Ed.D. Programs in Florida

Earning a Doctor of Education Degree in Florida

What Kind of Florida Ed.D. Programs Are Available?

Florida is a land of big public Ed.D. players with deep funding pockets. You’ll see that our listings are dominated by familiar names from the State University System of Florida. But you will also discover a few private options that offer intriguing takes on the field. Plenty of schools are CAEP-accredited. Almost half have chosen to take part in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). And the University of Florida and Florida State University have some of the best online doctorates in the country. You won’t have to sacrifice quality for convenience!

How Do I Choose a Florida Ed.D. Program?

Case Study #1: Florida K-12 Administrator Looking for Ways to Save Money

Let’s say you’re a mid-careerist aiming for more challenging leadership roles in the K-12 space. You’d like to find an affordable Florida doctorate in education in our listings that will both satisfy your employer and yourself. Here’s what to look for in our funding section to bring down the cost of your degree:

• Scholarships at Public Universities: Colleges of Education in the State University System of Florida tend to offer the largest number of scholarships & fellowships to Ed.D. students. If you’re lucky, you may also qualify for general fellowships from the Graduate School. We’ve provided links to awards in our funding section.
• Partnership Discounts: Not interested in public? Private universities like Nova Southeastern and Lynn offer special tuition deals to educational & corporate partners. For example, check out NSU’s list of eligible Florida School Districts. Lynn even offers a dedicated discount for current teachers.
• Tuition Waivers: Florida universities love to offer tuition waivers. These can apply to online students, current administrators, State of Florida employees, out-of-state students—the list goes on. Ask the Ed.D. program coordinator if they are available.
• Monthly Payment Plans: Many Florida schools will allow you to distribute the cost of your degree through an interest-free monthly payment plan. This option may be a strong selling point if you’re asking for tuition assistance from your employer.

Case Study #2: Latinx Educator Seeking to Explore Multicultural Education

Florida’s proximity to the Caribbean and Mexico gives it an edge for Latinx educators interested in cross-border doctoral studies. If you’re searching for an Ed.D. that will expose you to new teaching ideas & career opportunities, we recommend you take a look at:

• Florida International University: Just to the west of Miami lies FIU—a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Be sure to investigate FIU’s Ed.D. in Adult Education and Human Resource Development with a concentration in International and Intercultural Education, events at the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center, and the LACC Education Internship Mini-Grant.
• Florida Gulf Coast University: FGCU offers an unusual Ed.D. specialty in Multicultural/lingual Education—with an embedded internship—and a modest fellowship for Latin American & Caribbean graduate students.
• Nova Southeastern University: Buscando un doctorado bilingüe? Explore NSU’s unique Bilingual Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership for Hispanic professionals in South Florida. This hybrid 3-year program features online coursework, Saturday campus sessions, and annual Summer Institutes.

Remember, too, that Florida K-12 educators have the option to connect with members of the Florida Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (FL-ALAS) at their annual statewide conference.

Case Study #3: Higher Education Administrator Wanting the Best of the Best

Let’s say you’re employed within the Florida higher education sphere. You’re aiming to earn an Ed.D. while you work and then consider whether you make the move to another state. Plus you want a doctorate that’s going to bowl over hiring committees around the USA. Schools in our listings that particularly impressed us include:

• University of Florida: UF frequently appears in our Best Online Ed.D. rankings and it offers a score of specific awards for higher education Ed.D. students, including the Maxwell & Doris King Annual Scholarship for students in the Hybrid Higher Education Administration Ed.D. program. You’ll be able to network with fellow classmates 2-3 weekends per semester.
• University of Miami: For its Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, UM offers tuition waivers (30-50%), data-focused coursework, in-person monthly meetings, and strong graduate outcomes. You can reach out to graduates who feature in the alumni stories for more insider information.

These are just a couple of examples to get you started. If you’re not seeing what you need in Florida, you may wish to explore online programs in our Executive Ed.D. guide.

Online Doctor of Education Programs in Florida

Online Ed.D. Providers in Florida

• Florida State University
• Nova Southeastern University
• Saint Leo University
• Southeastern University
• St. Thomas University
• University of Central Florida
• University of Florida
• University of Miami
• University of West Florida

What to Know About Florida Online Ed.D. Programs

To speed your search, we’ve marked all of the online doctorate of education programs in Florida with an “Offered Online” marker in our listings. Here are a few points to keep in mind when you’re comparing them with on-campus Ed.D. options:

1. Accreditation won’t be an issue. All of the universities offering distance learning doctorates in Florida are regionally accredited and many are CAEP-accredited.
2. To encourage networking, online Ed.D. programs in Florida often include elements like summer institutes, synchronous/real-time meetings, and campus intensives.
3. A number of online Ed.D. programs in Florida are cohort-based. That means you’ll have a fixed schedule and the support of fellow classmates.

Pay attention to the total cost and ask the Ed.D. program coordinator for a sample budget. At Florida public universities, in-state and out-of-state students have different tuition rates & fees, even for online Ed.D. programs. Private schools may give you the most variety, but they will also be more expensive. We’ve provided you with tuition links in the listings so you won’t be surprised.

Online Ed.D. Programs at Big Public Universities in Florida

You may have trouble choosing between UF and FSU. Both are public research universities; both are CAEP-accredited; both offer an affordable in-state tuition rate; and both have chosen to participate in the CPED Initiative. Better yet, they can often both be found in our Best Online Ed.D. rankings.

• UF’s highly regarded College of Education has come up with hybrid doctorates in Leadership in Educational Administration and Higher Education and cohort-based online doctorates in specialist subjects like Educational Technology, Curriculum and Instruction – Teachers, Schools, and Society (TSS), and Special Education. In 2020, the TSS doctorate was even named CPED Program of the Year.
• FSU’s Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy is a bit more expansive in scope. Online coursework and summer sessions cover areas such as organizational systems, policy & practice, and equity. Graduates become senior-level educational leaders, policymakers, and policy researchers. And FSU has plenty of scholarships on offer.

Worried about your budget? We recommend that anyone interested in UF’s specialist doctorates compare them with UWF’s super-affordable Online Ed.D. in Instructional and Performance Technology and Online Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, as well as UCF’s Online Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction. UWF offers some of the cheapest Ed.D. programs in the country and UCF’s in-state tuition rate is superb!

Online Ed.D. Programs at Private Research Universities in Florida

Alternatively, you could consider doctorates from CAEP-accredited private universities with prestigious academic credentials. The University of Miami is classified as an R1 Doctoral University with very high research activity and Nova Southeastern University is classified as an R2. Just bear in mind that prices will be high.

• UMiami’s Online Ed.D. in Applied Learning Sciences investigates theories behind innovative learning environments and the knowledge of curriculum design. So it’s less about educational leadership and more about training, teaching & workplace-related learning. It’s also super-quick (2.5 years).
• NSU’s Fischler College of Education offers an Online Ed.D. in 8 different concentrations—from K-12 concerns to Organizational Leadership. We especially like the fact that it includes the option of an Applied Dissertation or a Strategic Research Project (SRP) and at least one summer institute (a.k.a. The EDGE @ Fischler Institute). NSU is expensive, but you can offset costs with scholarships and tuition discounts for FL school district employees.

Online Ed.D. Programs at Small Religious Florida Universities

Your remaining options will come from Florida schools with a religious core. These online Ed.D. programs tend to be: a) fairly affordable for in-state and out-of-state students; b) built for working professionals; and c) not CAEP-accredited. For example:

• Saint Leo University’s Online Ed.D. in School Leadership for K-12 administrators only includes 1 on-campus residency in July.
• St. Thomas University is a Catholic school that offers an accelerated, 100% Online Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation, with no on-campus requirements and multiple start dates. You will need a 3.0 GPA and a master’s degree to apply, but your major doesn’t have to be in education. And credit transfers are available if you hold a second master’s.
• Southeastern University’s Online Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction and Online Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership are faith-based, 54-credit programs that emphasize a Christian worldview. These concentrations also feature hands-on practicums, two on-campus intensives, and multiple start dates. And the affordable per credit tuition rate is almost on par with in-state tuition rates from public schools!

Doctoral Education Funding in Florida

Barry University

Barry has a useful section on Graduate Financial Aid that covers state aid & institutional aid. Alumni and family members are eligible for tuition discounts.

Florida Gulf Coast University

In FGCU’s section on Financing Graduate Studies, you’ll discover details on financial aid, tuition waivers, and scholarships. Check out the Graduate Studies (GS) Scholarship, Latin American & Caribbean (LAC) Graduate Scholarship, and FGCU Foundation Scholarship opportunities.

