Program Overview

Online Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

Build the leadership skills and expertise you need to shape the future of education.

Types

Doctoral

Location

Online

Credits

60

Cost

$415/credit hour

Overview

You're an experienced educator who is well-versed in various educational problems and who wants to be a leader in the solutions. That's an honorable calling, and Cumberlands is ready to help. Our online doctorate in educational leadership will develop advanced practitioner skills that are rooted in sound research methodologies so that you can dig deeper into the roots of the issues and develop clear, impactful solutions. You'll be prepared to apply the critical thinking and creativity necessary to solve today’s most pressing educational challenges. Through this 60-hour online EdD in Educational Leadership program, you will also dive deeper into a specialty area so you can better address the obstacles facing that particular subject.

By the Numbers

$101,320

Average Salary

1%

Industry Growth

#1

in KY, Affordable Ed.D.

Best Ed.D.

For Adult Learners

Programs & Requirements

Online Doctorate of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

An accelerated, online EdD in Educational Leadership program can be completed in three years or fewer. Cumberlands’ doctorate of educational leadership online program boasts several design features, such as asynchronous, remote classes, executive format, and one-on-one instruction. Core courses focus on the politics of educational decision-making, program evaluation and assessment, institutional improvement, professional writing, and the development of sound research skills. By the time you graduate from the online doctorate in education leadership program, you will be stronger in all kinds of leadership skills and better understand the behind-the-scenes of education.

Additionally, if you are a current educator wishing to obtain Kentucky Rank 1 certification, you may complete an approved Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) program through the School of Education and transfer up to thirty (30) hours of the program toward the Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.). Note that a Ph.D. or Ed.D. alone will not lead to the Kentucky Rank 1 certification without first completing an Ed.S. through the School of Education. Our knowledgeable advisors are here to help you enroll in the classes you need to complete your Rank 1 certification and then the Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.).

Course Requirements

• Strategic Administration & Curriculum and Culture (21 hours)
  • LEAS 730 - The Politics of Organizational Decision-Making
  • LEAC 731 - Learning in Adulthood
  • LEAS 732 - Program Planning and Assessment
  • LEAS 830 - Leadership in Theory and Practice
  • LEAS 833 - Higher Education in America
  • LEAS 835 - The Change Process
  • LEAC 834 - Leadership in Historical Context
• Professional Research (21 hours)
  • DSRT 734 - Inferential Statistics in Decision-making
  • DSRT 837 - Professional Writing and Proposal Development
  • DSRT 850 - Qualitative Research Methods
  • DSRT 736 - Dissertation Seminar
  • DSRT 839 - Advanced Research Methods
  • DSRT 930 - Dissertation
  • DSRT 931 - Dissertation
• Specialty Emphasis Area (18 hours)
  • A content specialty area of at least eighteen (18) hours must be earned in one of these disciplines:
    • Business
    • Criminal Justice
    • Education
    • English
    • Health Professions
    • Health Science
    • History
    • Information Systems
    • Instructional Technology
    • Mathematics
    • Missions and Ministry
    • Nursing
    • Public Administration
    • Student Personnel Services

Mission & Goals

The mission of Cumberlands' online EdD of Educational Leadership program is to build upon the knowledge and skills of educators like you, to provide an avenue for you to advance into educational leadership positions.

• Develop critical and reflective thinking to facilitate institutional problem-solving
• Nurture effective and ethical professional leadership
• Strengthen research, analytical and communication skills for professional decision-making
• Strengthen content knowledge in a specialty area
• Promote public service and ethical leadership in professional and community settings

Career Outcomes

• University Administrator: $99,940
• Instructional Coordinator: $63,740
• Educational Development Specialist: $61,570

FAQs

• What is a Doctor of Educational Leadership (EdD)?
  • An EdD in Educational Leadership online program is a professional doctorate designed to prepare candidates for hands-on leadership in educational settings.
• What's the difference between a PhD and an EdD?
  • Earning an EdD in Educational Leadership online requires applied professional research, so it is similar to a PhD, but there are differences. Unlike a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), which primarily focuses on original research, a doctorate in educational leadership program covers how to use research to solve real-world problems in your school or organization.
• Why would I pursue a doctorate in educational leadership online?
  • Because many candidates for this degree are working educators, doctorate in educational leadership programs are often available online. An online EdD in Educational Leadership program typically features the same curriculum as a traditional, on-campus program. The difference is that you’ll enjoy the flexibility to study on a schedule that works for you.

Faculty Experts

• Dr. Christopher Clark
  • Adjunct Professor
  • EdD - Dr. Educational Leadership
• Dr. Devin Embray
  • Adjunct Professor
  • EdD - Dr. Educational Leadership
• Dr. Greg Mullins
  • Adjunct Faculty
  • EdD - Dr. Educational Leadership
  • PhD Leadership