Online EdD Programs in Higher Education Leadership and Administration

Updated: June 11, 2024

College and universities are complex organizations, functioning as institutions of advanced learning, self-contained communities, and substantial businesses, all at the same time. Schools big and small rely on an army of staff and administrators to keep things running smoothly, as well as ensure students have a safe and supportive learning environment. In order to lead in these settings, professionals must possess a broad skill set, with expertise in everything from organizational management to best pedagogical practices. There are currently 89 online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs with a specialization in Higher Education Leadership and Administration.

Online EdD programs in Higher Education Leadership help prepare students with the advanced knowledge and skills they need to take on leadership roles in postsecondary administration. With a doctorate in the field, graduates can go on to manage significant portions of academic or student services at a college or university, or even assume top leadership roles such as dean, provost, or college president.

This page contains a comprehensive list of online EdD programs with a specialization in higher education leadership or administration (including community college leadership). Students interested in the field may also want to explore our main Online EdD in Education Leadership and Online EdD in Organizational Leadership pages, as many of those programs can also prepare students for positions in higher education administration.

Featured Online EdD Programs in Higher Education Leadership and Administration
Grand Canyon University
Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Higher Education Leadership
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Arizona State University
Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Leadership & Innovation with a Pathway in Higher Education Change Leadership
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Maryville University
Online Doctor of Education - Higher Education Leadership
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Fairleigh Dickinson University
Online Ed.D. in Higher Education
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Aurora University
Online Doctor of Education (EdD) with a Specialization in Leadership in Higher Education Administration
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University of West Alabama
Online Ed.D. Rural Education with a Concentration in Higher Education Administration
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Spalding University
Online Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Leadership
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Curriculum for Online EdD Programs in Higher Education Leadership

Students have a number of options to choose from when it comes to pursuing an EdD in Higher Education Leadership online. Some schools offer doctoral programs entirely dedicated to the concentration, while others include Higher Education Leadership as a specialization option within a more general Educational or Organizational Leadership EdD program. In either case, students should be sure to closely examine the curriculum and course topics in order to find a program that best aligns with their academic and professional goals.

Most online EdD programs in Higher Education Leadership consist of 40 to 70 course credits, and require three to five years to complete. Curriculum will vary by school and program; however, most include some combination of core courses, specialization coursework, electives, and dissertation research. Core courses generally cover fundamental topics in the field, focusing on the advanced theories, principles, and research methods used by administrators in modern postsecondary settings.

While exact course titles and content may vary, the following are a few examples of core topics typically covered in a Higher Education Leadership program:

  • Leadership in Education: Students learn about the fundamental theories and skills employed by effective leaders in postsecondary education, exploring different approaches to interpersonal communication, organizational management, and the various challenges college administrators might face.
  • Legal Issues and Ethics: In this course, students examine laws, court cases, and ethical issues related to higher education and life on campus, gaining insight into topics such as student rights, privacy, sexual harassment, discrimination, grading policies, and academic misconduct.
  • Educational Assessment and Evaluation: This course looks at the various methods and tools used in higher education to assess academic programing and student success, and how to use this empirical data to refine instruction and improve learning outcomes.
  • Organizational Theory: A study of the different theories and approaches used to understand, analyze, and manage organizations both big and small, examining classical, neoclassical, contingency, and systems theory, as well as organizational structure.

Once students have completed their core courses, they generally move onto more specialized coursework, studying specific topics in postsecondary education and college administration. The content of these concentration courses will depend on each program’s particular focus; however, below are some subjects common throughout Higher Education Leadership programs:

  • Trends in Higher Education: This course examines current and emerging social, academic, and technology trends in the higher education space, from changing student demographics to the rise of competency-based education (CBE) and online learning.
  • Postsecondary Academic Programs: Analyzing the development and implementation of forward-thinking curriculum plans and effective course instruction, with a focus on advanced learning theories and their application in postsecondary classrooms.
  • Finance and Administrative Affairs: This course explores the business-side of college administration, looking at budgetary concerns, tuition and financial aid policies, state funding, and institutional fundraising strategies, as well as aspects such as resource allocation and facilities management.
  • Diversity Issues in Higher Education: How to address racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in postsecondary enrollment and degree attainment, along with related issues concerning accessibility, equality, and support services for underrepresented students.

Along with core and concentration courses, most online EdD programs in Higher Education Leadership give students the opportunity to round out their curriculum by choosing a number of electives. These courses allow students to explore specific areas of interest or skills related to their chosen career path, and may be offered by the same department as the EdD program or come from an outside department, with approval of program faculty. Here are two examples of potential electives that might appeal to students in a Higher Education Leadership program:

  • Enrollment Management: Strategies for and challenges related to recruiting and retaining the ideal student body, examining marketing tactics, admissions policies, financial aid awarding, and the collection and analysis of enrollment data.
  • Higher Education Student Services: This course provides an in-depth study of the various extracurricular resources available at most colleges today, such as academic advising, career services, and athletics, as well as their impact on student development and success.

