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Continue to evolve your practice and how you serve students with an online doctor of education (EdD) in educational leadership from the University of Missouri (Mizzou). Built for K–12, college and university and district administrations, plus nonprofit and consulting professionals, this 54-credit-hour program explores research methods, policy analysis, organizational development and leadership theory through a mix of asynchronous and synchronous course work.
Immediately apply what you learn in your existing position to establish a more equitable, welcoming environment for all students, staff and families. At the same time, your advanced skill set equips you to adapt to changing leadership expectations, champion diversity and inclusion in your school and community and turn to data to address long-standing challenges.
The online EdD in educational leadership does not lead to professional licensure or certification. If you wish to enhance your degree with these requirements, please contact the ELPA department (ELPA@missouri.edu) to discuss potential options.
About the online EdD in educational leadership
Overseen by Mizzou’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, the program upgrades existing educational leaders’ knowledge base and helps them grow in their current role. Prepare to develop initiatives that support all students, connect with your institution or district’s surrounding community and lead reform through evidence-based transformation.
The department uses a part-time, cohort-based structure for the online EdD in educational leadership — a format encouraging connections between and fitting into the schedules of current professionals. To graduate determined and reflective practitioners, the program:
- Highlights how educational leaders can formulate solutions to complex problems through research and data collection
- Covers leadership theories and practices, educational policy, organizational analysis and learning methodologies
- Emphasizes how educational leaders foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion
- Touches on the importance of reflective practice to evolve professionally, better serve students and direct organizational change
- Helps professionals collaborate with a range of stakeholders to achieve specific goals
Quick facts
Official name
Doctor of education in educational leadershipCampus
Program type
DoctorateAcademic home
College of Education & Human Development | Department of Educational Leadership and Policy AnalysisDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning CommissionCredit hours
54Estimated cost
$28,890.00*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
Change often begins from the top down. With this online doctoral degree, get ready to drive progress in the K–12 or college and university space through a stronger understanding of educational leadership, policy, research and equity.
With demand for school principals and postsecondary administrators remaining steady through 2032, this degree positions you as an authority for more advanced roles, such as a:
- College or university administrator
- College professor or instructor
- District superintendent
- Educational consultant
- Principal
- Program director
Program structure
The online doctor of education in educational leadership consists of three components: 54 credit hours of course work, comprehensive exams and a dissertation in practice.
Students take classes entirely online, in asynchronous and synchronous formats, on a semester schedule. The program holds synchronous components on Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. CT. All students attend a virtual orientation event in August before classes officially begin.
The department schedules optional on-campus opportunities, including networking events, meetings with faculty and writing retreats.
The typical student takes two classes each semester and finishes the program in three years.
Course work covers
Expanding upon your background, the online EdD in educational leadership investigates:
- Current issues in educational leadership and policy analysis, plus the policymaking process
- The characteristics, models, culture and leadership of educational organizations
- Quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods, plus relevant tools
- Examining and implementing strategies to improve classroom learning
- The process for developing and introducing educational programs
Review all requirements for the online EdD in educational leadership.
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
3 yearsTypical course load
2 classes per semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
Faculty spotlight
Dr. Michael Steven Williams is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis in the College of Education at the University of Missouri. His research program broadly focuses on inclusion, diversity, and equity, the social-psychological development of students, and institutional excellence in American postsecondary education.