Quick Facts: Earning an Ed.D. in Washington D.C.
- Ed.D. programs in Washington, D.C. in our listings are offered by private universities. These tend to have higher price tags than public universities. If you are worried about the cost of your degree, you may wish to consider online doctorates in other states. American also offers tuition discounts to education partners.
- American University and George Washington University are members of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). Like Howard University, they are also Carnegie R1 institutions, which means they have a high level of research activity.
- Howard is a historically black, federally chartered research university. That’s why its Ed.D. program pays special attention to education issues that affect African Americans and other historically excluded ethnic groups.
Online Ed.D. Programs in Washington, D.C.
Online doctorates in education in D.C. are only available at private schools. Both American University and George Washington University have a solid reputation for quality, so choose the distance learning program that best suits your goals. The following universities offer online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs in Washington, D.C.:
- American University (CAEP-accredited)
- George Washington University (CAEP-accredited)
American University’s 40-credit Online Ed.D. in Education Policy and Leadership is an efficient, eight-semester program for PreK-12 leaders that covers topics such as education policy, research strategies, and education systems and culminates in a dissertation of practice. It’s not completely online—there are three on-campus residencies. American is a CPED member.
GW’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration for PreK-12 leaders can be completed 100% online. Online Ed.D. cohorts participate in weekly synchronous meetings and self-directed activities. GW’s Ed.D. in Human and Organizational Learning (HOL) program is technically hybrid, but there are only 2 weekend residencies. So it’s a valid choice for educators in the D.C. area. GW is a CPED member.
Note: Our overview of online doctoral programs in education has a complete listing of online Ed.D. degrees in every state.
Doctoral Education Funding in Washington, D.C.
This section highlights sources of institutional aid for doctoral students at Washington, D.C. universities. The Office of Financial Aid and/or the Graduate School will also be able to help with graduate loan applications and work reimbursement questions.
American University
American University’s School of Education’s sections on Tuition & Financial Aid and Scholarships & Grants are a good place to start for information. American offers a 29% tuition discount to a wide range of education partners. Former Peace Corps volunteers can check to see if they’re eligible for the Coverdell Fellowship.
George Washington University
The Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD) has a large and comprehensive section on Funding Your Graduate Education, with info on Graduate/Research Assistantships, GSEHD Endowment Awards, GSEHD Merit Scholarships, GW Awards, external fellowships, and more. Doctoral students are eligible for endowment awards.
Howard University
The Howard University School of Education (HUSOE)’s section on Scholarships & External Funding Opportunities contains details on HU Graduate School Assistantships and Fellowships and HUSOE Scholarships. There are a number of funding opportunities for doctoral students, but some awards specify that they’re looking for Ph.D. students. Ask the Ed.D. program coordinator if you’re eligible to apply for any of them.
Note: If a university name is missing from the list, we didn’t find specific examples of Ed.D. funding beyond private & federal loans and external aid.
School Administration Credential Requirements in Washington, D.C.
School Leader Credentials
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) handles credentialing & certification for school teachers and administrators in Washington, D.C. All school leaders (i.e. principals and assistant principals) in D.C. need to hold a valid Administrative Services Credential (ASC). We’ve provided a brief rundown of the requirements for this credential below.
The OSSE also maintains a Directory of Approved Educator Preparation Programs. For the ASC, most D.C. schools stick to a master’s, post-master’s certificate, or education specialist degree—not a doctorate.
Initial Administrative Services Credential (ASC)
Applicants who do not meet current requirements for a Standard ASC (see below), may be eligible for a one-time, two-year, non-renewable Initial ASC. To earn the Initial Administrative Services Credential, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Have completed an approved program with a focus in Pre-Kindergarten to 12 grade school leadership and supervision OR hold a valid full principal license in another state OR hold a master’s degree or higher.
- Have at least two years of full-time employment as a regular teacher, student services provider or principal/assistant principal.
Standard Administrative Services Credential (ASC)
The Standard Administrative Services Credential (ASC) is valid for four years and is renewable. To earn it, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Have completed an approved program with a focus in P-12 school leadership and supervision OR have an active full principal credential(s) OR hold a master’s degree or higher.
- Have at least four years of experience as a regular teacher, student services provider or principal/assistant principal.
- Achieve passing test scores for the required school leadership licensure exam (or scores for a comparable exam passed in another state).
Educational Leadership Jobs in Washington, D.C.
Educational Leadership Career Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks employment & salary data for kindergarten through secondary education administrators and postsecondary education administrators in every state and the District of Columbia. We especially like the maps on these pages, where you can view D.C. in relation to its neighbors.
As you might expect, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area is an employment hotspot for K-12 administrators. More nuanced K-12 information can be found in the OSSE’s section on Data and Reports, including school report cards. In addition:
- You can use DCPS School Profiles to compare individual public schools.
- The DC Public Charter School Board publishes Annual Reports.
Looking at higher education positions in Washington, D.C.?
- George Washington University and Georgetown enroll the largest number of students, but American and Howard are also sizeable employers.
- Many of these schools publish a great deal of useful data about themselves—Georgetown’s Office of Assessment and Decision Support (OADS) is just one example.
Educational Leadership Salaries
Wages for kindergarten through secondary education administrators and postsecondary education administrators in the D.C. and Maryland/Virginia area tend to be very high. You’ll typically see D.C. in the top paying wage bracket when compared with all the states.
- If you’re eyeing a public K-12 position, District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) publishes Pay Schedules for teachers in its section on Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU).
- It also provides Information About Administrative Salary and Benefits for School Leaders, including pay scales.
- DC.gov’s Department of Human Resources (DCHR) publishes detailed Public Employee Salary Information, including the names and salaries of employees in DC Public Schools and University of the District of Columbia.
Aspiring university administrators who are interested in private institutions can consult the Chronicle of Higher Education’s Salary Data Library. It should come as no surprise that Georgetown and GW pay the best, but American isn’t far behind them.
Educational Leadership Job Boards
Standard job sites will advertise openings for PK-20 administrators and educational leaders in D.C. (e.g. Indeed, LinkedIn, HigherEdJobs, etc.). However, you may also wish to consult state-specific job boards.
- You can Search and Apply for DCPS Jobs through the website. Its section on Lead Our Schools also provides all sorts of employment information for K-12 principals and assistant principals, including application forms.
- DC PCSB posts Job Opportunities in the D.C. charter sector.
- Career Opportunities at UDC contains job listings for all University of the District of Columbia schools and colleges.
Educational Leadership Organizations in Washington, D.C.
Educational Leadership Associations
- Council of School Officers (CSO): CSO is a union representing DCPS employees in a variety of positions such as school leaders, administrators, and service providers.
- DC Association of Secondary School Principals (DCASSP): DCASSP doesn’t have an independent website, but it’s a recognized state affiliate of NASSP.
- DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB): DC PCSB is an independent government agency overseeing the district public charter schools.
- DE-DC-MD Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators: This organization serves to educate and support members of the area’s financial aid community.
Note: State and national educator organizations often have funds & scholarships available for continuing education (e.g. Ed.D.). Check the website and ask about opportunities.
Educational Leadership Events in Washington, D.C.
Educational Leadership Conferences
- Tri-State Annual Conference: This three-day event in the Fall is aimed at professionals working in the fields of financial aid, loans, scholarships, and higher education.
Educational Leadership Training
- DCPS School Leader Professional Development: DCPS has developed a number of programs and initiatives for K-12 school leaders, including its Leadership Academy, New Principal Support and Instructional Superintendent Support programs, and more.
Note: Review the state profile on Maryland for more ideas on conferences & training opportunities in the area.
School Listings
3 Schools Found
American University
School of Education
Washington, District of Columbia
George Washington University
Graduate School of Education and Human Development
Washington, District of Columbia
Howard University
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Washington, District of Columbia