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

21 University of Florida

• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction – Computer Science Education (Online)
• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction – Educational Technology (Online)
• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction – Teachers, Schools, and Society (TSS) (Online)
• Ed.D. in Special Education (Online)
• Leadership in Educational Administration Doctorate (LEAD) Ed.D.
• LEAD in Higher Education Administration Ed.D.

Educational Leadership

UF has been a CPED member since 2007, so you can expect a certain level of excellence within each degree. For example, the cohort-based Leadership in Educational Administration Doctorate (LEAD) Ed.D. is a good fit for K-12 educators in the Southeast—students are expected to attend up to two weekend meetings per semester on the UF campus in Gainesville, Florida. On a part-time schedule, the program takes 4 years.

Higher Education

UF also offers a companion LEAD in Higher Education Administration Ed.D. for college & university educational leaders. This blended, cohort-based doctorate is one of the first Kellogg Foundation Community College Leadership Programs in the nation. Students are expected to visit UF campuses on 2-3 weekends per semester.

Curriculum & Instruction

Practicing educators who need the flexibility of virtual learning can consider the range of options for the Online Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.

• Bear in mind that the technology options have different emphases. The concentration in Computer Science Education is for K-12 educators who want to apply their learning in school or district settings. The concentration in Educational Technology is much more of a research program—students are expected to use theory and research to improve educational environments.
• Practicing teachers & educational leaders should definitely check out the Teachers, Schools, and Society (TSS) concentration. It was named “Program of the Year” by the CPED in 2020.

Special Education

The Online Ed.D. in Special Education is built for special education professionals who intend to put their learning into practice—it’s not a doctorate that will prep you for professorships. You’ll be involved in improving academic and social outcomes for students with disabilities and completing a Dissertation in Practice (DiP) with real-world applicability. It takes 4 years on a part-time schedule.

20 Boston College

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (PSAP)
• Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education (Online)
• Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education: Catholic Higher Education (Online)

Educational Leadership

BC’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is a Professional School Administrator Program (PSAP) that prepares full-time Massachusetts K-12 administrators for superintendent licensure. It’s a convenient, cohort-based doctorate that’s been shaped by CPED principles and refined through consultation with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) and Teachers21. On a full-time schedule, you can achieve your degree in 3 years.

Higher Education/Executive Doctorate

BC also offers virtual options for experienced college & university educators who want to take their leadership career to the next level—applicants are expected to have 5-10 years of full-time work experience. The cohort-based Online Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education is available in a standard format or a unique concentration in Catholic Higher Education. Both options include international & Boston summer residencies and a group-based capstone project. It takes 3 years on a part-time schedule.

19 University of Georgia

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
• Ed.D. in Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development
• Ed.D. in Science Education
• Ed.D. in Student Affairs Leadership (Online)
• Ed.D. in Workforce Education (Hybrid)
• Ed.D. in Workforce Education (Traditional)
• Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Management

Educational Leadership

As a proud member of the CPED consortium, UGA’s College of Education has plenty of quality Ed.D. programs on offer. Practicing school and district administrators looking to improve school systems can explore the Educational Leadership Ed.D. This 3-year, cohort-based Ed.D. degree includes blended coursework, an Advanced Leadership Residency, and an action research dissertation. One note—Tier I or other leadership certification is required for admission.

Higher Education/Executive Doctorate

The accelerated, 2-year Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Management is custom-built for mid- and senior-level professionals in higher education settings. You’ll meet 8 times per year for weekend intensives (Thursdays-Saturdays). Most meetings take place in Atlanta, with occasional visits to the Athens campus. During summer terms, you’ll also participate in week-long experiential study trips to domestic and international sites.

Adult Education

• Deepening one’s understanding of adult learning and change is what the Ed.D. in Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development is all about. Classes are offered in a blended learning environment, with some virtual learning to allow working professionals flexibility.
• The part-time Ed.D. in Student Affairs Leadership is a primarily online offering with some on-campus meetings. Supervised internships—whether at the student’s current job or elsewhere—are a main component of this doctorate in education. Candidates with master’s degrees need 2-3 years of full-time employment to apply.
• The Ed.D. in Workforce Education centers on workforce issues and policy. Elective courses allow students to cultivate their own interests. The traditional option is delivered in a face-to-face instructional format; the practitioner option combines online and in-person meetings in a cohort group approach.

