Top 15 Schools with Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs in Educational Leadership
Rankings Methodology
Our ranking methodology for the 15 best online doctoral programs in educational leadership is based on a weighted formula that considers reputation, CPED membership, leadership options, AND cost. In the reputation category, we looked at the university’s placement in U.S. News & World Report rankings in three areas:
- Top Education Schools
- Educational Administration Programs
- Education Policy Programs
Schools that performed well in all three arenas (e.g. UIUC & USC) were assured of a place near the top of our list.
However, we gave EQUAL weight in our formula to affordability. To calculate the minimum program cost, we combined tuition rates and mandatory per credit fees (e.g. online fee) and multiplied this number by the minimum Ed.D. credits (e.g. 60). Any school that had an excellent cost ranking (e.g. UMass Lowell & UW) found a place in our standings.
Finally, we gave extra points to schools that a) offer multiple leadership pathways & concentrations; and/or b) are current members of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). CPED membership is one of our favorite quality markers, since it means that the university is committed to meeting certain benchmarks in action-based research and applied learning (e.g. Dissertation in Practice).
1University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Location: Champaign, Illinois
Department: College of Education
Credit Hours: 64
Minimum Program Cost: $31,360
Format: 100% Online; Weekly Synchronous Sessions
UIUC’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
Thanks to great quality markers, convenience, and affordability, UIUC takes the cake in our rankings of best online educational leadership doctoral programs. To start with, U.S. News rates the College of Education as one of the top 40 Schools of Education in the country, with strong marks being given to its Online Master’s in Education. Tuition is eminently reasonable for in-state and out-of-state students. And the 100% online doctorate comes in a huge range of concentrations, including:
- Global Studies in Education (GSE)
- Diversity & Equity in Education (DE)
- Diversity & Equity in Education – Human Resource Development
- Human Resource Development
- Learning Design & Leadership (LDL)
- Learning Design & Leadership – New Learning
- Learning Design & Leadership – Technology Specialist
- Learning Design & Leadership – Foundations of eLearning in Higher Education
No matter which concentration you choose, you’ll be expected to participate in online synchronous sessions that meet once per week during weekday afternoons/evenings. The program also includes field research, preliminary & qualifying exams, and a dissertation that addresses a problem of professional practice. You can plan your own program schedule and take part in remote participation for exams. See the COE Graduate Handbook and Online FAQs for more info.
Note: UIUC’s online doctorate in educational leadership may not be the best fit for K-12 administrators. If you live in Chicago, you could consider the on-campus Ed.D. in Educational Administration & Leadership (EAL) – Principal Specialization or Ed.D. in Educational Administration & Leadership (EAL) – Superintendent Specialization.
2Arizona State University
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Department: Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
Credit Hours: 60
Minimum Program Cost: $48,180
Format: 100% Online OR Hybrid (West Campus)
ASU’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
ASU’s commitment to distance learning never fails to impress us. At the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, you’ll find a School of Education with superb national rankings (e.g. top 15 for the College and the Online Master’s in Education), flexible formats, and awards galore. ASU has been a CPED member since 2007 and it won Program of the Year in 2018.
The Online Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation is structured as a 3-year, cohort-based program—you’ll progress at the same pace as your fellow Ed.D. students. During the doctorate, you can choose to focus on one of three pathways:
- Pre-Kindergarten–Grade 12 Change Leadership
- Higher Education Change Leadership
- Systems, Professional and Reimagined Change (SPARC) Leadership
We especially like the fact that ASU’s online doctorate in educational leadership insists on the importance of applied research & learning. The program contains directed field studies, a doctoral methods practicum, yearly symposia in a public Doctoral Research Conference, an action research dissertation, and “Leader Scholar Communities.” These are teams of 5-7 students and 1 faculty member that meet regularly for collaboration and support.
Best of all, ASU’s Ed.D. is 100% online. Same-time meetings may be required for some online assignments and the Leader Scholar Community meetings, but times will be arranged to accommodate student schedules. View the Program Handbook for details.
For More Information:
3University of Southern California
Location: Los Angeles, California
Department: Rossier School of Education
Credit Hours: 43 Units
Minimum Program Cost: $85,785 + Fees
Format: Online with Initial On-Campus Immersion
USC’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
USC’s Rossier School of Education is a top-notch school in a big-name private research university, so the price tag for its online doctorate in educational leadership is high. (See the section on Ed.D. scholarships for ideas on funding.) If you can afford the tuition, you’ll be assured of name recognition.
- Rossier often ranks in the top 15 of Best Education Schools.
- It has 11 multidisciplinary research centers and a dedicated Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group (DSAG).
- More than 80 of its alumni are current superintendents in California.
The full-time Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings is a distance learning version of its campus doctorate. The program takes 3 years, with 2 courses in most semesters. After the initial 2-day campus immersion, all coursework is online, with a variety of live sessions. During that time, you’ll take credits in the K-12 Concentration, which culminates in either Leadership for Principals or Leadership for Superintendents. The program finishes with a Dissertation in Practice (DiP) that focuses on access to equitable K-12 educational opportunities and outcomes.
Note: Keep in mind that this online Ed.D. is for aspiring K-12 leaders—candidates must have a minimum of 3 years of relevant full-time work & leadership experience in order to apply. If you’re not in the school arena, you could consider USC’s Online Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership or the on-campus Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.