Florida International University

Although the majority of FIU Graduate Fellowships are reserved for Ph.D. students, there are a couple that may suit your situation (e.g. UGS Veteran’s Fellowship). If you’re eyeing the Ed.D. in Adult Education & HR Development, visit the section on Department of Educational Policy Studies Opportunities, with info on internships and scholarships. The LACC Education Internship Mini-Grant is just one example. This provides funding for an internship abroad with a focus on Latin America or the Caribbean.

Florida State University

Start with FSU’s massive section on Graduate School Funding & Awards, which has details on Fellowships & Grants, Student Awards & Grants (e.g. dissertation research grants), and Tuition Waivers & Fees (e.g. state employee waiver). Then visit the College of Education’s section on Scholarships & Aid (e.g. Foundation Scholarships) and the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards, which gives advice on external awards. Considering the Ed.D. in Higher Education? Have a look at the section on Scholarships & Aid. It contains useful details on graduate assistantships and specific fellowships.

Lynn University

Lynn’s Ed.D. Grant for full-time faculty or development specialists takes 15% off each credit hour. The university also offers tuition discounts to a number of candidates, including alumni, teachers and corporate/education partners.

Nova Southeastern University

NSU’s Scholarships section has links to institutional, international & external graduate scholarships. Scores of internal awards are available, including the Fischler General Doctor of Education Scholarship Fund (GDEF), Fischler Forward Fund (FFSF), Changing Lives Scholarships, Fischler Lilian Rose Scholarship (FLRE), and the Sara Berkowitz Scholarship Fund (SBS). You can also see if you’re interested in the Online Payment Plan. Finally, NSU offers a tuition discount to first-time NSU/FCE students, as well as FCE alumni, who are employees of its Educational Partners. A large number of Florida School Districts qualify as partners.

Saint Leo University

View the list of Saint Leo’s Corporate Partners to learn if you are eligible for education assistance benefits. A number of school districts are included.

Southeastern University

Because Southeastern’s online tuition rate is already discounted, it doesn’t offer additional internal scholarships to distance learners. It does, however, offer a monthly payment plan.

University of Central Florida

UCF’s A20 Scholarship Database contains info on doctoral scholarships offered through the UCF College of Community Innovation and Education (e.g. Lester N. Mandell Scholarship). The College of Graduate Studies also has a comprehensive section on Funding resources for doctoral students, including info on Graduate Assistantships, Other Funding Resources (e.g. doctoral research support, travel funding, external fellowships, etc.), and Graduate Fellowships. There are many doctoral fellowships up for grabs!

University of Florida

UF’s College of Education has an extensive list of Graduate Scholarships & Fellowships. Ed.D. students qualify for a number of these awards, especially in the realms of special education and higher education! The Graduate School also has a section devoted to Funding, with more details on general fellowships. Online students qualify for institutional aid at UF, but it’s best to check with the Ed.D. program coordinator about potential awards for your specific degree.

University of Miami

Begin with the section on Graduate Professional Financial Assistance. This has info on internal & external fellowships, including funds for travel support. Ed.D. students are eligible to apply for the Dissertation Fellowship. Online Ed.D. students are eligible for tuition waivers and a monthly payment plan. Tuition waivers are also available for higher education administrators in the Executive Ed.D. program—they’re based on a candidate’s administrative background and the quality of their application. Most students receive waivers of between 30%-50%.

University of North Florida

Explore the list of College of Education & Human Services (COEHS) Scholarships—awards like the Dr. Diane Yendol-Hoppey Fellowship and Florida School Book Depository Endowed Graduate Fellowship are open to Ed.D. students. UNF’s Graduate School also has details on tuition waivers, employer reimbursement plans, and assistantships & awards. In particular, check out the Graduate Research Grant and the Delores Auzenne Fellowship (for Florida residents who contribute to the diversity of a graduate program).

University of South Florida-Main Campus

Visit the Office of Graduate Studies’s section on Funding, which includes details on fellowships & scholarships, research funding (e.g. conference grants), and USF Foundation Scholarships (e.g. women, Black leadership, etc.). Then examine the College of Education’s Graduate Scholarships Guide. Each year, the College awards more than $400,000 in scholarships through private funding. There are tons of graduate awards up for grabs, but check the descriptions for subject-based awards.

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

USAHS offers an Ed.D. grant to all candidates—no separate application is required.

