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The field of education is rapidly evolving, with an increasing number of teachers looking for ways to incorporate technology into their classrooms. However, this process requires thorough research and careful planning to ensure its effectiveness.
Doctorates in Education are one of the best ways to develop abilities necessary for research and development. You can find several specializations/concentrations in an online Doctorate in Education; one of the most popular is Education Leadership. Graduates of doctorates in educational leadership, according to PayScale, earn a median annual salary of $85,000.
Additional Information:
- Best Online Doctor of Organizational Leadership Degrees
- Best Grad Schools with Online Doctorate in Education Technology
- Best Grad Schools with Online Doctorate in Educational Administration
Overview
Doctorate programs in educational leadership provide students with immersive learning experiences that focus on enhancing their skills in instructional leadership, implementing equity-based best practices, understanding adult learning principles, and conducting qualitative and quantitative research.
Students will also develop problem-solving skills essential for driving meaningful change and learn how to leverage the energy and talents of individuals within their organization to advance educational initiatives and bring about significant transformations.
Graduates can apply for leadership roles in the education industry.
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Methodology
We chose each of these Online Doctorates in Education Leadership based on the following considerations:
- Offered as a fully or partially online program that fosters flexibility to accommodate working adult students,
- Allows online students to participate in on-campus research programs and other opportunities that enhance practical skills, knowledge, and network,
- Offers comprehensive courses that cover key concepts in education, leadership, and management,
- Provides students with immersive online learning that delves into trends and issues in K-12 and higher education, strategic planning and change, and ethical dilemmas and stewardship,
- Taught by qualified leaders in the education industry,
- Has received accreditation from regional accrediting agencies, such as the SACSCOC-Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and HLC-Higher Learning Commission,
- Recognized by reputable organizations working for the advancement of Education Leadership as an important discipline.
Please check out our Methodology for details on our doctoral program ranking process.
Top 15 Online Doctoral Programs in Education Leadership
Arkansas State University
Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership
Arkansas State University is a world-renowned producer of talented educators. Students who aspire to teach or do research in education fields flock to its esteemed programs, drawn by the university’s commitment to excellence in education.
ASU offers an online dissertation-based EdD in Educational Leadership. Students should expect to perform a thorough research project with one-on-one help from a faculty member in the program’s final semester. Thanks to the program’s intensive curriculum, students will gain the knowledge that will help them create a welcoming and diverse learning environment for their future students.
Features:
- This is a writing-intensive educational leadership online.
- Students closely examine ethical leadership techniques, considering educational best practices that integrate theory and research and developing expanded leadership skills for high-performing organizations.
- Core courses include Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership Practices, and Advanced Organizational Theory & Inquiry.
Admission Requirements:
- A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 minimum GPA.
- Recommendation letters
- Scholarly paper (properly cited)
- Two-page letter of interest
Arizona State University Online
Doctor of Education in Leadership & Innovation
Arizona State University is ranked as the most innovative online school in the United States. ASU Online offers an EdD in Leadership and Innovations that combines theoretical and practical approaches to learning. After online classes, students will spend much of their time working in leader-scholar community groups in their second and third years. This hands-on learning opportunity allows students to investigate, conceptualize, and implement change initiatives with supervision from a designated faculty member in their local educational context.
Features:
- This is a 90-credit hour program that offers accelerated 7.5-week classes.
- Students can graduate in 9–10 semesters, depending on how many credits they take each semester.
- Students can specialize in
- PreKindergarten-Grade 12 Change Leadership,
- Higher Education Change Leadership, or
- Systems, Professional and Reimagined Change Leadership.
Admission Requirements:
- Employed in a relevant position
- An accredited master’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the final 60 hours.
Pennsylvania Western University
Doctorate in Educational Administration and Leadership
PennWest is focused on providing higher education to working adults through PennWest Global. Its EdD in Educational Administration and Leadership is truly one of the best. It provides enrolled students with an academic advisor to help them structure a schedule that fits their work schedules. Students will experience growth and will graduate with a valuable professional network.
Features:
- It’s a 39-credit hour program for students holding the Superintendent Letter. Students without this letter will be required to complete 57 credit hours.
- Students complete two internship programs under the supervision of a district leader.
- Students must then be able to carry out and present a focus project with a student achievement theme.