For More Information:
4Johns Hopkins University
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Department: School of Education
Credit Hours: 54
Minimum Program Cost: $82,674
Format: Online with Optional 3-Day Summer Residencies
JHU’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
Like USC Rossier, JHU’s School of Education has excellent rankings (e.g. top 15 in the country) and a bevy of quality markers. It’s an Experienced CPED member. It runs multiple interdisciplinary research centers. It has made a commitment to urban educators. And it has an Alumni Mentorship Program. Hiring committees will know the name!
The Online Ed.D. is expensive but it’s also customizable, with concentrations in:
- Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education
- Mind, Brain, and Teaching
- Instructional Design in Online Teaching and Learning
Most online doctorate in education students at JHU operate on a part-time, 3-year schedule: 2 online courses per semester, with the program kicking off in the fall semester. Applicants are expected to have a master’s degree with a minimum of 36 graduate-level credits. If you don’t have the minimum, you will need to complete the additional graduate-level credits at an accredited college or university prior to—or during—the program.
In addition to coursework, dissertation research, and a comprehensive exam, the curriculum includes 3-day summer residencies in late July or early August each year. Attendance is strongly encouraged for networking & collaboration, but JHU does record the info sessions and orientation videos for those who can’t attend. Because JHU is a CPED member, the Ed.D. finishes with an Applied Dissertation/Dissertation in Practice (DiP).
Note: Concentrations in Technology Integration in K–16 Education and Urban Leadership weren’t available when we examined the program page, but it’s a fluid situation. Check to be sure!
For More Information:
5University of Florida
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Department: College of Education
Credit Hours: 75 (with Transfers)
Minimum Program Cost: $38,714 (In-State); $46,479 (Out-of-State)
Format: Hybrid – Up to 2 Weekend Meetings in Gainesville Per Semester
UF’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
You can put UF’s College of Education on your shortlist of great PreK-12 doctorates in educational leadership. Here you’ll find a College with a top 25 national ranking, great research credentials (including some intriguing work in STEM Education), Experienced CPED member credentials, and an outstanding reputation for distance learning. The Online Master’s in Education often ranks in the top 3 of the country.
But we’ll state up-front that the Blended Ed.D. – Leadership in Educational Administration Doctorate (LEAD) is going to work best for folks who can travel to Gainesville for 2 weekend meetings per semester. If you’re willing to make the trip, this Ed.D. has a lot going for it. To wit:
- It prepares graduates for educational leadership positions at the school, district, state, and national level.
- It’s cohort-based—classes are pre-determined and reasonably sized (e.g. 15-20 students). You’ll get to know your colleagues well.
- It’s run on a part-time, 4-year schedule. You’ll take ~2 courses per semester in the first 3 years (starting in the fall) and concentrate on your dissertation in the 4th year.
See the FAQs for more details on the program.
Note: Higher Education administrators in the Florida area should take a look at the College’s Hybrid LEAD Higher Education Ed.D. program.
6University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
Department: College of Education
Credit Hours: 42
Minimum Program Cost: ~$24,500 (Tuition + Residencies + One-Off Costs)
Format: Online with 1-Week Summer Residencies
UMass Lowell’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
Incredible pricing for in-state and out-of-state students! That’s why UMass Lowell’s College of Education is battling with the giants in our rankings. And although it doesn’t have the same name recognition factor as USC Rossier or JHU, the College is a CPED member and a distance learning achiever. You’ll often see it in the top 20 of Online Master’s of Education rankings from U.S. News & World Report.
As the name suggests, the Online Ed.D. in Leadership in Schooling is designed for Ed.D. students who wish to improve their skills as PreK-12 researchers & instructional leaders:
- The curriculum includes coursework in systems leadership, district-wide issues, and strategic partnering with families & communities.
- There’s even an optional STEM Education concentration designed for science, math, and engineering educators who wish to move into leadership roles.
UMass Lowell’s online doctorate in educational leadership is cohort-based. You’ll be admitted in the summer and follow a 2-course-per-semester schedule for 3 years. Coursework is online, but there are mandatory 1-week summer residencies each year. The curriculum has been shaped by CPED guidelines, so be prepared to tackle 2 comprehensive exams (portfolio and qualifying paper) and a Dissertation in Practice (DiP).
For More Information:
7University of Wyoming
Location: Laramie, Wyoming
Department: College of Education
Credit Hours: 47-50
Minimum Program Cost: $14,429 (In-State); $22,278 (Out-of-State)
Format: Online with Campus Visits for Exam & Dissertation Defense
UW’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
Affordability—that’s the key selling point for UW’s College of Education. It offers one of the cheapest out-of-state online Ed.D. programs for PreK-12 educators in our list. And if you live in Wyoming, you pay even less! The College doesn’t often register in national rankings, but it is a CPED member and CAEP-accredited; it even offers Graduate Scholarships. In addition, the educational leadership program meets NELP standards.
UW’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is a good fit for aspiring principals, superintendents, or K-12 teachers who want to assume leadership positions. In fact, students who are interested in a Wyoming School Superintendent’s Endorsement can apply to the Wyoming PTSB after successfully completing core coursework and a 220-hour Superintendent Internship with hands-on experiences in 2 school districts.
Another big benefit of UW’s online doctorate? You can plan your own schedule—you choose the sequence and a number of courses you take each semester. 100% online classes are delivered in synchronous and asynchronous formats. However, you will be expected to visit Laramie for the comprehensive exam and your dissertation defense.
Note: Higher Education professionals can consider UW’s Online Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration, which only has 1 on-campus orientation and optional minors in research.
