Ed.D. Programs in Pennsylvania

Online Ed.D. Programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is an excellent state for education administrators who are seeking distance learning programs. All of the public universities and large private universities in Pennsylvania offering online doctoral degrees in education are CAEP-accredited. In addition, three universities in this list—Arcadia, Drexel, and Duquesne—are members of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). The following universities offer online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs in Pennsylvania:

1. Arcadia University
2. Delaware Valley University
3. Drexel University (CAEP-accredited)
4. Duquesne University (CAEP-accredited)
5. Gratz College
6. Gwynedd Mercy University
7. Neumann University
8. Pennsylvania State University – World Campus (CAEP-accredited)
9. Pennsylvania Western University (CAEP-accredited)
10. Point Park University
11. Slippery Rock University (CAEP-accredited)
12. Wilkes University

Public Pennsylvania Universities

PennWest’s 100% Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership focuses on fiscal responsibility and has an optional Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (SLE) concentration. The standard doctorate is 39 credits; anyone preparing for the SLE will complete 57 credits. Coursework is offered in an asynchronous “learn on your own time” format, so it’s a solid choice for those who need a flexible schedule. PennWest is looking for applicants with a 3.5 GPA on their master’s degree, but students with a GPA between 3.00-3.49 may apply for conditional admission.

Similarly, Slippery Rock University’s 60-credit Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration is 100% online, with optional face-to-face dissertation seminars. It can be completed in 3 years on part-time schedule. It’s available in two concentrations: Higher Education or Administration Studies & Policy for K-12 public school administrators (Pennsylvania principal certification is available). Just be ready to prove your worth! Like PennWest, SRU wants to see candidates with a 3.5 GPA on graduate work.

If you’d like to have Penn State on your résumé, you could consider the World Campus’s Online Doctor of Education (D.Ed.). It’s 100% online, available in a wide range of specialized paths, and comes with flexible scheduling. Most students finish in 3-4 years, but up to 8 years is possible. One thing to note—if you are eyeing the Main Campus’s Online D.Ed. in Educational Leadership with SLE preparation, speak to the D.Ed. program coordinator about campus requirements. Courses in this Ed.D. are offered in both hybrid and online formats.

Large Private Pennsylvania Universities

We’re defining “large” as anything over 10,000 students. For example, Drexel’s flagship Ed.D. is the Online Doctorate​ ​of​ ​Education​​ ​in​ ​Educational Leadership​ ​and​ ​Management. It’s cohort-based, flexible (3 or 5 years), and available in two formats (100% online or an executive option that’s hybrid). There are tons of concentrations, including ones that will prepare you for the SLE or Pennsylvania principal certification. It’s also competitive (3.5 GPA for admissions) and fairly expensive. However, discounts are available for a variety of groups. This program was named the 2019 Program of the Year by the CPED.

You can compare Drexel’s offering with Duquesne’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, with an optional SLE track for those who are seeking certification for principal, superintendent, or central office roles. In addition to being a CAEP-accredited school and a CPED member, Duquesne’s School of Education hosts the Center for Educational Leadership and Social Justice (CELSJ). It’s a good choice if you like interacting with fellow students. This cohort-based doctorate includes synchronous evening meetings every other week and week-long summer residencies on the Duquesne campus.

Smaller Private Pennsylvania Universities

Prefer something a little more intimate? You could consider a smaller school. For instance, Wilkes University’s Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership comes in multiple specializations, including a K-12 Administration option with preparation for the SLE and a concentration in principal certification. There’s even an Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership – Instructional Leadership for International Educators. All of them are low-residency, cohort-based programs that include three in-person meetings (U.S. and international settings) and plenty of dissertation research.

Similarly, Delaware Valley University’s cohort-based Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is available in many specializations, including an SLE track. This 3-year doctorate was developed by a former Bucks County public school superintendent. It’s 100% online, with synchronous coursework and field experiences & practicums. If you’re not quite ready for a doctorate, DelVal also offers a 12-credit, year-long post-master’s SLE certification program.

Point Park University’s Online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Administration is an echo of its cohort-based, on-campus program. The online Ed.D. is offered in three concentrations, including one for the SLE and another for principal certification. Courses are eight weeks in length and run year-round. You’ll work on a dissertation, field-based administrative practicums, and interdisciplinary coursework. What’s more, if you have 18 post-master’s degree credits, you can transfer those into the program to reduce your required Ed.D. credits to 36.