18 Arizona State University

• Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation (Online or Hybrid)

Educational Leadership

ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College gives students the flexibility needed to complete their Doctor of Education—the 3-year Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation is offered in an online or hybrid format. Both options have a similar structure and coursework. They are also cohort-based, with students choosing one of three focus areas:

• PK-12 Change Leadership
• Higher Education Change Leadership
• Systems, Professional, and Reimagined Change Leadership (SPARC)

Designed with the practicing educator in mind, this Ed.D. degree enhances students’ abilities to transform local educational organizations. Ed.D. students must be active professionals in positions where they can “implement small-scale change.” In the third and final year of the program, an action-research dissertation is required, culminating in an online oral defense.

17 University of Southern California

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Multiple Concentrations Available)
• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – K-12 Leadership (Online)
• Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership (Online)
• Global Executive Ed.D.

Educational Leadership

• The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership challenges students to address the inherent inequities in education. Concentration areas include Educational Psychology, Higher Education Administration, K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings, and Teacher Education in Multicultural Societies. For dissertations, students work collaboratively on thematically related topics. This leads to a shorter dissertation process.
• City school leaders also have the option to choose a fully Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – K-12 Leadership with a Dissertation in Practice (DiP). Courses are delivered in a real-time virtual classroom environment.
• The Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership is almost entirely online, with an annual immersion weekend at USC. The curriculum can be completed in less than 3 years; coursework and the Dissertation in Practice (DiP) encourage students to reflect on how to modify their own strategies and approaches. Those without a master’s degree but who have work and leadership experience are welcome to apply.

Executive Doctorate

Already have significant leadership experience? Consider the Global Executive Doctor of Education. You’ll dig into your own individual and local challenges to enact improvements and change. This accelerated education doctorate is only 25 months and requires participants to travel to 9 intensive class sessions in locales such as Los Angeles and Hong Kong while completing the rest of the coursework online.

16 University of California Berkeley

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

Educational Leadership

Looking for a quality Ed.D. peer group? UC Berkeley’s competitive, cohort-based LEAD doctorate only admits 10 students every other year. It’s available in a hybrid format, which means you’ll be required to attend a 4-week summer intensive and 12 annual all-day Saturday sessions. Some—but not all—weekday courses (late afternoon & evening) are available online. You can work full-time while you study.

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

15 Indiana University Bloomington

• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction – Art Education (Residential or Online)
• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction – Mathematics Education
• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction – Science Education (Residential or Online)
• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
• Ed.D. in Higher Education
• Ed.D. in Instructional Systems Technology (Online)
• Ed.D. in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (Online)

Educational Leadership

Choices, choices, choices… IUB’s School of Education has developed all kinds of online, hybrid, and campus doctorates, with a degree to suit almost every education professional. You can become an effective K-12 leader by pursuing the Educational Leadership Ed.D. and diving deep into senior-level issues facing educators. To appeal to working professionals, classes in this cohort-based doctorate are held 3 weekends per semester in a blended learning environment.

Higher Education

Interested in enrollment management, institutional research, and student development? Check out the Higher Education Ed.D. Full-time students who are able to identify a dissertation topic by the end of their second year can finish the Ed.D. degree in 3-4 years.

Teaching & Subject Specialties

• Whether the goal is to continue as an educator at the K-12 level or teach at a university, the Art, Mathematics, and Science Education specializations within the Curriculum and Instruction Ed.D. will allow you to master those subjects through advanced coursework.
• IUB also offers a cohort-based Ed.D. in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education. This online doctorate in education helps literacy and language specialists build on their existing skills.
• Appropriately, the Ed.D. in Instructional System Technology is online, although all Ed.D. students must attend an annual conference. You’ll learn how to create instructional materials, understand needs analysis, and evaluate the effectiveness of products and services.

