, research credits, and electives will make up the bulk of your first 3 years. The fourth year will be consumed by your dissertation. Search UF’s repository of Electronic Theses & Dissertations to learn what previous students have accomplished.

Note: UF also offers a Hybrid Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration that features in our Higher Education rankings and online doctorates in Curriculum & Instruction .

5 Johns Hopkins University

• Online Ed.D. (Multiple Concentrations)

Delivery : 100% Online Credits : 54 Length : 4 Years

Why Choose JHU’s Online Ed.D. Program?

JHU’s School of Education is a mere toddler—it was established as a standalone division in 2007. But that’s not stopping it from going from strength to strength! It produces scores of teachers for Baltimore City public schools. It supports multiple research centers & institutes and faculty-led research areas. And it’s actively creating solutions that affect national policy. Take a look at the current research-practice partnerships focusing on student success and the large assortment of tools & strategies that have been created for educators.

JHU is an Experienced CPED member, so you can expect its cohort-based Online Ed.D. to be packed with engaging elements for K-16 educational leaders & administrators. This prestigious, part-time doctorate is open to candidates with a master’s degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA. You’ll start with a core of 12 credits in Foundations of Education and 12 credits of Applied Research and Evaluation. Then you can customize your doctorate with 1 or more areas of interest, including electives in:

• Creativity, Advanced Learning, and Twice Exceptionality
• Digital Age Learning and Educational Technology
• Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education
• Mind, Brain, and Teaching
• Urban Leadership

Along the way, you’ll also identify a Problem of Practice that will serve as the basis for your Doctoral Dossier. The dossier consists of 3 different “Scholarship” projects that focus on the application of research to practice, the development & improvement of pedagogical practices, and the search for new knowledge. You’ll graduate with an extensive Ed.D. portfolio of analyses, scholarly publications, teaching materials, and more.

4 Boston College

• Online Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education
• Online Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education: Catholic Higher Education

Delivery : Online with Week-Long Summer Residencies Credits : 48 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose BC’s Online Ed.D. Program?

Prestige! The Lynch School is an Experienced CPED member with dedicated research centers in higher education , glowing student reviews, and consistently high rankings . It’s usually regarded as the #1 Catholic School of Education in the country. Boston College’s program is worth a good hard look if you’re currently working at a religiously-minded university. We’d also call it a great “mid-career” option for higher education administrators—the Lynch School is careful about creating strong cohorts of experienced national & international students.

Applicants to the Online Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education should have 7+ years of relevant professional experience and a master’s degree. You can opt for the standard format with electives or choose to specialize in the Catholic Higher Education concentration. Both tracks include a combination of asynchronous and synchronous elements and take 3 years to complete on a part-time schedule.

This collaborative Ed.D. has two unique selling points—the annual summer residencies and the group-based capstone project. During the first and third year, you’ll travel to the Boston area for cohort-building and networking activities in June. (Catholic Ed.D. students also take part in an Institute for Administrators in Catholic Higher Education.). In the second year, you’ll journey to Chile to acquire insights on Managing Change in Higher Education.

Note: Looking for an in-person alternative? BC also features in our Best Ed.D. Rankings !

• Lynch School of Education and Human Development

3 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Online Ed.D. in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership (Multiple Concentrations)

On-Campus Components : 100% Online Credits : 64 Length : 3 Years

Why Choose UIUC’s Online Ed.D. Program?

UIUC’s Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership (EPOL) has a little something for everyone who’s interested in policy and practice—especially folks in PreK-12 and postsecondary settings who want to broaden their horizons. One of the biggest selling factors for this doctorate is price. Online Ed.D. tuition rates are remarkably inexpensive for in-state and out-of-state students and scholarships for doctoral students are available. The other deciding factor will be the uniqueness of the Ed.D. concentrations. Options such as Human Resource Development aren’t that common at other universities.

The Online Ed.D. in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership is open to candidates with a master’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum 3.0 GPA. It features weekly synchronous sessions where students can exchange ideas and network. It’s also 100% online, which may make it an attractive option for anyone overseas. Just be sure to read the International Applicant Criteria first!

Once accepted, you’ll be able to specialize in one of 5 concentrations that cover everything from Diversity & Equity and Learning Design & Leadership to Global Studies in Education and International Education Administration & Leadership. All concentrations include a core of required Ed.D. courses, coursework in research methods, 5-8 electives, qualifying exams/research seminars, and a dissertation. Not sure what to focus on? You’ll find examples of previous UIUC Ed.D. dissertations in IDEALS .

Note: Looking for an in-person alternative? UIUC also features in our Best Ed.D. Rankings !

2 Vanderbilt University

• Online Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations (LLO)

Delivery : Online with 3 Campus Convenings Credits : 54 Length : 3-4 Years

Why Choose Vanderbilt’s Online Ed.D. Program?

Vanderbilt’s reputation speaks for itself. The Peabody College of Education and Human Development is internationally renowned and often sits in the top 10 of education school rankings. It’s funding plenty of interdisciplinary research initiatives that may spark ideas for your Ed.D. capstone project. And the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations is led by diverse faculty. The LLO program is relatively new and—according to reviews—has been going through a teething stage. So chat to alumni about their experience before applying.

The Online Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations is aimed at mid-career professionals—candidates should have a minimum 3.0 GPA, 30 graduate-level hours, and at least 3 years of relevant leadership experience. And it’s practice-based. To foster engagement, this doctorate includes live online classes each week and a hands-on capstone project in lieu of a dissertation.

Vanderbilt splits the Ed.D. program into five parts. The bulk of the coursework covers:

• Leadership & Organizational Development
• Learning and Design
• Data and Analytics

The rest of your time will be devoted to three on-campus convenings and your capstone project —an intervention or process that you design to implement learning, improvement, or change in your organization. You don’t necessarily need to go through with that intervention, but you will be expected to develop a research-based plan and evaluation strategy.

Note: Looking for an in-person alternative? Vanderbilt also features in our Best Ed.D. Rankings !

• Peabody College of Education and Human Development

1 New York University

• Online Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation

Delivery : Online with 1 Immersive Residency Credits : 42 Length : 2 Years

Why Choose NYU’s Online Ed.D. Program?

NYU’s high octane doctorate comes from Steinhardt , a school with superb rankings & graduate student reviews, an active Department of Administration, Leadership, and Technology , and outstanding faculty. It’s also a qualification that’s designed to cover a wide range of sectors, including PK-20 education. If you’re a mid-level professional who is planning for a C-level or management role, this cohort-based program should be first on your shortlist! Just keep in mind that the high tuition rates reflect the depth and value of the program.

Candidates for the Online Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation must have 7-10 years of work experience, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and a master’s degree in education or a related field. Coursework is online, but you’ll be expected to take part in a 3-day immersive experience on the NYU campus. This Executive-style Ed.D. even features virtual seminars with educational leaders and an ongoing Master Speaker Series.

We applaud NYU for including a Problem of Practice instead of a dissertation. You’ll have the chance to implement significant improvements and/or innovations in your workplace and measure their success. The Problem of Practice section has a number of helpful examples that you can use as inspiration.

Note: Looking for an in-person alternative? NYU also features in our Best Ed.D. Rankings !

• NYU Steinhardt

What to Expect from an Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Program

Online ed.d. experience.

In many ways, your experience in an online Ed.D. program will be very close to an on-campus program:

• You’ll go through a rigorous program of study that includes targeted educational leadership coursework and mandatory credits in research methods.
• You’ll be taught by College of Education faculty.
• You may be collaborating on class projects with fellow students in your cohort.
• You’ll often have to take exams and provide a dissertation proposal & defense.
• You’ll end the doctorate with a practice-based dissertation, Dissertation in Practice (DiP), or capstone.

But there are obvious differences in delivery & time expectations. Read on to discover how your doctoral journey will change in distance learning.

Time to Completion: How Long are Online Ed.D. Programs?

Ed.D. programs generally represent at least 57 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the master’s degree. If we follow the conventional wisdom that says each semester hour takes a student 45 hours, this means every Ed.D. program involves at least 2,565 hours of active, focused study. There’s a lot of material to cover and there are no shortcuts.

• 3-Year Standard: The standard length for online Ed.D. programs is 3 years. Some universities stretch the timeline into 4 years. You’ll also need to consider administrative delays, grading, course availability, dissertation or capstone project revision, and other factors.
• Faster Options: If you’re determined to earn an Ed.D. quickly, start with our Guide to 2-Year Ed.D. Programs . These are the fastest Ed.D. programs in the country, and many are offered online or in a hybrid format.

Part-time study is the norm for education doctorates. Online Ed.D. programs are designed with working professionals in mind, and it is very difficult to continue to work full-time while pursuing a doctorate full-time. Some people have done it—programs identified as “Accelerated” (see below) are often designed with this purpose in mind. However, a part-time study timetable may be more realistic. You can avoid getting stuck in the dissertation phase by staying in touch with faculty, minding the timetable, and staying proactive.

Special Types of Online Ed.D. Programs

Online executive ed.d. programs.

Until the 1980s, it was very hard for working professionals to earn a graduate degree while working a full-time schedule. Evening and weekend courses were relatively rare, and senior professionals faced the challenge of either sacrificing several years of income to earn advanced degrees or potentially losing future jobs & promotions.

Universities responded to this challenge by creating part-time “Executive” programs that could be completed entirely on evenings and weekends.

• In time, the Executive model became so popular and successful that nearly all doctorates in education (online & on-campus) began to follow an evening/weekend schedule.
• However, you’ll still spot Executive Ed.D. programs in our listings that have a specific work experience requirement (e.g. Boston College’s Online Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education ). In these cases, applicants are often expected to be mid-career leadership professionals with a certain number of years under their belt (e.g. 5-10).

If you’re interested in an Online Executive Ed.D., read the program page & admissions requirements carefully to learn about the thresholds for experience and consider whether you are in the right place in your employment journey. The one assumption you can safely make about every Executive Ed.D. program is that it is designed to accommodate students who have important full-time commitments.

Online Accelerated Ed.D. Programs

An accelerated online Ed.D. is usually a program that’s structured to be completed in less than 3 years. For example, Lamar University’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership can be completed in 6 semesters of full-time study.

The only meaningful difference between an accelerated online Ed.D. and an ordinary online Ed.D. is that the accelerated program is focused on full-time study. So the odds of multiple core classes being offered at overlapping times, or not being offered at all for a while, are much lower than they might otherwise be.

Note: If an accelerated online doctorate in education advertises itself as taking less than 2 years, that’s usually a “Red Flag” indication that the program is unaccredited.

Online Program Delivery Formats

What does 100% online mean.

Most regionally accredited online Ed.D. programs contain some on-campus residencies. However, a small number are completely virtual—you’ll take part in online orientations, defend your dissertation through video meetings, and collaborate with students via distance learning methods. Having said all that, you will still have to factor face-to-face encounters into your planning. For example:

• You may be asked to complete class assignments by trying something out in a professional setting.
• It’s not uncommon for proctored examinations, which you must take under supervision at a faculty-approved site, to be required.
• Many online Ed.D. programs contain field work, an internship, or practicum requirement. These can be completed at a site near you.
• For your dissertation research, you may have to conduct experimental, on-site research at an education site.

Think of “100% online” as a reference to how the classes are conducted, not to the overall learning experience. Even if you never have to visit the campus, the doctoral process is likely to affect every area of your life.

What Kind of Software Will I Need?

In most cases, an up-to-date web browser, a strong Internet connection, and an email client will be enough. Universities use a wide range of software packages to host classes—Blackboard, Canvas, and Moodle are the most popular—but the distance learning experience is relatively straightforward.

Can I Take Classes Whenever I Want?

It depends. Online classes are taught in one of two ways:

• Synchronous: A group of students participate in an online class or discussion live, in a chatroom or other real-time environment.
• Asynchronous: Students can log into classes, view pre-recorded content, and tackle assignments whenever they have time.

It’s not unusual for online education doctorates to offer a mix of synchronous and asynchronous classes. If you have a tight schedule, look for online Ed.D. courses that are taught asynchronously (or at least where the classes are archived, and synchronous “attendance” is not mandatory).

Online vs. Hybrid: What’s the Difference?

Although 100% online doctorates exist, a number of online Ed.D. programs could actually be classified as low-residency hybrid programs. Even though the bulk of classroom study is conducted online, students are still required to meet up in-person a few times over the course of the program for residencies, seminars, or conferences. You should read the program page carefully to determine how much on-campus work is included.

• In our rankings of the top 25 schools in the U.S. , we focused on online Ed.D. programs that had reasonable on-campus expectations (e.g. 1-3 visits).
• Any education doctorates that exceeded this threshold were deemed to be hybrid or blended.

Incidentally, most “on-campus” Ed.D. programs offered by accredited U.S. universities are technically high-residency hybrid programs. It’s extremely rare to find a school that does not allow Ed.D. students to take at least some of their coursework online.

Online Ed.D. Dissertations vs. Capstones

Ph.D. programs are built to include a 5-chapter, book-length dissertation that must constitute an “original contribution to knowledge” within the student’s field. If the dissertation is especially relevant and timely, the student will often submit it to a university press for publication.

While the dissertation is an essential component to the Ph.D., some Ed.D. programs don’t require it. Instead, students may be allowed to submit a Dissertation in Practice (DiP), portfolio, or capstone project. These practice-based projects are not intended to be easier than dissertations. Instead, they’re designed to be more relevant to the work the student is likely to do in the field.