Admission Requirements:
- A master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Graduates can take the PRAXIS School Superintendent Assessment (SSA) exam to advance into the position of Superintendent of Schools.
Liberty University
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Liberty University offers one of the best educational leadership doctoral programs online that cater to the needs of working adults, thanks to its low cost and flexible courses. With its doctoral program offering the highest caliber of the biblical worldview, Liberty is among the top choices of students who want to develop professionals and lead with integrity.
Features:
- The program’s curriculum starts with a strong foundation of outstanding teaching practice and cutting-edge knowledge.
- Courses are eight weeks in length, helping students graduate faster.
- It aims to provide students with sufficient resources to comprehend the context of contemporary educational difficulties and trends.
- Features courses like Advanced Learning Theory and Research, Theories of Educational Leadership, Educational Leadership and Public Relations, and Conflict Resolution.
- Graduates gain valuable skills that they can use to advance their careers and improve the learning environment for their current and future students.
Aside from its world-class education, Liberty is also applauded for affordable tuition and fees. This online doctorate costs $595 per credit hour (full-time) and $650 per credit hour (part-time). Military students pay $275 per credit hour only.
Admission Requirements:
- A nationally or regionally accredited 3.0 or higher master’s degree
- $50 application fee
- Official college transcripts
Indiana State University
PhD in Higher Education Leadership
A reputable PhD in Educational Leadership offered online is rare to find. Luckily, Indiana State University’s Department of Educational Leadership offers an online PhD in Educational Administration that allows students to concentrate on Higher Education Leadership.
Features:
- Offers a cohort learning format.
- It requires students to commit full-time for five consecutive terms, including a summer session.
- Integrates a few intensive on-campus workshops.
- Directed study and a three-week on-campus residency are combined during the summer between the first and second academic year.
- Courses include Organization and Governance in Higher Education and Resource Management in Higher Education.
Admission Requirements:
- Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
- Detailed narrative outlining personal and professional leadership contributions in education.
William Carey University
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
William Carey University is a religiously affiliated school known for several things, from sports to education. W Carey offers an online Doctorate in Educational Leadership program that aims to train licensed teachers to act as change agents in their respective schools through coursework guided by distinguished faculty members.
Features:
- It’s a 60-credit hour program that requires students to take at least two classes each trimester to align with their busy work schedules.
- Students can prefer to enroll in asynchronous courses if they want more flexible delivery methods.
- The course length will change to 10 weeks to allow for the research process.
- The curriculum fosters visionary planning, strategic resource use, effective management and leadership, and real-world research application.
- Coursework includes Effective Data Analysis for Instructional and Performance Improvement, Professional Educational Development for Professional Educators, Developing the Culture of Learning, and Using Conflict Resolution and Mediation.
Admission Requirements:
Students must hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree from an accredited institution. There’s no stated GPA cut-off.
Texas Tech University
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Texas Tech University is a major school in the state offering an online EdD in Educational Leadership. This online program aims to produce executive school leaders capable of applying evidence-based solutions to practical problems with high stakes in a PreK–12 school system. The faculty of the program continues to work on researching and addressing pressing issues in education to enhance future educational leaders’ preparation.
Features:
- This is a 96-credit hour program that requires full-time enrollment.
- Students move in cohorts.
- Students can transfer up to 30 credit hours of coursework from their master’s degree to accelerate graduation time.
- A dissertation-in-practice is the main component of the program’s research inquiry-based curriculum.
- Two integrated courses in the autumn and spring semesters and two courses throughout an eight-week summer term make up the course sequence in the program’s first two years.
Admission Requirements:
- An accredited master’s degree is required for consideration for this program.
- Unofficial copies of transcripts and test scores
- Statement of purpose
- Recommendations letters
- Statement on the use of generative AI
Louisiana State University
Doctorate of Education in Leadership Studies
LSU Online employs the same world-famous professors and offers the same quality education as its on-campus programs. It offers a Doctorate of Education in Leadership Studies that allows students to complete online coursework at their own pace, fostering maximum flexibility. Online students will have the same opportunities as traditional doctorate students, including the chance to participate in faculty-driven research initiatives for publication and presentation.
Features:
- The curriculum promotes scholarly investigation and practical knowledge of key leadership elements.
- Students learn leadership theory emphasizing practical, data-driven results that will help them devise effective learning and development opportunities.
