Ed.D. Programs in Tennessee

Online Ed.D. Programs in Tennessee

Tennessee online doctorates in education are offered by public, private, and religiously inclined universities. You can decide whether you wish to opt for international reputation or in-state affordability. A number of Tennessee doctorates also have fewer credits than online Ed.D. programs in other states, which means lower tuition. And some them have developed distance learning pathways to the Instructional Leader License (ILL/ILL-B). The following universities offer online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs in Tennessee:

1. Austin Peay State University (CAEP-accredited)
2. Carson-Newman University (CAEP-accredited)
3. East Tennessee State University (CAEP-accredited)
4. Freed-Hardeman University (CAEP-accredited)
5. Lipscomb University (CAEP-accredited)
6. Middle Tennessee State University (CAEP-accredited)
7. Milligan University (CAEP-accredited)
8. Tennessee State University (CAEP-accredited)
9. Trevecca Nazarene University (CAEP-accredited)
10. Union University (CAEP-accredited)
11. University of Memphis (CAEP-accredited)
12. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (CAEP-accredited)
13. Vanderbilt University (CAEP-accredited)

State Universities in Tennessee

Austin Peay State University’s Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) is available in six concentrations, including PreK-20 realms and nursing education. This 3-year doctorate is offered online with synchronous sessions, with the exception of the hybrid statistics course. However, this can be completed on-campus or remotely. Ed.D. students seeking the ILL-B will need complete additional coursework, fieldwork, and testing prior to applying for administrator licensure. APSU is a CPED member.

East Tennessee State University’s Online Ed.D. comes in three concentrations: Administrative Endorsement, School Leadership, and Higher Education Leadership. The Administrative Endorsement pathway with ILL-B preparation is hybrid; the remaining options are 100% online. Unlike some other Ed.D. programs, this cohort-based doctorate also includes a mandatory internship.

Middle Tennessee State University’s Online Ed.D. in Assessment, Learning, and Student Success comes in two concentrations: Higher Education and School Improvement. It has more of a research flavor than some other online offerings in Tennessee. In addition to a dissertation, all Ed.D. students are expected to complete a minimum of one research-based article and research-based presentation at a regional/national educational conference before graduating. MTSU is a CPED member.

Like MTSU, Tennessee State University’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is also split into two concentrations: Higher Education Leadership and PreK-12 Administration and Supervision. Applicants are expected to have a minimum 3.25 GPA on their last graduate degree and 3 years of relevant work experience. This Ed.D. features 36 credits in the concentration, 6 credits of electives, and a dissertation. TSU is a CPED member.

Public Universities in Tennessee

If you prefer a program with fewer credits, UofM’s cohort-based, 54-credit programs are worth considering. For higher ed administrators, there’s the Online Ed.D. in Higher and Adult Education with a concentration in Adult Education or Higher Education from the Department of Leadership (LEAD). For PreK-20 leaders, there’s the Online Ed.D. in Leadership and Policy Studies or the Online Ed.D. in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership with multiple concentrations, including Instructional Design & Technology.

Over at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, you’ll find the interdisciplinary Online Ed.D. in Leadership and Professional Practice. This is a wide-ranging doctorate that could appeal to educational leaders both inside—and outside—the PreK-20 sphere. Core coursework is delivered asynchronously, complemented by occasional synchronous real-time meetings with faculty. Every Ed.D. student is expected to complete and defend a Research Project of Practice.

Private Tennessee Universities

The largest private choice in Tennessee is going to be Vanderbilt’s 54-credit Online Ed.D in Leadership and Learning in Organizations. Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education has an outstanding national reputation and the online program features three challenging campus convenings and a real-world capstone project. But it is expensive. Per credit tuition rates can be around three times that of public universities.

Religious Tennessee Universities

The other avenue to consider is enrolling in a distance Ed.D. at a private, Christian liberal arts school. These types of programs often make a point of integrating faith and Christian values into the curriculum. We’re talking about options such as:

• Lipscomb University’s 54-credit Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Strategic Change. This three-year Ed.D. includes a capstone project, one 2-day campus intensive at the beginning of the problem, and one unique, 10-day international experience in Europe during the summer semester at the end of the first year.
• If you’re looking for a customizable doctorate with an accelerated plan of study, Trevecca Nazarene University’s 100% Online Doctor of Education in Leadership features nine specializations and a 27-month schedule. Just be aware that there’s a high threshold for admissions—candidates should have a minimum 3.4 cumulative GPA on prior graduate work. Trevecca is a CPED member.