• Choosing a Dissertation-Based Ed.D. Program: If you’re choosing a position that involves research, potential college-level instruction, or a lot of competition with people who hold Ph.D. degrees, it’s probably best to make sure to conclude your Ed.D. with a dissertation rather than a capstone project. Our guide to EdD dissertations provides a comprehensive account of what you can expect from the dissertation process.
• Choosing a Capstone-Based Ed.D. Program: If you’re entering an environment where a capstone-project Ed.D. is the norm, or where most of your peers don’t hold doctorates of any kind, you can probably get by without a dissertation.

Field Work and Internships in Online Ed.D. Programs

You’ll satisfy field work & internship requirements in a face-to-face setting at a local site, just like you would in a traditional program. The difference is that the local site is typically local to you.

Field work and internship requirements can vary a great deal from program to program:

• No Internship: Many online Ed.D. programs don’t require an internship. But small amounts of field work are often integrated into normal Ed.D.-level courses in the form of specific assignments.
• Internship Required: When an internship is required, it’s usually classified as a course of its own. You’ll often complete your internship training under the direction of a practicing educational leader in your local area and report back to a supervising Ed.D. faculty member about your progress.

In rare cases, an Ed.D. program will integrate specific field work requirements into every course.

How to Choose an Online Ed.D. Program

Institutional prestige.

Every doctorate in our database of online Ed.D. programs is offered by a regionally accredited college or university. This means that they meet certain measurable baselines that are associated with high-quality institutions. There are no diploma mills among our listings!

If you’re looking for the “best” distance learning program for your needs, things get trickier. You can start with certain institutional quality markers (e.g. CPED membership, CAEP accreditation, etc.), but you’ll also need to consider real-world factors such as budget, time-frame, program relevancy, admissions requirements, and Ed.D. faculty expertise. One of the reasons we put together such a detailed ranking of the Best Online Ed.D. Programs is because we wanted a list that was thoroughly researched, fact-checked, and free of advertiser influence.

Weigh your options carefully. An online Ed.D. is more likely to be sniffed at if it:

• Was awarded by a for-profit school, rather than a private non-profit or public institution.
• Was awarded by a school that does not have a significant number of on-campus students;
• Was awarded by a school that’s less than 20 years old; and/or
• Does not involve a dissertation.

For-profit schools are especially controversial, and are likely to remain so for a long time.

Program Focus and Career Goals

The major matters a great deal in Ed.D. programs. If you dig into the titles & curricula, you’ll notice that every doctorate has a unique slant. For instance:

• Sign up for Drexel University’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Management and you’ll come out of the program with a solid background in management philosophy, educational technology, and research design.
• Sign up for Texas A&M University’s Online Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction , which is also marketed to educational administrators, and you get courses that are centered much more closely on the nuts and bolts of supervision and assessment.

Whenever possible, choose a program that honors both your academic interests and your career track.

Instructor Quality

It’s pretty standard for online degree programs to outsource faculty. However, at the doctoral level you need to be able to access the same core department Ed.D. faculty as on-campus students. This becomes especially important during the dissertation phase.

Save yourself some trouble now by checking with the school to make sure any professors you’re especially interested in working with on your future research actually supervise online students’ dissertations.

Online vs. On-Campus

Conventional wisdom would suggest that online programs cost less than on-campus programs, since students don’t need to rely on physical facilities or the same range of student services. Conventional wisdom, in this case, is wrong. Online Ed.D. programs typically cost about as much as on-campus programs, with total program expenses running anywhere from $15,000 to $200,000.

If money is no object to you—or you’re confident that your career track will pay back any student loans you take out—this isn’t necessarily bad news. But if you’re working with limited funds, you’re going to need to balance the cost of the program with the benefits you expect to receive from it. You’ll also need to explore how to pay for the program in the near term, and how to minimize your long-term debt.

The easiest way to minimize debt is to choose an affordable Ed.D. program. Head over to our rankings of the cheapest online Ed.D. programs to jump-start your research.

Public Universities: The Most Affordable Option?

The cheapest regionally accredited online Ed.D. programs are offered by traditional public universities; some of these programs are inexpensive enough that taking out student loans may not even be necessary. For example, Boise State University’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Technology is very reasonably priced. This is in part because BSU considers all online U.S. students to be eligible for in-state tuition.

However, many public universities charge out-of-state students significantly more than they charge in-state students. In some cases, out-of-state tuition can approach—or even exceed—the cost of tuition at private universities.

It’s important to make sure when calculating the cost of a public university program that you have determined whether or not you qualify for in-state tuition and, if not, whether there may be private options in the same price range that are worth considering.

Student Loans: The Cost of Doing Business?

If you can’t afford to pay Ed.D. tuition out of your own pocket, you’ll probably need to get a student loan. Student loans have increasingly become a standard, unavoidable part of higher education for those who are not independently wealthy and don’t qualify for (or still can’t afford) in-state tuition.

The good news is that student loan repayment plans are typically fairly generous, with income-based and pay-as-you-earn arrangements allowing for long-term repayment of loans. People who work in the education sector may also qualify for full or partial student loan forgiveness.

Alternative Funding Sources

Ed.d. scholarships and grants.

While scholarships and grants are not as big of a deal at the Ed.D. level as they are for undergraduates, and less commonly available for online students than they are for on-campus students, some options are still available. Before you apply, explore the scholarship sections within the university’s College of Education and Graduate Student websites. We also recommend that you ask the Ed.D. program coordinator about how doctoral students are funded.

Graduate Assistantships

As a general rule, graduate assistantships—which make doctoral programs a financial option for many on-campus students who would not otherwise be able to pursue them—are not available for online Ed.D. students. Having said that, it’s a good idea to check with your specific institution, since case-by-case arrangements can sometimes be made.

Final Considerations

Online ed.d. accreditation, regional accreditation.

Every college and university in our database of online Ed.D. programs holds regional accreditation—the gold standard form of general, institutional U.S. accreditation.

If you look around for online Ed.D. programs on your own, you may run across some schools that hold accreditation from a national accreditor called the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

• DEAC, founded in 1926 as the National Home Study Council and later known as the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), is a legitimate, USDE-recognized accrediting body originally created to assess legitimate correspondence schools that could not obtain regional accreditation.
• But DEAC accreditation has never been as widely recognized as regional accreditation, and regional accreditors are now friendlier towards distance learning institutions, so we can think of no good reason to pursue a DEAC-accredited Ed.D. program that lacks regional accreditation. They aren’t even cheaper than regionally accredited programs.

That’s why we haven’t included these online doctorates in our database, and that’s why you shouldn’t include these online Ed.D. programs in your search. If you’re pursuing a doctorate located in the United States, accept no substitute for regional accreditation .

CAEP Accreditation

If you want to go a step further than regional accreditation, consider limiting your search to online Ed.D. programs that are directly accredited by—or offered by departments that are accredited by—the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) . Schools that offer these programs will also hold regional accreditation. While CAEP’s accrediting process isn’t especially friendly towards online programs, a small number of them have made the cut.

Accreditation for International Programs

If you’re interested in pursuing an online Ed.D. program located outside of the United States, it’s a more complicated topic. Hundreds of legitimate schools offer online Ed.D. programs in the United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa that are available to U.S. students, with new schools in the emerging world entering the market on a regular basis.

• Since there is no international accrediting body that can separate the good schools from the diploma mills on a global scale, and laws and accreditation standards vary from country to country, a good rule of thumb is to avoid any privately-run institution of higher learning located outside of the United States unless you are directly familiar with it and have independent means of vouching for its legitimacy.
• As a general rule, it’s best to stick to U.S. schools for your Ed.D. unless you have specific knowledge of and experience with another country’s system of higher education, or plan to work overseas in a country whose schools make online Ed.D. programs available to U.S. students.

Is an Online Ed.D. Right for You?

We’ve offered a lot of advice here, but in the end the only person whose opinion really matters in this situation is yours. Here are a few last questions you should ask yourself before considering an online doctorate in education.

How Well Do You Work on Your Own?

Be brutally honest: how much supervision do you need? If you’re assigned a project, do you benefit from frequent reminders? Can you work from home? Do you need the peer support system of a workplace to get things done? Online Ed.D. programs are for self-starters. If managing your own time doesn’t come naturally to you, and it’s not really a skill you want to develop the hard way, an on-campus or hybrid/blended program may be a better fit.

How Important is Campus Life to You?

Do you want to make long-lasting connections over the course of your Ed.D. program? While it’s not impossible that you’ll make some friendships while you’re doing an online Ed.D., there’s something to be said for building local career connections and becoming part of a campus community. Online programs can’t offer that. That said, if you’re an introvert, or already have an active social life, or don’t enjoy campus socializing, an online Ed.D. makes it more possible to avoid the social element.

Can You Balance an Online Ed.D. With Your Career?

The best thing about an online Ed.D. program is that you can often study on your own schedule. But you still have to put the time in. If you wouldn’t consider doing an on-campus Ed.D. because of the overall time investment, an online Ed.D. is unlikely to prove more manageable.

All Online EdD Programs

157 Schools Found

Samford University

Orlean Beeson School of Education

Birmingham, Alabama

Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership

Offered Online

• Curriculum Info
• How To Apply

The University of Alabama

Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Online EdD in Higher Education Administration - Executive Cohort

University of west alabama.

Livingston, Alabama

Online Ed.D in Rural Education - Counseling

Online ed.d in rural education - higher education administration, online ed.d in rural education - organizational change and leadership, online ed.d in rural education - teaching and learning, arizona state university.

Teacher's College

Tempe, Arizona

Online EdD in Leadership and Innovation

Online edd in leadership and innovation - higher education change leadership, online edd in leadership and innovation - pk-12 change leadership, online edd in leadership and innovation - systems, professional and reimagined change leadership, grand canyon university.

Phoenix, Arizona

Online EdD in Organizational Leadership - Behavioral Health

Online edd in organizational leadership - christian ministry, online edd in organizational leadership - global k-12 education community, online edd in organizational leadership - healthcare administration, online edd in organizational leadership - higher education leadership, online edd in organizational leadership - organizational development, online edd in organizational leadership - special education, online edd in teaching and learning - adult learning, northcentral university.

Prescott Valley, Arizona

Doctor of Education (EdD) in International Education and Globalization

Online doctor of education in educational leadership, online doctor of education in instructional design, online doctorate of education in curriculum and teaching, online doctorate of education in e-learning, online doctorate of education in early childhood education, online doctorate of education in general education, online doctorate of education in instructional leadership, online doctorate of education in leadership in higher education, online doctorate of education in learning analytics in higher education, online doctorate of education in learning analytics k-12, online doctorate of education in nursing education, online doctorate of education in organizational leadership, online doctorate of education in special education, online doctorate of education in sport and athletic management, online edd in english language learning, university of arizona.

Department of Educational Policy Studies and Practice

Tucson, Arizona

EdD in Educational Leadership

University of phoenix.

School of Advanced Studies

Online EdD in Educational Leadership

Online edd in educational leadership - curriculum and instruction, online edd in educational leadership - educational technology, online edd in educational leadership - higher education administration, university of arkansas.

College of Education and Health Professions

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Online Doctor of Education in Adult and Lifelong Learning - Adult Education Leadership

Online doctor of education in adult and lifelong learning - community college leadership, online doctor of education in human resource and workforce development education, national university.

Sanford College of Education

La Jolla, California

Online Ed.D. in Organizational Innovation

Trident university international.

Cypress, California

Online EdD in Educational Leadership - Higher Education

Online edd in educational leadership - pk-12, umass global.

Irvine, California

Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership

University of southern california.

Rossier School of Education

Los Angeles, California

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Educational Psychology

Doctor of education in educational leadership - higher education administration, online doctor of education in educational leadership - k-12 leadership in urban school settings, online doctor of education in educational leadership - leading instructional change, aspen university.

Denver, Colorado

Online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning - Healthcare Administration and Leadership

Online doctor of education in leadership and learning - higher education leadership, online doctor of education in leadership and learning - k12 educational leadership, online doctor of education in leadership and learning - organizational leadership, online doctor of education in leadership and learning - organizational psychology, university of northern colorado.

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences

Greeley, Colorado

Online Doctor of Education in Educational Studies

Connecticut, sacred heart university.

Isabelle Farrington College Of Education

Fairfield, Connecticut

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Southern connecticut state university.

Department of Nursing

New Haven, Connecticut

Doctoral Program in Nursing Education

University of bridgeport.

Department of Online Programs

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Online Doctoral Program in Education Leadership - International Education

Western connecticut state university.

Nursing Department

Danbury, Connecticut

EdD in Nursing Education

Wilmington university.

New Castle, Delaware

Doctor of Education in Organizational, Learning, Leadership and Innovation - Strategic Leadership

Doctor of education in organizational, learning, leadership and innovation - talent development, doctor of education in organizational, learning, leadership and innovation - workplace learning, online doctor of education in organizational, learning, leadership and innovation, online edd in higher education leadership and innovation, district of columbia, american university.

Washington, District of Columbia

Online EdD in Education Policy and Leadership

Barry university.

Adrian Dominican School of Education

Miami, Florida

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Florida state university.