University of West Florida

Explore the School of Education Scholarships section. This has details on a number of graduate awards & fellowships, including the Pamela B. Schwartz Scholarship. Then visit the Graduate School’s section on Funding Opportunities (e.g. assistantships, general scholarships, tuition waivers, travel funds, etc.). UWF’s Doctoral Support Center can provide more personalized advice.

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.

Educational Leadership Certification Requirements in Florida

Educational Leadership Certifications

The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) is responsible for educational leadership certifications. The two most common certifications for administrators employed by public schools are:

• Level 1: Educational Leadership Certification
• Level 2: Principal Certification

We talk more about them below. However, FDOE also administers a couple of other administrative certifications that we wanted to mention, namely:

• Administration of Adult Education (Adult)
• Local Director of Career and Technical Education (Career and Technical)

If you’re working outside of the K-12 sphere, these specialist certifications may be more relevant to your job. For example, UCF offers a Local Director of Career and Technical Education Graduate Certificate with certification preparation for teachers who aspire to a position as program director, coordinator, or another administrator-type position.

Level 1: Educational Leadership Certification

Level 1 Educational Leadership Certification is aimed at aspiring teacher leaders, assistant principals, intern principals, and interim principals in Florida public schools. Certification requirements are laid out by the FDOE. To apply, you will need to:

• Hold a master’s degree from an accredited university or college
• Pass the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE)

If you didn’t major in educational administration, administration & supervision or educational leadership during your master’s degree, you will need to take extra coursework to ensure you’ve covered the topics in the Florida Educational Leadership Core Curriculum. This is often done through a certification prep program or another state-approved training program.

• A large number of Florida universities offer certification programs that are designed to prepare you for the FELE exam and get you up-to-speed in necessary coursework.
• FDOE supplies a full list of FDOE-approved program providers in its Educational Leadership section.

Note: In Florida, Level 1 certification training is usually offered within M.S., M.Ed., Ed.S. or specialist programs, not doctoral programs. However, be sure to ask the program coordinator if any those Ed.S. or specialist credits can be applied to an Ed.D. later down the line!

Level 2: Principal Certification

Level 2 Principal Certification is the next step after Level 1, and it’s aimed at aspiring public school principals. Certification requirements are laid out by the FDOE. To apply, you will need to:

• Hold a valid professional certificate covering educational leadership, administration, or administration & supervision (e.g. Level 1: Educational Leadership)
• Document your successful performance of the duties of the school principalship
• Be a full-time employee in a Florida public school in a leadership position
• Take part in a formally planned professional development program
• And more…

FDOE spells out exact duties in its section on certification requirements. School districts with FDOE-approved professional development programs are listed in the Level 2 Principal Preparation section.

Educational Leadership Jobs in Florida

Educational Leadership Career Outlook

Get ready for choice! If you examine the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)’s profiles of kindergarten through secondary school education administrators and postsecondary education administrators, you’ll see that Florida is one of the best states in the country for K-20 employment. It’s home to 100+ colleges and universities and many of the largest school systems in the country.

• K-12 Administrators: Decide where you wish to focus your search. FDOE’s Division of Technology and Information publishes tons of data on Florida schools (e.g. district report cards, teacher shortage areas, etc.). You may also want to check out FDOE’s Financial Profiles of School Districts.
• Higher Education Administrators: The U.S. government’s College Scorecard will give you a quick overview of Florida colleges & universities in your chosen zip code. According to the NCES, the largest degree-granting colleges & universities in Florida (by enrollment) are public ones: UCF, Florida International University, and the University of Florida.

Educational Leadership Salaries

For a general view of the field, have a look at Payscale’s cumulative data for all holders of the Doctor of Education (EdD) Degree. This allows you to compare salary data by job title. Then you can start to dig down into Florida numbers.

• K-12 Administrators: Check out BLS wage maps and the FDOE’s reports on Florida District Staff Salaries of Selected Positions. This lists average salaries for Florida superintendents, deputy/associate/assistant superintendents, and school board members by district. You’ll notice that Southern Florida counties (e.g. Collier) tend to pay the highest wages. Another useful resource is the AASA’s annual Superintendents Salary and Benefits Survey.
• Higher Education Administrators: According to BLS wage maps, salaries for Florida postsecondary administrators are lagging far behind Alabama and Georgia—annual mean wages are some of the lowest in the country. The best salaries can be found in areas like Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, but these numbers may reflect the higher cost of living. You can compare these data with the FDOE’s reports on Florida College System Salaries of Selected Positions.

Educational Leadership Job Boards

Major job sites can get you started (e.g. Indeed, HigherEdJobs, SchoolSpring, LinkedIn, etc.). But we wanted to highlight a few FL-specific job boards and resources for educational leaders & administrators, including:

• FASA’s Career Center for school administrators.
• NAESP’s career section on Florida, with opportunities for elementary school principals.
• Career opportunities with members of the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS).

Educational Leadership Organizations in Florida

Educational Leadership Associations

• Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS): FADSS assists & supports FL superintendents through leadership development programs, partnerships with business and governmental leaders, and communication and networking services.
• Florida Association for the Education of Young Children (FLAEYC): FLAEYC is a membership organization that provides leadership, advocacy, and professional development for early childhood professionals, including childcare directors and higher education administrators involved in running ECE programs.
• Florida Association of Professors of Educational Leadership (FAPEL): Through its institutional members (e.g. FAU, FSU, UCF, etc.), FAPEL promotes the education and training of Florida educational leaders through teaching, research, and service.
• Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA): One to bookmark! FASA supports administrators in providing high-quality education to the students of Florida. It’s the second largest and fastest growing-education association in the state, with a membership of nearly 5,500 superintendents, principals, assistant principals, and district-level administrators.
• Florida Association of School Business Officials (FASBO): FASBO is a professional association of Florida school business management professionals. It represents around 300 school business officials employed in public and private school entities, as well as community and junior colleges and state departments of education.
• Florida Association of School Personnel Administrators (FASPA): FASPA members are school administrators who have roles and responsibilities associated with personnel operations, and college/university personnel who are responsible for teacher training and certification.
• Florida School Boards Association (FSBA): FSBA is a non-profit corporation representing the elected school boards in Florida.
• Florida School Finance Officers Association (FSFOA): FSFOA exists to help secure uniform accounting and reporting, improve business management practices, and more. Voting members include Finance Officers from school districts in the State of Florida.
• Florida Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (FL-ALAS): FL-ALAS was founded in 2012 (originally as South Florida ALAS), by a group of Latino educational leaders in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties as an organization devoted to collaboration and advocacy.

Educational Leadership Professional Groups

• Adult and Community Educators of Florida, Inc. (ACE): ACE is composed of a group of educational leaders who are committed to improving—and expanding—adult & community education programs and services throughout Florida.
• Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS): CGCS is an organization of the nation’s largest urban school systems, including a number in Florida (e.g. Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, etc.).
• Florida Council of Instructional Technology Leaders (FCITL): FCITL promotes the enhancement of the instructional process through the effective use and integration of technology. Members include personnel from Florida public school districts who have district-wide responsibilities.
• Florida Education Negotiators (FEN): FEN is a statewide group that helps its members in assisting school boards in all matters related to employee relations. FEN is comprised of Chief Negotiators and school board bargaining team members.

Note: Remember that state and national educator organizations often have funds and scholarships available for continuing education (e.g. Ed.D.). Check the website and ask about opportunities.

Educational Leadership Events in Florida

Educational Leadership Conferences

• Annual Joint Conference: This event is a collaboration between FSBA, FADSS, FELL, the Florida Educational Risk Management Association (FERMA), the Florida School Board Attorneys Association (FSBAA), and the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association (SUNSPRA).
• FADIMA Conference: Aimed at instructional materials administrators, FADIMA’s 4-day event takes place in the late fall. It also runs a Cost Analysis meeting in May. The FADIMA Cost Analysis has historically been used by the Florida Legislature to determine the instructional materials categorical budget.
• FASA Discover Conference: FASA’s annual spring conference in June attracts Florida administrators, support staff, and educators. It also runs an Advocate Conference in January/February.
• FASBO Annual Conference; Joint Meeting with FSFOA: This annual event takes place in November, and features professional development sessions presented by state & national experts. 100+ attendees usually go.
• FLAEYC Annual Conference: Open to FLAEYC members and Florida early childhood educators, this event attracts around 1,000 attendees.
• FSBA/FADSS Annual Summer Conference: The June conference helps school board members, superintendents, district staff, and others gain insight into the issues and events impacting education and access valuable professional development opportunities.
• FSFOA Annual Conference: FSFOA’s June conference is targeted at Florida School Finance Officers.