Searching for a faith-based online doctorate in education that will lead to instructional leadership licensure in Tennessee? Consider the following:

• Union University’s Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership is available in two specializations: Higher Education or P-12 School Administration. The P-12 doctorate contains a path to Instructional Leadership Licensure or non-licensure paths in Teacher Leadership and Leadership in School Reform. It’s an affordable, cohort-based program that includes a dissertation. Tuition prices are almost on par with public schools.
• Carson-Newman University’s 57-credit Online Doctorate of Education is 100% online and takes approximately 3 years to complete. It’s available in three concentrations: Administrative Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction Leadership, and Higher Education Administration. The Administrative Leadership pathway can prepare you for the ILL-B.
• Freed-Hardeman University’s Online Ed.D. in Teacher Leadership (Non-Licensure) and Online Ed.D in Administration and Supervision (Licensure) are both offered in a 100% online format and take ~3.5 years to complete. Students in the Licensure program will be expected to complete an internship.

Note: Our overview of online Doctor of Education programs has a complete listing of online Ed.D. programs in other states and more info on accreditations.

No Dissertation Ed.D. Programs in Tennessee

Some Tennessee universities offering the online doctorate in education have decided not to go down the traditional dissertation route. Instead, they have developed research-based alternatives. For example:

• In Vanderbilt’s Online Ed.D in Leadership and Learning in Organizations, the final assessment is a two-part capstone project. You’ll be expected to work with a faculty advisor on identifying a problem of practice, challenge, or complex phenomenon in an external organization. Then you’ll develop an intervention for it, including a detailed plan and evaluation strategy for implementation.
• Lipscomb takes a slightly different approach. In the Doctor of Education in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change, the practical dissertation can involve tackling a research-based problem for a client educational organization, working with a research team of Ed.D. students on a particular topic of interest, or acting independently.
• UT Chattanooga’s Online Ed.D. in Leadership and Professional Practice culminates in a Research Project of Practice. Doctoral students are expected to identify a measurement evaluation problem and come up with research-based ideas for programmatic interventions. See the course descriptions for more details on the process.

Doctoral Education Funding in Tennessee

The following section contains information & links to institutional aid for Ed.D. students enrolled in Tennessee universities (e.g. doctoral scholarships). You may have to supplement these sources with external aid, work wages, and personal savings. However, the Financial Aid Office and/or the Graduate School should be willing to help offer financial aid advice.

Austin Peay State University

The College of Graduate Studies has info on Financial Aid, including details on the Hoppe Leadership Endowment for part-time graduate students in educational leadership.

East Tennessee State University

The School of Graduate Studies maintains a list of Scholarships, which includes info about Thesis and Dissertation Scholarships. ETSU’s doctorate in education programs are online, so check with the program coordinator to see if distance learning students are eligible for funds.

Lincoln Memorial University

LMU’s School of Education has a section on Scholarship Opportunities.

Middle Tennessee State University

MTSU’s College of Graduate Studies has a thorough section on Affording Graduate School, with info on graduate assistantships, reduced rates for Regional Scholars (i.e. living within ~250 miles of MTSU), and internal & external graduate scholarships. Most of the College of Education Scholarships are limited to folks who are seeking teaching licensure.

Do you live in Alabama or Arkansas? MTSU is a member of the Academic Common Market (ACM), which allows residents of participating states to qualify for in-state tuition for unique academic majors not offered in their home state. Alabama and Arkansas accept MTSU’s Ed.D. in Assessment, Learning, and Student Success as an option.

Tennessee State University

TSU’s School of Graduate Studies has a section on Financial Aid, with info about graduate assistantships. However, the Fellowships & Scholarships section is devoted to external awards, not internal ones.

Trevecca Nazarene University

Trevecca has a section on Adult Studies: Financial Aid & Costs. Interest-free monthly payment plans are available.

University of Memphis

Check out the College of Education’s COE Scholarships, which includes a number of awards for graduate and doctoral students. The Graduate School also has info on general Graduate Assistantships and a Border County Tuition Waiver for students from border counties in Arkansas and Mississippi.

Vanderbilt University

The Peabody College of Education has a helpful section on Funding Your Education that includes advice for on-campus Ed.D. students. Every professional student applicant is considered for merit aid. You can also take a look at the Assistantships. Considering the distance option? Peabody Online has a section on Ed.D. Tuition and Financial Aid, with answers to Financial Aid FAQs.

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 Tennessee

Educational Leadership Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks employment & salary data for K-12 education administrators and postsecondary education administrators in every state. Tennessee maintains a pretty solid level of employment for both categories, especially in the Nashville area.