EdD programs typically culminate in the completion of a dissertation, which students work on throughout their studies under the guidance of a faculty advisor. For this project, students must identify an issue currently facing higher education leadership, and then produce original research and analysis on the topic. At the end of the process, these findings are typically submitted as an extensive document and presented in front of a dissertation committee for evaluation. EdD programs generally include one or more courses specifically related to dissertation research and development, as well as award students credit hours for the independent study involved.

For more information regarding the dissertation process and EdD capstone requirements, check out our in-depth Dissertations and Doctoral Capstone Projects resource page. To learn more about online EdD programs in general, please refer to our Structure of Online EdD Programs and Admission Requirements for Online EdD Programs pages.

Career Paths for Graduates of EdD Programs in Higher Education Leadership

There are a variety of postsecondary administrative positions one might pursue with an EdD in Higher Education Leadership. The majority of these roles are found in college and universities, and individual responsibilities or qualifications may vary depending on the size of the institution. In the case of certain top-level roles, such as college president, provost, or dean, professionals often start out as instructors or professors before moving into administration.

To give students a better idea of potential careers paths available to graduates of Higher Education Leadership EdD programs, here are a few examples of common positions:

  • College President: These professionals are essentially the CEOs of the college or university they work for, serving as the public face of the institution while handling a wide range of administrative, academic, developmental, and PR duties. They report to the board of trustees, and typically have final say on decisions such as significant hires, facility expansion, major spending, fundraising campaigns, civic engagement, and more.
  • Provost: Also known as chief academic officers, these administrators oversee all academic, faculty, and budgetary affairs at a college or university, taking part in policy development, decisions regarding hiring and tenure appointments, and even the management of faculty research. They typically work directly underneath the president, and may even take over their duties when the president is away or unavailable.
  • Dean: These higher education administrators handle many of the same responsibilities as a provost, but typically do so for an individual school or collection of departments within the college or university (such as the School of Business or College of Arts and Sciences). Their duties often include supervising faculty, overseeing academic programming, handling budgets, and overall planning or development, all with the goal of creating the best possible environment for students and staff.
  • Other Postsecondary Administrator: There are many other essential administrative roles found in colleges and universities that students might pursue with an EdD in Higher Education Leadership. Depending on the particular area they work in, these administrators might oversee anything from admissions, finance, or business operations, to student services, alumni relations, or athletics. Graduates could also become registrars or manage the registrar’s office, which is responsible for maintaining student and course records, as well as planning commencement ceremonies.

Online Ed.D. Programs in Higher Education 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.

FILTER ONLINE PROGRAMS BY STATE:

Arizona

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
Programs:

Grand Canyon University

(Phoenix)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: College of Doctoral Studies
Programs:

California

Accreditation: WSCUC
Department: Kremen School of Education & Human Development
Programs:

National University

(La Jolla)
Accreditation: WSCUC
Department: Sanford College of Education
Programs:

Connecticut

Accreditation: NECHE, CAEP
Department: Farrington College of Education & Human Development
Programs:

Delaware

Wilmington University

(New Castle)
Accreditation: MSCHE, CAEP
Department: College of Education
Programs:

Florida

Nova Southeastern University

(Fort Lauderdale)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: Abraham S. Fischler College of Education
Programs:

Georgia

Brenau University

(Gainesville)
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Department: College of Education
Programs:

Clark Atlanta University

(Atlanta)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: School of Education - Department of Educational Leadership
Programs:

Columbus State University

(Columbus)
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Department: College of Education and Health Professsions
Programs:
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: College of Education
Programs:

University of North Georgia

(Oakwood)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: College of Education
Programs:
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Department: College of Education
Programs:

Valdosta State University

(Valdosta)
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Department: James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education & Human Services
Programs:

Idaho

Idaho State University

(Moscow)
Accreditation: NWCCU, CAEP
Department: College of Education
Programs:

Illinois

Aurora University

(Aurora)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Bradley University

(Peoria)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: College of Education and Health Sciences
Programs:

Concordia University - Chicago

(River Forest)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: College of Graduate Studies
Programs:

Governors State University

(University Park)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: College of Education
Programs:

National Louis University

(Chicago)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: National College of Education
Programs:
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: College of Education
Programs:
Accreditation: WSCUC
Department: Educational Psychology & Technology Department
Programs:

Indiana

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education
Programs:

Iowa

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: College of Education
Programs:

Kansas

Southwestern College

(Wichita)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: Professional Studies
Programs:

Kentucky

Morehead State University

(Morehead)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: College of Education
Programs:

Murray State University

(Murray)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: College of Education and Human Services
Programs:

University of the Cumberlands

(Williamsburg)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CACREP, CAEP
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Louisiana

Grambling State University

(Grambling)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, NCATE
Department: Department of Educational Leadership
Programs:

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

(Natchitoches)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Maryland

Accreditation: MSCHE, CAEP
Department: College of Education
Programs:

Morgan State University

(Baltimore)
Accreditation: MSCHE, CAEP
Department: School of Education and Urban Studies (SEUS)
Programs:

Massachusetts

Accreditation: NECHE
Department: Graduate College
Programs:
Accreditation: NECHE
Department: Lynch School of Education and Human Development
Programs:
Accreditation: NECHE
Department: College of Professional Studies
Programs:

Michigan

Andrews University

(Berrien Springs)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Central Michigan University

(Mount Pleasant)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: College of Education & Human Services - Department of Educational Leadership
Programs:

Minnesota

Bethel University

(St. Paul)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: Graduate School
Programs:

Minnesota State University Moorhead

(Moorhead)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: College of Education & Human Services - Department of Leadership & Learning
Programs:

St. Cloud State University

(St. Cloud)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: School of Education - Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education
Programs:

University of St. Thomas, Minnesota

(Minneapolis)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Walden University

(Minneapolis)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences
Programs:

Mississippi

Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: School of Education
Programs:
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Missouri

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: College of Education and Human Services
Programs:

Maryville University

(St. Louis)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Missouri Baptist University

(Saint Louis)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: School of Education
Programs:
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: School of Education
Programs:
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: College of Education
Programs:

Nebraska

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: Department of Educational Administration
Programs:

New Jersey

Fairleigh Dickinson University

(Teaneck)
Accreditation: MSCHE, CAEP
Department: FDU Online
Programs:
Accreditation: MSCHE, CAEP
Department: College of Education
Programs:

Saint Elizabeth University

(Morristown)
Accreditation: MSCHE
Department: School of Professional Studies
Programs:

Saint Peter’s University

(Jersey City)
Accreditation: MSCHE
Department: Caulfield School of Education
Programs:

North Carolina

Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: Reich College of Education
Programs:

North Dakota

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Programs:
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: College of Education and Human Development
Programs:

Ohio

Franklin University

(Columbus)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: International Institute For Innovative Instruction
Programs:

University of Cincinnati

(Cincinnati)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, CAEP
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Pennsylvania

Accreditation: MSCHE
Department: School of Education
Programs:
Accreditation: MSCHE, CAEP
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Gratz College

(Melrose Park)
Accreditation: MSCHE
Department: Graduate Programs
Programs:

Gwynedd Mercy University

(Gwynedd Valley)
Accreditation: MSCHE
Department: School of Graduate & Professional Studies
Programs:

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

(Slippery Rock)
Accreditation: MSCHE, CAEP
Department: College of Education
Programs:

Wilkes University

(Wilkes-Barre)
Accreditation: MSCHE
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Tennessee

Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: Eriksson College of Education
Programs:

East Tennessee State University

(Johnson City)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Programs:
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: College of Graduate Studies
Programs:

Trevecca Nazarene University

(Nashville)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Union University

(Jackson)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: School of Education
Programs:

University of Memphis

(Memphis)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: College of Education - Department of Leadership
Programs:

Texas

Abilene Christian University

(Abilene)
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Department: School of Educational Leadership
Programs:

Sam Houston State University

(Huntsville)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: College of Education - Department of Educational Leadership
Programs:
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Department: College of Education
Programs:

Texas A&M University, Commerce

(Commerce)
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Department: Department of Higher Education & Learning Technologies
Programs:
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: College of Education
Programs:

West Texas A&M University

(Canyon)
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Department: College of Education and Social Sciences
Programs:

Virginia

Regent University

(Virginia Beach)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, TEAC
Department: School of Education
Programs:
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CAEP
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Washington

City University of Seattle

(Seattle)
Accreditation: NWCCU
Department: School of Applied Leadership
Programs:

Wisconsin

Alverno College

(Milwaukee)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Concordia University Wisconsin

(Mequon)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: School of Education
Programs:

Edgewood College

(Madison)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: School of Education
Programs:

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

(La Crosse)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Department: Department of Student Affairs Administration
Programs:

Wyoming

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, NCATE
Department: College of Education - School of Counseling, Leadership, Advocacy, and Design
Programs: