How to Choose the Best Online Ed.D. Program
You’ll find 23 schools in our rankings of the best online doctoral programs in education. All of them are from well-regarded, regionally accredited universities. But there the similarities end! Each one has developed their own unique take on the Ed.D. Here are some tips to choosing the right one:
- Skim & Scan the Main Points: Start with the title. If it looks like a promising option, you can explore the sections on coursework & admissions requirements and our advice on whether it’s the right program for your needs.
- Look for Quality Markers. We particularly favor universities with CAEP accreditation, membership in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED), great graduate student reviews, and high U.S. News & World Report rankings for the College of Education.
- Create a Comprehensive Budget: Many online Ed.D. programs have campus components (we’ve highlighted them under the title). You’ll need to allow for any travel expenses, commuting costs, and accommodation. You can 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.
- Research the College/School of Education: This will give you a sense of the university’s realm of experience (e.g. USC Rossier and urban education) and faculty interests. We’ve included links in the section on “For More Information.”
- Choose a Career-Focused Concentration: You don’t have to settle for a generic online doctorate in leadership. All of our top-ranked universities have highly specific concentrations and foci. Some are PreK-12 based. Some are concerned with higher education. Some can even help with certification needs (e.g. Texas Tech and Drexel).
Ranking Methodology
Our ranking methodology for the best online doctoral programs in education follows the same procedure as our on-campus rankings.
- That means we considered each school’s standing in U.S. News and World Report rankings of the top schools for graduate education programs and Times Higher Education world rankings.
- But we also added factors such as student completion rates, according to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and the university’s track record in offering online programs in educational leadership.
Top Schools with Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs
23 University of Arkansas
- Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
- Online Ed.D. in Human Resource and Workforce Development Education
- Online/Blended Ed.D. in Adult and Lifelong Learning
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: No
Credits: 42 for Educational Leadership; 96 for other options (~33-42 master’s credits + ~54-63 doctoral credits)
Length: 3 years for Educational Leadership; ~2.5-3 years for other options
On-Campus Components: Weekend seminar each semester for Educational Leadership; campus sessions for other options
We’ll kick off the rankings with U of A’s active College of Education and Human Professions (check out the Arkansas Leadership Academy). Here you’ll find a number of options for mid-level professionals, including folks in postsecondary roles and human resources. Just be aware that the cohort-based Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is only open to students with a valid teaching license and an Ed.S. or the equivalent.
Curriculum
Educational Leadership
Because the Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is a program for Ed.S. holders or the equivalent, the curriculum is particularly short & focused. Core courses include a hefty amount of credits in research and advanced leadership (e.g. Educational Policy & Change) and 18 credits of a dissertation. The coursework is 100% online, but Ed.D. students are expected to attend an intensive weekend seminar each semester.
Human Resource and Workforce Development
The curriculum for the Online Ed.D. in Human Resource and Workforce Development Education devotes 24 credits to the core concentration, including coursework in career development (e.g. Career Theory and Decision Making), organization (e.g. Leadership Models and Concepts), training & development (e.g. Technology Systems), and electives. It also includes 15 hours in research and statistics and 18 hours for the dissertation. This program is a mix of 100% online coursework and occasional meetings on campus.
Adult and Lifelong Learning
The Online/Blended Ed.D. in Adult and Lifelong Learning comes in two flavors: the Adult Education Leadership (AEL) Cohort and the Community College Leadership (CCL) Cohort. Both programs share the same basic structure: 15-21 credit hours in adult & lifelong learning, 15 credits in research methods & evaluation, and 18 credits for the dissertation. However, the CCL option has a separate Community College Leadership core. 75% of the coursework is online; there are six face-to-face campus sessions per year.
Admissions
GRE scores are required for all of U of A’s online doctorates. In addition:
- Applicants to the Educational Leadership program must have an Ed.S. or the equivalent (e.g. district-level certification) and a valid teaching license. You’ll also need to provide a writing sample, three letters of recommendation, and an autobiographical sketch.
- Applicants to the HR and Workforce Development program must have a master’s degree and previous work experience. U of A wants to see evidence of your potential to contribute to the advancement of the field—a résumé, three professional references, and an autobiographical sketch are expected.
- Applicants to the Adult and Lifelong Learning cohorts must a master’s degree or the approved equivalent, a 3.25 GPA, and at least 3 years of relevant professional experience. You’ll also need to submit a résumé or vita.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
Affordable prices, work experience, and location proximity are going to factor into your decision. U of A has some of the lowest per credit tuition rates we’ve seen in the country (each program page contains a breakdown of the estimated cost). But you’ll see in the admissions requirements that these online doctorates are not for newbies. And they all have some kind of campus component. If you don’t live near Fayetteville, you may want to consider other options.
For More Information:
- Educational Leadership Admissions
- Human Resource and Workforce Development Admissions
- Adult and Lifelong Learning: AEL Admissions
- Adult and Lifelong Learning: CCL Admissions
- Educational Leadership Curriculum
- Human Resource and Workforce Development Curriculum
- Adult and Lifelong Learning: AEL Curriculum
- Adult and Lifelong Learning: CCL Curriculum
- Online Tuition
- College of Education and Human Professions
22 Lehigh University
CAEP Accreditation: No
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: No
Credits: 60
Length: 4-5 years
On-Campus Components: On-site during summer semesters
One for global educators! Lehigh bills this online Ed.D. as a chance for individuals in international schools to build their leadership skills. It contains on-campus work in the summer, but it can be shortened—enrolled students who have at least two years of supervisory experience in an international school setting need only complete 48 credits of coursework.
Curriculum
This Ed.D. program is made up of a number of parts. In the area of administration & leadership, you’ll take courses in organization & leadership, leadership functions (e.g. School Law and Ethics, School-Community Relations, Program Evaluation, etc.), curriculum & instruction (e.g. Curriculum Design in a Global Society), diverse learners, and research.
The curriculum also includes specialization electives, resident studies (e.g. doctoral seminars), and a dissertation and concentrated learning experience. Read more about the hybrid delivery model.
Admissions
Lehigh wants to see candidates who have a minimum 3.0 GPA on undergraduate work and a 3.6 GPA on graduate work. You’ll also need to supply two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and GRE or MAT test scores.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
Lehigh’s College of Education makes a point of educating folks in global settings. For example, the Master in Educational Leadership comes with an International School Leadership focus and COE organizes international opportunities. So the online Ed.D. may be worth considering if you’d like to forge connections with a diverse range of students.
Note: We recommend you check with the program coordinator to see if the online program is currently being offered.
For More Information:
21 Oregon State University
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: No
Credits: 114 quarter credits (up to 36 credits from a master’s program are transferable)
Length: 3.5-4 years
On-Campus Components: On-campus classes for two weekends per term (first two years)
OSU’s blended and cohort-based Ed.D. is run by the OSU Ecampus, which has a long history of online learning. To match the goals of higher education professionals, the doctorate comes in two career-focused concentrations: Community College Leadership (CCL) and Leadership in Higher Education (LHE). Be sure to take a look at the interpersonal aspects of this program, including the internship.
Curriculum
The core of OSU’s online Ed.D. is made up of foundation courses (e.g. Educational Finance, Legal Issues, Leadership in Student Services, Higher Education Administration, etc.) and research credits. You’ll also be able to take four courses in your concentration. There is a mandatory internship and a substantial thesis/dissertation.
Admissions
Candidates should have a master’s degree and appropriate professional experience (e.g. teaching, student services, administration, etc.). Check with the program coordinator to see what other materials are required. Graduate applications often require letters of reference, a résumé/Curriculum Vitae, writing samples, and a statement of objectives. GRE scores may be expected. International students are not eligible to apply for this program.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
OSU is an obvious pick if you’re in the Portland area and want to move up the postsecondary career ladder. But it may be pricey for your budget—you can use the Ecampus Tuition & Fees Calculator to calculate costs.
- The CCL option is particularly suited to aspiring directors, deans, vice presidents, and presidents at community colleges.
- Graduates of the LHE option find positions as directors & deans of certain areas (e.g. student services, financial aid, multicultural affairs, etc.) and registrars.
For More Information:
20 University of Alabama
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: No
Credits: 66
Length: 3 years
On-Campus Components: One weekend per month; site visits and international travel
Bama’s doctorate isn’t completely online, but it’s a solid option if you’re looking for a comprehensive and supportive program in higher education. The cohort-based format and on-campus components mean you’ll have plenty of opportunities to build relationships with your peers. In their reviews, graduate students rave about the passionate faculty and the tight-knit feeling.