For More Information:
8University of West Alabama
Location: Livingston, Alabama
Department: College of Education
Credit Hours: 60-66
Minimum Program Cost: $37,800 + Fees
Format: 100% Online
UWA’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
Rural innovators should take a good, hard look at UWA. The College of Education and UWA Online have come up with a leadership-focused Online Ed.D. in Rural Education that’s backed by research at the college’s Center for Rural Education and input from partnership schools. It’s available in 4 useful career tracks:
- Organizational Change and Leadership
- Higher Education Administration
- Teacher Leader
- Counseling
With UWA, you get affordability & flexibility. In addition to being 100% online, this doctorate is open to applicants with a master’s level degree in any discipline. Courses are 8-weeks long, schedules are fairly customizable, and most students finish within 3-4 years.
We also give UWA a thumbs-up for including a Mentor Collective in the program—this element connects you to a professional mentor for one-on-one counseling & advice. Just as importantly, you’ll be able to tackle an applied dissertation/Dissertation in Practice that specifically addresses rural education needs.
For More Information:
9Texas Tech University
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Department: College of Education
Credit Hours: 66
Minimum Program Cost: $34,650; view the Tuition Estimator
Format: Online with 1-Week Summer Institutes
TTU’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
An online doctorate focused on PreK-12 administrative leadership in educational institutions—check. Low overall cost for in-state & out-of-state students—check. A solid College of Education with Experienced CPED membership, great graduate reviews, and respectable (if not outstanding) national rankings—check.
These are just a few of the reasons why TTU’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership appears in our rankings. Texas residents will also be pleased to hear that this THECB-approved program includes coursework that prepares students for Texas superintendent certification. (Current superintendents are still encouraged to apply, since all courses address issues of senior executive leadership.)
This online doctorate for full-time education professionals is run on a fixed 3-year schedule—you’ll join a cohort of 15-20 fellow school leaders and progress through a sequence of distance learning courses, bi-monthly synchronous meetings, and practicums. There are 3 immersive experiences on the Lubbock campus: an initial weekend orientation and 1-week summer institutes in the first & second years. You’ll finish the experience off with a Dissertation in Practice (DiP). View the Program Handbook for full details.
Note: Higher Education professionals can consider TTU’s cohort-based Online Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration. It has a similar feel to the Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, with online coursework and summer immersions.
For More Information:
10Virginia Commonwealth University
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Department: School of Education
Credit Hours: 48
Minimum Program Cost: $32,736 (In-State); $65,664 (Out-of-State)
Format: Online with 2 Saturday Classes in Summer OR On-Campus
VCU’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
VCU is packed with quality markers. It’s a public research university with instant name recognition. It has a School of Education (SOE) that earns glowing student reviews and excellent national rankings (e.g. top 20 Best Public Schools of Education and top 10 Online Master’s of Education). It’s a CPED Member. And it’s deeply involved in practice centers and education research.
In fact, if the out-of-state cost wasn’t so high, we’d push VCU’s Online Ed.D. in Leadership right up toward the top of our rankings. Even so, the part-time, 36-month online doctorate is well-worth a look. This cohort-based program begins in the summer and includes 2 courses per semester, with 2 Saturday classes each summer. Within the program, you can choose to participate in Learning Communities in:
- General Leadership
- Higher Education Leadership
Education leaders in learning communities take the same courses as other Ed.D. students, but the case studies & examples are tailored to match their interests. This is also one of the rare online doctorates in educational leadership that includes a capstone project in lieu of a dissertation. In their final year, Ed.D. students collaborate on a group-based research project. See the Student Handbook for more info.
Note: Keep in mind that part-time tuition is charged for under 8 credits per semester and students enrolled in an online course are charged an additional online course fee. You can offset costs by exploring the SOE’s Financial Aid & Scholarships section.
For More Information:
11Fordham University
Location: West Harrison, New York
Department: Graduate School of Education
Credit Hours: 50
Minimum Program Cost: $73,550 + Related Fees
Format: Online with 2 Immersions OR On-Campus (Westchester & Lincoln Center)
Fordham’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
Fordham may not be the first name that jumps to mind for educational leadership, but this “Hidden Ivy” deserves its spot in our rankings. As a Jesuit University, this private research institution has made a name for itself among educators—the Graduate School of Education is often ranked in the top 40 Schools in the country. It’s been a CPED member since 2014 and it’s made a commitment to social justice & improvement science. If you’re interested in urban education, you’re in the right place!
The Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy is geared toward K-12 educators across a range of settings (e.g. schools, districts, policy groups, non-profits, etc.). It’s a part-time program that takes ~3 years/8 terms to finish; the doctorate starts in August. Coursework is online, but you will be expected to take part in 2 immersions on the Westchester campus in West Harrison, New York.
Although this is an expensive doctorate, Fordham has done its best to ensure that Ed.D. students are exposed to all kinds of fieldwork. The curriculum includes 4 Laboratories of Practice (LoP)—these practicums complement 4 core content areas in the coursework (e.g. Policy and Advocacy). In addition, the last year is devoted to a solutions-oriented Dissertation of Practice.
12Florida State University
Location: Tallahasee, Florida
Department: College of Education
Credit Hours: 69
Minimum Program Cost: $30,654 (In-State); $74,221 (Out-of-State)
Format: Online with 3-Day Summer Seminars
FSU’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
Like VCU, FSU is another public achiever whose only real downside is the cost for out-of-state students. The College of Education is top-notch, with great national rankings, Experienced CPED membership, and outstanding graduate student reviews on independent sites. We’re calling it a solid choice for mid-career educational leaders, especially those who qualify for the College of Education’s Scholarships and Aid.