14 University of Maryland-College Park

• Ed.D. in School System Leadership

K-12 School Leadership

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

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

13 University of Virginia

• Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision
• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (Online)
• Ed.D. in Higher Education

Educational Leadership

It’s no wonder that U.S. News and World Report ranks Curry School of Education as one of the 20 Best Education Schools in the country—it has developed a number of content-rich & practice-focused Ed.D. programs. In lieu of a dissertation, all Ed.D. students at Curry complete a capstone project.

With small cohorts and classes primarily held on 2 full days a month, the Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision is an ideal setup for the working professional looking to finish an Ed.D. degree within 4 years. Classes include Designing Learning Environments and Optimizing Human Capital in an Organization.

Curriculum & Instruction

The 3-year Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, which is available online, is personalized according to candidates’ knowledge and interests. Covering K-16 education, this part-time doctorate in education should also appeal to those interested in non-profit and philanthropy work.

Higher Education

Explore the part-time Ed.D. in Higher Education if service projects, a content minor, and courses such as College Student Development or Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in Higher Education sound appealing.

12 Ohio State University – Main Campus

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

Educational Leadership

OSU’s Department of Educational Studies has multiple top-10 ranked graduate programs, including on-campus doctorates in education that have been shaped by CPED principles.

For example, the cohort-based Educational Administration Ed.D. features the department’s P.L.A.C.E. Framework, which involves contextual “practicing, planning and problem solving” with real-life issues encountered in professional settings. These problems of practice help students hone their leadership skills within a team and in the field. This 3-year doctorate in education culminates with a Dissertation in Practice (DiP).

Higher Education

The Ed.D. in Educational Studies, Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) trains mid-career Ed.D. students in the skills needed to reform organizations, improve learning, and evaluate teachers. Likely career paths include VP for Student Affairs or Dean of Students, though graduates also end up leading non-profits. Choose from unique course offerings like Impact of College on Students or Admission and Retention of College Students.

Subject Specialties

Current K-12 PE teachers can up their game with the Ed.D. in Kinesiology, Physical Education, offered by the Department of Human Sciences. For the final project, this Ed.D. degree contains a thesis or a non-thesis option.

11 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• See All Ed.D. Degrees

Educational Leadership, Higher Education & More

UIUC offers so many online & on-campus Ed.D. degrees that we only had room to list a few highlights! Be sure to explore all the options in curriculum & instruction, learning design, diversity & equity, language & literacy, and more. If you end up choosing UIUC, you’ll be earning a doctorate in education from a public research university with some of the highest paid graduates in the country.

Plans of study & delivery methods vary by Ed.D. program. For example, the 64-credit Global Studies in Education Ed.D. is built to appeal to international educators, with online coursework in core areas (e.g. human rights, global youth, etc.), customizable electives, field research seminars, and a thesis. Meanwhile, students in the on-campus Higher Education Ed.D. can “build their own” curriculum—only a few research courses are mandatory.

10 University of Washington – Seattle Campus

• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction – Language, Literacy, and Culture
• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction – Mathematics or Science Education
• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction – Teacher Quality and Teacher Education
• Ed.D. in Leadership for Learning (Certification Option Available)

Educational Leadership

The Ed.D. in Leadership for Learning, which was recognized as an Exemplary Educational Leadership Program by the University Council for Educational Administration, continually updates its curriculum. From field placements to internships and capstone projects, this cohort-based Ed.D. degree promises a personalized focus. For example, you can choose to participate in any of the 10+ research initiatives sponsored by the College of Education. You’ll also have the option of earning Washington State Superintendent Certification.

Curriculum & Instruction

Those interested in classroom or leadership roles at the school & district-level should check out the Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. It comes complete with subject specializations that are aligned with career goals, including a Language, Literacy and Culture Ed.D. for educators who wish to expand their knowledge of second language learning and culture.

