Educational practice and leadership discussion

Doctorate Degree in Education Leadership

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Be a leader to adults as well as students.

UND's 100% online Doctor of Education in Educational Practice and Leadership will prepare you to step into leadership roles. Designed for working educators, the education doctorate opens the door for teacher career advancement. Be in demand as you strengthen your leadership skills in a range of education-related fields.

Program type:
Doctoral Degree
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
3 years
Credit hours:
90

Why earn a Ed.D. in educational leadership online?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
March 15
Spring:
Oct. 15

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

UND's Education Practice and Leadership Ed.D. is designed specifically for educators and administrators working in P–12, early childhood, or higher education. Work full-time while completing your doctorate in education online within three years. Your workplace can serve as a laboratory of practice for coursework and dissertation in practice.

Online Ed.D. Education Leadership Specializations

Enroll in both a centralized core and choose a specialization area. You may further customize your Ed.D. program by studying across disciplines.

Education Policy, Reform & Equity (EPRE)

You'll be prepared to examine problems of practice through the lens of policy and reform efforts with the focus on producing products that aim for equity and social change.

Higher Education (HE)

The HE area prepares administrators or professors for leadership in an academic discipline at a college or university.

Instructional Design & Technology (IDT)

The IDT specialization is for instructors, instructional designers, curriculum/technology coordinators, or directors for educational technology, faculty development centers, or training departments. You'll become an expert in understanding curriculum design, human learning, and the integration of technology.

School Leadership (SL)

The SL is designed primarily for practitioners preparing for school administration positions including:

  • Elementary, middle school, and secondary principals
  • Superintendents
  • Curriculum directors
  • Other school district central office positions

Depending on state licensure credential requirements, you'll have completed many, if not all, coursework which will lead to an administrative credential.

Special Education (SPED)

The SPED area is focused on preparing experienced professionals for the role as an educational diagnostician or as a leader in working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). You'll evaluate students to:

  • Determine services and effective programming for students
  • Inform leadership of special education policies and practices

Sport Leadership

The Sport Leadership area is designed for those who aspire to become:

  • Athletic Directors
  • Coaches
  • Administrators of sports or Esports

Work at any level, including professional, educational, or community settings.

Teacher Education (TE)

The TE area prepares professors of education at a college or university or as an educational specialist to teachers in PK-12 schools.

UND's Ed.D. Leadership Program

  • Student-selected research pathways include action research, classroom-based inquiry, program evaluation and learning analytics.

  • You may complete an internship under the supervision of expert practitioners who will engage you in multiple diverse educational settings.

  • Interdisciplinary core focuses on innovation, equity and leadership to meet the needs of diverse educational environments.

  • Gain a competitive edge through UND's Accelerate to Industry (A2i)™ program. This workforce readiness program provides immersive job training for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. It is one of only 30 programs nationwide.

  • Enhance your professional skills at 60+ free workshops offered through the UND School of Graduate Studies. Our goal is to provide you with the workforce skills and job search strategies to succeed.

  • Online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency. This makes UND’s online doctorate in education leadership one of the most affordable online Ed.D. programs in the nation.

What can I do with an online Ed.D. educational leadership degree?

103k

Median annual salary for postsecondary education administrators, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

At some point along their career track, many educational professionals eventually weigh the decision to earn a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in education. Most senior positions in education and educational administration require an Ed.D. This is one of the main reasons that education professionals choose Ed.D. programs.

Careers with a Doctorate Degree in Education Leadership

Depending on your specialization, earning your doctorate in education can prepare you for positions in:

  • The P–12 setting (educator, administrator, specialist, director)
  • Higher education (college professor, dean or administration)
  • Private organizations (CEO, human resources)
  • Public institutions and civil service (non-profit director, armed services or police leader, education lobbyist)

Online Ed.D. Leadership Courses

EDL 573. Advanced Leadership Theories. 3 Credits.

