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The online doctor of education (EdD) in educational leadership from MU lets you continue your career while also acquiring skills that you can put to use immediately. This newly retooled doctorate program is designed for practicing educational leaders ready to enhance their leadership skills and career opportunities.
The program is not designed to lead to professional licensure or certification. If you wish to enhance your degree with the requirements for certification or licensure, please contact the ELPA department (ELPA@missouri.edu) to discuss potential options.
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
$31,903.20*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
Graduates of this program lead across a PK–20+ context as principals, superintendents, directors, university administrators, faculty and more.
Program structure
Delivery of this program is 100% online: No campus visits required. Optional on-campus opportunities (e.g., meetings with faculty, networking events, writing retreats) may be offered during the program based on student interest and availability.
This program requires synchronous components, held on Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. CT.
Courses are semester-based. Students will take two classes each semester and finish the program in three years.
Course work includes
- Leadership theory and practice
- Organizational analysis
- Educational policy
- Content and context of learning
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.