Online EdD Programs in Educational Leadership and Education Administration
Being an effective leader in educational settings requires more than just managing resources and delegating tasks. In order to oversee and drive the development of quality instructional programs, professionals in the field need a wide range of expertise, from superb communication skills, to an advanced understanding of pedagogy and the laws and policies that govern education systems. For students interested in gaining these advanced skills, there are currently 186 online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs with a concentration in Education Administration and Leadership.
Online EdD programs in Education Administration and Leadership prepare students to assume leadership positions at a variety of academic and education-related institutions, including K-12 schools, colleges and universities, post-baccalaureate training programs, school districts, education non-profits, and government organizations. This specialization focuses on skills and topics such as organizational leadership, educational program evaluation, promoting diversity in academic settings, conducting education-related research, and using research findings to improve education outcomes.
This page includes all online EdD programs that offer training in leadership or administration, regardless of their specialization. Some programs listed on this page are broad administration programs, while others offer a more specialized curricular focus. Online EdD programs in Organizational Leadership are also listed below, unless those programs primarily focus on leadership in non-educational settings.
Featured Online EdD Programs in Educational Leadership | ||
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Grand Canyon University
Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with Emphases in K-12 Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, and Organizational Development
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Marymount University
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation
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Spalding University
Online Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Leadership
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Arizona State University
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Leadership & Innovation with Pathways in PreKindergarten-Grade 12 Change Leadership; Higher Education Change Leadership; and Systems, Professional and Reimagined Change Leadership
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Aurora University
Online Doctor of Education (EdD) with Specializations in Leadership in Educational Administration (Superintendent Endorsement), and Leadership in Higher Education Administration
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University of West Alabama
Online Ed.D. Rural Education with Concentrations in Higher Education Administration, and Organizational Change and Leadership
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Curriculum for Online EdD Programs in Educational Leadership and Administration
EdD programs in Education Leadership typically require the completion of 40-70 course credits over the course of three to five years of study. Programs are generally comprised of a set of core courses followed by specialization courses, electives, and dissertation-related classes. Core courses for EdD programs cover the foundations of teaching and learning, including concepts in learning theory, educational program development, educational assessment, and principles of communication and community-building. Examples of these courses may include:
- Foundational Concepts in Teaching and Learning: A discussion of the various definitions and types of learning. Visual, auditory, read-write, and kinesthetic learning styles and the role each plays in a student’s academic development. The ways in which a student’s environment affects his or her learning, and how to create a supportive community around student learning and progress.
- Education Systems and Policies: An overview of the American education system at the K-12, post-secondary, and graduate levels, and the standards of educational attainment at these levels. The economic and political factors at the community, state, and national levels that affect students’ access to quality education.
- Structural Inequality in Education Systems: An exploration of the common challenges that K-12 students face in their education system, including a discussion of these challenges’ history and origins. How socioeconomic, racial, political, and other structural issues affect students’ education outcomes and access to the resources and support they need to progress.
- Strategies for Education Reform: A discussion of how teachers, school administrators, and other leaders in education can improve educational outcomes at the individual, group, and systemic levels. How to identify the causes of problems in educational accessibility and quality and address them. This course may consist of a combination of lectures and case analyses where students are presented with a specific school dilemma and are asked to diagnose the problem and identify opportunities for improvements.
Following their completion of the foundational classes in their program, students progress to the coursework that focuses on education administration and leadership. Specific course titles and content may vary somewhat from program to program, but examples of typical educational leadership concentration classes include:
- Organizational Leadership in Educational Settings: The methods of educating individuals and groups within a larger organized system, and the research and theories underpinning these methods. Teaching as a form of leadership, and how to engage different groups (ex. young students, adult students, working professionals, etc.) in learning initiatives, establish educational benchmarks, and meet these benchmarks.
- Education Program Evaluation and Improvement: How to create and modify educational programs for students of all age groups by evaluating learning needs, developing curricula and educational materials, seeking and obtaining funding, addressing staffing needs, and assessing learning outcomes.