Unlike some other leadership programs, the 3-year Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy pays a lot of attention to policy issues and organizational systems. Starting in the fall, you’ll take 6-9 credits per semester. The majority of the coursework is online, but the curriculum does include Laboratories of Practice and 3-day immersion experiences each summer (usually the third week of June). The last year is devoted to your Dissertation in Practice (DiP). See the Student Handbook under Degree Requirements for details.
One final thing to mention—this online Ed.D. does not lead to professional certification in Educational Leadership. FSU’s state-approved program for professional certification in Florida is the Online Ed.S. in Educational Leadership.
Note: FSU also offers an Online Ed.D. in Instructional Systems & Learning Technologies
13Rowan University
Location: Glassboro, New Jersey
Department: College of Education
Credit Hours: 60
Minimum Program Cost: $53,160
Format: Online with 3 Short Residencies OR Hybrid
Rowan’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
Rowan is known in New Jersey as an “Education and Engineering” school. This public university began as a teacher preparation college and it continues to achieve consistently good reviews from graduate students for its education degrees. The College of Education is not a big player in national rankings, but it is a CPED member with a track record of training & supporting diverse educators (e.g. Project IMPACT).
As a Global Learning student at Rowan, you can choose from one of four leadership-focused concentrations in the online Ed.D.:
The structure of this cohort-based program is fairly straightforward. Over the course of 3 years, you’ll take 16 online courses in leadership topics—including 4 courses in your choice of concentration (e.g. P-12)—and finish with a Dissertation in Practice. In the online version, there are 3 on-campus residencies: a 2-day orientation in August at the beginning of the program; a 1-day visit for a Benchmark Exam; and a weekend stay at the end of Year 2 that focuses on dissertation work.
Note:: In 2019, Rowan began a process of redesigning the Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with input from the CPED, students, stakeholders, and program partners. So it may be undergoing exciting changes in the year you apply.
For More Information:
14Northeastern University
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Department: College of Professional Studies
Credit Hours: 60
Minimum Program Cost: $53,820
Format: Online with Annual 2-Day Residencies
Northeastern’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
Northeastern makes our list thanks to its Experienced CPED membership and flexible approach to the doctorate in educational leadership. The College of Professional Studies has created an Online Ed.D. that can be completed on a part-time or full-time schedule, with a fall or winter entry start. It can also be customized to your specific needs with plenty of electives (5 courses) and one of three concentrations (4 courses):
- Organizational Leadership Studies (Suitable for K-12 Leaders)
- Higher Education Administration
- Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership
All of the coursework is online, but there are 2-day residencies in the first 2 years. Having said that, these residencies can be fulfilled at Northeastern’s Boston, Charlotte, or Seattle campus. Work on the Dissertation in Practice (DiP) begins at the onset of the program; students are expected to address a compelling educational or organizational challenge in their workplace.
Note: Ed.D. candidates who intend to focus on Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership and work in an urban public school at the elementary or secondary level should apply for the MacFarland Scholarship.
For More Information:
15Appalachian State University
Location: Boone, North Carolina
Department: Reich College of Education
Credit Hours: 60
Minimum Program Cost: $15,991 (In-State); $55,501 (Out-of-State)
Format: Online with On-Campus Orientation, Summit & Internship Seminars
App State’s Educational Leadership Ed.D. Overview
The final spot in our rankings of “Best Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs Online” goes to App State, a rural public university with CPED membership and superb in-state pricing. The Reich College of Education is well-known in the state, with one of the largest teacher preparation programs in the Carolinas. And it’s come up with an Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership that’s available in all kinds of concentrations, including:
- Educational Administration
- Higher Education Administration
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Instructional Technology Leadership
- Literacy in Exceptionalities
This cohort-based doctorate is structured as a part-time, ~3-year program. Online classes meet in synchronous sessions 2 times per week and collaboration is encouraged. In addition to core coursework, electives, and a Dissertation in Pratice (DiP), App State’s online Ed.D. also contains a full-year internship experience—a rare feature in this field. Recommended campus requirements include a 2.5 day orientation in the summer, internship seminars, and a 1.5 day networking summit in the winter.
Note: An Ed.S. is preferred for applicants to the Higher Education concentration. And the concentration in Expressive Arts Education is not available online.
For More Information:
Honorable Mentions in Educational Leadership Rankings
Hybrid Ed.D. Programs in Educational Leadership
Iowa State University
Iowa State’s 54-credit Hybrid Ed.D. in P-20 Education is a worthy contender. The Ed.D. offers emphases in P-12 systems-level leadership (inclusive of recommendation for licensure as a superintendent) and community college leadership. It’s a 3-year, cohort-based program with small student class sizes and reasonable tuition costs. And it includes capstone & dissertation work that bear the hallmark of Iowa State’s CPED membership.
The only thing stopping this Ed.D. from being listed in our top 15 was the campus requirement. Iowa State’s program includes a mix of face-to-face learning and online delivery. Standard Ed.D. courses take place on occasional weekends, with each course having Friday evening and Saturday sessions; seminars involve 1-day visits per semester; and summer courses require monthly trips to campus.