Arcadia University’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is 100% online. However, there are opportunities for faculty interaction with live classes and live advising sessions. Many of the competencies required for a variety of administrative certificates are covered in the curriculum, but you should discuss your goals with the Ed.D. program coordinator before applying. Arcadia recommends that candidates have a minimum 3.5 GPA on their master’s degree. If PK-12 administrative certification is desired, applicants should also have a minimum of 5 years of experience working as an educational leader. Arcadia is a CPED member.

Religious Pennsylvania Universities

Neumann University is a private Roman Catholic university, so its cohort-based Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership has been shaped by the foundational principles of the Catholic Franciscan intellectual tradition. The very first course is in Ethics & Educational Leadership. It’s an online doctorate with summer campus residencies that takes 3.5 or more years to complete. The curriculum features options for Pre K-12 Administrative I certification and/or the SLE.

Another private Roman Catholic option is Gwynedd Mercy University. Its Online Accelerated Executive Ed.D. in Education with multiple PreK-20 concentrations includes options for SLE preparation or Special Education Supervisory certification. And although it’s billed as an executive program, it’s open to candidates with a minimum of three years’ relevant experience and 3.0 GPA on their master’s degree. To encourage networking, there are three in-person residencies. The first two take place on the GMercyU campus; the third involves a week of learning at the University of Limerick in Ireland.

Jewish students might wish to consider Gratz College’s 48-credit Online Doctorate of Education in Leadership, which has a similar per credit tuition price to Pennsylvania’s smaller private universities. Gratz’s online Ed.D. is offered in a number of concentrations and grounded in a pluralistic approach to Jewish values. Like PPU, Gratz uses an eight-week accelerated model for courses. During your degree, you’ll be required to complete an applied dissertation and attend three summer residencies in Melrose Park.

Note: Our overview of online doctoral programs in education has more details on important accreditations and listings for online Ed.D. programs in other states, plus rankings of the best Ed.D. programs in the country.

Doctoral Education Funding in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania universities can be a little scattershot in their approach to doctoral funding. Some provide clear guidance to financial aid options on their websites; some don’t. To save you time, we’ve highlighted internal funding opportunities that may help you offset costs. For an Ed.D. program, you’ll usually need to supplement this kind of funding with external aid (e.g. federal loans).

Arcadia University

Visit the section on Graduate Financial Aid. The School of Education offers a limited number of modest scholarships each year ($4,000 to $5,000 spread out over two years); Ed.D. students are eligible to apply. Students who completed their undergraduate degree at Arcadia University (Beaver College) receive an alumni discount.

Drexel University

Discounts for the Online Ed.D. and the discounts for the Hybrid Ed.D. in Philadelphia include:

• 30% tuition savings for military members serving on active duty or with the National Guard, as well as reserves, veterans, and military dependents
• 30% tuition savings for full-time faculty and staff employed at community colleges and their immediate family members
• 30% tuition savings for employees and members of Drexel University Online partner organizations and immediate family members
• 30% tuition savings for alumni of Drexel University’s School of Education and College of Nursing & Health Professions master’s degree programs

Duquesne University

Check the School of Education’s section on Tuition and Aid for general info on doctoral aid. Students enrolling in the online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program may be eligible for a Duquesne Educational Leadership Grant ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 per semester. University-offered graduate assistantships are available for competitive application. If you’re interested in assistantships offered by the School of Education, you will need to contact the Program Director for your preferred program.

East Stroudsburg University

Ask the Ed.D. program coordinator if doctoral students are eligible for the PreK-12 Educator Tuition (P.E.T.) Program, which covers tuition expenses. The Graduate College also has a section on Assistantships & Student Support, though these may not be relevant if you’re juggling a full-time job.

Gratz College

Gratz lists funding opportunities for education students in its Scholarships section. For example, doctoral students are eligible for the Rebecca Gratz Scholarships for the Ed.D. in Education Leadership. In addition, Gratz has set up an interest-free payment plan.

Immaculata University

Ed.D. applicants should follow the procedures outline in Graduate Financial Aid. A limited number of full or partial graduate assistantships are available on a yearly basis. These provide for a tuition reduction and stipend.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Begin with IUP’s section on Graduate Funding, which has details on financial aid, scholarships, and graduate assistantships. IUP also offers internal funding for graduate student research, including funds for conference travel, publication reimbursement, research, and more.

Lehigh University

Lehigh’s College of Education (COE) has an important section on Scholarships, Billing & Financial Aid for all COE students. Scholarships, graduate assistantships, a Graduate Educational Payment Plan, and Pennsylvania Tuition Incentive Program are all on offer. Top priority for tuition scholarship funding is given to full-time doctoral students.

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

MU offers graduate assistantships to graduate students who have been formally admitted into a master’s or doctoral degree program

Neumann University

Neumann offers a variety of tuition discounts to education partners, active military, and local school district employees. Graduate assistantships are also available.

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

The Graduate School has info on Funding, including details on student recognition awards and assistantships. Graduate assistantships are awarded by academic departments. Penn states that you should contact the department directly to inquire about the availability of assistantships.

The College of Education, which offers most of the D.Ed. programs in our listings, has a separate section and COE Scholarships & Financial Aid. There are general graduate awards and scholarships for specific disciplines. For instance, the Martorana Family Award is for doctoral degree candidates in higher education.

Pennsylvania Western University

PennWest offers a variety of payment plans.

Point Park University

The Ed.D. students are not eligible for PPU’s tuition discount programs, but an interest-free payment plan is available.

Saint Joseph’s University

The Terrin Furin Scholarship provides tuition for one 3-credit course to a first-year student in the Interdisciplinary Ed.D. Leadership program based on academic merit, financial need, and a commitment to social justice.

Alumni of Saint Joseph’s are eligible to receive a 10% alumni discount. Catholic school educators can save up to 40% on tuition and public school educators can save up to 20% on tuition through Saint Joseph’s Inclusive Educator Discount Program. If your employer is an Edcor or a Bright Horizons EdAssist member, you may also be eligible for a tuition discount on graduate programs.

Slippery Rock University

SRU does offer some Graduate Scholarships. Special Education candidates may want to ask if doctoral students are eligible to apply for the Candice D. Berner Adventurous Spirit Memorial Award.

Temple University

For the Ed.D. in Higher Education, visit the section on Scholarships & Financial Aid. The Education Tuition Award provides financial support to qualified full-time graduate students. In addition, a modest number of College of Education scholarships (e.g. Dr. Rita Wolotkiewicz Phi Delta Kappa Award Fund) and Graduate School scholarships are open to doctoral students. Students can also apply for research & teaching assistantships.

University of Pennsylvania

Visit the Graduate School of Education’s section on Penn GSE Funding Opportunities, which has details on research assistantships for full-time Ed.D. students and the Penn GSE Empowerment Through Education Scholarship Program. The scholarship will provide financial aid for students in the Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership.

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

UPitt’s School of Education has a useful section Financial Support, which contains details on graduate aid options and info about Pitt School of Education Scholarships and Grants, including assistantship opportunities and student research grants. Keep in mind, too, that Pennsylvania residents pay significantly less in tuition than out-of-state residents.

West Chester University

The Graduate School has a helpful section on Financial Support and Awards, with details on its Employer Reimbursement Plan, graduate assistantships, and graduate financial aid.

Widener University

Widener’s section on Graduate Tuition & Financial Aid states that assistantships & fellowships may be available to students enrolled in specific graduate programs. The university suggests you contact the Ed.D. program coordinator/office for more info. Alumni and employees of corporate partners may be eligible for a 20% tuition discount.

Wilkes University

Wilkes’s section on Graduate Financial Aid has specifics on its monthly payment plan and tuition deferment. Wilkes also has limited number of graduate assistantships each year in graduate academic units across campus for full-time doctoral students.

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 Jobs in Pennsylvania

Educational Leadership Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) creates job maps for K-12 education administrators and postsecondary education administrators. These show that Pennsylvania—like its neighbors, New York and Ohio—tends to have high levels of employment for educational leaders.

The major center of educational job activity in the state is the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area, which often ranks right up with there with areas such as New York City, Chicago, LA, and Dallas.

If you’re preparing for your PreK-12 job search, we also recommend you consult PDE’s series of data-driven annual reports. You’ll discover insights into the state’s education system, such as:

• Professional Staff Summary Reports, which provide details on professional personnel in PA public schools (e.g. administrative staff counts, average salaries, level of education, etc.).
• Public & Private School Enrollment Reports and School District Enrollment Projections.

Interested in investigating the current state of PA colleges and universities? College Navigator, the IPEDS Data Center, and The Snyder Report may be of some help.

Educational Leadership Salaries

Overall, BLS suggests that mean wages for K-12 education administrators and postsecondary education administrators in Pennsylvania are high, but not outstanding. With a little sorting, the Professional Staff Summary Report will tell you a lot about Pennsylvania educational administrative wages in PreK-12.

Unsurprisingly, the best wages can be found around Philadelphia. For instance, in 2023-2024:

• School administrators in Bucks and Montgomery counties had the highest salary averages.
• Superintendents in the Unionville-Chadds Ford SD, Lower Merion SD, and Downingtown Area SD commanded the highest individual salaries.

We can also recommend a couple of national reports. The AASA publishes an annual Superintendents Salary and Benefits Survey. Meanwhile, Payscale records cumulative data for all holders of the Doctor of Education (EdD) Degree. You can use these numbers to compare average salaries by job title (e.g. High School Principal vs. Education Director).

Educational Leadership Job Boards

Pennsylvania education postings can be found on traditional job sites (e.g. Indeed, HigherEdJobs, SchoolSpring, etc.). But we also wanted to point you toward a few PA-specific job boards that are devoted to educational leaders & administrators, including:

• PASA Career Center, which posts superintendent/executive director vacancies, public & charter school administrator openings, and more.
• Pennsylvania REAP Administrative Job Listings, which you can filter by region and position.
• PARSS Job Postings, with openings for teachers and administrators in PA’s rural school districts.

Educational Leadership Organizations in Pennsylvania

Educational Leadership Associations

• Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU): PAIU is a non-profit organization made up of the executive directors of Pennsylvania’s 29 intermediate units.
• PA Association for Middle Level Education (PAMLE): PAMLE is an affiliate of AMLE. It represents and supports kids ages 10-15 and the teachers and school administrators who work with them.
• Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS): PARSS assist rural school districts and provides resources & assistance with management issues. It represents rural education before the General Assembly, the governor, and the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.
• Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA): This is the one to bookmark. PASA is a membership organization of chief school administrators, central office administrators, and other administrative professionals in PA. It has 900+ members, including school district superintendents, IU executive directors, and charter school chief administrative officers.
• PA Association of School Business Officials (PASBO): PASBO is a statewide association representing 3,000 members. It supplies education, training, professional development, and access to legislative and policy news.
• PA Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development (PASCD): PASCD is the state affiliate of ASCD. It’s dedicated to the improvement of curriculum development, supervision, instruction, promotion of professional growth, and education of children. Members include classroom teachers, school administrators, superintendents, and university professors.
• Pennsylvania Principals Association (PA Principals Association): PA Principals Association is a professional organization dedicated to the support and well-being of school administrators with a special emphasis on elementary, middle, and high school principals.
• Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA): PSBA is a non-profit statewide association of public school boards, pledged to the highest ideals of local lay leadership for Pennsylvania public schools.

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 Pennsylvania

Educational Leadership Conferences

• PA Educational Leadership Summit: Co-sponsored by PASA, the PA Principals Association, PASCD, and PAMLE, this three-day event in August brings together school district administrative teams and instructional leaders to learn and collaborate.
• PASA Leadership Forum: This two-day summit in March focuses on education policy & leadership issues that affect school administrators.
• PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference: This is a three-day conference in October that features speakers and workshops, educational sessions, the Pennsylvania Excellence Fair, exhibits, PASA Recognition and Women’s Caucus luncheons, networking, and more.
• PASBO Annual Conference: PASBO’s four-day conference in March includes educational seminars, mini-seminars, help desks, an exhibit floor, networking opportunities, and more.
• PASCD Annual Conference: PASCD’s November conference often explores topics related to curriculum, technology, educator effectiveness, and purposeful teaching strategies.
• PA Summit for Aspiring Superintendents: Run by PASA, this is a one-day event in October that dives deep into issues that affect PA assistant superintendents.
• Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Data Summit: PDE’s four-day summit explores topics such as data governance, reporting school data, improving data quality, and making data decisions.
• Pennsylvania Principals Conference: The state conference of PA Principals is a two-day event that usually takes place in October.
• Women’s Caucus Annual Spring Conference: Run by PASA, this three-day event for women in school administration includes opportunities for leadership development, networking, and professional learning.

Educational Leadership Training

• Neubauer Fellowship in Educational Leadership: Offered by the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders, this is a two-year program that helps fellows hone skills and become entrepreneurial leaders who leverage staff talents and cultivate other partners to increase student achievement.
• PAMLE Summer Institute: Geared toward middle grade educators, PAMLE’s institute explores best practices and new ideas. Schools sometimes go as teams.
• PASA Professional Development Programs: PASA organizes a number of professional development programs for school administrators, including the New Superintendents’ Academy, Aspiring to Leadership Workshops (two one-day programs), and an Education Research Symposium.
• PASCD Academies: PASCD runs a number of professional development academies for central office administrators, principals, assistant principals, and other educational leaders. Academy topics inclue curriculum leadership, digital leadership & innovation, evaluation, supervision, leading for learning, whole child, and more. They can be used to accrue Act 45 PIL hours.
• Pennsylvania Leadership Development Center (PLDC): PLDC is a non-profit organization that provides professional learning opportunities to educational leaders. It offers Pennsylvania Department of Education PIL-Approved Programs that count toward continuing education credits.