- Creating and Managing a Culture of Learning: How to create and manage a community that is invested in learning through data-driven improvement processes, student advocacy, identification of learning outcome goals, and the development of programs and processes that aim to support across different academic and professional contexts.
- Education Leadership Practicum: Students complete an internship experience that allows them to apply the concepts they have learned in classes to real work with students or professionals while under the supervision of a mentor. Students must select an internship site that allows them to work in organizational and/or educational leadership.
In addition to concentration coursework, some EdD programs give students the option of taking education-related elective courses that are outside of their specific academic focus, but which are relevant to their desired profession post-graduation. These classes may be from a different EdD concentration at the same program, or be education-related courses from an entirely different department. Examples of these courses may include:
- Diversity and Multiculturalism: The importance of diversity and multiculturalism in educational settings, and how to promote an environment that welcomes multiple cultures and perspectives through diversity education, anti-discrimination programs, and other initiatives.
- Collaboration and Communication: The methods and principles of effective communication for both instructors and students. Team and group dynamics and the necessary skills for effective collaboration and communication in a variety of settings.
In the final terms of their program, most EdD students are required to complete a dissertation, which is a capstone research project that investigates a problem in the educational system and seeks to find potential causes and solutions to this problem. Students receive academic credits for their work on their dissertation, often in structured courses and through their own individual work under the supervision of a research mentor.
For more information about the dissertation component of EdD programs, please refer to our Dissertations and Research Requirements for EdD Programs page. To learn more about online EdD programs, we also have pages dedicated to the Structure of Online EdD Programs and Admission Requirements for Online EdD Programs, for students who want more information.
Career Paths for Graduates of Online EdD Programs in Education Administration & Leadership
EdD programs in Education Administration and Leadership provide students with a diverse set of skills in organizational leadership and an in-depth knowledge of the educational system and how to optimize learning outcomes for students at different grade levels. Examples of jobs for graduates of these types of programs include but are not limited to:
- College and University Deans: College and university deans oversee the daily operations of a college or university department. For academic departments, a dean’s responsibilities may include supervising the development and implementation of academic programs within that department, overseeing faculty research and instruction, and managing non-curricular programming for students and teachers within the department.
- College and University Directors: College and university directors typically manage non-academic departments at an institution of higher education, such as the Office of Admissions, Career Services Department, the Office of Financial Aid, or the Office of Education Accessibility. Academic directors may fulfill such operational responsibilities as coordinating admissions interviews, managing career education and counseling services, overseeing the review of financial aid applications, or working to ensure school campuses are compliant with the American Disabilities Act.
- Primary or Secondary School Principals: School principals oversee the daily operations of the school(s) under their supervision. They coordinate teacher schedules and curricula, manage the performance and professional development of teachers and other school personnel, manage school budgets in collaboration with other office staff, and seek to uphold district and state educational standards. Principals also work to ensure that school campuses remain safe, accessible, and positive learning environments for all students.
- School District Superintendent: School superintendents are the heads of their school district, which is typically comprised of a school board and other staff that oversee the operations and performance of several schools in a region. School superintendents work with principals, teachers, parents, and education advocates to monitor and maintain the quality of education at their schools. They manage school district budgets, supervise updates to school facilities, and oversee the development of and updates to educational programs.
Online Ed.D. Programs in Educational Leadership and Administration
The following schools are sorted by state for easy reference; however, most online EdD programs accept students from other states as well. For out-of-state programs, students should confirm with an admissions advisor that the program accepts students from their state of residence before applying.