Tallahassee, Florida

Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy

Nova southeastern university.

Fischler College of Education

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Online EdD in Curriculum and Instruction

Online edd in higher education leadership, online edd in higher services administration, online edd in instructional technology and distance education, online edd in organizational leadership, online edd in reading education, online edd in special education, southeastern university.

Lakeland, Florida

Online Doctor of Education - Curriculum and Instruction

Online doctor of education - organizational leadership, st. thomas university.

School of Leadership, Education & Communication

Miami Gardens, Florida

Online Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Innovation

University of florida.

Gainesville, Florida

Doctor of Education in Leadership in Educational Administration

Hybrid doctor of education in higher education administration, online doctor of education in educational technology, online ed.d. in curriculum and instruction - teachers, schools, and society, georgia southern university.

Statesboro, Georgia

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - P-12 Administration

Kennesaw state university.

Bagwell College of Education

Kennesaw, Georgia

EdD in Teacher Leadership

Online edd in instructional technology - advanced track, online edd in instructional technology - certification track, university of georgia.

Department of Counseling and Human Development Services

Athens, Georgia

EdD in Student Affairs Leadership

University of north georgia.

Dahlonega, Georgia

Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Practice

University of west georgia.

Carrollton, Georgia

Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration

Online doctor of education in nursing education, online doctor of education in professional counseling and supervision, online doctor of education in professional counseling and supervision - accelerate, online doctor of education in school improvement, online doctor of education in school improvement - educational leadership, online doctor of education in school improvement - instructional technology, online doctor of education in school improvement - k-12 online learning, online doctor of education in school improvement - media specialist, online doctor of education in school improvement - reading, online doctor of education in school improvement - school counseling, online doctor of education in school improvement - special education, online doctor of education in school improvement - tesol, valdosta state university.

College of Education and Human Services

Valdosta, Georgia

Doctor of Education in Adult and Career Education

Doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - art education, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - behavior sciences, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - early childhood education, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - english, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - esol, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - gifted, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - health and physical education, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - history, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - instructional technology, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - language arts, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - library media, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - mathematics, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - middle grades education, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - music education, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - political science, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - reading, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - science, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - secondary education, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - social science, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - spanish, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - special education adapted curriculum, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - special education general curriculum, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - speech, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - technology, doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - p-12 disciplinary - trade and industrial ed, doctor of education in leadership, doctor of education in leadership - curriculum leadership, doctor of education in leadership - higher education leadership, doctor of education in leadership - organizational leadership, doctor of education in leadership - technology leadership, online doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - learning and development, online doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - learning and development - certificate in public sector human resource management, online doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - learning and development - certification in online teaching, online doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - learning and development - graduate certificate in healthcare administration, online doctor of education in curriculum and instruction - learning and development - higher education, boise state university.

Boise, Idaho

Online Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - STEM

Online edd in curriculum and instruction - bilingual education/enl, online edd in curriculum and instruction - counselor education and supervision, online edd in curriculum and instruction - early childhood education, online edd in curriculum and instruction - educational leadership, online edd in curriculum and instruction - kinesiology, online edd in curriculum and instruction - literacy, online edd in curriculum and instruction - mathematics education, online edd in curriculum and instruction - special education, idaho state university.

Pocatello, Idaho

EdD in Educational Leadership - Instructional Design Technology

Northwest nazarene university.

Nampa, Idaho

University of Idaho

College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Moscow, Idaho

Online EdD in Educational Leadership - Leadership and Counseling

Bradley university.

College of Education and Health Sciences

Peoria, Illinois

Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership - Higher Education Administration

Concordia university-chicago.

River Forest, Illinois

Online Doctorate in Education in Leadership - Curriculum and Instruction

Online doctorate in education in leadership - early childhood education, online doctorate in education in leadership - educational leadership, online doctorate in education in leadership - educational technology, online doctorate in education in leadership - gerontology, online doctorate in education in leadership - higher education leadership, online doctorate in education in leadership - organizational leadership, online doctorate in education in leadership - reading, language, and literacy, online doctorate in education in leadership - special education, online doctorate in education in leadership - sports leadership, online doctorate in education in leadership - teacher leadership, governors state university.

University Park, Illinois

Online Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership - Higher Education Administration

Online doctor of education in interdisciplinary leadership - not for profit/social entrepreneurship leadership, online doctor of education in interdisciplinary leadership - superintendent p-12, national louis university.

National College of Education

Chicago, Illinois

Online Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership

Olivet nazarene university.

School of Graduate and Continuing Studies

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership

The chicago school of professional psychology.

Department of Educational Psychology and Technology

Online Ed.D. in Educational Psychology and Technology - Higher Education Learning and Technology

Online ed.d. in educational psychology and technology - instructional design, online ed.d. in educational psychology and technology - k-12 education learning and technology, university of illinois at urbana-champaign.

Department of Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership

Champaign, Illinois

Ed.D. in Diversity and Equity in Education

Ed.d. in global studies in education, ed.d. in learning design and leadership, ed.d. in learning design and leadership - new learning, ed.d. in learning design and leadership - technology specialist, online doctor of education in education policy, organization and leadership - diversity and equity in education - human resource development emphasis, university of st francis.

Joliet, Illinois

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Stewardship, Leadership, and Learning Concentration

Ball state university.

Department of Educational Studies

Muncie, Indiana

EdD in Adult, Community, and Higher Education

Online doctorate of education in educational administration and supervision, indiana university bloomington.

Bloomington, Indiana

Online Doctor of Education in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education

Online edd in instructional systems technology, allen college.

School of Health Sciences

Waterloo, Iowa

Doctor of Education in Health Professions Education

Iowa state university, ed.d. in education - community college leadership, ed.d. in education - p-12 systems-level leadership, baker university.

Baldwin City, Kansas

Online Doctor of Education in Instructional Design & Performance Technology

Kansas state university.

Manhattan, Kansas

Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

Online doctor of education in adult learning and leadership, southwestern college.

Professional Studies

Winfield, Kansas

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Higher Education

Doctor of education in educational leadership - pk-12, murray state university.

Department of Educational Studies, Leadership, and Counseling

Murray, Kentucky

EdD in P-20 and Community Leadership - Agriculture Education

Edd in p-20 and community leadership - pk-12 leadership, edd in p-20 and community leadership - postsecondary leadership, edd in p-20 and community leadership - stem leadership, university of kentucky.

Department of Educational Leadership Studies

Lexington, Kentucky

University of the Cumberlands

Department of Education

Williamsburg, Kentucky

Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership

Grambling state university.

Grambling, Louisiana

Online EdD in Developmental Education

Northwestern state university of louisiana.

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Doctor of Education in Adult Learning and Development - Adult Learning and Workforce Development

Doctor of education in adult learning and development - community college leadership, university of louisiana-monroe.

Monroe, Louisiana

Xavier University of Louisiana

Division of Education and Counseling

New Orleans, Louisiana

University of New England

Biddeford, Maine

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

Online EdD in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education

Online edd in instructional design in online teaching and learning, online edd in mind, brain and teaching, online edd in technology integration in k-16 education, online edd in urban leadership, morgan state university, online doctor of education in community college leadership, massachusetts, bay path university.

Longmeadow, Massachusetts

EdD in Higher Education Leadership & Organizational Studies

Boston college.

Carolyn A. And Peter S. Lynch School Of Education And Human Development

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Executive Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education

Executive doctor of education (ed.d.) in higher education - catholic education, boston university.

Wheelock College of Education & Human Development

Boston, Massachusetts

EdD in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies: Leadership in Early Childhood Education-Grade 12

Northeastern university.

College of Professional Studies

Online Doctor of Education - Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership

Online doctor of education - higher education administration, online doctor of education - organizational leadership studies, regis college.

School of Arts and Sciences

Weston, Massachusetts

EdD in Higher Education Leadership

University of massachusetts-lowell.

Lowell, Massachusetts

Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling

Doctor of education in leadership in schooling - stem, andrews university.

Department of Leadership

Berrien Springs, Michigan

Online Doctor of Leadership (D.Lead)

Central michigan university.

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Online EdD in Educational Leadership - Higher Education Leadership

Online edd in educational leadership - k-12 leadership, cornerstone university.

Adult & Graduate Studies

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Development

University of michigan-flint.

School of Education and Human Services

Flint, Michigan

Doctor of Education

Bethel university.

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership

Online doctor of education in k-12 administration, minnesota state university moorhead.

School of Teaching & Learning

Moorhead, Minnesota

Online Ed.D. Educational Leadership

Saint cloud state university.

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Online EdD in Higher Education Administration

Saint mary's university of minnesota.

Graduate School of Education

Winona, Minnesota

Executive Doctor of Education in Leadership

The college of saint scholastica.

Duluth, Minnesota

Doctor of Educational Leadership

University of st. thomas.

College of Education, Leadership and Counseling

Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Learning

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Riley College of Education & Leadership

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Online Doctor of Education - Community College Leadership

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Department of Educational Research and Administration

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Online EdD in Educational Administration - P-12

William carey university, a. t. still university of health sciences.

College of Graduate Health Studies

Kirksville, Missouri

Doctor of Education in Health Professions

Evangel university.

Education Department

Springfield, Missouri

Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Curriculum, & Instruction

Maryville university.

Saint Louis, Missouri

Missouri Baptist University

Bryan college of health sciences.

College of Health Sciences

Lincoln, Nebraska

Online Education Doctorate (EdD) in Nursing Education

Clarkson college.

Department of Educational Leadership

Omaha, Nebraska

Online Doctor of Education in Healthcare Education and Leadership

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Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

Doctorate of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership

Nebraska methodist college of nursing & allied health.

Healthcare Management Department

EdD in Education & Leadership in Healthcare

University of nebraska-lincoln.

Department of Educational Administration

Doctor of Education in Educational Studies - Innovative Learning Technologies

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Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education

Jersey City, New Jersey

Doctorate in Community College Leadership

Rider university.

Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Rowan University

Graduate School

Glassboro, New Jersey

EdD in Educational Leadership: Community College Leadership Initiative

Edd in educational leadership: higher education track, edd in educational leadership: nurse educator track, edd in educational leadership: p-12 track, saint elizabeth university.

Graduate and Continuing Studies

Morristown, New Jersey

EdD in Educational Leadership - Higher Education

Edd in educational leadership - prek to 12th grade, saint peter's university.

Caulfield School of Education

Online EdD in Higher Education

Fordham university.

Bronx, New York

Online Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy

Manhattanville college.

Purchase, New York

Doctor of Education - Dissertation Completion (ABD) Pathway

Doctor of education - higher education leadership, molloy college.

Rockville Centre, New York

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership For Diverse Learning Communities

New york university.

Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

New York, New York

North Carolina

Appalachian state university.

Reich College of Education

Boone, North Carolina

Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Educational Administration

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Department of Kinesiology

Greensboro, North Carolina

Online EdD in Kinesiology

North dakota, north dakota state university-main campus.

Fargo, North Dakota

Online Doctor of Education in Adult and Community Education

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Department of Teaching and Learning

Grand Forks, North Dakota

Online Doctor of Education in Educational Practice and Leadership - Higher Education

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Columbus, Ohio

Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership - Higher Education Leadership

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School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration

Ed.D. in Interprofessional Leadership - Athletic Training

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Findlay, Ohio

Online Doctor of Education

University of dayton.

School of Education and Health Sciences

Dayton, Ohio

Doctor of Education in Leadership for Organizations

Oregon state university.

Corvallis, Oregon

Online Doctor of Education in Adult and Higher Education - Community College Leadership

Online doctor of education in adult and higher education - leadership in higher education, pennsylvania, california university of pennsylvania.

Department of Secondary Education and Administrative Leadership

California, Pennsylvania

Online Ed.D. in Education Administration and Leadership

Drexel university.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Athletic Administration

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Graduate Studies

Melrose Park, Pennsylvania

Online EdD in Leadership - Higher Education

Online edd in leadership - jewish education, online edd in leadership - pre k-12 education, gwynedd mercy university.

Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania

Accelerated Executive Doctorate in Education - Leadership in Higher Education

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College of Education And Human Services

Millersville, Pennsylvania

Point Park University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Administration

Slippery rock university of pennsylvania.

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration

Wilkes university.

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership for International Educators

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Providence, Rhode Island

EdD in Educational Leadership - Elementary/Secondary Education

South carolina, charleston southern university.

Charleston, South Carolina

Hybrid Doctor of Education in Leadership

Southern wesleyan university.

Central, South Carolina

Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Assessment

University of south carolina-columbia.

Columbia, South Carolina

Online Doctor of Education in Educational Practice and Innovation - Education Systems Improvement

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Adult and Graduate Studies

Jefferson City, Tennessee

Online Ed.D. in Administrative Leadership

Online ed.d. in curriculum and instruction leadership, east tennessee state university.

Johnson City, Tennessee

Doctorate of Education in Global Sport Leadership

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Nashville, Tennessee

Online Doctor of Education in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change

Milligan university.

Area of Education

Milligan College, Tennessee

Trevecca Nazarene University

Doctor of education in leadership and professional practice, union university.

Jackson, Tennessee

EdD in P-12 School Administration - Leadership in School Reform

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Memphis, Tennessee

Online Doctorate of Education in Higher and Adult Education - Adult Education

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Peabody College of Education

Online EdD in Leadership and Learning Organizations

Abilene christian university.