- The courses will also teach students how to use power, politics, influence in organizations, and techniques for gathering, analyzing, and using data to inform practice.
- Online students pay the same tuition fee regardless of residency.
- Students can concentrate on Leadership Studies, Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management, or Health Communication & Leadership.
Admission Requirements:
- Master’s degree with a 3.5 or higher GPA from a university or college with regional accreditation.
- Resume/CV
- Recommendation letters
- Purpose statement.
University of North Dakota
Doctorate in Education Leadership
UND offers a diverse array of degree programs in fields such as education. Furthermore, the university is renowned for its faculty members, who are among the most talented in the nation. One of UND’s online programs is the EdD in Educational Leadership, which is designed for professionals in K–12, early childhood, and higher education.
Features:
- Can be completed part-time, allowing online students to earn the degree in three years while working full-time.
- Students’ place of employment can double as a practice lab for coursework and dissertations.
- Core courses of the program emphasize educational innovation, equity, and leadership.
- Sample courses include Issues and Trends in Education, Learning Analytics, and Higher Education Diversity Systems and Policy.
- Students can enroll in asynchronous or synchronous courses
- The degree aims to help students create a curriculum that aligns with their professional goals, allowing them to concentrate on
- Education Policy, Reform & Equity,
- Higher Education,
- Instructional Design & Technology,
- School Leadership,
- Special Education,
- Sports Leadership, or
- Teacher Education.
Admission Requirements:
- A bachelor’s with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5 from regionally accredited colleges or universities.
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of clear professional/educational goals
- Original essay
- Professional resume.
Trident University
Trident University is a private for-profit online institution offering a comprehensive online PhD in Educational Leadership degree program. This is designed for education professionals who want to conduct original research. Enrolled students will receive guidance from a Student Success Advisor to help them structure their coursework.
Features:
- Offers asynchronous classes to provide students with a flexible learning schedule.
- Allow students to have credits for prior learning.
- Offers four concentrations:
- Educational Technology
- Health Education
- Higher Educational Leadership
- Teaching, Learning and Development
- Students will be paired with a PhD faculty member who will offer personalized advice during the research phase.
Admission Requirements:
- A bachelor’s and master’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA awarded from a nationally or internationally recognized college or university.
- A minimum of three years of documented leadership experience
- Official transcripts
- Curriculum vitae
- Scholarly writing sample
- Support and cover letter
- Two letters of recommendation
Spalding University
Doctorate of Education in Leadership
Spalding University is a top liberal arts university offering an Online Educational Leadership program for aspirant leaders who want to lead strategically and ethically and bring about significant change. The program offers a collaborative and globally conscious curriculum
Features:
- It requires students to complete ten courses/10 terms (60 credit hours).
- This is a full-time degree program that takes two years to complete.
- Offer an integrated and adaptable teaching style that supports the finest practices in business, social services, the arts, and higher education.
- Coursework explores Systems Theory and Leadership, Ethical Leadership, Research Methodology, and Problem-Solving, among other things.
Admission Requirements:
- A regionally accredited master’s degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA.
- Professional resume
- Letters of recommendation
- A journal article critique.
- Applicants will undergo an interview to evaluate their readiness for the doctoral program.
Drexel University
Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management
Drexel University is a global leader in educational research, ranking among the Top 100 in the nation. Drexel offers an online EdD in Educational Leadership and Management designed for education professionals seeking advanced abilities for leadership roles.
Features:
- Structured into four 10-week quarters per year, allowing for quicker graduation time.
- Curriculum focuses on equipping students with the abilities to handle challenging situations and drive organizational, group, or individual transformation.
- Students can pursue the program in an accelerated three-year, part-time, or five-year, extended part-time format.
- Offers several specializations, such as
- Creativity and Innovation,
- Educational Administration,
- Education Policy,
- Global and International Education,
- Higher Education Leadership,
- Human Resource Development,
- Learning Technologies,
- Nursing Education, or
- Special Education Leadership.
Admission Requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree in any field and a master’s degree in Education with a minimum GPA of 3.5 from accredited institutions.
- A 3-year professional experience is also a must.
The University of Alabama
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
The University of Alabama is sought-after for its affordable but renowned degree programs. UA’s online EdD in Educational Leadership program offers one of the cheapest per credit hour costs. The program provides students with a high-quality education to help them become effective decision-makers in executive management, educational leadership, and policy.
Features:
- This is a 72-credit hour program that can be completed part-time.
- Includes a few synchronous virtual class meetings that demand active participation.
- Courses cover topics like Politics of Education, Advanced Organizational Theory, Superintendency and Leadership Team, Major Issues and Trends in Educational Leadership.
Admission Requirements:
- Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Letters of professional and academic reference
- Statement of purpose
- Professional writing sample
- Professional experience in teaching and leadership
- Completed coursework in graduate-level special education and statistics research courses
University of Southern California
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
The University of Southern California has top-notch professors who are experts in shaping educational policies worldwide. USC Online is one of the best online institutions that offer doctorates specifically designed for distance learning students. USC offers an online doctoral program in Educational Leadership offered by the USC Rossier School of Education. Fostering student-faculty relationships, all program classes occur in a virtual classroom setting that provides students with live instruction.
Features:
- It’s a four-component program that comprises core, concentration, research methods, and dissertation in practice courses.
- Offers demanding coursework covering various educational leadership-related topics throughout the degree.
- Focuses on Organizational Theory, Policy Analysis, Instructional Leadership, and Strategic Planning courses.
- Fuses theory and practice to ensure that students get both practical abilities and a thorough understanding of leadership ideas.
Admission Requirements:
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Must have at least three years of full-time job experience in a field related to K–12 education.
- Proof of leadership experience.
University of the Cumberlands
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
The University of Cumberlands is a top Christian school in the United States, offering a variety of traditional and online programs. One of its top programs is the comprehensive online EdD in Educational Leadership. This online degree helps students tackle the unique challenges associated with leading teams of educators, designing academic programs, and implementing meaningful changes within educational institutions.
Features:
- The curriculum of an EdD in Educational Leadership online program typically mirrors that of an on-campus degree.
- Featured courses include Organizational Decision Making, Leadership in Higher Education, Teaching and Leading Adult Learners, and Program Development, Delivery, & Assessment.
- Students must complete professional applied research, wherein they’ll discuss how to apply research to solve real-world problems in an institution or organization.
Admission Requirements:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 for all graduate work, including any post-master’s work.
Career Opportunities for Educational Leadership Doctorates
With a doctorate, graduates can find many different roles in the field, each with its own difficulties and benefits. Educational leadership positions are crucial for establishing school policy, supervising employees, and ensuring educational institutions can cater to their students’ demands. Of course, to accomplish such lofty goals, one must also consider professional development and its challenges.
Chief Learning Officers
These educational leaders can be found in several academic institutions. They put a lot of effort into developing and putting into practice learning and development strategies, encouraging cutting-edge educational practices, and making sure that educational programs are continually improved.
Median Annual Salary: $126,193
Department Chairs
A department chair leads a specific academic department within a university or college, responsible for curriculum development, faculty supervision, and program coordination.
Median Annual Salary: $111,816
Postsecondary Education Administrators
A postsecondary education administrator oversees faculty research, academics, and student activities. Their responsibilities could change depending on whatever part of the college they are in charge of, such as the registrar’s office, admissions, or student life. Postsecondary education administrators assist students in various ways, including by completing admissions applications and enrolling in programs.
Median Annual Salary: $102,610
Principals
These educational leaders are responsible for directing and supervising all aspects of a school’s operations, such as curriculum creation, staff management, student discipline, and community involvement.
Median Annual Salary: $96,696
Training and Development Managers
Professionals in this role develop and coordinate training programs for educational staff, focusing on enhancing their skills, knowledge, and professional development.
Median Annual Salary: $96,589
District-Level Administrators
This kind of administrator oversees numerous schools in a district while working at the district level. They strongly emphasize staff management, curriculum collaboration, budgeting, and policy formulation.
Median Annual Salary: $87,873
Education Administrators
These people hold administrative positions in educational institutions that manage finances, oversee employees, plan programs, and ensure that laws governing education are followed.
Median Annual Salary: $63,957
Survey Researchers
Graduates of educational leadership doctorates (mainly graduates of Ph.D. programs) design and conduct surveys and research studies to gather data and insights related to educational practices, policies, and outcomes. They play a vital role in shaping evidence-based decision-making in education.