Alabama
Samford University
(Birmingham)Programs:
The University of West Alabama
(Livingston)Programs:
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Online Ed.D in Rural Education with a Concentration in Organizational Change and Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Arizona
Arizona State University
(Phoenix)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Innovation (Masters to Doctorate)
Grand Canyon University
(Phoenix)Programs:
The University of Arizona
(Tucson)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Arkansas
Arkansas State University
(Jonesboro)Programs:
-
Online Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership (P-12) (Masters to Doctorate)
University of Arkansas
(Fayetteville)Programs:
California
California Baptist University
(Riverside)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Change and Administration (Masters to Doctorate)
California State University Channel Islands
(Camarillo)Programs:
California State University, Fresno
(Fresno)Programs:
Loyola Marymount University
(Los Angeles)Programs:
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Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Social Justice (Masters to Doctorate)
National University
(La Jolla)Programs:
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Online Doctor of Education (EdD) - Dissertation Completion Pathway with Specializations in Instructional Leadership, Leadership in Higher Education, and Organizational Leadership (All But Dissertation)
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Online Doctor of Education (EdD) with Specializations in Instructional Leadership, Leadership in Higher Education, and Organizational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
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Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
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Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Dissertation Completion Pathway (All But Dissertation)
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Online Ed.D. in Organizational Innovation (Masters to Doctorate)
San Jose State University
(San Jose)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
University of Massachusetts Global
(Irvine)Programs:
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Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
University of Southern California
(Los Angeles)Programs:
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Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership with a K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings Concentration (Masters to Doctorate)
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Online EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
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Online EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership (Bachelors to Doctorate)
Colorado
University of Northern Colorado
(Greeley)Programs:
Connecticut
Sacred Heart University
(Fairfield)Programs:
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Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (K-12) (Masters to Doctorate)
Interview with David Title, Ed.D. - Sacred Heart University -
Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
University of Bridgeport
(Bridgeport)Programs:
Delaware
Wilmington University
(New Castle)Programs:
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Online Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
District of Columbia
American University
(Washington)Programs:
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Online Doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership (EdD) (Masters to Doctorate (or Bachelor's plus 24 graduate credits))
The George Washington University
(Washington)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration (PreK-12) (Masters to Doctorate)
Florida
Florida State University
(Tallahassee)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy - Educational Leadership/Administration (Masters to Doctorate)
Nova Southeastern University
(Fort Lauderdale)Programs:
Saint Leo University
(Saint Leo)Programs:
Southeastern University
(Lakeland)Programs:
St. Thomas University
(Miami Gardens)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation - Administration (Masters to Doctorate)
University of Miami
(Coral Gables)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Applied Learning Sciences (Masters to Doctorate)
University of West Florida
(Pensacola)Programs:
Georgia
Brenau University
(Gainesville)Programs:
Clark Atlanta University
(Atlanta)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Columbus State University
(Columbus)Programs:
Georgia Southern University
(Statesboro)Programs:
University of North Georgia
(Oakwood)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Leadership and Practice (Masters to Doctorate)
University of West Georgia
(Carrollton)Programs:
Valdosta State University
(Valdosta)Programs:
Idaho
Idaho State University
(Moscow)Programs:
Northwest Nazarene University
(Nampa)Programs:
University of Idaho
(Moscow)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Illinois
Aurora University
(Aurora)Programs:
Bradley University
(Peoria)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration and Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Concordia University - Chicago
(River Forest)Programs:
Governors State University
(University Park)Programs:
Illinois State University
(Normal)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Foundations - P-12 Administration (Masters to Doctorate)
National Louis University