9 Pennsylvania State University – Main Campus

• Dual Degree – Ed.D. in Comparative and International Education (CIED)
• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
• Ed.D. in Higher Education (HIED)
• Ed.D. in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education

Educational Leadership

Prospective principals, superintendents, and administrators seeking to know more about policy, politics, law, finance, and organizational theory related to education should look at the standard Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. Dedicated students can take advantage of that program’s joint Joint Law Degree and Educational Leadership Program.

Adult & Higher Education

• The Ed.D. in Higher Education puts a premium on flexibility—an advisor will work with you to design an individualized program of study. Moreover, you’ll be encouraged to take on a minor within another academic field (e.g. marketing, organizational behavior, sociology, educational psychology, etc.).
• If you choose the Lifelong Learning and Adult Education Ed.D., you’ll take classes such as Family Literacy and Perspectives on Adult Learning Theory. You’ll also be allowed to choose 15 elective credits from one or more Supporting Areas within Penn State.

Global Education

The Dual Degree – Ed.D. in Comparative and International Education takes a global look at education—learners dive into the analysis and operation of the world’s education systems with course offerings like the Social and Cultural Contexts of Learning and Work.

8 The University of Texas at Austin

• Ed.D. in Cooperative Superintendency
• Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership

Educational Leadership

Aspiring superintendents of school districts or chief executives in Texas state education agencies might be attracted to the cohort-based Cooperative Superintendency Program. This highly-ranked Ed.D. readies leaders for the mercurial world of public education systems. You’ll take classes like School Restructuring & Renewal and School District Functions and complete a Superintendent Practicum. It takes 30 months/2.5 years to complete.

Higher Education/Executive Doctorate

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

7 Michigan State University

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – K-12 Administration

Educational Leadership

MSU’s Department of Educational Administration has designed a 3-year Doctor of Educational Leadership that aims to develop diverse leaders for Michigan schools and community organizations. This practice-based Ed.D. degree encourages faculty and students to work together to address critical challenges facing the state’s education community.

This on-campus Ed.D. sets itself apart by offering annual summer forums where stakeholders create strategies for improving school policies. In the third year of the program, group capstone projects bring students face-to-face with a community problem of practice to research and solve. In addition, all doctoral students in education have the opportunity to travel overseas for 3 weeks on a faculty-led, most-expenses-paid trip with the Fellowship to Enhance Global Understanding program.

6 Columbia University in the City of New York

• See All Ed.D. Degrees

Educational Leadership, Higher Education & More

When all the Ed.D. concentrations are taken into account, Columbia runs 70+ Doctor of Education programs, easily surpassing the other schools on our list. If you can dream it, you can probably find it here, with everything from an Ed.D. in Anthropology and Education to an Ed.D. in Applied Exercise Physiology. Ed.D. degrees typically come with certification and non-certification tracks, with some featuring bilingual extensions.

Doctoral programs are housed in the Teachers College, otherwise known as the Graduate School for Education, Health, and Psychology. This explains the interdisciplinary vibe of the degree offerings. In fact, over 33% of tenured faculty are psychologists or health educators, lending extra weight to programs such as the Ed.D. in Cognitive Science Education and the Ed.D. in Health Education. Teachers College also runs scores of centers and institutes, including the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching.

5 New York University

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

Educational Leadership

NYU’s Steinhardt School emphasizes holistic education—faculty work across disciplines to promote the exchange of new ideas. This philosophy carries over to its Ed.D. programs, which contain summer research design workshops, culminating projects, and colloquiums.

• The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies aims to prepare students for senior leadership roles and policy positions. This Ed.D. degree is available in a full-time or part-time plan of study, with coursework that covers everything from educational reform to policy analysis. Study environments are made up of professors, Ed.D. classmates, and school leaders.
• In contrast, the Online Leadership and Innovation Ed.D. is only 24 months/2 years. The curriculum for this Executive Ed.D. covers topics such as organizational theory, education policy, change & innovation, and management & data ethics, and incorporates immersive residencies.

Higher Education

Professionals working in higher education or corporate education are eligible to pursue the cohort-based Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration. This 3-year, part-time doctorate in education combines theory, research, and problem-solving through the exploration of organizational theory, adult and workplace learning, and finance and governance.