A study and critique of selected theories and research in leadership behaviors including topics such as leadership theories and leading changes in K-12 educational settings. Specifically, this course reviews advanced leadership theories - integrated through practice and theory. Students will learn theoretical perspectives and empirical research drawn from the social sciences relating to educational organizations and administrative leadership with an emphasis on application of theory to practice. S,SS.

EFR 502. Issues and Trends in Education. 3 Credits.

Examination of contemporary issues of pre-K-12 and higher education and some of the philosophical, political, social, and historical foundations which influence their development. Students will engage in public scholarship through issue advocacy projects. On demand.

EFR 509. Introduction to Applied Educational Research. 3 Credits.

An introduction to applied research methodologies used to study education. The course covers quantitative as well as qualitative types of research. The paradigms of both types of research will be contrasted and the application of the methodologies in actual research investigated. F,S,SS.

EFR 530. Learning Analytics. 3 Credits.

Learning analytics is the collection, management, analysis, and reporting of meaningful patterns in data about learners, aimed at optimizing learning and the environments in which it occurs. This course will provide students with the building blocks of learning analytics, including history, concepts and theories, question development, common data sources, tools and techniques, challenges, ethics, applications, case studies, and presenting to educational audiences for decision-making. F, even years.

HE 569. Diversity Systems and Policy in Education. 3 Credits.

The course is designed to provide students with a critical understanding of issues of diversity in education from an organizational and systematic perspective. Multiple levels and dimensions of diversity will be discussed from PK-12 through higher education, including structural, organizational, and systematic manifestations of how diversity and equity are historically and currently addressed. Organizational type and role will also be explored. On demand.

EFR 511. Program and Policy Evaluation. 3 Credits.

An interdisciplinary course which studies the theoretical models of program and policy evaluation as well as professional standards. Emphasis is on the analysis of models for implementation and application in various social and public policy fields, as well as education. On demand.

Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

2#

best online graduate programs

EDsmart

1#

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

Online Educational Leadership Courses

All required courses in UND's online Doctor of Education in Educational Practice and Leadership are offered in a flexible asynchronous format. Some elective courses may be offered in synchronous (live) format.

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Synchronous classes are held in real-time. If you’re the kind of learner who likes active discussion and immediate feedback through live interaction, you’ll enjoy this online course format.

Every class is different, but generally, you’ll log into a virtual classroom at scheduled times to:

  • Listen to a lecture.
  • Ask questions.
  • Participate in class discussions.
  • Conduct group activities.
  • Participate in video-sharing.
  • Have chat conversations.
  • Use interactive whiteboards.
  • Take live polls.

You should prepare for your classes by finishing any assigned readings, compiling questions for your instructor, and thinking about how to contribute to the next live class.

Top-Tier Online Education Leadership Degree

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

FAQs

The main difference lies in the focus and approach. A Ph.D. typically emphasizes research and theoretical contributions, while an Ed.D. focuses more on practical applications and leadership in educational settings.

UND's 100% online Doctor of Education in Educational Practice and Leadership program typically takes three years to complete.

Yes, there is a dissertation requirement to complete the Ed.D. program, emphasizing practical applications in the field.

Graduates of an Ed.D. in Educational Practice and Leadership program often find rewarding careers in various educational and organizational settings. This includes roles such as educational administrators, policymakers, college faculty, educational consultants and leadership positions across P-12 education systems, higher education institutions and in non-profit or private sectors.

Indeed, with our asynchronous classes, you do not have to attend class at a set time, allowing flexibility for individuals to balance work, family and other commitments. Please note some elective courses may be in a synchronous format requiring you to attend class a certain time.

Of course! Our Ed.D. program in Educational Practice and Leadership is offered 100% online. All required courses are offered in a flexible asynchronous format. Some elective courses may be offered in synchronous (live) format.

Leaders in Education

UND students are prepared to be leaders in their field to motivate future generations.

Explore More Options

Connect with education faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional online doctoral degrees.

Department Contact
Dr. Diana D'Amico Pawlewicz
Associate Professor, Education, Health & Behavior
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