(Chicago)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
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Online Ed.D. in Teaching and Learning - Postsecondary Teaching and Instructional Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Northern Illinois University
(DeKalb)Programs:
Olivet Nazarene University
(Bourbonnais)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Ethical Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
(Chicago)Programs:
University of Illinois
(Champaign)Programs:
University of St. Francis
(Joliet)Programs:
Indiana
Indiana University
(Bloomington)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (Masters to Doctorate)
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Online Ed.D. in Instructional Systems Technology (Masters to Doctorate)
University of Southern Indiana
(Evansville)Programs:
Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
(Cedar Falls)Programs:
Kansas
Kansas State University
(Manhattan)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Adult Learning and Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Southwestern College
(Wichita)Programs:
Kentucky
Morehead State University
(Morehead)Programs:
Murray State University
(Murray)Programs:
Spalding University
(Louisville)Programs:
-
Online Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
University of Kentucky
(Lexington)Programs:
-
Online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
University of the Cumberlands
(Williamsburg)Programs:
-
Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) with a Specialty Area in Education (Masters to Doctorate)
Western Kentucky University
(Bowling Green)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Louisiana
Grambling State University
(Grambling)Programs:
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
(Natchitoches)Programs:
Southeastern Louisiana University
(Hammond)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Xavier University of Louisiana
(New Orleans)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Maine
University of New England
(Biddeford)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Transformative Leadership (Ed.D.) (Masters to Doctorate)
Maryland
Frostburg State University
(Frostburg)Programs:
Johns Hopkins University
(Baltimore)Programs:
Morgan State University
(Baltimore)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Community College Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Massachusetts
Bay Path University
(Longmeadow)Programs:
-
Online EdD in Educational Leadership - All But Dissertation Track with Concentrations in Higher Education Leadership & Organization Studies, and Transformative School Leadership (K-12) (All But Dissertation)
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Online EdD in Educational Leadership with Concentrations in Higher Education Leadership & Organization Studies, and Transformative School Leadership (K-12) (Masters to Doctorate)
Interview with Melissa Morriss-Olson, Ph.D. - Bay Path University
Boston College
(Chestnut Hill)Programs:
Northeastern University
(Boston)Programs:
University of Massachusetts Lowell
(Lowell)Programs:
Michigan
Andrews University
(Berrien Springs)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership (K-12) (Masters to Doctorate)
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Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Administration (Masters to Doctorate)
Central Michigan University
(Mount Pleasant)Programs:
Cornerstone University
(Grand Rapids)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Development (Masters to Doctorate)
Minnesota
Bethel University
(St. Paul)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Interview with Jessica Daniels, Ph.D. - Bethel University -
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in K-12 Administration with an Optional Director of Special Education License Track (Masters to Doctorate)
Interview with Tracy Reimer, Ph.D. - Bethel University
Concordia University - Saint Paul
(Saint Paul)Programs:
Minnesota State University Moorhead
(Moorhead)Programs:
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
(Winona)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Leadership - Organizational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
-
Online Executive Doctor of Education in Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
St. Cloud State University
(St. Cloud)Programs:
The College of St. Scholastica
(Duluth)Programs:
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota
(Minneapolis)Programs:
Walden University
(Minneapolis)Programs:
Winona State University
(Winona)Programs:
Mississippi
Belhaven University
(Jackson)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
The University of Mississippi
(Oxford)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with an Emphasis in Higher Education (Masters to Doctorate)
The University of Southern Mississippi
(Hattiesburg)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Administration (P-12) (Masters to Doctorate)
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Administration (Masters to Doctorate)
William Carey University
(Hattiesburg)Programs:
Missouri
Evangel University
(Springfield)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Curriculum & Instruction (K-12) (Masters to Doctorate)
Lindenwood University
(Saint Charles)Programs:
Maryville University
(St. Louis)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Missouri Baptist University
(Saint Louis)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Rockhurst University
(Kansas City)Programs:
University of Missouri
(Columbia)Programs:
-
Online Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
University of Missouri - St. Louis
(St. Louis)Programs:
Webster University
(St. Louis)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Transformative Learning in the Global Community (Masters to Doctorate)
Nebraska
College of Saint Mary
(Omaha)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Creighton University
(Omaha)Programs:
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
(Lincoln)Programs:
New Hampshire
Rivier University
(Nashua)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning (Masters to Doctorate)
New Jersey
Fairleigh Dickinson University
(Teaneck)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education (Masters to Doctorate)
Rowan University
(Glassboro)Programs:
Saint Elizabeth University
(Morristown)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Higher Education (Masters to Doctorate)
Saint Peter’s University
(Jersey City)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Higher Education (Masters to Doctorate)
New York
Fordham University
(New York)Programs:
Lehman College (CUNY)
(Bronx)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, Development and Change (EDOL) (Masters to Doctorate)
Manhattanville College
(Purchase)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Dissertation Completion Pathway (All But Dissertation)
Molloy University
(Rockville Centre)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities (Masters to Doctorate)
New York University
(New York)Programs:
-
Online EdD in Leadership and Innovation (Masters to Doctorate)
St. Bonaventure University
(St. Bonaventure)Programs:
-
Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
North Carolina
Appalachian State University
(Boone)Programs:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(Chapel Hill)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Learning and Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
-
Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Learning and Leadership (Bachelors to Doctorate)
North Dakota
University of Mary
(Bismarck)Programs:
University of North Dakota
(Grand Forks)Programs:
Ohio
Franklin University
(Columbus)Programs:
Kent State University
(Kent)Programs:
University of Cincinnati
(Cincinnati)Programs:
University of Dayton
(Dayton)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership for Organizations (Masters to Doctorate)
University of Findlay
(Findlay)Programs:
Oklahoma
Southern Nazarene University
(Bethany)Programs:
Oregon
George Fox University
(Newberg)Programs:
Pennsylvania
Arcadia University
(Glenside)Programs:
-
Online Educational Leadership in Educational Leadership - PK-16 Education (Masters to Doctorate)
Drexel University
(Philadelphia)Programs:
Gratz College
(Melrose Park)Programs:
Gwynedd Mercy University
(Gwynedd Valley)Programs:
Pennsylvania Western University
(California)Programs:
Point Park University
(Pittsburgh)Programs:
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
(Slippery Rock)Programs:
Wilkes University
(Wilkes-Barre)Programs:
South Carolina
Clemson University
(Clemson)Programs:
University of South Carolina
(Columbia)Programs:
Tennessee
Austin Peay State University
(Clarksville)Programs:
Carson-Newman University
(Jefferson City)Programs:
-
Online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) with a Concentration in Administrative Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
East Tennessee State University
(Johnson City)Programs:
Lipscomb University
(Nashville)Programs:
Middle Tennessee State University
(Murfreesboro)Programs:
Trevecca Nazarene University
(Nashville)Programs:
Union University
(Jackson)Programs:
University of Memphis
(Memphis)Programs:
Vanderbilt University
(Nashville)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations (Masters to Doctorate (or Bachelor's plus 30 graduate credits))
Texas
Abilene Christian University
(Abilene)Programs:
Baylor University
(Waco)Programs:
Houston Christian University
(Houston)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Executive Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Lamar University
(Beaumont)Programs:
-
Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership - Global Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Sam Houston State University
(Huntsville)Programs:
Tarleton State University
(Stephenville)Programs:
Texas A&M University, Commerce
(Commerce)Programs:
Programs:
Texas Tech University
(Lubbock)Programs:
The University of Texas at Tyler
(Tyler)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in School Improvement (Masters to Doctorate)
University of Houston
(Houston)Programs:
West Texas A&M University
(Canyon)Programs:
Virginia
Liberty University
(Lynchburg)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Marymount University
(Arlington)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation (Masters to Doctorate)
Radford University
(Radford)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Educational Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)
Regent University
(Virginia Beach)Programs:
The College of William & Mary
(Williamsburg)Programs:
Virginia Commonwealth University
(Richmond)Programs:
Washington
City University of Seattle
(Seattle)Programs:
West Virginia
Marshall University
(Huntington)Programs:
Wisconsin
Alverno College
(Milwaukee)Programs:
Concordia University Wisconsin
(Mequon)Programs:
Edgewood College
(Madison)Programs:
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
(La Crosse)Programs:
Viterbo University
(La Crosse)Programs:
-
Online Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership (Ed.D.) (Masters to Doctorate)
Wyoming
University of Wyoming
(Laramie)Programs: