Online Doctor of Education (EdD) Programs in Delaware

There is currently only one school in Delaware where students can pursue a Doctor of Education online. Wilmington University in New Castle has two EdD programs that can be completed through entirely online study, with no campus visits required. The school offers an online EdD in Higher Education Leadership, as well as an EdD in Organizational Leadership, Learning, and Innovation with three different concentration options: Strategic Leadership, Workplace Learning and Talent Development, or the ability to design a unique plan of study based on one’s professional objectives.

Wilmington University is regionally accredited by the Middle State Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Its College of Education is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Preparation (CAEP). To learn more about the school’s online EdD programs, continue reading below.

Schools in Delaware with Online EdD Programs

As mentioned above, Wilmington University offers two different fully online Doctor of Education programs through the school’s College of Education. The first is an EdD in Higher Education Leadership, which students can complete in as little as three years. A total of 51 credits (13 to 14 courses) are required to earn the degree. Courses use primarily asynchronous instruction, supplemented with a one-hour synchronous Course Roundtable meeting each week. Curriculum focuses on practical application, problem-solving skills, and leading change in higher education. Students complete a 21-credit Professional Core, which includes courses in Leadership in Higher Education, Advanced Academic Research and Writing, History of American Higher Education, Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education, Ethical Decision Making, and more. There are also 15 credits dedicated to Research Core courses that cover advanced concepts in problem-centered research and applied inquiry. Finally, in the 15-credit Guided Study Core, students work one-on-one in the field with a mentor, gaining hands-on experience in their professional area of interest. Each Guided Study courses includes a Structured External Assignment (SEA), where students have the chance to demonstrate their new knowledge and skills in real-world settings.

Wilmington University also has a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, Learning, and Innovation (OLI) that can be completed entirely online in just three years. This cohort-based program is designed for leaders in all types of industries, who want to be better equipped to both manage operational excellence and inspire continuous innovation and change in their organizations. There are two predefined concentration options to choose from: Strategic Leadership or Workplace Learning and Talent Development. Students can also work with faculty to design their own concentration, developing a personalized learning pathway that best fits their academic and career goals. The degree requires a total of 54 credits (or 14 courses). There is also a mentor-guided field experience project, consisting of 120 internship hours.

Curriculum in the program is divided into a number of different components. First, students complete 15 credits of Core Courses, exploring topics such as Personal Mastery and Communities of Practice; Organizational Learning Theory, Culture, and Practice; Teams, Teaming, and Knowledge Management; Talent Development and Workplace Learning; and Technology and Organizational Learning. Next, there is a Research Core comprised of 12 credits in Disciplined Inquiry and Writing, Assessment and Evaluation Methods, and Problem Centered Research in Organizational Learning. The remaining curriculum consists primarily of 15 credits in students chosen specialization.

The Strategic Leadership Concentration, for instance, includes courses in Leading Organizational Improvement and Innovation, Leadership Communication, The Strategic Role of Employee Engagement and Workplace Satisfaction, Business Acumen and Strategic Leadership, and Ethics, Organizational Citizenship, and Social Responsibility. Students pursuing the Workplace Learning and Talent Development Concentration can expect to take courses in Universal Design for Learning, Facilitating Adult Learning, Workforce Trends and Leading Talent Development, Addressing Diversity in Workplace Learning, and Motivating Employee Engagement in Workplace Learning and Professional Development.

For those interested in pursuing their EdD in a specialization not offered by Wilmington University, such as Early Childhood Education, K-12 Administration, or Curriculum and Instruction, many out-of-state schools offer online programs that accept students from Delaware. Some of these can be completed entirely online, while others include one or more on-campus residency sessions or in-person instructional components. To learn more about the different specialization options and browse available programs, check out our Online EdD Program Specializations page.

Online EdD Programs in Delaware

The following table includes links to both of Wilmington University’s online EdD programs. For more information about either of the degrees discussed on this page, such as their admission requirements or current tuition costs, click below to visit the school’s website.