Online Education Doctoral Degrees

Direct Degree provides information about online doctorate degree in Education programs.

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Significance of Ed.D.

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) will prepare learners to become transformational leaders who will strategically manage and lead complex educational organizations. Graduates will be educational practitioners who demonstrate analytical, critical, and innovative thinking to improve the performance of educational institutions. The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree educates working adults to develop the knowledge and skills that will enable them to achieve their professional goals, improve the productivity of their organizations, and provide leadership and service to their communities. The program is designed to emphasize leadership and to focus on applied research that improves educational environments.

Doctor of Education: Career Outcome

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership is designed to prepare competent effective leaders who will model high standards and assume a leadership role in the field of education. Leaders in the field of education are seen as those who assume a facilitating role in accomplishing the goals and objectives of an education system whether it be as a teacher, superintendent, principal, curriculum director, instructional supervisor, or university administrator.

Educational Leadership curriculum

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership curriculum is designed for the professional educator with a desire to achieve, and a capacity to lead, teach and learn. The maximum transfer hours allowed for the Doctor of Education program is 9 hours.
Coursework for the Ed.D. program may be taken in multiple delivery formats. A minimum of 12 hours, four courses, must be taken in one of the residential formats.

Outcomes

The Educational Leadership concentration prepares educators to:
1. Demonstrate decision-making skills.
2. Display standards of excellence in leadership roles.
3. Evaluate circumstances displaying vision, foresight, and insight.
4. Evidence characteristics of self-evaluation, self-management, and self-discipline.
Typical Ed.D. program requires 60 hours of graduate study beyond the Master's degree level.

Earned Educational Specialist Degree

Applicants who have been awarded an earned Educational Specialists degree from an accredited institution may begin doctoral work in a program of 30+ hours with approval of the School of Education Graduate Committee. The program will include coursework that, when added to the earned specialist degree, is equivalent to the approved doctoral program.

Ph.D. in Counseling Degree

Some schools extend their graduate programs to include the Ph.D. in Counseling with specializations in Professional Counseling and Pastoral Care and Counseling. This program is established to be of particular interest to graduates of Master's level counseling programs, those with a Seminary degree, and those looking to get licensed through their state licensure board. Some schools also developed a flexible internship program that allows students to pursue work in their particular area of interest, while continuing to work in their current situation.