University at Buffalo
Due to COVID-19, UB’s Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Administration has undergone some changes. In past years, this 3-year, cohort-based doctorate has consisted of hybrid courses that meet 4 weekends on Friday and Saturday evenings. However, in 2020, it moved to being 100% online in the first year.
This may or may not turn into a permanent change, so it’s worth taking a quick look at the Ed.D. program page. Thanks to UB’s CPED membership, this doctorate includes plenty of thoughtful elements (e.g. cohort seminars on school leadership) and real-world learning (e.g. individual/collaborative capstone project or dissertation research).
Online Ed.D. Programs in Educational Leadership for Ed.S. Applicants
University of Arkansas
Do you already have a fair amount of education under your belt? Check out the University of Arkansas, which has an Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. It’s a 3-year, cohort-based program that’s open to applicants with an Ed.S. or district-level certification. Most of the coursework is online, but there are intensive weekend seminars that take place on campus once a semester.
If you’re eligible for entry, you’ll find UA has a College of Education & Health Professions (COEHP) with reputable national rankings (e.g. top 50) and low tuition rates. You could even consider taking the Online Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (30 credit hours) before you proceed to the Online Ed.D. We should also mention that UA offers an Online Ed.D. in Adult and Lifelong Learning and an Online Ed.D. in Human Resource and Workforce Development Education.
What are Ed.D. Programs in Educational Leadership?
Ed.D. programs in Educational Leadership 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.
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:
- 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).
- Arizona State’s Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation and Fielding’s Ed.D. in Leadership for Change, which encourage out-of-the-box thinking.
- Olivet Nazarene University’s Ed.D. in Ethical Leadership, which explores how ethics, values, and cultural influences transform society.
- UC-Berkeley’s Ed.D. in Leaders for Equity and Democracy, CU Denver’s Ed.D. in Leadership for Educational Equity, and Loyola Marymount’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Social Justice.
- The University of Illinois’s prestigious Ed.D. in Urban Educational Leadership, which zeroes in on issues that specifically affect city schools.
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:
- Morehead State University’s Ed.D. in Educational Technology Leadership
- Kennesaw State’s Ed.D. in Teacher Leadership
- University of Georgia’s Ed.D. in Student Affairs 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?
You bet. 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 (e.g. the University of North Dakota’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Practice and Leadership and the University of New England’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership).
But many 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 15 top-notch public and private universities in our rankings of 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. We’ve listed concentrations & curriculum links under each school. Aspiring university leaders may also want to look at the listings of Ed.D. Programs in Higher Education.
- Investigate the College of Education: Colleges of Education have particular strengths. UWA is devoted to rural education; JHU, USC, and Fordham are known for their commitment to urban education; Rowan is working on diversity initiatives; 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 (e.g. UWA’s Online Ed.D. in Rural Education). 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, UW, etc.).
- 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).
COVID-19 and Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Programs
COVID-19 has thrown a spanner in the works for universities around the country. In response to the pandemic, many Schools of Education have moved their Ed.D. orientations and weekend intensives to a distance learning format (e.g. Zoom meetings). Online doctorates in educational leadership that had “built-in” campus elements are now 100% online.
Whether they stay that way remains to be seen! Some schools may decide that a 100% online Ed.D. in educational leadership is more convenient & cost-effective, and rework their degree structures. Others may revert to their original formats (e.g. summer institutes) in 2022 when a vaccine is in play. You should talk to the Ed.D. program coordinator to get a sense of how things are being handled.
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—cover.
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.)
- Educational Leadership
- Accountability/Performance Review
- Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Diversity and Culture
- Human Resources Management
- The Laws and Politics of Education
- Organizational Behavior/Organizational Change
- Public School Finance and Business
- Research Methods and Data
- 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 (e.g. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership), 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:
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. Better yet, the field is likely to grow, with 19,800 new positions expected by 2026.
- 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.
School Listings
328 Schools Found
Alabama
Alabama State University
School of Education
Montgomery, Alabama
Samford University
Orlean Beeson School of Education
Birmingham, Alabama
The University of Alabama
College of Education
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham
School of Education
Birmingham, Alabama
University of South Alabama
College of Education and Professional Studies
Mobile, 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
Northern Arizona University
College of Education
Flagstaff, Arizona
University of Arizona
Department of Educational Policy Studies and Practice
Tucson, Arizona
University of Phoenix
School of Advanced Studies
Tempe, Arizona
Arkansas
Arkansas State University
College of Education and Behavioral Science
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Arkansas Tech University
Department of Advanced Leadership Studies
Russellville, Arkansas
Harding University
Cannon-Clary College of Education
Searcy, Arkansas
University of Arkansas
College of Education and Health Professions
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Online Doctor of Education in Adult and Lifelong Learning - Adult Education Leadership
Offered Online
California
Alliant International University
School of Education
San Diego, California
Azusa Pacific University
School of Education
Azusa, California
California Lutheran University
Graduate School of Education
Thousand Oaks, California
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Education Department
Pomona, California
California State University-Bakersfield
Department of Teacher Education
Bakersfield, California
California State University-East Bay
College of Education and Allied Studies
Hayward, California
California State University-Fresno
School of Education
Fresno, California
California State University-Fullerton
College of Education
Fullerton, California
California State University-Long Beach
College of Education