Median Annual Salary: $60,960
Online Educational Leadership Doctoral Degree Programs: Concentration
Numerous concentrations are available in online doctoral programs in educational leadership to help you concentrate and narrow your emphasis. For instance, students can decide whether to focus on leadership in K–12 or higher education. Although these specialties span subjects like finance, law, and communications, classes tend to concentrate on specific problems in the appropriate field.
Other institutions give students the option to follow a practitioner or researcher path. Other fields of study can include creativity and innovation, global education, or educational technologies.
Higher Education Leadership
Higher educational leadership concentration is for students interested in leadership positions in colleges and universities. This educational leadership concentration is geared toward exploring and solving complex challenges in higher education institutions, including student affairs, management, policy formulation, and academic leadership.
K-12 School Leadership
This specialty focuses on leadership in K–12 educational environments. It covers teacher supervision, educational policy, school reform, and community involvement.
Special Education Leadership
Professionals interested in holding leadership positions in special education should pursue this focus. Inclusionary methods, special education policy, program development, and efficient support for kids with special needs are all topics covered in this educational leadership concentration.
Learning Technology Leadership
This concentration focuses on studying how technology can be integrated into educational environments. Instructional design, e-learning, educational software and tools, technological infrastructure, and data-driven decision-making are just a few topics that students may anticipate studying in relation to educational technology.
Global and International Education
Educational leadership students who want to focus on topics within a worldwide setting are best suited for a Global and International Education specialization. Students can expect to focus on techniques for supporting global education initiatives, cultural competence, comprehending other educational systems, and global policy challenges.
Creativity and Innovation
This doctoral program specializes in developing leadership abilities in supporting innovation and creativity in educational environments. This program integrates the fundamentals of educational leadership with tactics and methods that encourage originality in thought, problem-solving, and practice.
What is the difference between a PhD and an EdD?
| Feature Comparison | PhD in Education | EdD in Education |
| Method of instruction | Grounded in philosophy; focuses on original research | Uses previously published research to address real-world issues. |
| Research Focus | Tests hypotheses; impacts the educational community | Projects reflect leadership roles in educational settings |
| Career Paths | Academia; research-oriented; trains future thought leaders | Practical application in local/district education; leadership |
| Duration | 4-8 years | 2-3 years |
Before choosing, prospective students should thoroughly examine all relevant factors, such as program cost and duration. However, the most crucial factor for students to consider while choosing the right degree program is their academic interests and hobbies.
Is a Doctorate in Educational Leadership Worth It?
The answer depends on your personal and professional goals. Suppose your ultimate goal is to develop professional growth and lifelong learning experiences to contribute to solving the complex challenges in the education industry. In that case, an Educational Leadership Doctoral Degree Program is worth the time and money.
A doctorate in educational leadership provides its students with a wealth of new learning applications that challenge them personally and professionally. The curriculum of these doctorates develops professionals’ leadership abilities to prepare them to lead the field into the future. In addition to flexible online class schedules, online doctorates in educational leadership encourage students to attend face-to-face activities that foster connections between student-student and student-professor.
As students work to support current leadership opportunities or develop new ones, they will create a network that will lead to professional doors opening. Students will learn new ways to offer their knowledge in various delivery methods, to speak about their research and expertise, and, if they so choose, to enhance their professional encounters with educational institutions and leaders in education-focused industries. Doctorates allow you to constantly open new opportunities to keep developing professionally, provide for your family, and sustain various ways to contribute to the field of education.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to earn a Doctorate in Educational Leadership online?
Ph.D. programs typically last four to eight years, while EdDs can last between two and three years. Full-time students can graduate more quickly, although students typically study part-time so they can continue working.
What are the admission requirements for a Doctorate in Educational Leadership Online?
Doctorates in educational leadership programs have different requirements for admission. Others demand a particular amount of professional experience, while some call for the successful completion of education in a related discipline.
Do Online Doctorates in Educational Leadership have dissertations?
Online educational leadership programs require students to finish a dissertation like any doctoral degree program.
Key Takeaways
- Students who aim to apply for positions in postsecondary teaching and research should pursue a Ph.D. in educational leadership online programs, while those looking for a career in practical educational theory application are best suited for online EdDs.
- Employment for educational leadership doctorate holders is expected to grow due to the increasing challenges educational institutions face.
- A Doctor of Educational Leadership program teaches students how to interact with parents, serve a variety of clientele, assess staff and schools, and incorporate cutting-edge methods and technologies into learning environments.