Curriculum
The curriculum for this online doctorate covers every aspect of higher education administration. For your 54 credit hours of coursework, you’ll take classes in law, student affairs, problems in higher education, organization & administration, policy & finance, personnel and HR management, and more. The remaining 12 credits will be devoted to the dissertation. There are in-depth seminars and case studies, as well as an international visit in the first summer.
Admissions
UA wants to see candidates with leadership potential, a clearly-articulated commitment to the field of higher education, a master’s degree, and a 3.0 GPA. You’ll also need to provide three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a résumé, a writing sample, and test scores. GRE scores are preferred, but UA will consider MAT scores.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
If you live near UA and want a deep dive into higher education administration, put this one on your shortlist. It’s designed to accommodate working professionals who want to push their limits. UA is a public university, but the executive doctorate is offered at a higher per credit tuition rate than other online programs. Having said that, tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
Note: UA also offers an Online Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership for Nurse Educators.
For More Information:
19 Texas Tech University
- Online/Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
- Online/Hybrid Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: Yes
Credits: 60
Length: 3 years
On-Campus Components: Summer institutes and fall & spring weekend events for Educational Leadership; initial orientation and summer immersions for Higher Education Administration
Texas Tech has staked its claim to fame in PreK-20 fields. The Educational Leadership doctorate is custom-designed for school & district leaders and aspiring superintendents—the program includes superintendent certification preparation as part of its curriculum. And the Higher Education Administration doctorate is billed as the only online program from a Texas public university in this area. Both degrees are cohort-based, and both have been shaped by the CPED initiative.
Curriculum
Educational Leadership
The Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is a judicious blend of leadership credits (e.g. Organizational Behavior and Change, Leadership for School Reform, Educational Policy and the Law) and superintendent-level coursework (e.g. School District Resource Allocation and Deployment). There are mandatory, one-week summer intensives, weekend cohorts, and leadership practicums. 12 credits are devoted to the dissertation in practice.
Higher Education Administration
The Online Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration comes in two areas of emphasis: Community College Administration and Higher Education College/University Administration. Both tracks include 30 credit hours of required coursework (e.g. Funding in Higher Education, Access and Equity, Administration of Higher Education, etc.), 18 credits in research and statistics, and 12 credits for the dissertation. All students must attend an on-campus orientation session and three summer professional development sessions.
Admissions
- Candidates for Educational Leadership must have a master’s degree and hold an active professional position in a PreK-12 educational environment. In addition, you will be required to submit a personal statement of interest, three professional recommendations, a résumé, a response to a Problem of Practice prompt, and recent GRE scores.
- Candidates for Higher Education Administration must have a master’s degree. You’ll also be expected to provide an applicant statement, three letters of recommendation, a résumé, responses to four writing prompts, and GRE scores.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
These online Ed.D. programs are particularly suited to Texas residents—the blended nature of the doctorates, with all their summer components, equates to a fair amount of time on campus.
- The Educational Leadership program is explicitly aimed at PreK-12 school leaders who are currently working in relevant settings (e.g. instructional coaches, teachers, counselors, administrators, etc.). Aspiring Texas superintendents should definitely take a look!
- The Higher Education Administration program is built for instructional and administrative “scholarly practitioners” who seek leadership positions in two- and four-year colleges and universities, government agencies, and business and industry.
18 Drexel University
CAEP Accreditation: No
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: Yes
Credits: 60.5-61.5
Length: 3 years (part-time); 5 years (extended)
On-Campus Components: 100% online or an executive weekend option that’s hybrid
Choice is the key word to keep in mind for Drexel. This award-winning online Ed.D. comes in nine concentrations, including ones that will prepare you for the Pennsylvania Superintendent Letter of Eligibility or Special Education Leadership certification. It can be tackled in 3 years or 5 years. And if you don’t fancy the 100% online version, you can consider the “Executive Weekend” format.
Curriculum
The first four terms are devoted to core coursework in leadership and management (e.g. Creative Strategies for Educational Leaders, Program Evaluation in Organizations, Transformative Leadership, etc.) and research work.
In subsequent terms, you’ll study courses in your concentration, tackle more credits in research, and write your dissertation. The Educational Administration (i.e. Superintendent Certification) and Special Education concentrations contain internships.
Admissions
Applicants must have a master’s degree in education or an appropriate field with a 3.5 GPA or better and three years of work experience that’s relevant to professional goals. You’ll also need to submit three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, an essay describing a program of practice, and a writing sample. Résumé materials are encouraged.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
Drexel is a solid choice for folks who want flexibility without sacrificing quality. This Ed.D. won the CPED Program of the Year Award for 2019 and it sets a high GPA bar for applicants. The School of Education encourages doctoral students to contribute their voices and alumni speak highly of the challenging programs. The downside is price—it is expensive. However, you can offset costs with tuition discounts.
For More Information:
17 University of Nebraska Lincoln
- Online Ed.D. in Educational Studies – Educational Leadership and Higher Education
- Online/Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Administration – P-12 School Leadership
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: Yes
Credits: 96 (36 master’s credits + 60 doctoral credits; minimum of 45-48 doctoral credits)
Length: 3 years
On-Campus Components: Dissertation proposal & defense for Educational Studies; one-week campus residencies for Educational Administration
UNL’s doctorates are offered by its gung-ho Department of Educational Administration (EDAD). There’s a convenient online degree that will prepare you for high-level administrative & leadership positions. But there’s also a hybrid program that leads to superintendent endorsement. For a sense of faculty credentials, check out the EDAD’s latest research initiatives & outreach programs.
Curriculum
Educational Studies
The Online Ed.D. in Educational Studies – Educational Leadership and Higher Education has three different concentrations: Educational Leadership, Higher Education Administration, and Community College Leadership. Each program is divided into equal parts, including 12 hours for core coursework (e.g. Educational Systems and Governance, Leadership in Educational Organizations, etc.), 12 hours for the concentration, 12 hours for electives, 12 hours for research & statistics, and 12 hours for the dissertation.
Educational Administration
The Online/Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Administration – P-12 School Leadership is a joint effort of UNL, UNO, and UNK. It includes coursework in major areas (e.g. System Level Administration, Governance of Educational Institutions, Business Management of Schools, etc.), research & statistics, and a dissertation. To meet endorsement requirements, it also contains a Superintendency Internship and one-week campus residencies that take place during the first, second, and third semesters of enrollment.
Admissions
Educational Studies candidates should have a master’s degree—see the program page for prerequisites. You’ll also be required to submit a letter of application, a résumé, three recommendation letters, three samples of writing or research, a statement of goals, and GRE scores. TOEFL or IELTS scores may be needed to prove English proficiency.
In addition to the general requirements, Educational Administration– P-12 School Leadership candidates will need to:
- Hold a current Standard Teaching Certificate from Nebraska or the equivalent credential from another state.
- Provide evidence of a minimum of two years of full-time teaching experience at the grade level(s) relevant to the desired administrative certificate/endorsement.
- Provide evidence of the completion of acceptable Human Relations Training (or understand that TEAC 861 or other approved course will be added to the program of study).
- Provide evidence of the completion of acceptable Special Education Training (or understand that an additional 3 hours of course work will be added to the program of study).
Is This Online Program Right for You?
UNL is looking for aspiring PK-20 administrators, superintendents, and school leaders. Folks who are interested in specific teaching fields (e.g. curriculum & instruction) may want to consider other degrees in our rankings. As far as we can determine, Nebraska residents get the best prices on per credit tuition rates, which are very low for online courses. Out-of-state residents need to pay a good deal more.
16 University of Houston
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: Yes
Credits: 51
Length: 3 years
On-Campus Components: 100% online (as far as we can determine)
UH’s cohort-based online doctorate comes in two emphases: Literacy Education and Social Studies/Social Education. Because it has been created by the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, it’s a perfect fit for professionals who wish to serve as instructional leaders in educational settings (e.g. urban schools, developmental reading programs, community organizations, and related educational institutions).
Curriculum
The curriculum is broken into a number of parts. There are 9 hours in the core (i.e. Issues in Urban Education, Foundations of Education, and Learning & Development), 9 hours of leadership courses, 9 hours of research courses, 12 hours in the specialization, 6 hours in hands-on Laboratory of Practice activities, and 6 hours for the doctoral thesis.
It’s worth noting that UH takes an unusual “flipped” approach to coursework—you watch lectures outside of class and complete work & discuss concepts during class.
Admissions
To apply, you must have a master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA on all graduate coursework. Applicants are also expected to submit a statement of interest, a résumé or Curriculum Vitae, a writing sample, three letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores may be required for international candidates.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
UH’s program is a practical, “get your hand in” degree for educators who like being engaged in day-to-day instruction. It’s highly affordable for Texas residents (especially with only 51 credits), but out-of-state residents have to pay a great deal more.
15 University of Kentucky
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: No
Credits: ~46
Length: 4 years
On-Campus Components: 100% online; optional Summer Doc Week
Looking for an executive online Ed.D. that’s been designed for K-12 leaders (e.g. principals, administrative deans, instructional coaches, district leaders, etc.)? UK may be right up your alley. The College of Education has come up with a cohort-based, 100% online doctorate that’s strong on field-based activities and community-building.
Curriculum
The curriculum is composed of 42 credits of coursework plus at least 4 credit hours for the dissertation. You’ll be expected to tackle 21 hours of a leadership core (e.g. Leading Organizational Change, Leadership for School Family Community Engagement, etc.), 12 hours of a research method core, and 9 hours of electives. The annual Summer Doc Week in July is optional, but it will provide you with a chance to build professional relationships and take part in social activities.
Admissions
Candidates for this online Ed.D. must have a master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a 3.5 GPA. In addition, if you haven’t taken a graduate-level basic statistics course, you’ll need to make up those credits. You’ll also be expected to submit a professional résumé, personal statement, academic writing examples, two letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. If your native language is not English, a TOEFL or IELTS score may be required.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
K-12 educational leaders with busy schedules will be pleased to hear that the per credit tuition rate for this online Ed.D. is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. When you multiply that number by 46 credits, you’ll come up with a highly affordable cost. However, the program may be best suited to U.S. students—online classes in the workweek can start at 5:30 p.m. EST and Saturday classes at 9 a.m. EST.
For More Information:
14 University of South Carolina-Columbia
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: Yes
Credits: 60
Length: 3 years
On-Campus Components: Initial orientation for Educational Technology students
USC’s College of Education is an active member of the CPED initiative and an institution that garners positive graduate reviews (especially for faculty). So we’re happy to report that its affordable online doctorate comes in two hands-on concentrations—Educational Technology and Curriculum Studies. Either option will be relevant to PK-20 jobs (e.g. university positions, district-level administration, and school-level instructional positions).
Curriculum
Both online Ed.D. concentrations include 12 credits in curriculum & instruction (e.g. Applications of Learning Principles, Instructional Design & Assessment, etc.), 15 credits for the concentration courses, 12 credits in research, and 12 credit hours for the dissertation in practice. The difference lies in the remaining 9 credits:
- The Online Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction – Curriculum Studies has a separate professional development concentration that’s designed to support an exploration of classroom practice and school policy (e.g. Diversity Training for Staff Development, Organizational Change in Education, etc.).
- The Online Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction – Educational Technology has cognate courses that are relevant to technology applications (e.g. Design and Development Tools, Design and Evaluation of Games & Simulations, etc.).
Admissions
Candidates for either concentration must have a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. USC also wants to see two letters of recommendation, a letter of intent, a personal statement, a résumé or Curriculum Vitae, scholarly writing samples, and recent GRE or MAT scores. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
USC Online is a particularly good choice for South Carolina educators—SC certified teachers receive a hefty discount on tuition. But even the standard tuition rate is affordable for in-state and out-of-state residents. However, neither of these online Ed.D. programs are designed to lead to teacher or administrator certification.
13 Fordham University
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: Yes
Credits: 50
Length: 3 years
On-Campus Components: Two immersions
Fordham has come up with a part-time online doctorate for K-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.
Curriculum
For this online Ed.D., you’ll be able to tackle coursework and research in multiple realms of leadership (e.g. Leading Instructional Improvement, Economics and Finance of Education, Urban Education, etc.). Courses such as Leading a Learning Organization include team-based practicums/in-depth studies. The program finishes with a solutions-oriented dissertation of practice that addresses a challenge in your school or district.
Admissions
Fordham wants to see candidates who hold a master’s degree with a 3.5 GPA at the graduate level. (Master’s credits should include fundamental and intermediate courses equivalent to those required by the division.) You must also have at least three years of appropriate leadership experience in a PK–12 educational institution.
All applicants must supply a résumé, statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation and standardized test scores (e.g. MAT, GRE, or any graduate equivalency exam). International applicants without proof of English proficiency will need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
This hands-on program is aimed at folks who are interested K-12 educational leadership careers, including assistant superintendent and superintendent positions. Expect to be engaged—in addition to practicums, there are weekly live online classes and in-person immersions. Fordham is a private school, so per credit tuition prices are correspondingly high. And online Ed.D. students are not eligible for GSE-based scholarships.
For More Information:
12 Arizona State University
CAEP Accreditation: No
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: Yes
Credits: 90 (30 credits for the master’s degree + 60 doctoral credits)
Length: 3 years
On-Campus Components: 100% online
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. Ed.D. students can choose from three different concentrations and participate in Leader-Scholar Communities (LSCs). The Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College often achieves a top 20 national ranking. And the Ed.D. won the CPED Program of the Year Award in 2018.
Curriculum
The curriculum consists of a professional core (e.g. Innovation in Teaching and Learning, Systems Change and Leadership, Collaborative Approaches to Data-Informed Decision Making, etc.), a research core, advanced professional studies (e.g. Doctoral Methods Practicum), 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, non-profit educational support services, etc.).
Admissions
Applicants must have a bachelor’s and master’s degree—in any field—from a regionally accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA on any graduate work. Plus you’ll be expected to hold an active professional position (e.g. classroom teacher, counselor, administrator, or other position) that allows you to implement change. You’ll also need to submit three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, an academic writing sample, a résumé/curriculum vitae, and proof of English proficiency. GRE scores are not required.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
ASU’s online Ed.D. may be an attractive choice for working professionals who want an efficient degree schedule—courses are only 7.5. weeks long—and solid support. Graduate alumni tend to praise the program’s flexibility and helpful professors and LSCs foster collaboration. Plus per credit tuition rates are the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
For More Information:
11 University of Florida
- Online Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction – Teachers, Schools, and Society (TSS)
- Online Ed.D. in Educational Technology
- Online Ed.D. in Special Education
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: Yes
Credits: 54-60
Length: 3-4 years
On-Campus Components: Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Technology have summer sessions; Special Education requires visits for exams and dissertation defense
UF’s highly ranked College of Education is a big school for big thinkers. Thanks to funding sources, it’s involved in all kinds of research initiatives and outreach programs. It has also embraced distance learning with a passion. In addition to the affordable online doctorates listed above, UF offers a Blended Leadership in Educational Administration Doctorate (LEAD) and Hybrid Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration.
Curriculum
Curriculum & Instruction
Half of the 60-credit Online Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction is devoted to required courses (e.g. Teacher Leadership, Critical Pedagogy, Issues in School Reform, Teaching Learning and Socialization in Poverty Schools). The remainder of the curriculum is made up of research courses and the dissertation.
Educational Technology
The curriculum for the 54-credit Online Ed.D. in Educational Technology has a solid amount of coursework in the major (e.g. Issues and Trends in Educational Technology Research, Instructional Design, Implementation and Evaluation of Educational Technology Initiatives, etc.), including 6 credits of a Practicum in Educational Media. Plus research courses and a dissertation.
Special Education
The 60-credit Online Ed.D. in Special Education is split into core courses/doctoral seminars (e.g. Introduction to Field of Inquiry in Special Education, Analysis of Literature, Grant Writing, etc.), research requirements, and an area of specialization (e.g. dyslexia, autism, disability in society, etc.).
Admissions
- Candidates in Curriculum & Instruction are expected to have a master’s or specialist degree in education with a 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate & graduate coursework. You’ll also need to be in a current role as a full-time practicing educator and have a minimum of 3 years of practical experience in the field of education. Application materials should include the GRE General Test score (no written portion is required), three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and an essay.
- Candidates in Educational Technology must have a master’s degree. You’ll also be expected to submit a recent GRE score, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a writing sample. Applicants do not need to have a background in educational technology or education, but it will help.
- Candidates in Special Education should have a master’s degree. You will also need to provide a GRE score, a statement of professional goals, a résumé, a sample of academic writing, and three recommendation letters.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
The range of UF’s online Ed.D. programs means there are choices for everyone here. The College of Education receives glowing reviews from graduate students in Curriculum & Instruction and Special Education and all of its degrees have a work-focused feel. Tuition is reasonable for out-of-state students, and even lower for Florida residents. Having said all that, the summer sessions and/or campus visits are mandatory, so international students may want to consider other options.
For More Information:
- Curriculum & Instruction Admissions
- Educational Technology Admissions
- Special Education Admissions
- Curriculum & Instruction Curriculum
- Educational Technology Curriculum
- Special Education Curriculum
- Curriculum & Instruction FAQs
- Educational Technology FAQs
- Special Education FAQs
- Online Tuition
- College of Education
10 Texas A&M University-College Station
CAEP Accreditation: No
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: Yes
Credits: 64
Length: 4 years
On-Campus Components: 3 campus orientations
There’s a lot to be said for this online doctorate for teachers and administrators in K–12 settings. It’s cohort-based. It has a practical flavor—internships and a work-based research project are mandatory parts of the curriculum. And College Station is TAMU’s flagship campus, which means it has a well-endowed Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture (TLAC). Check out the research work being done on urban schools.
Curriculum
The first two years cover major topics in curriculum and instruction, as well as research methods and educational leadership (e.g. Professional Development Strategies for Teachers, 21st Century Integration of Theory in Educational Settings. etc.). These years also include Professional Internships (e.g. Shadowing and Interviewing Leaders). The final two years are primarily concerned with seminars and your Record of Study (ROS)—a practical, problem-based research project.
Admissions
Candidates must have a master’s degree and a minimum of five years of successful teaching experience, preferably in PK-12 schools. You’ll also be required to supply three professional references, writing samples, and GRE scores.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
As the title and admissions requirements suggest, this online Ed.D. is a good fit for mid-career educators who aspire to hands-on leadership roles. Graduates end up at the helm of school-based programs, assessing school curricula, designing protocols & program evaluations, conducting lesson analyses, and the like. Per credit tuition is not cheap, but it’s significantly lower for Texas residents. Out-of-state residents may end up paying private school prices.
9 Florida State University
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: Yes
Credits: 69
Length: 3 years
On-Campus Components: 3-day seminars each summer
FSU is a massive public school with a big College of Education, substantial financial resources, and a Carnegie designation as a Research University with Very High Research. That gives it street cred. It’s also chosen to take part in the CPED initiative, which may account for the Scholarly Engagement requirement in the curriculum. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to buff up your résumé!
Curriculum
FSU’s online Ed.D. follows a standard pattern for a three-year doctorate:
- The first year is all foundational courses, including credits in research methods and leadership (e.g. Educational Administration and Organizational Practice, Program Evaluation, etc.).
- The second year involves credits in research tools & policy, with courses in Policy Studies, Policy to Practice, etc.
- The third year is primarily devoted to original research (i.e. your dissertation).
But we applaud the fact that FSU goes one step further by including a Scholarly Engagement requirement. That means even online students are expected to complete a number of benchmark activities (e.g. attending conferences, participating in seminars/workshops, watching research roundtable presentations, presenting at a conference or submitting an article, etc.).
Admissions
Applicants should have a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.5 GPA or a comparable degree from an international institution with a 3.0 GPA. You’ll also need to submit a statement of purpose, a research statement, three letters of recommendation, and a résumé. GRE scores are usually required, but can be waived under certain circumstances— see the Admissions section for details. International applicants will also need to submit language proficiency test scores.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
This is a good pick for mid-level professionals in Florida who have some experience under their belt—graduates of this online Ed.D. program tend to become senior-level educational leaders, policymakers, and policy researchers. We mention the state because Florida residents get a good deal on tuition rates and access to a number of FSU scholarships. Out-of-state tuition rates are much higher and comparable to private schools.
For More Information:
8 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
CAEP Accreditation: No
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: No
Credits: 64
Length: 3 years
On-Campus Components: 100% online
With four different concentrations, UIUC’s Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership (EPOL) has a little something for everyone who’s interested in policy and practice—particularly folks in PK-12 and postsecondary settings who want to broaden their horizons. The online Ed.D. contains weekly synchronous sessions where students and faculty can exchange ideas and network. It’s also 100% online, which may make it an attractive option for international students.
Curriculum
All concentrations in this online doctorate contain a core of required courses, coursework in research methods, 5-8 electives, qualifying exams (a.k.a. research seminars), and a dissertation.
- Courses for the Diversity & Equity in Education (DE) concentration cover topics such as Historical & Social Barriers, Equity Issues in Special Education, and Race, Gender & Sexuality Issues.
- Courses for the Global Studies in Education (GSE) concentration cover topics such as Education and Human Rights, Global Youth & Citizenship, Education and Globalization, etc.
- Courses for the Human Resource Development (HRD) concentration cover topics such as Adult & Professional Education, Principles of HRE, Learning Technologies, Organization Development, and so on.
- Courses for the Learning Design & Leadership (LDL) concentration cover topics such as New Learning, Assessment, e-Learning Ecologies, and the like.
Admissions
Doctoral candidates are expected to have a master’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 3.0. You’ll also need to supply a personal statement, résumé, and three letters of reference. A scholarly writing sample is strongly recommended. Global candidates should read the International Applicant Criteria.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
One of the biggest selling factors for UIUC 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 concentrations. Options such as Global Studies aren’t that common at other universities.
For More Information:
7 University of Virginia-Main Campus
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: No
Credits: 72 (Up to 24 credits of a master’s degree + 48 doctoral credits)
Length: 3 years (full-time); 4-7 years (part-time)
On-Campus Components: 100% online
UVA’s Curry School of Education impresses us for a number of reasons. It often earns a top 20 national ranking. Its online doctorate places a huge emphasis on personalized coursework, mentorship, and applied learning. It has a special M.Ed./Ed.D. partnership with Melbourne University. And it allows students to study part-time or full-time.
Curriculum
All students in the online Ed.D. are required to tackle 18 credit hours of core coursework (e.g. Teachers as Leaders, K-12 Assessment, etc.), a minimum of 18 credits in research methods, 12 credits in a supporting area of emphasis (e.g. Instructional Technology, Gifted, ESL, Literacy, etc.), 6 credits of electives, and exams.
We’re especially pleased to report that the program includes 6 credits in a field internship (200 clock hours) and a final Capstone Project. You’ll have a chance to make an impact on your workplace practices, programs, and/or policies.
Admissions
Candidates are expected to have a master’s degree from an accredited institution and at least four years full-time teaching experience or equivalent professional experience. You’ll also need to submit two letters of recommendation, a goal statement, and GRE scores.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
UVA’s online Ed.D. is designed to prepare future curriculum specialists, faculty members, educational consultants, or policy developers in areas related to curriculum and the education of professionals. Thankfully, the per credit tuition rate at this public university is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. However, departmental funding is only available to full-time, on-campus students.
6 University of Georgia
CAEP Accreditation: No
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: No
Credits: 60
Length: 3 years
On-Campus Components: One-week intensives; face-to-face meetings
Devoted to student affairs? Adore the postsecondary world? UGA’s well-regarded College of Education has come up with a part-time, cohort-based program that explores every aspect of a leader’s job. If you enjoy collaboration and networking, and don’t mind the occasional commute, this option could be perfect for your needs.
Curriculum
The curriculum is meticulously structured. The first two years will include courses on topics such as The College Student, Legal Issues, Environmental & Facilities Management, Administrative Practices, and more. The last year is devoted to dissertation work and 6 credits of supervised internships. These internships are designed to allow you to work on special projects at your own place of work or a new site (e.g. university).
Weekly classes are delivered online, but it’s important to note that there’s an annual one-week intensive program on the Athens campus and several face-to-face meetings each semester in Griffin.
Admissions
Applicants are expected to be employed in the field of student affairs or have experience with student services-related roles. This includes two years of full-time work experience in student affairs and a post-master’s degree. Your application will need to include a statement of purpose, a résumé, three letters of recommendation, and GRE scores.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
UGA’s online doctorate was made for student affairs professionals—especially folks at rural institutions or smaller universities who aspire to higher positions (e.g. Dean of Students, Chief Student Affairs Officer, etc.). It’s a smart option for Georgia residents, who pay less in tuition than out-of-state students, and employees in the University System of Georgia, who can take advantage of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
5 Indiana University-Bloomington
- Online Ed.D. in Instructional Systems Technology
- Online Ed.D. in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: Yes
Credits: 60
Length: 3 years
On-Campus Components: Mandatory conference attendance
Specialization is the name of the game for IUB’s School of Education (SOE). These affordable online doctoral programs in education play to the strengths of individual departments. Overall, IUB has a solid reputation in teacher education, with excellent employment outcomes. Feel free to read the results of its Graduate Survey for alumni opinions.