Long Beach, California
California State University-Los Angeles
School of Education
Los Angeles, California
California State University-Northridge
College of Education
Northridge, California
California State University-Sacramento
College of Education
Sacramento, California
California State University-San Bernardino
College of Education
San Bernardino, California
California State University-Stanislaus
College of Education, Kinesiology and Social Work
Turlock, California
Fielding Graduate University
School of Leadership Studies
Santa Barbara, California
Doctor of Education in Leadership for Change - Community College Leadership for Change Concentration
Doctor of Education in Leadership for Change - Inclusive Leadership for Social Justice Concentration
La Sierra University
Department of Administration and Leadership
Riverside, California
Loyola Marymount University
School of Education
Los Angeles, California
Mills College
School of Education
Oakland, California
National University
Sanford College of Education
La Jolla, California
Pepperdine University
Graduate School of Education and Pschology
Malibu, California
Saint Marys College of California
Kalmanovitz School of Education
Moraga, California
San Diego State University
School of Education
San Diego, California
San Francisco State University
Department of Educational Leadership
San Francisco, California
San Jose State University
Department of Educational Leadership
San Jose, California
Trident University International
College of Education
Cypress, California
University of California-Berkeley
School of Education
Berkeley, California
University of California-Davis
College of Education
Davis, California
University of California-Los Angeles
School of Education
Los Angeles, California
University of California-San Diego
Department of Education Studies
La Jolla, California
University of Redlands
Department of Leadership and Higher Education
Redlands, California
University of San Francisco
School of Education
San Francisco, California
University of Southern California
Rossier School of Education
Los Angeles, California
University of the Pacific
Benerd School of Education
Stockton, California
Colorado
Aspen University
School of Education
Denver, Colorado
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
School of Education and Human Development
Denver, Colorado
University of Denver
Morgridge College of Education
Denver, Colorado
University of Northern Colorado
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Greeley, Colorado
Connecticut
Central Connecticut State University
Department of Educational Leadership, Policy & Instructional Technology
New Britain, Connecticut
Sacred Heart University
Isabelle Farrington College Of Education
Fairfield, Connecticut
Southern Connecticut State University
Department of Educational Leadership
New Haven, Connecticut
University of Bridgeport
School of Education
Bridgeport, Connecticut
University of Connecticut
Department of Educational Leadership
Storrs, Connecticut
University of Hartford
College of Education, Nursing and Health Professionals
West Hartford, Connecticut
Western Connecticut State University
Division of Graduate Studies
Danbury, Connecticut
Delaware
Delaware State University
Department of Education
Dover, Delaware
University of Delaware
College of Education
Newark, Delaware
Wilmington University
College of Education
New Castle, Delaware
District of Columbia
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
Florida
Barry University
Adrian Dominican School of Education
Miami, Florida
Florida Gulf Coast University
College of Education
Fort Myers, Florida
Florida International University
Department of Leadership and Professional Studies
Miami, Florida
Florida Southern College
Adult and Graduate
Lakeland, Florida
Florida State University
College of Education
Tallahassee, Florida
Lynn University
College of Education
Boca Raton, Florida
Nova Southeastern University
Fischler College of Education
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
St. Thomas University
School of Leadership, Education & Communication
Miami Gardens, Florida
The University of West Florida
College of Education and Professional Studies
Pensacola, Florida
University of Central Florida
College of Education
Orlando, Florida
University of Florida
College of Education
Gainesville, Florida
University of Miami
School of Education
Coral Gables, Florida
University of North Florida
Department of Leadership, School Counseling and Sport Management
Jacksonville, Florida
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences and Administration
St Augustine, Florida
Georgia
Augusta University
College of Education
Augusta, Georgia
Clark Atlanta University
Department of Educational Leadership
Atlanta, Georgia
Columbus State University
Department of Counseling, Foundations, and Leadership
Columbus, Georgia
Georgia Southern University
College of Education
Statesboro, Georgia
Georgia State University
Department of Educational Policy Studies
Atlanta, Georgia
Kennesaw State University
Bagwell College of Education
Kennesaw, Georgia
Piedmont College
School of Education
Demorest, Georgia
University of Georgia
Department of Lifelong Education, Administration, and Policy
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
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
Chicago State University
Doctoral Studies
Chicago, Illinois
Concordia University-Chicago
College of Education
River Forest, Illinois
DePaul University
College of Education
Chicago, Illinois
Governors State University
College of Education
University Park, Illinois
Lewis University
College of Education
Romeoville, Illinois
National Louis University
National College of Education
Chicago, Illinois
Northern Illinois University
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Dekalb, Illinois
Olivet Nazarene University
School of Graduate and Continuing Studies
Bourbonnais, Illinois
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Department of Educational Administration and Higher Education
Carbondale, Illinois
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Department of Educational Leadership
Edwardsville, Illinois
University of Illinois at Chicago
College of Education
Chicago, Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department of Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership
Champaign, Illinois
Ed.D. in Learning Design and Leadership - New Learning
Offered Online
University of St Francis
College of Education
Joliet, Illinois
Western Illinois University
College of Education & Human Services
Macomb, Illinois
Indiana
Indiana University Bloomington
School of Education
Bloomington, Indiana
University of Southern Indiana
Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education
Evansville, Indiana
Iowa
Drake University
School of Education
Des Moines, Iowa
Iowa State University
School of Education
Ames, Iowa
University of Iowa
College of Education
Iowa City, Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
College of Education
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Kansas
Baker University
School of Education
Baldwin City, Kansas
Kansas State University
College of Education
Manhattan, Kansas
Southwestern College
Professional Studies
Winfield, Kansas
University of Kansas
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Lawrence, Kansas
University of Saint Mary
Education Department
Leavenworth, Kansas
Wichita State University
Counseling, Educational Leadership, Educational and School Psychology Department