School of Education Leadership

Abilene, Texas

Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership - Conflict Management Track

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Department of Curriculum & Instruction

Waco, Texas

Online EdD in Learning and Organizational Change

Houston baptist university.

Houston, Texas

Doctor of Education in Executive Educational Leadership

Doctor of education in executive leadership in mental health and human services, lamar university.

College of Education and Human Development

Beaumont, Texas

Online Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership

Sam houston state university.

Huntsville, Texas

Online Doctorate of Education in Instructional Systems Design and Technology

Stephen f austin state university.

Department of Secondary Education & Educational Leadership

Nacogdoches, Texas

Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership - Higher Education

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Department of Educational Leadership & Technology

Stephenville, Texas

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - EC-12 Education Leadership

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Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture

College Station, Texas

Texas A & M University-Commerce

Commerce, Texas

Online EdD in Educational Administration

Texas tech university.

Lubbock, Texas

Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration - Community College Administration

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College of Education and Social Science

Canyon, Texas

College of William and Mary

Department of Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership

Williamsburg, Virginia

EdD in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership - International School Leadership

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Lynchburg, Virginia

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership

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College of Graduate Studies and Research

Radford, Virginia

Regent University

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Online Doctor of Education in Adult Education

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Curry School of Education

Charlottesville, Virginia

EdD in Curriculum and Instruction

Virginia commonwealth university.

Richmond, Virginia

Online Doctor of Education in Leadership

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Blacksburg, Virginia

EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

City university of seattle.

School of Applied Leadership

Seattle, Washington

Online Doctor of Education in Leadership - Adult Education and Online Learning

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Spokane, Washington

Doctor of Educational Leadership - Educational Leadership Among Indigenous Peoples

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College of Education and Professional Development

Huntington, West Virginia

Online EdD in Leadership Studies

Concordia university-wisconsin.

Mequon, Wisconsin

Doctorate of Education in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement

University of wisconsin-la crosse.

Professional Studies in Education

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Online Ed.D. in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education

University of wisconsin-stevens point.

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability

Viterbo university.

College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics

Ed.D. in Ethical Leadership

University of wyoming.

Laramie, Wyoming

Online Ed.D. in Education - Higher Education Administration

Online edd in learning, design and technology.

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online edd degree

Doctor of education, start your online education doctoral degree.

Are you looking to elevate or support your organization or educational institution using practical, research-based tools? Our Doctor of Education (EdD) prepares you to use analytical, critical and innovative thinking to improve performance and solve complex problems in education. This program does not lead to any educational licensure or certification.

Specialize your EdD degree with one of four elective tracks

• Educational Leadership:  Gain in-depth understanding of academic structure, school financing, policymaking and faculty — all while emerging as a leader who values diversity and academic integrity.
• Curriculum and Instruction:  Influence curriculum development and policy, and evaluate instructional and assessment methods to improve learning outcomes.
• Educational Technology : Implement technologies that revolutionize the way students learn and integrate technology into curriculum.
• Higher Education Administration:  Gain a top-level view of the complex challenges facing educational communities — and gain skills to address them through research, planning, fiscal oversight and outcomes assessment.

Ignite Your Passion

Start when you're ready

Browse courses for your online education doctorate

Education should hold practical value. That’s why our courses meet rigorous academic standards and provide you with skills and knowledge immediately applicable to your career.

Look for this icon to see which skills you’ll learn in a course.

Core Courses

The course provides an introduction to education administration for doctoral students entering the Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership program who do not have prior academic experience in this area.

In this course students explore their role as a scholar, practitioner, and leader from historical, theoretical, and applications-based content and framework—all within the context of critical reasoning, writing, and research. Students will develop doctoral-level critical analysis, evaluation, and synthesis skills as these apply in leadership practices within their organizations. Competency A: Analyze historical leadership concepts through doctoral-level research. Competency B: Contextualize leadership models through critical thinking. Competency C: Compare and contrast the relationship between leadership theory and the role of a practitioner. Competency D: Evaluate the role of leadership in fostering organizational development. Competency E: Integrate personal experience, scholarly inquiry, and reflexive approaches to learning and development.

This course provides an overview of social science research methodologies and their application in context to the student's degree program. Foundational concepts include the examination and application of theoretical frameworks, critical analysis of scholarly literature and interpretation of data through a theoretical lens. Students also explore quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods and the core elements of an effective research plan. Competencies: Describe how conceptual and theoretical frameworks provide the foundational elements of social science research and inform the interpretation of data and other research findings. Identify the significance of scholarly literature and how gaps in extant literature provide a direction for new research. Summarize the ethical issues of research involving human subjects. Identify and explain quantitative and qualitative research methods and assess their appropriateness for different research problems Assess quantitative and qualitative research studies and discuss the concepts of methodological rigor, credibility, validity and reliability. Evaluate the research topic, research question, and purpose and problem statements for methodological and theoretical alignment. Establish strategies for formulating clear, concise research questions that are methodologically sound, theoretically grounded and researchable.

During this course you will be working on the initial dissertation milestone, the prospectus, which is a formal outline of the research project that outlines information to convey that the research can be completed and will provide meaningful results that contribute to the academic and practitioner communities. The prospectus should be iteratively updated until the beginning of DOC/723 when a Dissertation Chair is assigned to assist with development of the proposal. You may use previous course work when developing Dissertation Phase deliverables.

This class presumes some basic understanding of the foundations and underlying assumptions in the field of qualitative research as well as examples of practice. Building upon this preexisting foundational understanding, the purpose of the class is to enhance students’ understanding and craft through reading, writing, and reflecting on the practice of qualitative inquiry. Specific focus is on the design and development of qualitative research studies. Competency A: Differentiate between the various qualitative designs i.e. phenomenological, case study, ethnographic, grounded theory, and content analysis. Competency B: Evaluate the alignment of the qualitative designs to identified problems. Competency C: Evaluate the components of qualitative data collection and the appropriateness of each approach to an expressed conceptual framework. Competency D: Analyze the limitations of qualitative research and approaches for overcoming research challenges. Competency E: Analyze issues and concerns regarding the concepts of reliability and validity as they relate to qualitative research. Competency F: Address ethical issues that are inherent in qualitative research. Competency G: Develop a research methodology for a study incorporating best practices of the qualitative design chosen.

Doctoral practitioners are resolute in their commitment to identifying, informing, and affecting both individual and organizational change and innovation. Generating actionable interventions requires an extensive investigation of situational factors and a foundational understanding of research methodology. In this course, students explore the foundations of statistics used in quantitative research by actively engaging in processes focused on evaluation, appraisal, and application.

In this course, students analyze the impact of change on the process of instruction and curriculum development. Effective teaching and learning strategies are explored as they relate to the use of technology, motivating faculty, staff, and students, and creating dynamic learning environments. Leading change in learning environments and also counterbalancing resistance to change for faculty, staff, and students are addressed. The importance of fostering faculty development and building professional learning communities are of special focus. Competency A: Examine the frameworks of change, current change theories, historical progression of change models, and influences on change within contemporary organizations Competency B: Analyze strategies that influence data-driven change processes within an educational organization. Competency C: Analyze curriculum structure, articulation, and alignment critically throughout the educational continuum. Competency D: Evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum, instruction, and assessment in instructional programs for contemporary organizations. Competency E: Formulate change management plans to improve identified issues within curriculum.

In this course, students examine existing and emerging legal contexts that govern American education systems. Weekly topics provide a progressive exploration of foundational sources of law that impact education--from the Constitution of the United States to landmark legal cases--to affirm the legal rights and responsibilities of educators and students. Other course topics establish a platform to assess the legalities of educational governance and leadership in addition to emerging and contemporary legal issues. Course Competencies: Differentiate the legal aspects that govern the American educational system. Assess the legal implications that influence personnel management in education. Analyze the legalities that regulate the rights and responsibilities of educators and students. Evaluate laws and regulatory processes to address emerging issues and trends in education.

This course deals with the theoretical and practical aspects of research and dissertation development in a practice doctorate context. In this course, students begin to examine relevant industry and academic literature and move toward creation of a robust, cogent review of scholarship aligned with designing Chapter 2 of an applied doctoral dissertation.

The principles and theories of the economics of education are examined. The role that federal, state, and local governments play in the economics of education is explored in-depth. Key topics include budget management, grants, financial aid, expenditures and revenues, and the rising cost of education. Economic policy analysis is a focus in this course. Competency A: Analyze the historical and theoretical foundations of financing education. Competency B: Evaluate sources of revenue and their influence on educational outcomes. Competency C: Distinguish capital and general expenditures of educational institutions. Competency D: Examine the role of ethics in making financial decisions for educational institutions. Competency E: Develop strategic approaches for presenting a budget.

Theories and models of leadership and adult learning are compared and applied to a variety of organizations, cultures, and work environments. The focus is on preparing educational leaders to enhance their leadership skills and styles to promote success in evolving organizations. Competency A: Analyze traditional and contemporary practices of educational leadership. Competency B: Examine the adaptability of theoretical leadership models in a variety of educational settings. Competency C: Analyze leadership strategies to motivate employees during times of organizational change. Competency D: Evaluate educational leadership strategies that align to organizational goals. Competency E: Develop a vision to promote organizational success.

In this course students refine the requisite skills necessary to further their dissertation concept for review and approval. Students expand their work from Second-Year Residency by applying critical analysis to refine the research method, inform the selection of a research design, and to develop a focused literature review. Competencies: Articulate knowledge gaps in a selected field by synthesizing relevant literature in content, theoretical/conceptual framework, and research methodology and design. Define appropriate research methodology and design for a research study. Describe the scope, limitations and delimitations, population, sample, and possible instrument(s) used in a research study. Evaluate the relevance of research studies related to the selected research topic. Synthesize historical and current sources of literature plus theoretical/conceptual and methodological/ design literature relevant to the selected research topic.

This course examines the various models of educational environments available to students today. Discussion topics range from the wealth of options available for P-12 school students to adult learners to alternative learning environments. Specific focus is placed on distance education modalities for learners of all ages. Competency A: Analyze the influences of foundational structures and philosophies in different types of educational institutions. Competency B: Develop a global awareness of educational structures including belief, value systems, and culture. Competency C: Evaluate alternative delivery modalities within educational environments. Competency D: Examine existing educational models to identify possible improvement in educational institutions. Competency E: Determine the impact of emerging issues on the restructuring and reforming of educational institutions

The ethics and values-based decisions that learning organizations are faced with are explored in-depth. Case studies on access, diversity, plagiarism, technology, confidentiality, student-faculty relationships, and harassment are discussed. The roles of value education, codes of conduct, and codes of ethics are debated. Competency A: Compare various ethical theories and their philosophical underpinnings. Competency B: Evaluate the relationship between personal values and professional ethical standards. Competency C: Evaluate factors involved in making ethical decisions in global learning organizations. Competency D: Examine trends of ethical decision making in educational leadership. Competency E: Assess strategies that address ethical issues to improve educational leadership decisions. Competency F: Analyze organizational values in effective learning organizations.

In this course, students will finalize their dissertation proposal. Students receive continued support in assessing and improving their readiness and skill preparation for completion of the dissertation proposal. Additionally, students explore communities of scholarship to engage with scholars in their area of practice and to share their future research.

This course explores the strengths and weaknesses of evaluation and assessment methods utilized in learning organizations. Accreditation issues, outcomes-based assessment, institutional research, and student and faculty evaluation are key topics. The influence of leadership styles on evaluation and assessment methods is also examined. Competency A: Examine the components of assessment and the roles assessments play in learning organizations. Competency B: Evaluate the purpose, strengths, and weaknesses of various assessment methods. Competency C: Analyze the reliability and validity of various assessment methods. Competency D: Interpret assessment results to make leadership decisions. Competency E: Utilize professional standards to align instruction, assessment, and evaluation.

This course serves as the second of two online immersive experiences for University of Phoenix doctoral students. The second covers advanced tenets of doctoral socialization and issues in higher education. Students will focus on currency in their respective disciplines.

In this chair-guided course, doctoral candidates finalize their dissertation as a significant contribution to the body of knowledge. The chair and committee members work with the candidate to complete the dissertation in preparation for University approval, followed by the oral defense. Additionally, this course focuses on engagement in communities of scholarship and practice. Competencies: Articulate strategies for effective dissertation completion. Analyze research data to develop dissertation results. Synthesize study results and relevant, current literature to develop recommendations and conclusions that add to the body of knowledge. Employ engagement strategies for continued discourse in scholarly communities. Synthesize all chapters to create a comprehensive dissertation that contributes to the body of knowledge.

General Education Courses

18 core courses.

Here’s where you’ll pick up the bulk of your program-specific knowledge. By the time you finish these courses, you should have the confidence and skills needed in this field.

Doctoral degree program requirements

• The minimum credits to obtain your doctoral degree is 54 credits
• The doctoral degree program length can vary by specific program requirements
• Students may be required to complete extension courses to allow ample time to satisfy the dissertation and project requirements for their program of study.  Additional courses may require additional cost and time. 

Our doctoral support team is here to guide you every step of the way. Speak to our dedicated doctoral enrollment representative for questions on your program timeline. 

602-544-3737

Dissertation

You’ll begin your dissertation in your third course and follow a schedule of milestones throughout your program. This helps you manage your dissertation in smaller segments and helps identify any research methodology challenges early, so surprises or delays can be addressed.

While some doctoral programs require on-campus residency, we’ve shifted to an 8-week online symposium. In the required course you’ll:

• Receive a detailed overview of each milestone in the doctoral journey
• Understand what the University expects from doctoral students
• Understand what doctoral students can expect from the University

Your academic counselor will help schedule your courses for a Doctor of Education. You may also enroll in an optional , zero-credit, zero-tuition/fee one-weekend seminar in Phoenix. (NOTE: Students are responsible for their own travel costs.)   The seminar provides an opportunity for personal interaction with faculty and peers as well as instruction around the framework of your dissertation. 

Program Purpose Statement

The Doctor of Education (EDD) will prepare learners to become transformational leaders who will strategically manage and lead complex educational organizations. The EDD does not lead to teacher licensure or any other professional licensure or certification. 

Affordable, fixed tuition

Lock in the peace of mind that comes with fixed, affordable tuition. You’ll enjoy one flat rate from the moment you enroll until the day you graduate from your program. That’s your Tuition Guarantee .

Affordable, Fixed Tuition

Cost per credit

Learn about Cost of Attendance (COA)

Scholarships to earn your doctoral degree, more affordably.

Everyone deserves an affordable education. That’s why we offer an unlimited number of scholarships, so if you qualify, you can get one. Starting with your first course, every qualifying new student will be awarded one of our scholarships, worth up to $3K.

Financial aid

You may have options when it comes to paying for college tuition and expenses, such as federal grants and loans. Our finance advisors can answer your questions about financial aid and can help guide you through the process.

Federal Student Loan Basics

Careers & Outcomes

What can you do with a Doctor of Education?

Discover where your degree might take you and make informed choices about your future.

An EdD can prepare you to be a:

• School administrator
• School superintendent

Our practitioner doctorate prepares you for leadership in your profession.  How is this degree different from a PhD?

The Doctor of Education (EDD) will prepare learners to become transformational leaders who will strategically manage and lead complex educational organizations. The EDD does not lead to teacher licensure or any other professional licensure or certification.

Ready to get started?

Start your application for free or request additional information.

What you’ll learn

When you earn your online degree, you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply on the job. You’ll learn how to:

Integrate the Scholar Practitioner Leader (SPL) Model throughout the doctoral journey and beyond.

Cultivate a leadership identity that reflects a mature and strategic understanding of the tenets of leadership at all levels of educational organizations.

Develop doctoral research that identifies and addresses opportunities for improvement in complex educational contexts.

According to the  Bureau of Labor Statistics , job growth for education administrators is projected to be as fast as average between 2022 and 2032.

The BLS Projected Growth for 2022-2032 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Apply for free – no application fee, no obligation.

Starting your degree is a big decision — and we want you to feel great about it. That’s why we remove obstacles from your application.

• No GMAT/GRE
• No admissions essay or letter of intent
• No academic or professional references
• We’ll request transcripts at no cost to you, when possible, and we accept eligible credits from over 5,000 accredited institutions.

How to enroll at University of Phoenix

Receive 1-on-1 support

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 90% of our surveyed students. [1]  Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

[1] Transactional Survey, August 2021-22 (18,645 respondents)

Call or chat with us 7 days a week.

Gabriel G., Enrollment Rep

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 85% of our surveyed students. [1]

[1] Transactional Survey, September 2022-August 2023 (23,739 respondents)

Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

Call us at 844-937-8679 or chat with us 7 days a week.

Doctoral Student Experience

Integrated dissertation from day one

Once your program starts, you’ll begin your dissertation with support from practitioner faculty, a dissertation committee and a peer team. You’ll also have a resource repository to help you complete it with confidence. 

Explore and inquire with the Research Hub

Our Research Hub is a community of researchers who exemplify the highest standards of academic excellence and research innovation. Browse publications or view our centers and Career Institute®.

Drive change with actionable learning

Our programs incorporate lifelong learning, social and workplace contribution, and the ability to exert positive influence. You’ll learn how to become an aspiring leader who can impact decision-making and drive change. 

Connect with your scholarly community

Your success is important to us. We host events to support your research, doctoral studies and networking. Join us for our Doctoral Journey Colloquium, Research Summit or an upcoming workshop or webinar.

Faculty Spotlight

Professionals dedicated to you

Your success is a top priority for our deans and faculty members. They bring an average of 29+ years of experience and hands-on perspective to the classroom, and help bridge the gap between academics and industry knowledge.

From the very beginning, I always try to make students feel comfortable and connect with them.

Donna Lange Faculty of the Year 2020, College of Education

Accreditation

Accredited for 45+ years

Since 1978, University of Phoenix has maintained institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org . Learn more about the value of University of Phoenix accreditation and how it benefits our students.

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Alumni chronicles.

November 21, 2021 • 8 minutes

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Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

At a glance.

Accreditation

Cost Per Semester Credit Hour

Tuition Cost for Entire Program

* All stated financial information is subject to change. Financial aid available.

Follow Your Calling . Transform Education .

Join a learning community of servant leaders who view education as a sacred calling. Whether you’re currently serving as a teacher or administrator, our EdD program will inspire you to refine your vision and shift the landscape of education.

Be courageous. Dream big. Craft policies that transform lives and unite communities. And make the system better for everyone.

Expand Your Sphere of Influence

Elevate your leadership skills, grow your professional network and be part of a program that’s committed to thinking critically, transforming practice and promoting justice.

Spiritually Informed & Caring

Examine educational issues, theory and practice through the lens of faith, and gain wisdom from professors who model how to live out an ethic of care for students, families and staff.

Flexible & Personalized

Achieve your academic goals in a way that fits your life. We combine online courses with a one-week residency each summer, and we offer three concentrations for highly focused study.

Empowering & Impactful

Schools in every community need ethical leaders, effective advocates and creative problem solvers. We’ll prepare you to meet the moment and make the most of your calling.

Lead with Perspective and Purpose

Learn the art and craft of leadership. Explore complex issues like diversity, sacrifice and humility. Discover how to navigate complex political relationships that extend from schools and communities to government entities. And gain actionable insights from educators who draw from an array of experiences to help you grow personally and professionally.

“My time at George Fox was certainly one of those experiences that just opened my brain up to new possibilities, ideas and ways of doing things,” says Todd Bloomquist , senior program officer in the children, youth and families department of the Ford Family Foundation. ”It taught me the importance of looking at things critically and being forward thinking.”

Explore the Spiritual Dimensions of Education and Leadership

Spirituality is an essential part of the human condition, and the knowledge you gain in this area will transform your capacity to lead. You’ll discover how faith sustains the mind, serving as an energizing and guiding force in the work and life of a scholar-practitioner. And you’ll examine the teachings of Jesus in the context of serving culturally diverse communities.

You’ll also dive into conversations with professors who understand the challenges and opportunities associated with working in a pluralistic society. By the time you graduate, you’ll be fully prepared to advocate for the intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs of the students and families you serve.

Discover the Power of Community

Thrive in a learning community that becomes family. Our EdD program is based on a cohort model, which means you’ll take your core classes with the same group of students throughout your time here.

Give and receive encouragement as you spend time together in online courses and mastermind groups, and gain wisdom from the cohort ahead of you during a one-week campus event each summer that addresses a pressing educational issue. The discussions you have will stir your heart and move ideas forward, empowering you as a purposeful servant leader.

Hone Your Skills and Sharpen Your Focus

Gain high-level research skills with the guidance of faculty who are published authors and presenters, and apply those skills to a problem-based dissertation that speaks directly to your interests. You’ll generate insights that lead to more effective and equitable schools, districts and learning systems. Along the way, you’ll immerse yourself in a concentration so you can maximize your knowledge and impact.

“The Doctor of Education program gave me the confidence to see myself as a true scholar-practitioner,” says Jenny Elsey, assistant provost for experiential learning and student success at Seattle Pacific University. “I had the opportunity to develop strong research skills that could be applied toward solving pressing issues in education.”

Create Sustainable Change

Build something that lasts. The relationships you form at George Fox will be a source of inspiration and guidance throughout your career. You’ll be part of a community that extends across the public and private education landscape, leading to professional opportunities that expand your sphere of influence and empower you as an agent of sustainable change.

Across the country and around the world, graduates of our program are transforming practice in the schools, districts and educational organizations they serve. So can you.

Concentrations

Our Doctor of Education program has three concentrations to prepare you for the exact kind of work you want to do.

• The administration concentration equips you to administratively lead in public/private elementary schools, secondary schools and charter schools.
• The instructional design & development concentration prepares you to provide instructional leadership in P-12 public/private elementary and secondary schools, as well as college/university teacher education faculty positions.
• The leading learning concentration is designed for teachers and lead teachers, instructional coaches and teacher mentors, educational specialists in multiple settings, and instructional specialists in literacy, ESOL or special education.

Note: Some transfer credit may be permitted by approval of the program director. For more information, contact Dr. Jenelle Stone .

Program Structure

Experience the best of flexibility and intentionality in our three-year hybrid program. We blend online coursework with a weeklong, in-person residency every summer so you can keep working while you pursue your doctorate.

Program Structure Details

Kipp Wilfong

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Best Online Doctor of Education Programs for 2024

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

Showing 1 - 25 of 63 results

Vanderbilt university - online doctor of education in leadership and learning in organizations, from the school, university of dayton - online doctor of education (ed.d.) in leadership for organizations, baylor university - online doctor of education (ed.d.) in learning and organizational change, arizona state university - doctor of education (ed.d.) in leadership and innovation, university of southern california - doctor of education (ed.d.) in organizational change and leadership online, drexel university - online doctorate in educational leadership and management (ed.d.), cabrini university - doctor of education (edd) in organizational learning and leadership online, johns hopkins school of education - online ed.d. program, arcadia university - doctor of education in educational leadership (deel), university of virginia - curriculum & instruction: ed.d. - doctor of education program, william & mary - executive ed.d. in educational policy, planning and leadership program, virginia commonwealth university - ed.d. in leadership program, regent university - doctorate in education, liberty university - online doctor of education (ed.d.) program, university of south carolina - doctor of education, fordham university - doctor of education (ed.d.) in educational leadership, administration and policy, university of west georgia - ed.d. in school improvement, kennesaw state university - education doctorate in educational leadership (ed.d.), new york university - edd in leadership and innovation program, valdosta state university - ed.d. in leadership, florida state university - educational leadership & policy - ed.d. program, university of west florida - doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction, university of florida - online ed.d. (professional practice ed.d. in curriculum and instruction), st. thomas university - ed.d. in leadership and innovation, nova southeastern university - doctor of education (ed.d.).

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Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

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

For decades, educational systems have not been able to transform themselves to meet the needs of all students. Drawing on the principles of equity and social justice, build your capacity to lead change in ways that will improve academic opportunities and outcomes for all students.

Program Overview

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EDL) program prepares you to become a critically conscious leader with the skills to think strategically, understand and apply evidence-based research, develop strategies to create equity, and foster continuous organizational improvement. The program offers four concentrations: educational psychology, higher education administration, K-12 leadership in urban education and leading instructional change. 

Through this program, you will:

• Earn a doctorate from a program with a strong reputation among employers.
• Continue to work full time while taking one evening of classes per week for most of the program.
• Learn alongside a cohort of experienced professionals with diverse career backgrounds.
• Become equipped to address critical issues in communities that serve historically marginalized groups.

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 purpose. These courses focus on developing or deepening your understanding of the way power and privilege play out in education, leadership and learning to perpetuate inequities in learning opportunities. Subsequent coursework will build on this foundation and align with your career objectives. Each concentration will expose you to context-specific best practices and research while emphasizing the application of theory to practice.

Concentrations

Each concentration path consists of four courses and a dissertation in practice in a concentration-specific format. You will complete your dissertation under the guidance of a faculty member within your concentration. You must have career experience relevant to the concentration to which you apply.

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.

Alumni have held positions such as:

• 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  

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.

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

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 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.

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.

• 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 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  

Dissertation in Practice

The dissertation in practice is a doctoral dissertation with a more practical focus than a traditional dissertation. Under the guidance of faculty in your concentration, you will apply relevant research methods to tackle a problem of practice that impedes access to equitable educational opportunities and outcomes. The purpose of the dissertation in practice is to equip you with the knowledge and skills you will use to address existing problems in your workplace well beyond your completion of the program. Format options for the dissertation in practice vary by concentration.

Scholarships

As an applicant, you will be automatically considered for limited, merit-based scholarships of $10,000. There is no need to submit a separate application for this scholarship. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated dedication to the USC Rossier mission and other distinguishing characteristics. All USC Rossier scholarships are awarded at the time of admission.

View USC Rossier’s scholarship finder to identify other scholarships and funding opportunities. You do not have to be admitted to apply to these scholarships. Carefully note the scholarship application deadlines, which may occur before the final program application deadline.

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.

More in this program

Take the Next Step

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Our professors are top practitioners dedicated to supporting your growth and challenging your perspective.