Curriculum
Instructional Systems Technology
The customizable Online Ed.D. in Instructional Systems Technology is composed of major requirements (doctoral research credits + IST electives), inquiry requirements (e.g. Intermediate Statistics), foundation requirements (e.g. Learning and Cognition in Education), minor requirements, and a dissertation. With 24 credits of electives and 9-12 credits in the minor, you’ll have a lot of freedom to shape the curriculum. Students must attend at least one IST Colloquium/Conference on the Bloomington campus.
Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
The curriculum for the Online Ed.D. in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education is a little more structured. The major requirements encompass core courses (including an internship) and a number of mandatory inquiry courses (e.g. Strategies for Educational Inquiry). The remainder of the program includes 6 credits of electives, 8 credits in the minor, and a dissertation. Students must take part in at least one conference led by the Department of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education.
Admissions
Candidates for both Online Ed.D. programs at IUB should have a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75. You’ll also be expected to submit a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. In addition, international students must provide a résumé and TOEFL score.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
The name of each program says a lot about your prospective journey. If you’re hyper-focused on a specialist career (e.g. instructional designer, e-learning developer, curriculum developer, literacy expert, etc.), then you’ll have a lot to work with here.
IUB is our highest ranked public university and the most affordable—by far—in our top 5. In-state and out-of-state residents pay different tuition rates, but even the out-of-state costs are fairly reasonable. Plus fellowships & travel awards may be available—see each program page for details.
For More Information:
- Instructional Systems Admissions
- Literacy, Culture, and Language Education Admissions
- Instructional Systems Curriculum
- Literacy, Culture, and Language Education Curriculum
- Online Tuition
- School of Education
- Department of Instructional Systems Technology
- Department of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education
4 University of Southern California
- Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings
- Online Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: No
Credits: 43-60
Length: 3-4 years
On-Campus Components: Immersion weekends
One of USC’s key strengths is urban education. Equity, diversity, ethics, and organizational change are watchwords in the USC Rossier School of Education. USC Rossier also happens to have a great national ranking, plenty of research centers that focus on urban issues, and a reputation for being helpful—graduate student reviews often mention the excellent support networks.
Curriculum
Educational Leadership
The 43-credit Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings contains a core of up-to-date courses in topical areas (e.g. Urban Education, Leadership, Diversity & Equity), mandatory work in Research Methods, and a Dissertation in Practice (i.e. action-oriented research). For the concentration, you’ll be able to take credits in areas such as Policy, Instructional Improvement, and Leadership for Principals or Superintendents.
Organizational Change and Leadership
The Online Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership comes in two options—a 43 unit curriculum for folks who already hold a master’s degree and a 60 unit curriculum for candidates who have substantial work & leadership experience, but no master’s.
- In the first instance, you would take coursework in areas such as Leadership, Creativity & Innovation, Organizational Changes, and the like.
- In the second instance, you would have to add 500-level courses (e.g. Learning and Motivation, Human Lifespan Development, etc.).
Both programs end with a Capstone, which includes a Dissertation in Practice.
Admissions
- Candidates for the Educational Leadership option must have a master’s degree, leadership experience, and a minimum of three years of full-time work experience that’s relevant to their concentration. You’ll need to submit a résumé, a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, video responses, and a writing assessment. GRE or GMAT scores are optional.
- Candidates for the Organizational Change and Leadership option are expected to have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (at minimum), a 3.0 GPA, and a record of leadership experience. You’ll also need to submit evidence of your writing ability (i.e. EdD Writing Assessment, GRE, or GMAT), a statement of purpose, three personal essays, a résumé, and letters of recommendation.
In addition, international students whose native language is not English may have to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
To determine if USC is the right choice, first select the appropriate program:
- The Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is a strong pick for urban PreK-12 educational leaders, teachers, and school administrators.
- The Online Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership is geared toward candidates in leadership positions throughout the world (e.g. colleges and universities, private firms, non-profits, and government organizations).
Be aware that tuition is extremely hefty for both online doctorates. To offset costs, USC Rossier offers a number of modest doctoral-level scholarships. See the tuition links (listed below) for more detailed info.
For More Information:
- Organizational Change and Leadership Admissions
- Educational Leadership Admissions
- Organizational Change and Leadership 43 Unit Curriculum
- Organizational Change and Leadership 60 Unit Curriculum
- Educational Leadership Curriculum
- Organizational Change and Leadership Online Tuition & Financial Aid
- Educational Leadership Online Tuition & Scholarships
- USC Rossier School of Education
3 New York University
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: No
Credits: 42
Length: 2 years
On-Campus Components: 2 week-long residencies
NYU’s high octane doctorate in education comes from Steinhardt, a school with a superb ranking, an active Department of Administration, Leadership, and Technology (see their research projects), and diverse faculty. It’s also a qualification that’s designed to cover a wide range of sectors. If you have a fair amount of experience under your belt, this cohort-based “Executive” program is worth a look.
Curriculum
There are 17 required courses in this online program, including credits in research. Sample course topics include Organizational Theory, Education Policy, Change and Innovation, Management and Data Ethics, and so on. The immersive residencies are mandatory. The first takes place in the initial week of the program; the second occurs in the last week, when students present their culminating projects.
We particularly like the fact that this degree includes 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.
Admissions
NYU wants to see candidates who have 7-10 years of work experience and a master’s degree in education, education administration, leadership, or a related field (3.0 GPA or higher). You’ll also be required to submit 3 letters of recommendation, a résumé, and two essays. The GRE is not required. International applicants should check the FAQ section for advice.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
NYU’s online Ed.D. is deliberately geared toward mid-level professionals who are currently in leadership positions and aspire to bigger roles (e.g. director, president, CEO, etc.). It also comes with executive prices—per credit tuition rates are very high. You may have to think about loans or tuition reimbursement from work to afford it. However, NYU employees are eligible for tuition remission on this program.
For More Information:
2 Johns Hopkins University
- Online Ed.D. in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education
- Online Ed.D. in Mind, Brain & Teaching
- Online Ed.D. in Urban Leadership
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: Yes
Credits: 90 (36-42 graduate-level/master’s credits + 48-54 doctoral credits)
Length: 3 years
On-Campus Components: 100% online; 3-day summer residencies (strongly encouraged)
You may already know that JHU is a major research university with a top-ranked School of Education. But we give it extra praise for opening its arms to global students—the cohort-based online Ed.D. in three concentrations attracts a wide range of leaders in K-16 instruction and administrators from the education industry. Plus it’s possible to take any of these programs 100% online. Summer residencies will be videotaped for anyone who is unable to attend in person.
Curriculum
Each one of JHU’s online Ed.D. offerings has a core of 12 credits in Foundations of Education (e.g. Multiple Perspectives on Learning and Teaching) and 9 credits of Applied Research and Evaluation. But the remainder of your degree will be devoted to your area of specialization, electives, and the applied dissertation. In other words, it’s fairly customizable.
For the applied dissertation, you’ll be expected to tackle a problem of practice that has emerged from your work (e.g. intervention or policy change). That means you may be asking your workplace for research resources, access to target audiences, and non-proprietary data and records. The result should—hopefully—impress your employers.
Admissions
JHU states upfront that this is a competitive and limited admissions doctoral program. It wants to see candidates with a master’s degree (minimum of 36 credits) and a 3.0 GPA. However, students who do not have the required 36 master’s credits may be admitted on a conditional basis. Other prerequisites include letters of recommendation, a résumé, and an essay. JHU also strongly encourages applicants to submit GRE exam scores. International students will have additional requirements.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
JHU’s online Ed.D. is a “deep-dive” program that’s suited to folks who want to get stuck into a particular area of interest. For example, the Mind, Brain & Teaching concentration includes training in neurobiology and cognitive development. Urban Leadership has a course in Partnerships and Community Organizing.
Like Vanderbilt, the program comes with private school tuition prices. The good news is you can offset the cost with merit-based Ed.D. scholarships (international students are eligible) and School of Education awards. Payment plans are available. See FAQs for further info.
For More Information:
1 Vanderbilt University
CAEP Accreditation: Yes
Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Member: No
Credits: 84 credits (30 credits of a master’s degree + 54 doctoral credits)
Length: 3-4 years
On-Campus Components: 3 convenings
Vanderbilt’s reputation speaks for itself. The university is internationally renowned and receives outstanding reviews from graduate students. The Peabody College of Education and Human Development is often in the top 10 of education school rankings. And the practice-based distance learning Ed.D. includes live online classes each week (think face-to-face interactions and networking) and a capstone project in lieu of a dissertation.
Curriculum
Vanderbilt splits the Ed.D. program into five parts. The bulk of the coursework covers:
- Leadership & Organizational Development (e.g. Leading Diverse Organizations, Public Policy & Administration, Human Capital & Talent Management, etc.)
- Learning and Design (e.g. Psychological Perspectives on Learning)
- Data and Analytics (e.g. Applied Statistics, Data Science, etc.)
The rest of your time will be devoted to three on-campus convenings (e.g. qualitative research) 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 the intervention, but you will be expected to develop a research-based plan and evaluation strategy.
Admissions
Candidates should have a master’s degree or 30 credit hours of graduate-level study from an accredited institution (3.0 GPA or higher). Vanderbilt also wants to see evidence of successful leadership experience, proof of verbal and quantitative abilities (e.g. GRE, GMAT, or other indicators of verbal and quantitative skill), and a statement of purpose. A TOEFL or IELTS score (or demonstration of competence) is required for non-English speakers.
Is This Online Program Right for You?
Make no mistake, Vanderbilt is a rigorous program with a fair amount of high-level leadership training. You’ll notice that the live components and convenings are deliberately intended to foster engagement and in-depth research. Be aware that this online doctorate is also pricey—sometimes three times the amount of per credit tuition prices at public universities.
What to Expect from an Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Program
In some ways online programs tend to be identical to their on-campus counterparts, and in other ways they tend to be completely different.
In 1999, an emeritus University of North Carolina professor named Thomas L. Russell published a book, The No Significant Difference Phenomenon, summarizing 355 academic studies (dating back to 1928) that collectively found “no significant difference” in the effectiveness of courses taken by distance learning versus otherwise identical courses taken on campus.
But no significant difference in effectiveness does not mean no significant difference in student experience or methodology. There are many differences, ranging in importance from minor to profound, between online programs and on-campus programs. We’ll go over a few of them here.
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 to earn, this means every Ed.D. program involves at least 2,565 hours of active, focused study. If you could somehow complete all of this work at an uninterrupted steady pace without eating, sleeping, or even resting to digest the material, beginning on January 1st, it would still take you until April 18th to make it to the end. That’s a lot of material to cover, and there are no shortcuts.
So whether you study just as fast as most people or more slowly, there’s no getting around the fact that an Ed.D. program is a massive undertaking. In many ways, you should be a different person when you complete the program than you were when you began it. This is no less true of regionally accredited online programs than it is of on-campus programs.
You are unlikely to find very many online Ed.D. programs that can be completed in less than three years, and you are unlikely to find any that can be completed in less than two. Duquesne University’s online Ed.D. in Instructional Technology, one of the fastest options available, takes at least two and a half years to complete. Taking into account administrative delays, grading, course availability, dissertation or capstone project revision, and other factors, you should generally plan to spend about three years on an online Ed.D. degree if you pursue it full-time. If you’re determined to earn an Ed.D. quickly then 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 more common. 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, and programs identified as “Accelerated” (see below) are often designed with this purpose in mind, but for part-time study a four- or five-year timetable is more realistic. That said, it’s important for even part-time students to stay proactive; according to a 2007 article from The New York Times, an average Ph.D. student in education takes 13 years to complete their doctorate. That’s not because the degree is designed for 13 years of part-time study; it’s because students get stuck, typically at the dissertation phase. If you can avoid this fate by staying in touch with faculty, minding the timetable, and staying proactive, completing a part-time online Ed.D. in four or five years should be manageable.
Types of Online Ed.D. Programs
From time to time, you will see an online Ed.D. program described as “accelerated” or “executive.” These terms refer to characteristics like program length and type of student, so it’s useful to know what they mean.
Online Accelerated Ed.D. Programs
An accelerated online Ed.D. is usually a program that’s structured to be completed in three years or less. For example, Lamar University’s online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, which can be completed in eight semesters (i.e., two and a half years), is advertised as an accelerated program.
In other words, an accelerated Ed.D. is simply an Ed.D. that advertises primarily as a full-time program. The only meaningful difference between an accelerated online Ed.D. and an ordinary full-time online Ed.D. is that the accelerated program isn’t really advertising for part-time students, 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.
If an online program advertises itself as “accelerated” in a way that would let you complete it in less than two years, that’s usually an indication that the program is unaccredited.
Online Executive Ed.D. Programs
Until recently, it was very hard for working professional 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 or promotions to professionals who had earned those advanced degrees. In the 1980s, colleges and universities responded to this challenge by creating part-time executive degree programs that could be completed entirely on evenings and weekends. Contrary to the name, these programs were seldom limited to executives; full-time homemakers, for example, also benefited from the less traditional schedule.
In time, executive programs became so popular and successful that nearly all graduate programs are what we used to call executive degrees. Colleges and universities have done a better job of accommodating working adults who want to go back to college but can’t commit to a full-time day schedule, and the concept of an executive degree now has multiple, sometimes contradictory meanings. If you’re interested in an executive degree program, be sure to contact the college or university to see what they mean by the term “executive,” and how this might be reflected in the program’s structure and admission requirements.
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 to honor while they complete their degree — but thanks in part to the success of early executive degree programs, this is an assumption that you can now safely make about most graduate degree programs, whether they are specifically identified as executive degree programs or not.
Online Program Delivery Formats
In the early days of distance learning, you could earn credit any number of ways: by mail (correspondence), by videoconferencing, by audio or video cassette, by proctored examination, and so on. Online instruction has essentially replaced all of these technologies.
What Does “100% Online” Mean?
Most regionally accredited Ed.D. programs require some on-campus residency, but a small number don’t. These include Boise State’s online Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and Northcentral University’s wide range of Ed.D. programs. For purposes of simplicity, these are often referred to as 100% online programs because the classes take place online, but in practice there are no 100% online programs. For example:
- Most Ed.D. programs require students to hold relevant professional experience, which must generally be obtained in person.
- Class assignments sometimes call on students to try something out in a professional setting, not over the Internet.
- It’s not uncommon for proctored examinations, which the student must take under supervision at a faculty-approved site, to be required.
- Although Boise State and NCU do not include an explicit field work, internship, or practicum requirement, most Ed.D. programs do, and these are always conducted face-to-face at a site near the student.
- Dissertation research can seldom be completed entirely online; gathering data usually requires multiple library trips at minimum, and may require students to conduct experimental research onsite somewhere.
Think of “100% online” as a reference to how the classes themselves are conducted, not to the overall learning experience. Even if you never have to visit the campus of the university you’re earning your Ed.D. from, the process is likely to affect every area of your life, online and off.
What Kind of Software Will I Need?
In most cases, an up-to-date web browser and email client will be enough. Universities use a wide range of software packages to host classes (Blackboard, Canvas, and Moodle being the three most popular), but students generally log in by creating accounts through a web form as if they’re using Facebook or another social media site.
Can I Take Classes Whenever I Want?
Maybe. Online classes are taught in one of two ways: they’re either synchronous (where a group of students participate in a class online at the same scheduled time, in a chatroom or other real-time environment), or asynchronous (where students can participate whenever they like, within reason). It’s not unusual for programs to offer a mix of synchronous and asynchronous classes, but if you want to study when you want as well as where you want, make sure to pursue an online Ed.D. program courses are taught asynchronously (or at least where the classes are archived, and synchronous “attendance” is not mandatory).
Hybrid Ed.D. Programs
The vast majority of online Ed.D. programs are actually low-residency hybrid programs, where the bulk of the classroom study is conducted online but students are still required to meet up in person a few times over the course of the program to take a few traditional seminars together. Examples of this type of program include Vanderbilt University’s Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations, Columbia University’s Ed.D. in Nursing Education, and Florida State’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration.
Incidentally, most traditional degree programs offered by accredited U.S. universities are technically high-residency hybrid programs, not 100% on-campus programs, as it is now extremely rare to find a school that does not allow students to take at least some of their coursework online.
Online Ed.D. Dissertations vs. Capstones
Ever since Harvard began offering the first American Ed.D. program in 1921 (a program that it has recently discontinued), it has faced an existential problem that other specialized professional degrees, such as the Psy.D. and Doctor of Business Administration, often face: Is the degree intended to be an easier, less prestigious alternative to the Ph.D., or an equally rigorous practice-focused doctorate along the lines of an M.D.?
Central to this question is the role of the dissertation. Traditionally, master’s degrees and Ph.D. programs prepare students to become researchers in their chosen field. For this reason, master’s degrees typically require a relatively short (and usually derivative) research project called a thesis, where Ph.D. programs typically require a book-length research project, called a 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 later turn the dissertation into a publishable volume and 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 submit a “dissertation of practice,” portfolio, creative project, or other non-dissertation “capstone project” that does not necessarily require the same level of research. These projects are not necessarily intended to be easier than dissertations, but they’re usually intended to be more relevant to the work the student is likely to do in the field, and the requirements surrounding them are more flexible. Because most of the challenge associated with dissertations comes from the difficult and sometimes capricious process of navigating both student goals and the aspirations of the faculty supervisor, the perception that non-dissertation capstone projects are generally easier to complete has some basis in fact.
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. But 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
Conventional wisdom might suggest that the way you handle field work and internships in online Ed.D. programs is by conducting the field work or internship itself online, but that’s not the case. You typically satisfy these requirements face-to-face at a local site, just like you would in a traditional program. The difference is that the local site is typically local to the student, and can be hundreds, or even thousands, of miles away from campus.
Field work and internship requirements can vary a great deal from program to program. Some programs, such as Abilene Christian University’s online Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership, don’t require it at all, at least not in a traditional sense (small amounts of field work are often integrated into normal Ed.D.-level courses in the form of specific assignments). When field work or an internship is required it’s usually classified as a course of its own, as is the case with respect to ELPA 6581 (Internship in Educational Leadership) offered within East Tennessee State University’s online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, wherein the student conducts “fieldwork under the direction of a practicing organizational leader” while “[t]he supervising faculty member from the department serves as a liaison between the university and professionals at the placement site.” The internship only lasts a single semester, and it’s important to note that students can opt out of ELPA 6581 (and take on additional coursework instead) with faculty approval.
In rare cases, an Ed.D. program will integrate specific field work requirements into every course. Molloy College’s low-residency Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities requires at least 5 hours of specialized field work in each course, which works out to 75 hours spread out over the duration of the five- to six-year program.
How to Choose an Online Ed.D. Program
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to decide just which Ed.D. program is the best fit for you. Here are a few factors that might help you narrow down your choices.
Institutional Prestige
Every program in our database is offered by a regionally accredited college or university. This means there aren’t any diploma mills among them, and that they meet certain measurable baselines that are associated with high-quality institutions. If all you want is a legitimate Ed.D., and you’re not particular about where you get it, you can stop reading here.
But if you’re looking for prestige, things get trickier. I could refer you to school rankings, such as the one released annually by U.S. News and World Report, but they fluctuate wildly from year to year (making them a poor indicator of how prestigious your future alma mater is likely to be when you graduate) and have long been criticized as arbitrary, marketing-driven, hastily researched, and largely oblivious to actual program quality. A better guarantee of a program’s quality is the presence of CAEP accreditation (see below), but high quality does not guarantee high prestige, and online programs are (for reasons not directly related to quality) less likely to obtain CAEP accreditation than on-campus programs. If you are determined to use school rankings then start with our guide to the best online Ed.D. programs. The list is thoroughly researched, fact-checked, and free of advertiser influence.
That said, there are certainly practical benefits to avoiding the least prestigious online programs. Generally speaking, an online Ed.D. is more likely to be sniffed at if it:
- Was awarded by a for-profit school, rather than a private nonprofit 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 at the moment, and are likely to remain so for a long time, so it’s probably best to avoid them if you’re concerned about institutional prestige. If you do reference rankings
Program Focus and Career Goals
Although it’s tempting to think of an online Ed.D. as a degree in education with specialization tracks, the truth is that the major matters a great deal. Sign up for Drexel University’s 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 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.
But when you choose a program based on a career track, try to sneak as many of your own academic interests into the major as you can. If you’re interested in working as an educational administrator but much more interested in studying educational psychology, for example, don’t just get an Ed.D. in either field; try to cover both, like choosing the school psychology specialization within the College of William and Mary’s online Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership or the organizational psychology track within Aspen University’s Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning. 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 to help with the student load, and a certain amount of that is to be expected, but at the doctoral level you need to be able to access the same core department faculty as on-campus students. This becomes especially important at the dissertation phase, which is far too late to back out – so 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.
Costs
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 $6,000 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?
All of the least expensive regionally accredited online Ed.D. programs are offered by traditional public universities, and some of these programs are inexpensive enough that taking out student loans may not even be necessary. Boise State’s online Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, which requires no on-campus residency of any kind, costs less than $7,000 no matter where you live in the United States. This is in part because Boise State considers all online U.S. students eligible for in-state tuition.
But most other public universities charge out-of-state students significantly more than they charge in-state students, and in some cases out-of-state tuition can approach or even exceed the cost of private tuition. 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 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, and in light of what is increasingly being called the “bubble” of unrecoverable student loan debt Congress has been working on student loan reform packages for years that could change the landscape to make student loans harder to get, easier to repay, or both.
Alternative Funding Sources
Beyond paying tuition outright or getting a student loan, there are other ways to partially cover Ed.D. program costs.
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.
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 students. It’s a good idea to check with your specific institution to make sure, though, as case-by-case arrangements can sometimes be made.
Final Considerations
Before you look for an Ed.D. program, there are still a few more things to consider.
Online Ed.D. Accreditation
Every college and university in our database holds regional accreditation, the gold standard form of general, institutional U.S. accreditation. This is true whether they offer online programs or not.
If you look around for Ed.D. programs on your own, you may run across some online Ed.D. programs that aren’t in our database that lack regional accreditation, but 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 programs in our database, and that’s why you shouldn’t include these programs in your search. If you’re pursuing a program located in the United States, accept no substitute for regional accreditation.
If you’re interested in pursuing a program located outside of the United States, that’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.
If you want to go a step further than regional accreditation, consider limiting your search to online Ed.D. programs directly accredited by, or offered by departments that are accredited by, the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). (These programs 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.
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 program.
How Well Do You Work on Your Own?
Be brutally honest: how much management 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 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 program may be a better fit.
How Important is Campus Life to You?
Do you want to make new friends over the course of your Ed.D. program? While it’s not impossible that you’ll make some long-distance friendships while you’re doing an online Ed.D., there’s something to be said for building local 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 any more manageable.
