Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Programs

What are Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Programs?

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership programs are interdisciplinary doctorates that prepare students for high-level leadership positions in educational organizations. Graduates work in K-20 institutions, district-level organizations, non-profits, mission-driven for-profits (e.g. education consultancies), and state & national government educational agencies.

Education professionals pursue an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in order to:

• Develop & deepen ethical leadership skills
• Become eligible for promotion to a senior-level position (e.g. Superintendent, Principal, Dean, etc.)
• Learn how to implement systems-level improvements
• Make data-driven & research-based decisions
• Nurture human & social capital
• Help their school, university, or educational organization grow and expand

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is an umbrella term—it’s the most common major for Doctor of Education programs in the United States, and it encompasses a huge range of majors and specializations. Our program listings contain all kinds of choices to suit your career needs.

Where Can I Find the Best Doctorates in Educational Leadership?

You can find the best doctorates in educational leadership in our rankings of the Best Ed.D. Programs (On-Campus/Hybrid) and Best Online Ed.D. Programs, which focus on educational leadership programs and tracks. This year, we’ve streamlined our rankings to make it easier for you to compare options. Within each profile, you’ll be able to:

• Learn if the doctorate is available in your state and/or requires any trips to campus.
• Evaluate the College or School of Education’s strengths and weaknesses.
• Get a quick read on admissions requirements, so you know if you meet the minimum threshold for entry.
• Dig into the curriculum to understand if the coursework is relevant to your career plans.

These are the “best of the best”—we didn’t consider price as a factor in our methodology. If you’re worried about your budget, you may also wish to explore our rankings of the Most Affordable Online Ed.D. Programs in the country.

Types of Doctorate in Educational Leadership Programs

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: Primary Major

A standard doctorate in educational leadership will have a multidisciplinary curriculum that blends leadership training with practical administrative concerns. It always includes a large research-based project (e.g. traditional dissertation, capstone, etc.).

Don’t discount the generic-looking “vanilla” Ed.D. programs in educational leadership in our listings. Many doctorates have unique foci that aren’t apparent from the title. For example, Lehigh University’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership contains multiple pathways, including options for students to earn their Ed.D. and Superintendent or Principal Certification simultaneously. Check the curriculum page before you make a decision.

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: Themed Majors

Some universities have opted to tilt their doctorates in educational leadership toward a particular area of concern. Examples of this include:

• Targeted offerings like UMass Boston’s Ed.D. in Urban Education, Leadership & Policy Studies and the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Ed.D. in Urban Educational Leadership, which zero in on issues that specifically affect city schools.
• Ed.D. programs in Leadership and Policy, which factor in the impact of public policy on education. Legal issues can also be addressed (e.g. Alabama State’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law).
• A trend in recent years toward Ed.D. programs that focus on social justice & equity. Examples of this include the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign’s Ed.D. in Diversity & Equity in Education, UC-Berkeley’s Ed.D. in Leaders for Equity and Democracy, and Cal State East Bay’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Social Justice.
• Concordia University Wisconsin’s Ed.D. in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement and Arizona State’s Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation, which encourage out-of-the-box thinking.

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: Interdisciplinary Majors

Within our listings, you’ll also discover interdisciplinary programs that blend educational leadership with other educational fields, especially in areas related to K-20 instruction or administration. Examples of this include:

• Rutgers University’s Ed.D. in Teacher Leadership
• University of Georgia’s Ed.D. in Student Affairs Leadership
• New Jersey City University’s Ed.D. in Educational Technology Leadership

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: Concentrations & Specializations

Plus there are scores of doctoral programs in educational leadership with multiple concentrations, including areas such as:

• Higher Education Administration & Leadership
• Community College Leadership
• School Leadership (typically PreK-12)
• Principal Certification or Superintendent Endorsement
• Curriculum & Instruction
• Specialty Subjects (e.g. Educational Technology, Special Education, Nursing Education, etc.)

In this scenario, you’ll take a series of core credits in educational leadership alongside a set of concentration credits in your area of interest. Concentrations can range from 4 courses to half of the program, so it pays to examine the curriculum page carefully.

Online Ed.D. Educational Leadership Programs

Are Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Programs Available?

Yes. Our database lists 100+ regionally accredited Online Ed.D. programs in Educational Leadership that can be completed mostly or entirely online. We’ve flagged all of these options with an “Offered Online” marker.

Among them are online doctorates that are offered by major public universities like Central Michigan University and Florida State University, along with prestigious private institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and Northeastern University.

Do Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Programs Contain Residency Requirements?

It depends. There are a number of doctorates in educational leadership that are 100% online, with no on-campus requirements. Just be aware that you may still be expected to attend real-time synchronous sessions on weeknights or weekends. Zoom has made it easier to participate in these online meetings and classes.

