Online EdD Programs

Texas A&M’s online Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction degree prepares students for leadership positions in P-12 school settings, both public and private, by providing knowledge and skills in curriculum, instruction, and instructional assessment. All coursework is presented online in an asynchronous format, meaning that students can access and complete their studies according to their own schedules. This is a cohort program, however, so it is not self-paced and the course load for each semester is pre-determined. Additionally, students are required to participate in professional internships (a total of 300 hours over two semesters). All students must also make three campus visits during the course of their degree studies. The estimated completion time for this degree is four years (beyond the master’s degree) and concludes with the presentation of a research-based Record of Study project. The degree program commences each spring and students are required to participate in summer sessions throughout the program.

The University of Missouri’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree is designed for practicing education professionals who want to expand their leadership skills and enhance their career opportunities. Program graduates typically find employment across the P-20+ context as principals, directors, superintendents, university administrators and faculty members, and more. To earn this degree, students must successfully complete 34 credit hours of coursework and 12 credit hours dissertation work. The degree program is presented in a blended format, meaning that some courses are completed entirely online while others require attendance on MU’s Columbus campus during the first two summers of the program. Additionally, students participate in coursework on Wednesday evenings with a partner institution either in-person or synchronously online for students assigned to a virtual cohort. Students are also required to attend an on-campus orientation session in the late spring. All students qualify for in-state tuition rates regardless of where they reside.

The University of Colorado Denver's Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity degree with Higher Education concentration focuses on issues of educational access, equity, and social justice to empower leadership professionals in higher education in rural and urban communities. This Higher Education concentration EdD is a 54-credit hour, cohort-based program designed for working professionals to be completed in three years. Degree work is done primarily online. However, students are required to attend weeklong in-person sessions in the summer (first three years) and winter (first two years) on the school's Denver campus. The program concludes with each student completing a Doctoral Research Project during the third year. CU's online EdD in Leadership for Educational Equity offers the unique feature of providing graduates with executive coaching for up to one year following graduation.

The University of Florida offers five online EdD degree program options: Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis on Educational Technology; Curriculum and Instruction with Teachers, Schools and Society specialization (TSS); Higher Education Administration; Leadership in Educational Administration Doctorate (LEAD); and Special Education. Program lengths vary between four and five years of part-time study. Admissions and degree requirements also vary by program, but all feature online coursework along with some level of on-campus attendance. For example, the Higher Education Administration option requires students to attend two to three weekend sessions each semester on the UF campus and other college campuses in the State of Florida. And TSS program, for example, requires attendance at weeklong summer institutes on the UF campus as well as one-day visits to campus for oral qualifying exams and dissertation defense.

Grand Canyon University offers seven Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership programs that feature online coursework: Special Education; Christian Ministry; Higher Education Leadership; Health Care Administration; Organizational Development; K-12 Leadership; and Behavioral Health. GCU also offers an online Doctor of Education in Teaching and Learning with Adult Learning emphasis. In addition to online coursework, all EdD students at GCU are required to attend two four-day in-person Doctoral Residencies at which students meet with peers and consult with faculty members for academic feedback and to help develop, present, and defend their dissertations. All of GCU's online EdD programs require earning 60 credit hours of course and dissertation-related work, and may be completed in as little as three years. Students can transfer in up to 9 credit hours for previously-completed applicable coursework.

There are three cohort-based Doctor of Education degree programs available from Texas Tech University that feature online study. TTU’s EdD in Agricultural Education is a 64-credit hour program that focuses on providing a comprehensive knowledge of agricultural education and/or agricultural communications, a supporting field, and research and statistics methods. The 60-credit hour EdD in Educational Leadership is designed to prepare school executives to identify and implement research-based solutions to practice problems in the PS-12 school district context. TTU’s 60-credit hour EdD in Higher Education Administration is offered with two emphasis options: Community College Administration and College/University Administration. All three degree programs are presented in a hybrid/blended format, meaning that coursework is delivered fully online, but students must also fulfill a number of in-person requirements on TTU’s Lubbock campus. Additionally, all programs conclude with the writing, presentation, and defense of a dissertation.

Capella University’s online Doctor of Education degree program is designed to provide students with leadership skills for positions as district administrators, policy specialists, faculty members, and other education professionals in K-12 or higher education settings. CU’s EdD is available with five specializations: Adult Education; Curriculum & Instruction; Educational Leadership; Performance Improvement Leadership; and Reading & Literacy. Each of the five programs require completion of 64 credit hours consisting of 40 credit hours of core and specialization coursework, followed by 24 credit hours devoted to development and writing of the student’s culminating capstone Doctoral Project. All programs are completed 100% online – including the Doctoral Project – without any required residencies or other in-person experiences. Capella EdD students have access to a wide range of online support services, including academic and financial aid advisors, career counselors, writing coaches, and library with librarian services.

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln offers two Doctor of Education degrees obtainable primarily through online study. The EdD in Educational Studies with Educational Leadership and Higher Education specialization provides professional development and academic preparation for students who aspire to educational organization leadership positions. However, it is not for individuals pursuing administrative certification. Three concentrations are available: Community College Leadership; Educational Leadership; and Higher Education Administration. UNL’s EdD in Educational Administration with P-12 School Leadership specialization is designed specifically for education professionals interested in obtaining credentials for p-12 administrative positions. Both UNL programs feature fully-online coursework, and the EdD in Educational Studies can be completed entirely online with no required in-person residencies. The EdD in Educational Administration, however, does require attendance at on-campus seminars during the summer sessions for the first three years of the program.

OSU’s Doctor of Education in Adult and Higher Education degree is offered with two concentration options: The Community College Leadership (CCL) option focuses on the application of best practices, high-quality research, and leadership to the challenges facing community and technical colleges. The Leadership in Higher Education (LHE) option focuses on the mission and role of four-year colleges and universities, and the research, leadership, and best practices applied to problems facing those schools. This cohort-based program is presented in a hybrid format that combines online and in-person study. In-person classes take place two weekends each term at OSU’s classroom building in downtown Portland. Courses delivered online in this program are not formally approved for teacher licensure outside of the state of Oregon. Out-of-state students are advised to determine licensure requirements in their jurisdiction prior to enrollment in the program.

The online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation offered by Arizona State University is designed for current professional educator-leaders interested in transforming their practices and creating better learning opportunities for their students. Degree students focus on one of three study areas within the context of their coursework: PK-12 Change Leadership; Higher Education Change Leadership; or Systems, Professional, and Reimagined Change Leadership. This cohort-based program requires completion of 90 credit hours of fully-online coursework culminating in the presentation of an action-research dissertation. However, students are automatically awarded 30 credit hours for this program upon submittal of the official transcripts from their previously-conferred master’s program. Admission to the program occurs twice a year in the spring and fall semesters. Those persons interested in earning the Arizona Superintendent Certification should apply to the face-to-face program, as the needed coursework is not available in the online degree program.