Stephen J. Aguilar

• Associate Professor of Education
• Educational Psychology
• Learning Analytics • EdTech & Generative AI • Digital Equity • Educational Data Science • Motivation & Self-Regulation

Shafiqa Ahmadi

• Professor of Clinical Education
• Co-director of the Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice
• Higher Education
• Diversity • Legal Protection of Underrepresented Students, Including Female Muslims, Bias and Hate Crimes, and Sexual Assault Survivors

Debra Bogle

• Part-Time Lecturer

Dwuana Bradley

• Assistant Professor of Education
• Critical Education Policy • Higher Ed • K–12

Melanie Brady

• Master Lecturer of Education
• • Educational psychology • Instrumentation design and development • Metacognition, health, and education • Organizational leadership and change • Metacognition to improve clnical practice in acute care settings

Patricia Burch

• Professor of Education
• Co-director of CEPEG
• K-12 Education Policy
• Organizational and Institutional Change • Education Policy • Intersection of Public and Private Partnerships in Education • Digital Instruction • Policy Implementation and Impact • Equity and Quality in Public School Instruction

Ruth H. Chung

• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Asian American Acculturation: Theory and Measurement. Intergenerational conflict and adjustment issues in Asian American immigrant families. Cultural psychology and multicultural counseling. Measurement and assessment. Teaching of statistics and research methods.

Darnell Cole

• Race/ Ethnicity, Diversity, Student-Faculty Interactions, Learning, and Student Experiences within K12 and Higher Education Environments.

Matthew Dame

• Part-Time Master Lecturer
• Teacher Education
• Critical Reflection • Authenticity • Heritage Language Learners

Monique Claire Datta

• Teaching Professor of Education

Bradley Ermeling

• Adjunct Assistant Professor

Omar Ezzeldine

• Adjunct Professor

Robert A. Filback

• International and comparative higher education, learning design and program development, online and digital Learning, English language education and policy, fostering creativity and innovation

Gregory Franklin

• Leadership • Policy • Accountability

Jon Fullerton

• Research Professor

Kim Hirabayashi

Corinne Hyde

• Learning Theories • Educational Technology • Information Literacy • Critical Media Literacy • Elementary Education • Teaching and Learning Online

Huriya Jabbar

• Associate Professor
• Critical Policy Analysis; Market-Based Reforms and Privatization in Education; Equity and Access in School Choice Policy; Teacher Job Choices, Retention, and Recruitment; Community College Transfer; Links between Systemic Inequality, Housing, and Schools

Esther Chihye Kim

• Assistant Teaching Professor of Education
• Research Methodology • Higher Education • Inequalities

Akilah Lyons-Moore

• Associate Professor of Clinical Education
• Teacher Education, Culturally Responsive, Inclusive, Critical Pedagogies, Secondary History-Social Science Pedagogy & Curriculum

Nicole M.G. Maccalla, PhD

• Part-Time Senior Lecturer
• Research • Evaluation

Courtney L. Malloy

Shayna Markwongnark

• Part-time Lecturer

Julie Marsh

• K-12 Education Policy and Governance • Accountability • Teacher Incentive Programs • Data-Driven Reforms • School District Reform • School Choice • Equity-Oriented Reforms • Literacy Coaching

Alison Keller Muraszewski

• Adjunct Associate Professor

John Pascarella, III

• Teacher Education • Racial Equity • Digital Media Literacies • Instructional Leadership • Critical Pedagogy • Arts-Based Methods to HIV/AIDS Education

Erika A. Patall

• Professor of Education and Psychology
• Motivation • Autonomy Support • Choice Provision • Student Agency • Need Support • Education Practices • Research Synthesis • Meta-Analysis

Lawrence O. Picus

• Richard T. Cooper and Mary Catherine Cooper Chair in Public School Administration
• Professor of Education Finance and Policy
• Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
• Public Financing of Schools

• Morgan Polikoff
• K-12 Education Policy • Curriculum • Standards-based Reform • Assessment Policy • Alignment • Survey Research • Quantitative Methods • COVID and Education

Julie R. Posselt

• Equity & Diversity in Higher Education • Organizational Theory • Sociology of Education • Research Methods

Marsha Boveja Riggio, Ph.D.

• Associate (Teaching) Professor of Teaching
• Educational Psychology • K-12 Education • Diversity • Leadership • Supervision • School Counseling • Adolescents • Military

Mark Power Robison

• Professor of Clinical Education and History
• Chair Global Executive EdD Program

Artineh Samkian

Helena Seli

• Professor of Clinical Education, Assistant Dean of Academic Program Development

Gale M. Sinatra

• Stephen H. Crocker Chair
• Associate Dean for Research
• Learning Theory • Knowledge Construction • Conceptual Change Learning • Science Learning • Public Understanding of Science

Julie Slayton

• Schools • School District Systems

Themistocles Sparangis

• Teaching • IT Infrastructure and Application Design, Implementation and Support • Project Management • Strategic Planning • Resource Management • Financial Analysis/Budgeting • Legislative Review/Analysis • Customer Relations • Community Relations and IT Partnerships • Grant Development and Implementation • Diplomacy/Facilitation/Mediation • Evaluative Educational Research

Tracy Poon Tambascia

• Professor of Higher Education
• Veronica and David Hagen Chair in Women’s Leadership
• Higher Education Administration • University Student Affairs • International Higher Education

Kenneth A. Yates

• Learning • Instruction • Motivation • Cognitive Sciences

Program Outcomes

80+ 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.

“My time at USC was invaluable, I enjoyed the program and the world-class faculty that assisted me in honing my skills as a practitioner-scholar.”

Tonantzin Oseguera, EdD ’13

Higher Ed Concentration Vice President for Student Affairs California State University Fullerton

“It was always a dream of mine to be a part of the University of Southern California. The doctoral program was second to none, and the connections you make will impact your career forever. My goal is to be a Superintendent, and with my doctorate, it will open doors for me to accomplish that goal. The Trojan Family is real, and we definitely take care of our own. I am proud to have earned a doctorate from the greatest University in the world.”

Henry (Kenny) Torres, EdD ’21

K-12 Concentration Principal, Santiago High School Corona-Norco Unified School District

“The EdD program taught me how to take in information that I am learning, but also how to narrow it down to manageable bites that I can use to teach others.”

Juliana Calhoun, EdD ’17, MMFT, PPS

Educational Psychology Concentration Assistant Director/Learning Specialist, USC Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity Assistant Adjunct Professor, USC Rossier School of Education

Featured 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.

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

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.

Featured Faculty

• 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.

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.

• Pedro Noguera

August 1, 2024

Copur-Gencturk receives $6.7 million in federal funding to continue work to improve elementary math instruction by improving teacher knowledge

Largest ever USC Rossier NSF grant will create content-focused professional development programs that focus on the key knowledge and skills that matter in quality teaching and student learning.

• Yasemin Copur-Gencturk

July 31, 2024

New research shows that transcendent thinking can increase teens’ sense of purpose

In a study of an intergenerational community program, CANDLE researchers found that adolescents who engaged in transcendent thinking increased their sense of purpose.

• Mary Helen Immordino-Yang
• Xiao-Fei Yang

Program Contact

Jessica Romero

Assistant Director, Office of Admission and Scholarships

• [email protected]
• (213) 821-2071

Request More Information

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.

Related Programs

Educational leadership (online).

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Organizational Change and Leadership (online)

Global executive, school leadership academy, school business management.

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• Doctor of Education
• Educational Leadership

EdD in Educational Leadership Doctor of Education

As an educator, the way you manage a culture of learning and address current educational issues can be vital to making a difference in your school or organization. Capella University offers an online Doctor of Education (EdD), Educational Leadership that can help you grow as an informed decision-maker and innovative leader. Available in both FlexPath and GuidedPath learning formats, this doctoral program can help you enhance your ability to conduct inquiry and analysis, communicate and make decisions.

Application-based curriculum

Create artifacts in your courses and use them as teaching tools in the classroom.

Foundational coursework

Build a solid base for your program with coursework that focuses on research and critical thinking—and prepares you for success as a doctoral student.

Capstone: doctoral project

Your doctoral project provides the opportunity for you to solve a real-world problem in your field.

Apply today with no application fee.

At a glance

• 5 Core courses
• 5 Specialization courses
• 6 Doctoral project courses
• 0 Max transfer credits
• FlexPath available

With Capella Tuition Cap, you won't pay more than $32,000* in tuition costs for your degree.

*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.

Courses and skills

Explore educational leadership courses.

• This program requires a total of 32 program points in FlexPath or a total of 64 quarter credits in GuidedPath
• You’ll need to complete 16 core courses and one capstone

View all courses

Try FlexPath for yourself

In our FlexPath Trial Course, you will explore online self-paced learning, experience the courseroom and view a sample assessment.

What you'll learn

The EdD in Educational Leadership is designed to prepare practicing professionals to pursue leadership roles in colleges, universities, and P–12 schools, as well as corporate, governmental, and non-governmental education organizations.

On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:

• Apply professional knowledge base and leadership theory to organizational learning and innovation.
• Promote a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity.
• Communicate effectively.
• Evaluate data and evidence to assess organizations and problems of practice.
• Use systems thinking and needs analysis tools to evaluate and frame problems of practice.
• Lead evidence-based and collaborative inquiry and research cycles to address problems of practice.
• Practice change management strategies and leadership skills that support stakeholder commitment and organizational learning.
• Practice and promote habits of mind to lead people and organizations.

Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career opportunities.

Tuition and learning format

How much does the doctor of education (edd) cost.

The total cost of your degree will depend on your learning format, academic performance and other factors. See FlexPath and GuidedPath cost information below.

A self-paced learning format that helps put you in control. Take courses at your own speed and move on to the next course whenever you’re ready.

• Enroll in one or two core courses at a time and complete as many as you can in 12 weeks
• 2 Capella quarter credits = 1 program point
• Set your own deadlines, no courseroom discussions
• Pay a flat tuition fee per 12-week billing session *

$3,265 per 12-week billing session, $175 resource kit fee, 32 total program points, 0 max transfer points

Resource kit fee

$175 Per 12-week billing session

Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials

Per 12-week billing session

Application fee

$0 no application fee

no application fee

Total Tuition Cap

Capella Tuition Cap

$32,000 Total tuition

• Pay no more than $32,000 in total tuition for your degree*
• Applies to both GuidedPath and FlexPath learning formats
• Available to all students who start now through Jan. 6, 2025

*Eligibility rules apply. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other fees apply. Travel expenses for residency, practicum, etc., are not covered by the tuition cap.

Details and full eligibility requirements »

Total tuition

A more structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.

Learn more about GuidedPath »

• Based on the quarter system; 1–2 courses per 10-week quarter
• 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
• Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
• Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term

$765  per credit, 64 coursework credits,  0 max transfer credits

Tuition breakdown

Program phases.

$765 Per quarter credit

64 coursework credits

Per quarter credit

$175 Per quarter

Per quarter

Tuition and program length are unique to you

Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:

• Academic performance
• Complexity of your capstone
• Number of quarters spent working on capstone
• Prior coursework
• Scholarships and finances
• Unexpected life events
• School/work/life balance
• Employer and/or military benefits

About cost scenarios

The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2024–25 Capella tuition rates and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing and pricing information is current as of Jan. 1, 2024. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price. You are responsible for paying your own travel costs related to residencies, including plane, hotel, and food expenses.

To discuss whether the specialization you’re interested in has additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.

Cost scenarios

*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details. Capella Tuition Cap is available to students who start now through Jan. 6, 2025.

Get the details

Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.

Scholarships and savings

Are there scholarships available for doctoral degrees.

Your education is an investment in your future that’s within your reach. There are  more ways to save  than you might think.

Federal grants

The U.S. Department of Education provides grants that can be used to pay for education expenses, including doctoral program tuition and fees. Explore federal grants

Federal work-study program

The U.S. Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides funds for part-time work to help college students finance their educations. Learn more

10% military discount 

Capella offers a tuition discount to active-duty service members, guard and reserve members, veterans, their spouses* and dependents. *Starting in July, spouses of veterans can now benefit from a 10% discount on eligible certificates, master’s and doctoral programs and a 15% discount on eligible bachelor’s programs.

Accredited and recognized

Capella is accredited by the higher learning commission..

Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our  accreditations  and  recognitions .

How to apply

What are the edd admission requirements.

Applicants must provide the following information for  admission  to Capella programs and specializations:

• A master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
• Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• A valid, government-issued form of photo identification

GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.

FlexPath admission requirements

Applicants for our  FlexPath self-paced learning  option must also meet the following criteria:

• The recommended minimum GPA is 3.0, although those with lower GPAs may be considered if providing additional documentation for review.

Transition to FlexPath: Applicants whose GPA is below the FlexPath admission threshold may be considered once they successfully complete at least two GuidedPath courses (or eight credits, whichever is greater). Those students will also need to meet the requirement of 45 transfer credits to be approved for the transition into FlexPath.

International Student Requirements

If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.

In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:

• Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
• Transcript evaluation

Learn more about  international student admissions .

Faculty and support

What support does capella offer online students.

Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces that build on one another to help you earn your doctorate. You’ll have support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.

Doctorate faculty

Work with faculty members who have years of experience and specialize in their areas of expertise throughout each phase of your program, including literature review and implementation planning.

Enrollment counselors

These specialists can provide details about your chosen doctoral program. They help you understand the differences among specializations, and help you identify which is the best fit for you. They can also help you with the admissions process.

Academic coaches

Through quarterly appointments and as-needed coaching sessions, these specialists introduce you to Capella and help you tailor your program to your personal goals and experiences.

Articles and resources

Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.

10 ways to demonstrate leadership at work

Being a leader doesn’t always mean managing a team of people.

EdD Program Guide

Get details on the Doctor of Education program at Capella University, learning formats, financing options, and more, all in one place.

Career exploration

What can you do with a edd in educational leadership degree.

Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to explore with an EdD in Educational Leadership.

Related job titles to explore*

• Director of academic and student services departments
• College faculty of education courses
• Associate dean

Employment settings to explore

• P–12 public, private, virtual or charter school
• Colleges, universities, and professional schools
• Nongovernmental education organizations
• Corporations

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.

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Online Doctor of Education (EdD) Programs Empowering Leaders in Education through Advanced Research and Practice

Degree Options

View Degree Options

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Become a Leader of Distinction in Education with One of Our Online Doctoral Programs in Education

Reach the pinnacle of your profession and impact the field of education with Liberty University’s online Doctor of Education (EdD) degree. In our online EdD programs, you’ll study education administration, curriculum development, learning theory, and the latest research to gain the advanced knowledge you need to positively influence the world of education. Check out our available online EdD programs .

Additionally, you’ll conduct your own research in order to provide practical solutions to challenges in the field of education with a capstone project. Liberty’s online doctorate in education is a model of high academic standards and leadership in education. With a degree like this, you can become better equipped to become an effective educational administrator, university faculty member, senior-level educational leader, or educational policymaker.

• By pursuing your doctorate at Liberty, you can better prepare for careers or career advancement in various school and administrative settings within the field of education.
• As you continue your studies with Liberty’s School of Education, you can be confident that you are receiving a quality education based on the principles of God’s Word.
• You can learn to be a positive influence in the lives of young people in your school and community and make an impact for Christ!

What is the Difference Between an EdD and a PhD in Education?

The biggest difference between an EdD and a PhD in education is the scope of the degree itself. While a PhD is primarily concerned with producing original research in the form of a dissertation, our EdD is designed so that you can complete exemplary research in the education field. As more of a practitioner’s degree, the EdD blends praxis and scholarship so that you can be better prepared to impact the field of education wherever you go. If you are more interested in producing original research to further the field of education, you may be interested in our  PhD in Education .

What Will You Study in a Doctorate in Education ?

The core content of our online EdD programs is designed to enhance your understanding of essential educational concepts while giving you practical classroom management tools. The online doctorate in education can help advance your skills in quantitative and qualitative methods of research, advanced learning theory, research skills, and provide many other essential competencies for advanced educators like yourself.

While completing a Liberty University doctoral program, you can choose specialized tracks to further equip you for an administrative role. We offer tracks in leadership, higher education, and curriculum and instruction, so you can pick the degree that gives you the right tools to achieve teaching excellence.

Degree Information

• This program falls under the  School of Education .
• View the  Graduate Education Course Guides  (login required).
• View the  Doctoral Advising Guide .

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

Potential Careers for Liberty’s EdD Doctoral Programs

• Curriculum specialist
• Elementary educator
• Gifted-student instructor
• Instructional supervisor
• Middle school educator
• School administrator
• Secondary school educator
• Special education instructor
• University professor

Degree Options for Our Online EdD Programs

We know that you have specific goals. With a wide offering of EdD programs, you can be confident in partnering with Liberty as you continue your educational journey.

Administration and Supervision – Educational Leadership

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Administration and Supervision – Educational Leadership  degree is designed to provide studies and training in the management of education organizations to help prepare you for licensed school administration.

Liberty maintains strict compliance with all licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Not a Virginia resident? We want to help find the best program for you! To view educational requirements and whether a specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our licensure/certification requirements webpage .

View the  Degree Completion Plan .

Curriculum and Instruction

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction  degree can help you build on your foundational knowledge and further master all aspects of education. This education doctorate gives you the flexibility and freedom to mix and match elective courses so you can create a personalized degree program that fits your passions and interests.

Curriculum and Instruction – Educational Psychology

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Educational Psychology  degree covers theories of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development across the lifespan – enabling you to meet your students right where they are and provide the support they need to thrive. Through this program, you can become equipped to improve teaching and learning processes in your school using a fundamental understanding of how people learn and retain information.

Curriculum and Instruction – Elementary Education

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Elementary Education  degree is designed to equip you for a variety of teaching roles – including general education and community classroom settings. You will study various theories, models, and strategies as a practical guide to solve problems. In addition, you will explore research and instructional approaches for managing student behaviors effectively with an emphasis on individualized, classroom, and school-wide behavior support.

Curriculum and Instruction – Instructional Design and Technology

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Instructional Design and Technology  degree is designed to equip you for the modern classroom. By incorporating new technology and methods of instruction into the classroom, you can engage students in new and exciting ways. Your experience can also be valuable in settings outside of the classroom including corporate training, curriculum design, and as a leader in the educational technology field.

Curriculum and Instruction – Middle Grades Education

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Middle Grades Education  degree is designed to strengthen your teaching ability through individualized and collaborative professional development opportunities. You will study curriculum development, usage, and evaluation. Additionally, you will apply considerations of preadolescent physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development to various school processes and teacher interaction with middle school students and families.

Curriculum and Instruction – Online Teaching and Learning

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Online Teaching and Learning  degree covers a variety of advanced educational topics, specifically those that can prepare you for roles in online programs. In this degree, you will study trends in learning technologies and curriculum and instruction. You will also study curriculum theory, applied research methods, and much more!

Curriculum and Instruction – Secondary Education

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Secondary Education  degree addresses curriculum function, development, and evaluation. Our program is designed to provide you with a detailed overview of technology usage in the classroom as it relates to student learning, the effectiveness of administrative processes, and service to students and parents. You will also study various theories, models, and strategies as a practical guide to solving problems.

Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Special Education  degree is designed to help you analyze processes for assessing students with special needs. Additionally, you will develop ways of effectively using various technology for communication and collaboration as you improve classroom instruction. You can learn to use different theories, models, and strategies as a practical guide to solving problems.

Educational Leadership

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership  degree is designed to train you on best practices in education and technology to help you enhance student learning, become a competent administrator, and best serve your students and their parents. This program focuses on translating classroom theory into real-world application and is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to effectively lead and manage in an educational environment.

Higher Education Administration – Assessment and Evaluation

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration – Assessment and Evaluation  degree covers research-based approaches to analyzing student learning, curricula, academic programs, student services, and institutional structures. In this program, you’ll explore how to help colleges and universities maintain high standards of quality and accreditation so that their students receive the best education possible.

Higher Education Administration – Educational Leadership

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration – Educational Leadership  degree can help you strengthen your leadership skills and advance your career in postsecondary education administration. You will analyze the major challenges facing today’s educational leaders and explore methods for helping colleges and universities thrive.

Higher Education Administration – Organizational Leadership

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration – Organizational Leadership  degree is designed to provide training in university administration and advanced business topics. You can develop essential skills in business management and use your business knowledge to help your college or education-related organization thrive.

Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration – Student Affairs  degree can help you learn how to support college students’ personal, professional, and academic development. That way, you can help them develop essential skills for navigating challenges in school – and in life.

Instructional Design and Technology

Liberty University’s online Doctor of Education in  Instructional Design and Technology  investigates the intersection of education, technology, and creativity. You can gain the necessary knowledge and skills to become a leader in designing and implementing effective educational strategies using cutting-edge technology.

Special Education

Liberty University’s online  Doctor of Education in Special Education  degree can help you learn how to manage and construct educational programs geared for those students with additional educational needs. You can have a profound impact on the lives of your students with the concepts you can master in this program.

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 Liberty’s Online Doctoral Programs in Education

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 must submit a copy of their current initial state teaching or school counseling license to  [email protected] .
• 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 .

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.

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

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

Why should you get a doctorate in education.

Through Liberty University’s online EdD programs, you will have the opportunity to engage with knowledgeable education professionals who want to mentor and help you to become an advanced educator, administrator, and researcher. Our doctorate in education offers a robust, theoretical framework that can advance your teaching methods and theories to a higher order of application, allowing you to evaluate and address teaching challenges in K-12 institutions and at the university level.

Is a Doctorate in Education worth it?

Yes – we think so! You can be better prepared to pursue a career as a leader in education

• Throughout the program, you can network with your peers and professors while developing your writing and research for the final capstone project phase.
• Completing an online EdD gives you a terminal educational credential that shows employers you have reached the pinnacle of your field’s achievement.

What can Liberty’s doctoral programs do for you?

Liberty University’s doctoral programs can offer you advanced academic training and practical skills that align with your professional aspirations and personal values. These programs are designed to enhance your expertise in a specific field, such as education, business, or divinity, enabling you to contribute to academic knowledge, apply practical solutions in real-world settings, and ascend to higher positions in your career.

You can benefit from flexible learning options, including online courses that allow you to balance your studies with personal and professional responsibilities. Liberty’s commitment to integrating ethical and faith-based principles into its curriculum can also provide you with a unique perspective that is valued in many professional settings. Additionally, you’ll have opportunities to engage with experienced faculty and like-minded peers, expanding your professional network and gaining support that can be crucial for both academic and career advancement.

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Doctor of Education

Interested in the Doctor of Education Degree?

Our Graduate Admissions team will contact you with more information.

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Who will my professors be?

Our Graduate Admissions team can help!

Graduate Admissions P: 706-778-8500 x1352 E: [email protected]

The Doctor of Education degree (EdD) in Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Leadership (Tier II) is the highest professional degree offered by Piedmont University. Individuals with a master's or a specialist's degree from an accredited college or university may wish to pursue coursework that will enhance their instructional skills and/or prepare them for leadership roles in their schools or school districts or for college-level teaching.

The Doctor of Education degree (EdD) is aligned with the goals in all graduate programs at Piedmont University. It is designed to develop eminent leaders in the field of education. The primary focus of the EdD program is to facilitate transformational change of individuals and schools by preparing teacher leaders, other school professionals, and school administrators for the challenges of our rapidly changing world. The program will also serve to prepare educators for various roles in college and university teaching and in research and leadership positions in other educational institutions.

Additionally, the doctoral program allows candidates to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge base of theoretical and pedagogical issues relating to teaching and learning and/or educational leadership through adding new knowledge about their fields. (See more information below admissions requirements.)

The deadline to apply is July 1.

**************************************************************************************************

Admissions Requirements:

Admissions Application:  Click here to apply

• Copies of valid professional Georgia teaching certificates at the appropriate level (Georgia-certified educators) or letters from the head of the school, Board of Trustees, dean, or department chair to verify the quality of work (Non-Georgia-certified educators).
• *GRE Currently Waived* – Official GRE test scores that are no more than five years old at the time prospective students submit applications for admissions. The target GRE scores are the 60th percentile for the combined verbal and quantitative sections and a score of 4.0 on the analytic writing section.
• *GRE Currently Waived* – Take the GRE at home.
• Personal Affirmation form
• Five years teaching experience. Your experience may be verified by the supervising principal on the online reference form .
• Two professional references; one from the supervisor (the person who evaluates your performance) and one from a former professor or instructor. References submitted as part of the application process for previous degree programs will not be accepted. Please complete this request by clicking,  Reference Form Link . 
• Professional Activities Resume .
• Scholarly, informative letter of intent, including goal statements. This form can be completed online:  Letter of Intent  form.
• Official final transcripts from  all  colleges and universities attended in the past (Piedmont transcripts are on file)

Candidates for the EdD degree are expected to engage in independent learning throughout their program. Research toward, and the ultimate completion of, the doctoral dissertation are primary examples of independent learning. Independent learning is a key component in many courses in which the aim is the development of analytical skills and critical thinking. Developing the ability to think independently leads to strengthened learning communities.

Beginning with the Fall 2021 Cohorts, candidates for the doctoral program must complete a minimum of 60 hours beyond the master’s degree. The program is built around five core areas. The academic writing core (6 hours) and research core (15 hours) form the foundation on which the doctoral program is built. The common content core (12 hours) as well as the core concentration courses provide an in-depth and advanced look at the areas affecting P-12 schools while preparing the candidate to do advanced graduate research. The dissertation core (minimum of 10 hours) supports the candidate throughout the dissertation process.

The Doctoral program in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as in Educational Leadership, is an approved program by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) and The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

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EdD in Learning and Organizational Change | Online

Become a Changemaker

The key skill that all leaders share? The ability to inspire positive change. Grounded in the principles of teaching and learning, our proven  EdD in Learning & Organizational Change  online doctoral program empowers students to lead change in many organizations, from schools to businesses to non-profits and beyond.

Our Award-Winning Program

Give yourself the best opportunity to solve difficult challenges and usher systemic change into your workplace with our nationally recognized, award-winning program.

Our online EdD received the Carnegie Project (CPED) Program of the Year Award, recognizing our innovation, diversity of faculty and students, and appeal to students across a breadth of industries beyond traditional fields of education.

The Princeton Review listed the online EdD in Learning and Organizational Change as a Featured Program for the Best Online Doctor of Education Programs for 2024 for our dedication to flexible, affordable, and rigorous online learning.

We are the only program in the country offering a program-specific Research and Writing Development Center that provides doctoral students guidance while preparing dissertations, publications, and grant applications.

Designed with Intention

Every aspect of our program was thoughtfully created to help you succeed professionally and personally. Whether you're leading organizational change at a government agency, non-profit organization, private corporation, or K-12 education institution, you'll carry Baylor values with every decision you make.

• We WELCOME you into the Baylor family
• We CONNECT you with a caring support system
• We INVITE you to embrace our program's values
• We PREPARE you with real-world skills
• We EMPOWER you to drive change in your workplace

The curriculum consists of:

• Learning Foundations Courses
• Organizational Change Courses
• Research Methods Courses
• Problem of Practice Dissertation

Program Details

Our 54-credit program can be completed in as few as 36 months - or on a flexible schedule based on your professional schedule or personal preference.

We admit three cohorts per year: Spring, Summer, and Fall.  Students typically register for two courses (six credit hours) per trimester for nine trimesters.  Cohorts have a limited amount of space, so applying early is recommended.

Our holistic admissions process values professional experience and takes your life beyond the classroom into consideration. Application takes just a few minutes and any questions you may have can be answered by our Graduate Enrollment Management team.

Meet our Enrollment Team

Applicants need:

An Accredited Master's Degree (3.0 GPA preferred) Two Years of Professional Experience No GRE Required No Application Fee

Our Fall 2024 Cohort Application Deadlines:

Priority Application Deadline: June 24, 2024 Regular Application Deadline: July 8, 2024 Final Application Deadline: August 15, 2024 

Admissions Info

Tuition is $1,785 per credit hour, with an additional $100 administrative fee per term.  Tuition and fees are subject to change and may rise each year.

Your Graduate Enrollment Manager can answer any questions and talk to you about financial aid opportunities.

In addition, our One Stop Student Services office is here to answer all of your financial aid, billing, and payment questions.

One Stop Student Financial Services

What to Expect from our EdD Online Experience:

Apart from the virtual nature of our classes, there are few - if any - differences between our online and in-person learning experiences.  You will gain expert knowledge from faculty who encourage insightful discussions and learn alongside a diverse group of peer who can broaden perspectives and challenge conventional thinking. 

During two immersion experiences held on Baylor University's campus in Waco, Texas, you will meet your EdD faculty, staff, and peers in person. the immersions are packed with invaluable experiences and opportunities to collaborate on research and coursework, preparing you for the next steps in your educational journey.

The Problem of Practice Dissertation gives you the opportunity to investigate problems in your own profession, research and propose solutions, and lead change efforts in your local organizations and industries.  Additionally, it helps your develop the skills that drive measurable outcomes and report data-driven results to both practitioner and academic audiences.

A Baylor EdD stands as a beacon of transformation leadership, blending rigorous research with a passionate commitment to effecting tangible change in communities, organizations, and industries.  What sets this program apart is its unwavering focus on real-world impact, where theory meets practice, and innovation thrives, evidenced by both student and faculty publishing extensively.

Careers to Consider

With a Baylor EdD in hand, you will thrive in industries within and outside of academic environments, including government, private corporations, nonprofit and community organizations, or university systems.

• Policy analyst
• Chief Learning Officer
• Education Administrator
• Training and Development Manager
• Non-profit Director
• Corporate Trainer
• Director of Development
• Human Resources Director
• Education Consultant

Success Starts with Support

We are with you every step of the way, from enrollment to program completion.

Our Graduate Enrollment Management team-affectionately known as GEMs - is available to guide you every step of the way through the application process.

We provide dedicated Graduate Academic Advisors to support you, whether you have questions about course registration or are struggleing to balance your academic, professional, and personal responsibilities.

We offer an in-program writing center dedicated to supporting our EdD students as they develop their dissertations, presentations, publications, and grant applications.

As a student in the EdD in Learning and Organizational Change program, you will embark on a transformative journey where rigorous academics and meaningful connections propel you toward unparalleled scholarly achievement."   

Our caring, award-winning faculty and staff are ready to empower you to become the leader you were born to be.

Meet Our Faculty   Meet Our Team

Feeling inspired? Join our next cohort.

Get started by filling out our form for more information. If you're ready to apply, our Graduate Enrollment Managers are ready to guide you through the enrollment process.

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Guide to the Doctor of Education (EdD) Dissertation

The Doctor of Education (EdD) dissertation is considered a central component of EdD programs. The EdD dissertation is a five-chapter document that investigates an issue in education, reviews the existing literature on this issue, adds additional insight through a qualitative and/or quantitative research study, and proposes one or more solutions. It is considered the culmination of a student’s knowledge of education systems and his or her training in the academic research process. Most EdD programs require students to formally publish their dissertation and/or present their findings to a group of faculty and peers.

The dissertation and dissertation defense are two of the most challenging experiences students will have during their program, but are also two of the most engaging and rewarding from an intellectual perspective. The dissertation allows students to truly apply all the skills and knowledge they have gained during their graduate work to an education issue in which they are invested. Below is a more detailed description of EdD dissertations and the important steps students should take to successfully prepare for, complete, and defend their dissertation.

Doctorate of Education Dissertations

EdD dissertations are students’ opportunity to contribute original research on and insight into an issue in education, such as educational disparities, curriculum development or instruction challenges, school funding problems, college counseling and guidance, job skills development, or standardized testing. For their dissertation, students complete research under the guidance of a research mentor, and receive academic credit for this work. Students typically attend seminars and/or other classes that provide structure around the processes of developing a research question, formulating a research plan, reviewing existing academic literature, and writing about their findings. Many programs require students to present their findings to a committee and/or publish their dissertation in an academic journal.

The Structure of EdD Dissertations

As mentioned previously, dissertations are traditionally divided into five chapters: Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methodology, Results and Analysis, and Discussion and Conclusions. A brief description of each chapter section is below:

• Introduction : The introduction includes background information about the topic of study and its purpose, the significance of the student’s research, and existing literature on the subject. It also provides a summary of the results of one’s study, and their implications.
• Literature Review : This section explains the existing literature on the student’s topic of study, and places the student’s work in the context of existing theoretical frameworks that are relevant to one’s research.
• Research Methodology : This chapter focuses on how the student gathers qualitative and/or quantitative data regarding his or her research query.
• Results and Analysis : This section explains in detail the results of the student’s study, and analyzes it to arrive at actionable conclusions.
• Discussion and Conclusions : This chapter places the student’s findings in the context of the educational system(s) of focus (e.g. private or public education, secondary or post-secondary) to illustrate how the student’s research contributes to the larger understanding of the educational issue at hand. This section also makes recommendations for the application of the student’s findings to real-world education practice as well as further research on the subject.

Dissertations are typically very long, in-depth works. Many dissertations are between 100 and 200 pages in length or longer, and seek to comprehensively investigate a specific issue or problem in education. Due to the intensive nature of dissertation research and writing, students must plan their research query and methodology well in advance, and seek the support of research mentors and other faculty throughout the process.

Overview of the EdD Dissertation Completion Process

In general, students begin thinking about their dissertation topic during the second year of their program. The second year is also when students begin taking courses in research and data analysis. The term prior to the beginning of their independent research, students typically take a dissertation seminar, during which they discuss potential research topics to explore and learn more about the academic research process. During their third year, students delve into independent research, while still receiving guidance from their selected faculty research mentor. Students generally submit several drafts to a dissertation committee for review and revision suggestions before they finalize their paper. Upon the completion of their dissertation, students may be required to publish their writing and/or present on their research.

Below is a general timeline of the dissertation completion process, followed by a description of the eight steps to successfully completing an EdD dissertation. The timeline below should be used for example purposes only, as programs vary in terms of when they have students complete their requisite research courses.

The Steps to Completing an EdD Dissertation

Choose a research topic and review the existing literature.

During their classes, students should take note of the topics within education that interest them and the issues that they have encountered during their work in education that they would like to see resolved. These areas are often rich with potential research questions. Conducting research within these areas of interest by reading academic articles is an important step in finding a potential question or issue in education that merits further investigation. It is important that students select a research question that is specific enough to allow for in-depth research, is not overwhelming, and is engaging enough to students to carry them through over a year of independent research.

After identifying their field of focus and preliminary research query, students must gain a thorough understanding of the existing literature concerning their field, as well as the theoretical frameworks and conceptual models that have shaped current research methodologies. In general, students should start with articles that have been published within the last 3-5 years, and then review less recent studies that are considered flagship works that have shaped the field in important ways. While reading through this research, students should stay organized with their notes, the conclusions they draw from their literature review, and how these conclusions impact their research study, as they will have to write about these topics in their dissertation.

Select a Research Advisor and Committee

One of the most important parts of students’ research process is selecting a dissertation advisor and committee. Students’ dissertation advisors are faculty members within the school’s EdD program who work closely with students to ensure that they select a research question and project that are manageable in scope, meet certain research and writing deadlines, and have the support and mentorship they need to succeed.

The dissertation committee is comprised of a group of faculty members and instructors who are qualified to read through and provide feedback on a student’s dissertation. The chair of the committee is a student’s dissertation advisor, and the student selects other members based off of their work and expertise in their area of research. Many schools have guidelines around the individuals students can select to be a part of their committee. For example, an EdD program may require students to select one more faculty member from within the EdD program (in addition to their faculty advisor), one individual outside of the department who works in a related field, and one subject matter expert from inside or outside the department who can give in-depth advice regarding the student’s research project. Students must obtain approval from their program for their committee member selections.

A student’s dissertation committee not only provides feedback and support on a student’s research, but also serves as a collective evaluator of a student’s research progress and final product. For example, the committee generally sets dissertation chapter completion and submission deadlines to keep students on track, and also listens to and evaluates students’ dissertation defense, which is a requirement for graduation.

Create and Defend Research Proposal

After students receive approval of their dissertation committee, they work individually and with their dissertation chair/advisor to develop a formal research proposal. The proposal typically includes the first three chapters of a student’s dissertation: the Introduction, the Literature Review chapter, and the Research Methodology chapter. In this proposal, students must outline their specific research query and its relevance to and impact on different spheres of education. They must also explain the work that has already been done in their area of research, their methodologies for the study they will conduct, and their tools and plans for analysis.

Once students have written these three chapters and formalized their research proposal, they must meet with their committee to present and defend their research proposal. This defense is meant to identify any issues with a student’s research objective, review of the literature, or study methodology, so that the student can address these issues prior to conducting their research.

Develop a Timeline for Research and Writing

Students work with their dissertation committee to establish timelines for the completion of certain chapters and milestones in their study (e.g. the conducting of surveys or the compilation and analysis of data or records). A reasonable timeline may have students writing the first three chapters during the fall term of their third year, and the fourth and fifth chapters during the spring term of the same year. However, dissertation timelines will vary depending on whether students are pursuing their degree full-time or part-time, how early in their program they are able to take the requisite research courses prior to starting their independent work, how soon they are able to identify a research question, and other factors.

Apply for Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

The Institutional Review Board protects the rights and well-being of human subjects of research studies by working to ensure their consent to certain research procedures, and assuring their ethical treatment during the research process. All EdD research projects must receive IRB approval before proceeding. The IRB approval application is generally comprised of any study subject consent forms; copies of any surveys, questionnaires, or other data collection methods and tools to be used; a completed application form; and proof of IRB Training completion. IRB Training is typically completed through an online course module that is delivered through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program.

Conduct Study and Analyze Results

Once students have received IRB approval, they are ready to proceed with their planned study. Data collection methods vary depending on the nature and scope of one’s research project, but may include sending out surveys, conducting interviews, conducting student or teacher assessments, compiling student performance metrics from public records, and other methods of collecting relevant data to try and answer their research query. Once students have gathered sufficient data, they move to the analysis of this data to try and find trends or patterns that help answer their research question. Throughout this process, students consult with their advisor and with members of their dissertation committee as necessary.

Complete Dissertation and Submit for Review and Revision

Once students have completed their analysis, they must write the Results and Analysis and Discussion and Conclusions sections of their dissertation. The Results and Analysis chapter is a straightforward explanation of one’s study results and the conclusions that can be drawn from them. The Discussion and Conclusions section places the study results in the context of the larger educational issue(s) affected by one’s research, makes recommendations for the application of one’s findings, and also provides suggestions for further research in the area of study. Upon the completion of a full dissertation manuscript, students submit their work to their committee for review and commentary. Students may go through several revisions and then final edits of their dissertation prior to their final defense and formal manuscript submission.

Conduct Dissertation Final Defense

A milestone in the EdD student’s graduate school career is the dissertation final defense, which is a formal presentation that students make to their dissertation committee, in which they explain their research objectives, methodology, and findings. During and after their presentation, committee members ask questions in an effort to identify any weaknesses, inconsistencies, or other issues in the student’s research. When faced with these questions, students must answer clearly and defend the validity of their research methods, results, and conclusions. After the presentation and questions are over, the committee confers to decide whether the student has passed his or her final defense and will receive the doctoral degree.

Before completing their dissertation defense, it is recommended that students prepare well in advance by attending the defenses of other students within the same program and discussing their dissertation manuscript with their advisor and asking any questions regarding what to expect during the defense. Students should craft a strong and well-organized presentation, and also anticipate questions that their committee members may ask them.

Submit Dissertation for Formal Review

The final step students need to take to complete their dissertation is to submit their fully edited manuscript for formal review by their dissertation committee, after making any necessary modifications in response to recommendations given during their dissertation defense. Some programs require students to publish their dissertation in an academic journal, which requires students to format their manuscript according to journal guidelines.