Other Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership programs have at least one on-campus component—typically a few days per year. For example, a school may want to see you for an initial orientation, your dissertation proposal, and your dissertation defense. Residency requirements vary from school to school, so check the program page and ask the Ed.D. program coordinator for details.

How to Choose the Best Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs Online

You’ll discover dozens of top-notch public and private universities with online doctorates in educational leadership. To help you filter these down into a manageable shortlist, here are a few tips for decision-making:

• Consider Your Career Goals: Online doctorates in educational leadership come in all kinds of flavors. Some doctorates are devoted to PreK-12 leadership; others will allow you to choose concentrations in higher education or community college leadership. Many can be customized with elective coursework.
• Investigate the College of Education: Colleges of Education have particular strengths. JHU, USC, and Fordham are known for their commitment to urban education; LMU and UA are working social justice issues; ASU has built a reputation for expertise in distance learning. Find the right home for your area of expertise.
• Check Admissions Requirements: Most universities will expect Ed.D. applicants to have a master’s degree in education or a closely related field. But there are a few programs that accept master’s degrees in any discipline. In addition, some schools have high GPA thresholds or limits on how many credits you can transfer. Make sure you’re eligible to apply.
• Draw Up a Budget: Take our “Minimum Program Cost” number as a ballpark figure. In addition to tuition, we’ve tried to include all mandatory fees. However, Ed.D. programs often have extra expenses (e.g. course materials, internship travel, etc.) and tuition rates rise every year. So err on the side of caution.
• Watch Out for Pricing at Public Universities: Some public universities have the same tuition price for all students, regardless of their state of residence. Others have separate pricing tables for in-state and out-of-state students. An online Ed.D. from your home state is usually going to be fairly affordable, but it’s worth comparing with out-of-state doctorates that have affordable tuition for all.
• Weigh the Cost with Reputation: High-flying private universities with top-ranked Schools of Education (e.g. Johns Hopkins, USC, etc.) have hefty price tags (e.g. $80,000+). Before you commit to an expensive program, talk to recent online Ed.D. alumni about their experiences and career moves after graduation. In the end, the name recognition factor may be worth the money.
• Think About Your Schedule: A lot of the best online doctorates in educational leadership are cohort-based. This means you move through the program on a fixed schedule with the same group of Ed.D. students. Many schools favor a 3-year, 2 course per semester format for cohort-based programs, with a start date in the summer or fall. However, if you need a more flexible time-frame, there are alternatives (e.g. UIUC).
• Evaluate On-Campus Factors: Online Ed.D. programs in educational leadership can be 100% online, primarily online, or blended. If there are campus elements (e.g. initial orientation, intensive weekends, dissertation defense, etc.), you’ll need to budget for travel and expenses. Just bear in mind that COVID-19 may change the game plan.
• Consider Certification Caveats: If you’re interested in pursuing an online Ed.D. for principal or superintendent certification, you need to ensure a) the online Ed.D. has a certification option; and b) your degree will be accepted by your State Board of Education. Schools usually offer certification paths through the Ed.S., but there are a few online Ed.D. programs in our rankings with this option (e.g. TTU).

Earning an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Educational Leadership Prerequisites

Due to the variety and breadth of these doctoral programs, prerequisites for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership can vary quite a bit. Generally speaking, candidates will be required to have a:

• Master’s Degree: In most cases, universities will be looking for a master’s degree in education or a related field. Certain specialty subjects (e.g. counseling, special education, etc.) may require a master’s degree in that specific area.
• Minimum GPA: A number of universities will have a 3.0 threshold (e.g. 3.0 for undergraduate work; 3.6 for graduate work). You’re unlikely to find any program that goes below a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Work Experience: Some universities will want to see 5+ years in your field; others may only specify that they want to see evidence of your “leadership skills and experiences.” Ask the Ed.D. program coordinator if you need clarification.
• GRE Scores (Often Optional): More and more schools are ignoring the GRE in favor of other factors. We talk more about this trend in our guide to Online Ed.D. Programs with No GRE Requirement.
• Supplemental Materials: In addition to academic transcripts, you may be asked to submit a résumé or C.V., letters of recommendation, a personal statement/letter of intent, and/or writing samples.

Educational Leadership Coursework

In Rethinking the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) outlined 10 core course topics that every Ed.D. program in Educational Leadership should—ideally—address.

If you look over Ed.D. programs in Educational Leadership in our listings, you’ll find that they cover all of these bases to some extent or another. (We’ve reworded and reorganized them slightly for clarity.)

1. Educational Leadership
2. Accountability/Performance Review
3. Curriculum and Pedagogy
4. Diversity and Culture
5. Human Resources Management
6. The Laws and Politics of Education
7. Organizational Behavior/Organizational Change
8. Public School Finance and Business
9. Research Methods and Data
10. School Leadership/Teacher Improvement

In addition, most universities will allow you to customize your education doctorate with 1-2 electives.

Educational Leadership Internship

Unless the Ed. in Educational Leadership is concerned with on-the-ground training for licensure or certification, internships in leadership programs are often optional. If an internship is required for a doctorate, it will often be a field-based leadership experience in an educational setting of your choosing.

Educational Leadership Dissertation

All doctorate of education programs in educational leadership will contain a research-based project. This may be a traditional 5-chapter dissertation (similar to a Ph.D.), a Dissertation in Practice (DiP), or capstone project. We discuss the differences between these options in our guide to Ed.D. Programs Without a Traditional Dissertation.

Be prepared for a rigorous process—Ed.D. dissertations are just as challenging as Ph.D. projects. The difference lies in the intent—Ed.D. in Educational Leadership dissertations (or the equivalent) are often focused on applied research & actionable results. You’ll be expected to apply your learning to a real-world problem of practice.

Is an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Worth It?

We cover this issue in our resource section: Is An Ed.D. Worth It? In a general sense:

• K-12: The field of school administration has not yet been saturated by doctorate-holding candidates, even at the district level. That means an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership can be financially worthwhile for someone who intends to pursue a senior-level leadership role in the K-12 arena.
• University Level: This depends on your career aspirations. An Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from a well-respected school will put you in the running for many high-flying leadership jobs, including roles as a director, dean, or president. However, a Ph.D. will be more appropriate if you’re interested in a career as a university professor, research scholar, policy researcher, or the like.

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership has become the most commonly-earned and commonly-offered Ed.D., so scarcity and distinctiveness are not among its selling points. Themed, specialized, and interdisciplinary majors may help your degree stand out from the herd. Programs that hold CAEP accreditation or participate in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) are also well-worth considering.

Educational Leadership Careers

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Jobs

Graduates with an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership pursue a wide range of careers. In the PreK-20 realm, job titles can include:

• Principal
• Superintendent
• University/College President
• Dean
• Director
• School or University Administrator
• Education Faculty
• District-Level Educational Leader
• Teacher-Leader
• Instructional Coordinator
• Curriculum Specialist

However, Ed.D. in Educational Leadership graduates also use their degree to work outside of the academic world, in roles such as:

• Public Policy Analyst
• Education Lobbyist
• Education Consultant
• Education Researcher
• Teaching Coach
• Director of a Research Center
• C.E.O. of an Educational Organization or Company

In addition, some Ed.D. in Educational Leadership concentrations (e.g. Nursing Education, Organizational Leadership, Healthcare Administration, School Psychology, etc.) are intended to prepare you for specific job titles in your chosen field.

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Salary

K-20 Leaders & Administrators

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes annual job & wage data on:

• Kindergarten through Secondary Education Administrators
• Postsecondary Education Administrators

These will give you ballpark salary figures for educational leaders in the K-20 realm. Check out the wage maps—they’ll allow you to compare annual mean wages in each state.

• Principal: The standard credential for a principal is a master’s degree—not a doctorate. So an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership might nudge you closer to the top-earning 10% of the field.
• Superintendent: Salary sites like Payscale, Indeed, Glassdoor, and Salary.com will give you a rough idea of current median salaries in your geographic area. The best-paid superintendents can earn more than a quarter of a million dollars; even the bottom 10% tend to crack six figures. The drawback is that your Ed.D. won’t stand out as well in this more competitive position—according to the AASA, more than half of the nation’s superintendents already hold a terminal degree.
• Teacher/Instructor: If you’d prefer to teach, an Ed.D. isn’t strictly necessary. However, assuming you’ve met licensure requirements, it will generally place you in the highest-earning bracket of teachers at your experience level.

Outside the PreK-20 Realm

The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t maintain wage data on education department officials, grant writers, consultants, or political lobbyists. For current figures, we recommend you use the aforementioned salary sites to look up specific job titles.

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Resources

• The Center for Educational Leadership: Hosted by the University of Washington, this think tank provides support materials for principals, superintendents, and other educational leaders.
• Educational Leadership Magazine: ASCD (formerly known as the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) regularly publishes the definitive non-academic magazine in the field.
• The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL): Founded in 1964, the IEL is the leading organization for administrators who take an educational leadership approach to their work.
• The Journal of Educational Leadership in Action (ELA): This peer-reviewed, open-access journal explores new research relevant to scholar-practitioners who work in the area of educational leadership.