Subject Specialties

The 42-credit Ed.D. in Educational Theatre is a research-intensive program worth exploring. You can choose from one of four specializations: Drama in Education; Applied Theatre; Theatre for Young Audiences and Play Production; or Drama Therapy (which does not lead to licensure). This doctorate is available in a part-time or full-time plan of study.

4 University of California – Los Angeles

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Educational Leadership

UCLA’s Department of Education often tops “Best Of” lists for its graduate programs, including the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. This Ed.D. degree melds experiential learning, theory, and practice. It also fosters an individualized and supportive environment for each student. UCLA’s 450+ alumni work in community colleges, universities, school districts, educational associations, and learning ventures.

To meet the needs of working professionals, this 3-year doctorate in education contains classes on one evening per week and on Saturdays. In the first year, you’ll work to improve your leadership skills and educational practices through classes such as Legal Aspects of Educational Management and Practice or Educational Enterprise. In the second year, you’ll focus heavily on two courses: Research Methodology and Advanced Directed Field Experience. The third year includes a leadership seminar and dissertation practicum.

3 Vanderbilt University

• Ed.D. in K-12 and Higher Education Leadership and Policy
• Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations (Online)

K-20 Leadership & Policy

The Department of Leadership, Policy and Organization at Peabody College offers two Ed.D. programs. Both doctorates conclude with a capstone project, which is a year-long research undertaking wrapped up in a group project. 84 credit hours are needed, but 30 credits will be transferred from an accepted master’s degree.

The 3-year Ed.D. in Leadership and Policy is available in a K-12 or Higher Education concentration. Regardless of the focus, this on-campus program with weekend-based coursework prepares Ed.D. students to make their institutions perform better.

Organizational Leadership

In contrast, coursework for the Online Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations is predominantly virtual, with only 3 on-campus convenings. This doctorate in education is designed for mid-career professionals who wish to enact systemic organizational change using both theory and practice. Over 3-4 years, you’ll be able to dive into coursework such as Human Capital and Talent Management and Designing for Learning in Communities.

2 Harvard University

• Ed.D. in Leadership

Educational Leadership

Whether you want to take the reins in school environments, non-profit settings, private companies, or government departments, Harvard’s Graduate School of Education seeks to transform your career through its Ed.D. in Leadership. This full-time, 3-year Ed.D. degree brings together a diverse cohort of 25 students and encourages them to shake up the status quo and translate visionary ideas into successful programs. A full-tuition funding package, stipends, and a paid residency are offered to all students.

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

1 University of Pennsylvania

• Ed.D. in Educational Linguistics
• Ed.D. in Higher Education
• Ed.D. in Penn Chief Learning Officer
• Ed.D. in Reading, Writing, and Literacy
• Ed.D. in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education
• Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Management
• Mid-Career Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Educational Leadership

• In the hybrid Mid-Career Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, doctoral students meet on-campus for 1 weekend per month and 1 week every summer. A typical Ed.D. student brings 15-20 years of experience to the seminar table.
• Mid- to senior-level professionals in C-Suite and HR positions looking to develop an organization’s talent should also check out the unique Penn Chief Learning Officer Ed.D.

Higher Education/Executive Doctorate

• The Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management is geared specifically toward senior-level leaders looking to advance in their careers while keeping their full-time positions. This tightly structured, 2-year degree meets on-campus for 1 weekend per month and 1 week each summer.
• In contrast, the part-time Ed.D. in Higher Education is customizable. Out of the 20 courses, you’ll be able to choose 16 electives. You’ll tackle 1-2 courses per term (summer, spring & fall) and end the program with a dissertation.

Teaching & Subject Specialties

• The Ed.D. in Reading, Writing, and Literacy allows students to customize their plan of learning with one or more concentrations, including Adult Literacy Education.
• Meanwhile, the Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education Ed.D. lets educators take on assorted theoretical and practice-based issues within community or school settings in an interdisciplinary way.
• And the Ed.D. in Educational Linguistics is designed to suit early to mid-career language educators interested in courses such as Citizen Sociolinguistics.