All Online EdD Programs
145 Schools Found
Alabama
Samford University
Orlean Beeson School of Education
Birmingham, Alabama
The University of Alabama
Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
University of West Alabama
College of Education
Livingston, Alabama
Arizona
Arizona State University
Teacher's College
Tempe, Arizona
Grand Canyon University
College of Education
Phoenix, Arizona
Northcentral University
School of Education
Prescott Valley, Arizona
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Instructional Design
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Teaching
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in English Second Language
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in General Education
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in International Education
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in Learning Analytics K-12
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in Nursing Education
Offered Online
Online Doctorate of Education in Special Education
Offered Online
University of Phoenix
School of Advanced Studies
Tempe, Arizona
Arkansas
University of Arkansas
College of Education and Health Professions
Fayetteville, Arkansas
California
Brandman University
School of Education
Irvine, California
National University
Sanford College of Education
La Jolla, California
Trident University International
College of Education
Cypress, California
University of Southern California
Rossier School of Education
Los Angeles, California
Colorado
Aspen University
School of Education
Denver, Colorado
Online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning - Healthcare Administration and Leadership
Offered Online
University of Northern Colorado
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Greeley, Colorado
Connecticut
Sacred Heart University
Isabelle Farrington College Of Education
Fairfield, Connecticut
Southern Connecticut State University
Department of Nursing
New Haven, Connecticut
University of Bridgeport
Department of Online Programs
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Western Connecticut State University
Nursing Department
Danbury, Connecticut
EdD in Nursing Education
Offered Online
Delaware
Wilmington University
College of Education
New Castle, Delaware
District of Columbia
American University
School of Education
Washington, District of Columbia
Florida
Florida State University
College of Education
Tallahassee, Florida
Nova Southeastern University
Fischler College of Education
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Southeastern University
College of Education
Lakeland, Florida
St. Thomas University
School of Leadership, Education & Communication
Miami Gardens, Florida
University of Florida
College of Education
Gainesville, Florida
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Technology
Offered Online
Georgia
Kennesaw State University
Bagwell College of Education
Kennesaw, Georgia
University of Georgia
Department of Counseling and Human Development Services
Athens, Georgia
University of North Georgia
College of Education
Dahlonega, Georgia
University of West Georgia
College of Education
Carrollton, Georgia
Valdosta State University
College of Education and Human Services
Valdosta, Georgia
Doctor of Education in Adult and Career Education
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - P-12 Disciplinary - Behavior Sciences
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - P-12 Disciplinary - Early Childhood Education
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - P-12 Disciplinary - Health and Physical Education
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - P-12 Disciplinary - Instructional Technology
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - P-12 Disciplinary - Middle Grades Education
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - P-12 Disciplinary - Music Education
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - P-12 Disciplinary - Political Science
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - P-12 Disciplinary - Secondary Education
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - P-12 Disciplinary - Social Science
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - P-12 Disciplinary - Special Education Adapted Curriculum
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - P-12 Disciplinary - Special Education General Curriculum
Offered Online
Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - P-12 Disciplinary - Trade and Industrial ED
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - Learning and Development - Certification in Online Teaching
Offered Online
Idaho
Boise State University
College of Education
Boise, Idaho
Idaho State University
College of Education
Pocatello, Idaho
Northwest Nazarene University
College of Education
Nampa, Idaho
University of Idaho
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Moscow, Idaho
Illinois
Bradley University
College of Education and Health Sciences
Peoria, Illinois
Concordia University-Chicago
College of Education
River Forest, Illinois
Governors State University
College of Education
University Park, Illinois
National Louis University
National College of Education
Chicago, Illinois
Olivet Nazarene University
School of Graduate and Continuing Studies
Bourbonnais, Illinois
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Department of Educational Psychology and Technology
Chicago, Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department of Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership
Champaign, Illinois
University of St Francis
College of Education
Joliet, Illinois
Indiana
Ball State University
Department of Educational Studies
Muncie, Indiana
Indiana University Bloomington
School of Education
Bloomington, Indiana
Iowa
Allen College
School of Health Sciences
Waterloo, Iowa
Iowa State University
School of Education
Ames, Iowa
Kansas
Baker University
School of Education
Baldwin City, Kansas
Kansas State University
College of Education
Manhattan, Kansas
Southwestern College
Professional Studies
Winfield, Kansas
Kentucky
Murray State University
Department of Educational Studies, Leadership, and Counseling
Murray, Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Department of Educational Leadership Studies
Lexington, Kentucky
University of the Cumberlands
Department of Education
Williamsburg, Kentucky
Louisiana
Grambling State University
College of Education
Grambling, Louisiana
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
School of Education
Natchitoches, Louisiana
University of Louisiana-Monroe
School of Education
Monroe, Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
Division of Education and Counseling
New Orleans, Louisiana
Maine
University of New England
Department of Education
Biddeford, Maine
Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
School of Education
Baltimore, Maryland
Morgan State University
School of Education
Baltimore, Maryland
Massachusetts
Northeastern University
College of Professional Studies
Boston, Massachusetts
Regis College
School of Arts and Sciences
Weston, Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
School of Education
Lowell, Massachusetts
Michigan
Andrews University
Department of Leadership
Berrien Springs, Michigan
Central Michigan University
School of Education
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Cornerstone University
Adult & Graduate Studies
Grand Rapids, Michigan
University of Michigan-Flint
School of Education and Human Services
Flint, Michigan
Doctor of Education
Offered Online
Minnesota
Bethel University
College of Education
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Capella University
School of Education
Minneapolis, Minnesota
EdD in Adult Education
Offered Online
Minnesota State University Moorhead
School of Teaching & Learning
Moorhead, Minnesota
Saint Cloud State University
College of Education
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Graduate School of Education
Winona, Minnesota
University of St. Thomas
College of Education, Leadership and Counseling
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Learning - Higher Education Administration
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Learning - Leadership in Student Affairs
Offered Online
Walden University
Riley College of Education & Leadership
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Online Doctor of Education - Early Childhood Education
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education - Educational Administration and Leadership (for Administrators)
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education - Educational Administration and Leadership (non-licensure)
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education - Educational Technology
Offered Online
Winona State University
College of Education
Winona, Minnesota
Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
Department of Educational Research and Administration
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
William Carey University
School of Education
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Missouri
A. T. Still University of Health Sciences
College of Graduate Health Studies
Kirksville, Missouri
Evangel University
Education Department
Springfield, Missouri
Maryville University
School of Education
Saint Louis, Missouri
Missouri Baptist University
College of Education
Saint Louis, Missouri
Nebraska
Bryan College of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
Lincoln, Nebraska
Clarkson College
Department of Educational Leadership
Omaha, Nebraska
College of Saint Mary
Department of Education
Omaha, Nebraska
Creighton University
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Omaha, Nebraska
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Healthcare Management Department
Omaha, Nebraska
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Department of Educational Administration
Lincoln, Nebraska
New Jersey
New Jersey City University
Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education
Jersey City, New Jersey
Rider University
College of Education and Human Services
Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Rowan University
Graduate School
Glassboro, New Jersey
Saint Elizabeth University
Graduate and Continuing Studies
Morristown, New Jersey
Saint Peter's University
Caulfield School of Education
Jersey City, New Jersey
New York
Columbia University in the City of New York
Department of Health & Behavior Studies
New York, New York
Fordham University
Graduate School of Education
Bronx, New York
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 - Expressive Arts, Inquiry Leadership
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Higher Education Administration
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Instructional Technology and Leadership
Offered Online
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Department of Kinesiology
Greensboro, North Carolina
North Dakota
North Dakota State University-Main Campus
School of Education
Fargo, North Dakota
University of North Dakota
Department of Teaching and Learning
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Practice and Leadership - Instructional Design and Technology
Offered Online
Ohio
Franklin University
School of Education
Columbus, Ohio
The University of Findlay
College of Education
Findlay, Ohio
University of Dayton
School of Education and Health Sciences
Dayton, Ohio
Oregon
Oregon State University
College of Education
Corvallis, Oregon
Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania
Department of Secondary Education and Administrative Leadership
California, Pennsylvania
Drexel University
School of Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Athletic Administration
Offered Online
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Creativity & Innovation
Offered Online
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Educational Administration
Offered Online
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Global & International Education
Offered Online
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Human Resource Development
Offered Online
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management - Learning Technologies
Offered Online
Duquesne University
School of Education
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Gratz College
Graduate Studies
Melrose Park, Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
College of Education And Human Services
Millersville, Pennsylvania
Point Park University
School of Education
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
College of Education
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Wilkes University
School of Education
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Johnson & Wales University
College of Education
Providence, Rhode Island
South Carolina
Charleston Southern University
College of Education
Charleston, South Carolina
Southern Wesleyan University
School of Education
Central, South Carolina
University of South Carolina-Columbia
College of Education
Columbia, South Carolina
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Practice and Innovation - Curriculum Studies
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Practice and Innovation - Education Systems Improvement
Offered Online
Tennessee
Carson-Newman University
Adult and Graduate Studies
Jefferson City, Tennessee
East Tennessee State University
College of Education
Johnson City, Tennessee
Online Doctor of Education in Administrator Endorsement
Offered Online
Lipscomb University
College of Education
Nashville, Tennessee
Milligan University
Area of Education
Milligan College, Tennessee
Trevecca Nazarene University
Department of Education
Nashville, Tennessee
Union University
School of Education
Jackson, Tennessee
University of Memphis
Department of Leadership
Memphis, Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Peabody College of Education
Nashville, Tennessee
Texas
Abilene Christian University
School of Education Leadership
Abilene, Texas
Baylor University
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Waco, Texas
Lamar University
College of Education and Human Development
Beaumont, Texas
Sam Houston State University
School of Education
Huntsville, Texas
Texas A & M University-College Station
Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture
College Station, Texas
Texas A & M University-Commerce
College of Education
Commerce, Texas
Texas Tech University
College of Education
Lubbock, Texas
University of Houston
College of Education
Houston, Texas
West Texas A & M University
College of Education and Social Science
Canyon, Texas
Virginia
Liberty University
School of Education
Lynchburg, Virginia
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling - Marriage and Family Counseling
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling - Pastoral Care & Counseling
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
Offered Online
Radford University
College of Graduate Studies and Research
Radford, Virginia
Regent University
School of Education
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Online Doctor of Education in Character Education
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology
Offered Online
Online Doctor of Education in K-12 School Leadership
Offered Online
University of Virginia
Curry School of Education
Charlottesville, Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Education
Richmond, Virginia
Virginia Tech
School of Education
Blacksburg, Virginia
Washington
City University of Seattle
School of Applied Leadership
Seattle, Washington
Gonzaga University
School of Education
Spokane, Washington
West Virginia
Marshall University
College of Education and Professional Development
Huntington, West Virginia
West Virginia University
College of Education and Human Services
Morgantown, West Virginia
Wisconsin
Concordia University-Wisconsin
College of Education
Mequon, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Professional Studies in Education
La Crosse, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
School of Education
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Wyoming
University of Wyoming
College of Education
Laramie, Wyoming