Wichita, Kansas
Kentucky
Bellarmine University
College of Education
Louisville, Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky University
Educational Leadership
Richmond, Kentucky
Morehead State University
College of Education
Morehead, Kentucky
Murray State University
Department of Educational Studies, Leadership, and Counseling
Murray, Kentucky
Northern Kentucky University
Department of Counseling, Social Work and Leadership
Highland Heights, Kentucky
Spalding University
School of Education
Louisville, Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Department of Educational Leadership Studies
Lexington, Kentucky
University of Louisville
School of Education
Louisville, Kentucky
University of the Cumberlands
Department of Education
Williamsburg, Kentucky
Western Kentucky University
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Louisiana
Louisiana Tech University
College of Education
Ruston, Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana University
Department of Educational Leadership and Technology
Hammond, Louisiana
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership
Lafayette, Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana
Division of Education and Counseling
New Orleans, Louisiana
Maine
University of Maine
College of Education and Human Development
Orono, Maine
University of New England
Department of Education
Biddeford, Maine
Maryland
Bowie State University
College of Education
Bowie, Maryland
Frostburg State University
Department of Educational Professions
Frostburg, Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
School of Education
Baltimore, Maryland
Morgan State University
School of Education
Baltimore, Maryland
Towson University
Department of Educational Technology and Literacy
Towson, Maryland
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Department of Graduate Studies
Princess Anne, Maryland
University of Maryland-College Park
College of Education
College Park, Maryland
Massachusetts
American International College
School of Education
Springfield, Massachusetts
Bay Path University
School of Education
Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Boston College
Lynch School of Education
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Boston University
School of Education
Boston, Massachusetts
Endicott College
Van Loan School
Beverly, Massachusetts
Harvard University
Graduate School of Education
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Northeastern University
College of Professional Studies
Boston, Massachusetts
Regis College
School of Arts and Sciences
Weston, Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Department of Leadership in Education
Boston, Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
College of Arts and Sciences
North Dartmouth, 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
Ferris State University
Department of Extended and International Operations
Big Rapids, Michigan
Madonna University
College of Education
Livonia, Michigan
Michigan State University
Department of Education Administration
East Lansing, Michigan
University of Michigan-Dearborn
College of Education, Health, and Human Services
Dearborn, Michigan
Wayne State University
College of Education
Detroit, Michigan
Minnesota
Bethel University
College of Education
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Capella University
School of Education
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota State University Moorhead
School of Teaching & Learning
Moorhead, Minnesota
Minnesota State University-Mankato
College of Education
Mankato, 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
Mississippi
Delta State University
Division of Teacher Education, Leadership, and Research
Cleveland, Mississippi
Mississippi College
Department of Teacher Education and Leadership
Clinton, Mississippi
University of Mississippi
School of Education
University, Mississippi
William Carey University
School of Education
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Missouri
Evangel University
Education Department
Springfield, Missouri
Lindenwood University
Department of Educational Leadership
Saint Charles, Missouri
Maryville University
School of Education
Saint Louis, Missouri
Missouri Baptist University
College of Education
Saint Louis, Missouri
Missouri State University-Springfield
Counseling, Leadership, and Special Education Department
Springfield, Missouri
Northwest Missouri State University
School of Education
Maryville, Missouri
Saint Louis University-Main Campus
School of Education
Saint Louis, Missouri
Southeast Missouri State University
Department of Leadership, Middle and Secondary Education
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Southwest Baptist University
School of Education
Bolivar, Missouri
University of Central Missouri
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Warrensburg, Missouri
University of Missouri-Columbia
Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis
Columbia, Missouri
University of Missouri-Kansas City
School of Education
Kansas City, Missouri
Webster University
School of Education
Saint Louis, Missouri
William Woods University
Division of Education
Fulton, Missouri
Montana
Montana State University
Department of Education
Bozeman, Montana
The University of Montana
Department of Educational Leadership
Missoula, Montana
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
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Department of Educational Administration
Lincoln, Nebraska
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Studies- Educational Leadership and Higher Education - Community College Leadership
Offered Online
Nevada
University of Nevada-Reno
College of Education
Reno, Nevada
New Hampshire
New England College
College of Education
Henniker, New Hampshire
Plymouth State University
Department of Educational Leadership, Learning, and Curriculum
Plymouth, New Hampshire
Rivier University
Division of Education
Nashua, New Hampshire
Southern New Hampshire University
School of Education
Manchester, New Hampshire
New Jersey
Caldwell University
School of Education
Caldwell, New Jersey
Kean University
Department of Educational Leadership
Union, New Jersey
Monmouth University
School of Education
West Long Branch, 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
Rutgers University
Graduate School of Education
Camden, New Jersey
Saint Elizabeth University
Graduate and Continuing Studies
Morristown, New Jersey
Saint Peter's University
Caulfield School of Education
Jersey City, New Jersey
Seton Hall University
College of Education and Human Services
South Orange, New Jersey
New Mexico
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
Department of Educational Leadership and Administration
Las Cruces, New Mexico
University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Department of Teacher Education, Educational Leadership, and Policy
Albuquerque, New Mexico
New York
Columbia University in the City of New York
Department of Organization and Leadership
New York, New York
CUNY Hunter College
School of Education
New York, New York
D'Youville College
Department of Educational Leadership
Buffalo, New York
Fordham University
Graduate School of Education
Bronx, New York
Hofstra University
School of Education
Hempstead, New York
New York University
Department of Administration, Leadership and Technology
New York, New York
St. John's University
School of Education
Queens, New York
Syracuse University
Department of Teaching and Leadership
Syracuse, New York
The Sage Colleges
Esteves School of Education
Troy, New York
Yeshiva University
Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education & Administration
New York, New York
North Carolina
Appalachian State University
Department of Leadership & Educational Studies
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
East Carolina University
Department of Educational Leadership
Greenville, North Carolina
Fayetteville State University
Department of Educational Leadership
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Gardner-Webb University
School of Education
Boiling Springs, North Carolina
High Point University
School of Education
High Point, North Carolina
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development
Raleigh, North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
School of Education
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Cato College of Education
Charlotte, North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
School of Education
Greensboro, North Carolina
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Department of Educational Leadership
Wilmington, North Carolina
Western Carolina University
Human Services Department
Cullowhee, North Carolina
Wingate University
School of Education
Wingate, North Carolina
North Dakota
University of North Dakota
Department of Teaching and Learning
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Ohio
Ashland University
College of Education
Ashland, Ohio
Bowling Green State University
School of Education and Human Performance
Bowling Green, Ohio
Franklin University
School of Education
Columbus, Ohio
Kent State University at Kent
School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration
Kent, Ohio
Miami University-Oxford
College of Education
Oxford, Ohio
Youngstown State University
Beeghly College of Education
Youngstown, Ohio
Oklahoma
Southern Nazarene University
Professional and Graduate Studies
Bethany, Oklahoma
Oregon
George Fox University
School of Education
Newberg, Oregon
Lewis & Clark College
Educational Leadership and School Counseling
Portland, Oregon
Oregon State University
College of Education
Corvallis, Oregon
Portland State University
Graduate School of Education
Portland, Oregon
University of Oregon
College of Education
Eugene, Oregon
University of Portland
School of Education
Portland, Oregon
Pennsylvania
Arcadia University
School of Education
Glenside, Pennsylvania
Cabrini University
Department of Educational Policy and Leadership
Radnor, Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania
Department of Secondary Education and Administrative Leadership
California, Pennsylvania
Delaware Valley University
Graduate Academics
Doylestown, 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
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
College of Education
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Gratz College
Graduate Studies
Melrose Park, Pennsylvania
Holy Family University
School of Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Immaculata University
College of Education
Immaculata, Pennsylvania
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus
College of Education
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Lehigh University
College of Education
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
College of Education And Human Services
Millersville, Pennsylvania
Neumann University
Department of Education / Human Services
Aston, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Department of Education Policy Studies
University Park, Pennsylvania
Point Park University
Department of Education
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Saint Joseph's University
Graduate Studies, College of Arts and Sciences
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
College of Education
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Temple University
College of Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Graduate School of Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Department of Administrative and Policy Studies
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Widener University
School of Education
Chester, 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
North Greenville University
College of Education
Tigerville, South Carolina
Tennessee
Austin Peay State University
College of Education
Clarksville, Tennessee
Carson-Newman University
Adult and Graduate Studies
Jefferson City, Tennessee
East Tennessee State University
College of Education
Johnson City, Tennessee
Freed-Hardeman University
Department of Graduate Studies in Education
Henderson, Tennessee
Lincoln Memorial University
Carter and Moyers School of Education
Harrogate, Tennessee
Milligan University
Area of Education
Milligan College, Tennessee
Tennessee State University
College of Education
Nashville, Tennessee
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Department of Learning and Leadership
Chattanooga, 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
Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations
Nashville, Tennessee
Texas
Baylor University
Department of Educational Leadership
Waco, Texas
Dallas Baptist University
Gary Cook School of Leadership
Dallas, Texas
Lamar University
College of Education and Human Development
Beaumont, Texas
Sam Houston State University
School of Education
Huntsville, Texas
Stephen F Austin State University
Department of Secondary Education & Educational Leadership
Nacogdoches, Texas
Tarleton State University
Department of Educational Leadership & Technology
Stephenville, Texas
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
Department of Education and Human Development
Corpus Christi, Texas
Texas A & M University-Kingsville
Department of Educational Leadership and Technology
Kingsville, Texas
Texas A & M University-Texarkana
Department of Education Leadership
Texarkana, Texas
Texas Christian University
College of Education
Fort Worth, Texas
Texas Tech University
College of Education
Lubbock, Texas
Texas Wesleyan University
School of Education
Fort Worth, Texas
The University of Texas at El Paso
Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations
El Paso, Texas
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Department of Organization and School Leadership
Edinburg, Texas
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Houston, Texas
University of Houston
College of Education
Houston, Texas
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
College of Education
Belton, Texas
University of North Texas
Department of Teacher Education and Administration
Denton, Texas
University of St Thomas
School of Education and Human Services
Houston, Texas
West Texas A & M University
College of Education and Social Science
Canyon, Texas
Utah
Brigham Young University-Provo
McKay School of Education
Provo, Utah
University of Utah
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
Salt Lake City, Utah
Vermont
University of Vermont
College of Education and Social Services
Burlington, Vermont
Virginia
College of William and Mary
Department of Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership
Williamsburg, Virginia
Liberty University
School of Education
Lynchburg, Virginia
Regent University
School of Education
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Shenandoah University
School of Education and Human Development
Winchester, 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