Program Overview

K-12 Educational Leadership (EdD)

Overview

Our K–12 educational leadership doctorate puts you on the fast track to a career in educational administration and leadership through a blended program, with working adults in mind.

At a Glance

• Offered as: Doctorate
• Certification: Available
• Format: Hybrid (Online & On Campus)
• Credits:
  • Doctorate: 60
  • Certification: 27
• College/School: College of Health & Human Services
• Campus Location: Chester, PA

Program Overview

Build your professional reputation and skills while earning your degree at your own pace through online coursework that balances your professional and personal lifestyle with your career goals. Our courses are flexible and hybrid, giving you a customized approach to earning your master's degree full or part-time.

K-12 Educational Leadership Program Options

Curriculum & Coursework for the EdD

Our curriculum includes online coursework that is challenging and rewarding for both skilled and novice educators. You'll gain a deep understanding of research methods, explore electives that fit your interest, and study the topics that help K-12 leaders thrive, including:

• Values & ethics in education
• Financial management
• Policy & public relations
• Technology leadership

Superintendent Certification Option

If your career goal is to become a school superintendent or work in district central office, you can become eligible for the appropriate Pennsylvania professional certification as part of your doctoral program. Please note that you do not need to be a doctoral student to pursue this certification program.

K-12 Educational Leadership EdD With a Business Concentration

Educational leaders are increasingly required to be curriculum and instruction experts as well as skilled business-minded professionals who can design cost-effective processes and make data-driven decisions to lead their schools and districts in innovative and results-oriented ways.

Low-Residency EdD with a Focus on International and Independent Schools Leadership

Earn your EdD in K-12 Educational Leadership with a focus on International and Independent Schools Leadership through our partnership with American Community Schools of Athens. You can finish your degree in as few as three years while working full-time.

Career Outlook & Outcomes for K-12 Educational Leaders

• Avg. Salary: $101,320 (2022 median annual pay for elementary, middle, & high school principals)
• Job Prospects: There may be good opportunities for teachers to advance into principal jobs as large numbers of baby boomers retire.
• Recent Employers:
  • School districts
  • Charter schools
  • Private schools
  • State and federal education agencies
  • Universities and colleges

Why Study K-12 Educational Leadership at Widener?

• A Professional Learning Community: At Widener, you’ll join a professional learning community where you and your fellow students share and learn from each other’s knowledge and work experience.
• Mentoring Relationships & Individualized Attention: Choosing Widener is an investment in you—your education, your career, and your future. Both full-time and part-time faculty members teach in the programs and all have earned doctoral degrees and have extensive administrative, leadership, and teaching experience in education.

Program Cost

• K-12 Educational Leadership (EdD): $870 per credit, 60 total credits, $52,200 total cost
• Superintendent (Letter of Eligibility) Certification: $492 per credit, 27 total credits, $13,284 total cost

Paths to Savings

• 85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid: Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants.
• Save up to 50% on Your Master's by Stacking Certificates: Widener's stackable certificates enable you to achieve your master's or doctoral degree by saying yes to one affordable certificate at a time.
• Graduate Assistantships: Widener offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to enrolled students. GAs receive tuition assistance for their work.
• Widener Scholarships: A limited number of university-based scholarships are made available to enrolled graduate students made possible directly from our academic department or thanks to the generosity of university donors.
• Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement: Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees.
• 20% Discount for Widener Alumni: If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount.