Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership Online
Designed to provide study beyond the master's level, the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership offers educators a program designed to improve their general educational and specific professional competencies as leaders in the public school systems. Candidates complete performance-based activities in P-12 school sites and related settings.
Program Overview
Gain insights into our online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program
Rise to the highest standard in education with the Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from A-State. Taught 100% online, this dissertation-based Ed.D. program offers rigorous career and educational field preparation for master's and post-master's level professionals who aspire to ascend to top leadership roles in education.
In this writing-intense online doctoral program, students will explore different approaches to fostering a safe and diverse learning environment, closely examine ethical leadership practices, reflect on educational best practices that integrate theory and research, and gain expanded leadership skills needed to lead in high-performing organizations.
Throughout their coursework, students will conduct a thorough research project and collaborate with faculty one-on-one as part of their dissertation. Dissertation studies commence at semester five and extend to the end of the program in which students will present and defend their completed dissertation via A-State Online technology.
Students will have the full support of highly qualified faculty and staff throughout the program. The Ed.D. online program is taught by former superintendents, principals and higher education leadership faculty with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Additionally, students will also have continuing support from dissertation mentors, online writing lab staff and a statistics expert to assist with their doctoral studies.
As a graduate of this Ed.D. program, you may qualify** for expanded career opportunities in the field of education, such as:
- Superintendent
- School Principal
- University Professor
- Instructional Coordinator
- Educational Administrator for elementary, secondary, or collegiate levels
- Superintendent
- School Principal
- University Professor
- Instructional Coordinator
- Educational Administrator for elementary, secondary, or collegiate levels
Also available:
A-State offers a variety of post-graduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online post-graduate programs.
Tuition
Pay affordable online tuition at A-State
The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
See the important dates and deadlines for your online degree
Our Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is designed to be flexible and convenient for working educators. Students can choose from three start dates per year and can continue the required courses consecutively.
Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 12/1/24 | 12/1/24 | 1/9/25 | 1/10/25 | 2/28/25 |
| Summer 1 | 5/27/25 | 5/1/25 | 5/22/25 | 5/22/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/27/25 |
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Admissions
Be prepared for admissions to our online Doctorate of Education program
Students who are interested in our Ed.D. in Educational Leadership online program must have earned at least a master's degree from an accredited institution.
The Arkansas State Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership is a highly competitive and limited class size program. Admission is not guaranteed even if your file is complete. Applications are evaluated based on a holistic approach including, but not limited to, leadership indicators, research papers, original work, publications, personal statement, academic readiness, work experience, and professional goals/aspirations.
Admission Requirements:
- Online application
- Master's degree
- GPA of 3.0
- A master's degree with GPA of 3.0 or higher. Note: To be considered for the Ed.D. program, you must already have at least a master's. If you are currently completing your master's, the conferred degree must show on your transcript prior to the document submission deadline.
- A professional resume.
- Two references who can speak to your ability to matriculate into this doctoral program and complete a dissertation.
Application Submission Requirements
- Complete online application and submit a non-refundable $50 fee.
- Send official master’s transcript sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
- Submit a professional resume.
- Submit two Recommendation Forms from references who can speak to your ability to matriculate into this doctoral program and complete a dissertation.
- Write a two-page letter of interest describing how you are a good fit for the Ed.D. program.
- Submit one of the following scholarly papers (properly cited). The Education field uses APA Style (7th edition) to cite work but we will accept another style if properly cited.
- Two-page personal philosophy of leadership citing three sources or references.
- Research paper demonstrating ability to write at the post-graduate level (properly cited).
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
Courses
Take a look at the online curriculum
Students in the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership online program must complete a total of 51 credit hours. Required coursework includes pre-doctoral core (6 hours of 5000 or 6000 graduate courses and ELFN 6773 Introduction to Statistics) which may be waived depending on pre-doctoral graduate coursework completed prior to enrollment, doctoral leadership core (24 credit hours), and doctoral leadership and dissertation core (27 credit hours).
Students must complete the following courses. The pre-doctoral courses include 6 hours of 5000 or 6000 graduate courses and Introduction to Statistics. Introduction to Statistics must be taken during the first semester of enrollment, if not taken within 6 years of enrollment in the program and if not completed with a B or better.
Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.
Students who do not have at least 39 hours of approved graduate level coursework may be required to complete 9 hours of sub-core courses consisting of 5000-6000 level courses in their second term. One of those courses must be ELFN 6773: Introduction to Statistics if student has not taken a statistics course within the past six years with a grade of B or higher. If a student has not taken a statistics course, this will be required in the first term to ensure that students are well equipped for doctoral-level research and methods courses.
All students are required to take and pass the Comprehensive Leadership Core Exam at the end of semester 6. Students will have two attempts to pass the exam.
*Applicants who have not previously earned an Ed.S. degree or do not have 39 hours of graduate-level coursework may be required to complete additional graduate-level coursework before beginning doctoral-level coursework. The Ed.D. program does not lead to licensure.