• You can get a microscopic view of the PreK-12 landscape by consulting TDOE’s Data & Research section. For example, TDOE posts annual Educator Surveys (including responses from administrator branches), State Report Cards, and a whole lot more. Some of these resources may prove helpful in your Ed.D. dissertation research as well as your career preparation.
• In the realm of higher education, we like the College Scorecard, which can provide immediate overviews of TN colleges & universities in your chosen zip code. NCES’s College Navigator and the IPEDs College Map can also tell you at a glance about the undergraduate population, tuition price, and outcome measures of any college or university in Tennessee. Plus the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) publishes extensive postsecondary Data, Research & Reports, including annual Fact Books.

Educational Leadership Salaries

You’ll find the exact wage numbers for specific education jobs in BLS’s section on State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Tennessee. Mean wages for Tennessee K-12 education administrators can be among the lowest in the country.

These resources will give you some base numbers for PreK-20 wages and salaries in Tennessee. You can compare these numbers against the following sources:

• Administrator salary schedules in Tennessee posted on school district websites (e.g. Metro Nashville Public Schools’ Administrative Salary Scales).
• The AASA’s Superintendents Salary and Benefits Survey, which is available to AASA members.
• Payscale’s cumulative data for all holders of the Doctor of Education (EdD) Degree, which allows you to view salary data by job title (e.g. Elementary School Principal vs. School Director).

Interested in higher education salary data for Tennessee higher education administrators?

• Tennessee postsecondary administrators tend to be in a much better wage bracket than K-12 education administrators.
• The College System of Tennessee maintains a Salary Database of employees in community colleges and colleges of applied technology.
• The University of Tennessee System supports an Employee Salaries Dashboard.
• Transparent UT’s compiles summaries of faculty salaries in its Campus Fact Books.

Educational Leadership Job Boards

Traditional job sites will post opportunities for Tennessee educational leaders and administrators (e.g. LinkedIn, TopSchoolJobs, HigherEd, Indeed, etc.). But we also wanted to highlight some TN-specific job boards. For instance:

• TOSS lists TN District Job Openings for principals & supervisors and Superintendent Searches for director & superintendent jobs (in-state and out-of-state). It also has a Superintendent Pathways Program—a customized job search for TOSS members.
• TAIS posts Job Openings for administrators in TN independent schools.
• TDOE posts Career Opportunities within the department (e.g. Chief Academic Officer).
• TN colleges & universities almost always have careers/job section for potential employees (e.g. Job Opportunities at TBR Institutions).

Educational Leadership Organizations in Tennessee

Educational Leadership Associations

• Tennessee Association of School Business Officials (TASBO): TASBO represents Tennessee school business officials. It also hosts conferences & training events.
• Tennessee Association of Secondary School Principals (TNASSP): TNASSP advocates for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, supervisors, and other administrators throughout Tennessee.
• Tennessee Education Association (TEA): TEA is the largest professional education organization in the state, representing K-12 teachers, school administrators, education support professionals, higher education faculty, and students preparing to become teachers.
• Tennessee Principals Association (TPA): TPA is a state association dedicated to serving elementary and middle-level principals.
• Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA): TSBA is devoted to helping school board members through association programs, meetings, and services.

Educational Leadership Professional Groups

• Professional Educators of Tennessee (PET): PET is a statewide professional organization whose members include teachers, administrators, and non-certified staff from kindergarten to graduate school level, public or private.
• Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS): TOSS is an advocate for public education in the state of Tennessee. It supports district leaders through legislative advocacy, professional learning, and membership services.

Note: 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 Tennessee

Educational Leadership Conferences

• TEA Administrators Conference: This annual event attracts TN administrators, leaders, and evaluators working in public school districts. Attendees are eligible to earn TASL credits.
• TNASSP Lead Conference: This is TNASSP’s flagship event for secondary school principals.
• TPA Annual Conference: TPA’s flagship conference attracts principals, assistant principals, and aspiring leaders.
• TSBA Leadership Conference and Annual Convention: TSBA’s event in November includes general sessions, informative breakout sessions on best school practices, awards, exhibits, and networking opportunities.
• TSBA Meetings: In addition to its annual convention, TSBA hosts other meetings during the year, including a Summer Law Institute, Fall District Meetings, and more.

Educational Leadership Training

• Associate Leadership Institute (ALI): ALI is run by TOSS and open to principals, assistant principals, and supervisors. The institute provides hands-on, fully aligned professional development opportunities.
• Superintendent Leadership Institute (SLI): Run by TOSS, SLI is made up of various professional development opportunities throughout the year, including workshops, conferences, and other collaboration-focused training.
• TEA Summer Leadership Academy (SLA): TEA’s three-day event includes a variety of professional development sessions. The Emerging Leaders School takes place at the same time.
• Tennessee Academy for School Leaders (TASL): TASL is run by the TDOE. ILL administrators are required to earn TASL credits if they spend 50% or more of their time in direct delivery of instructional services to the following: teachers, principals, and/or other educators in administrative or supervisory positions.