Educational leader pointing to student with hand raised in a college classroom settings

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.

Next Apply Date: 12/1/23
Next Class Start Date: 1/8/24
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 12/1/23
Next Class Start Date: 1/8/24

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.

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As a graduate of this Ed.D. program, you will have the advanced qualifications you need 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
As a graduate of this Ed.D. program, you will have the advanced qualifications you need 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

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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.

Total Tuition: $27,360
Program Duration: As few as 40 months
Credit Hours 60*

Accreditation

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Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

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 breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $456
Total Tuition: $27,360

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.

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring 11/8/2412/1/2312/1/231/4/241/5/242/23/24
Summer 15/28/245/1/245/1/245/23/245/24/246/27/24

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 12/1/23
Start Class 1/8/24

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

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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
View all admission requirements +

  • Complete online application and submit a nonrefundable $50 fee
  • Official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
  • Have a master's 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.
  • 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 (6th edition) to cite work but we will accept another style if properly cited.
    • Two-page personal philosophy of leadership citing three sources or references
    OR
    • Research paper demonstrating ability to write at the post-graduate level (properly cited

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467


Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]

DOCTORAL PROGRAM SUPPORT

From the first course to graduation, students have A-State’s full support. Our experienced faculty will teach, mentor and collaborate with you as you progress throughout the doctoral program.

Courses

Take a look at the online curriculum

Students admitted prior to Spring 2022

Students in the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership online program must complete a total of 60 credit hours. Required coursework includes pre-doctoral core (9 credit hours—not required for applicants who previously earned an Ed.S. degree), 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 ELCI 7523: Curriculum Theory and Practice, ELAD 7033: Contemporary Issues in Education, and ELAD 7073: Schooling in a Pluralistic Society are required only for students who did not previously earn an Ed.S. degree.

Students admitted Spring 2022 and after

Students in the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership online program must complete a total of 60 credit hours. Required coursework includes pre-doctoral core (6 hours of 5000 or 6000 graduate courses and ELFN 6773 Introduction to Statistics), 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.

Expand All
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of current curriculum innovations and their underlying theoretical bases. Emphasis is given to current research on effective schools and to the translation of effective curriculum designs into practice.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Analysis of significant contemporary issues confronting American education.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of diverse cultural backgrounds represented in the nation’s schools. Emphasis is placed on understanding educational and cultural issues along with identifying agencies and programs that are designed to facilitate and nurture learning environments.

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.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of the theoretical assertions and empirical knowledge claims regarding the behavior of organizations with emphasis on implications of recent developments for leadership practice. Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral program.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a reflective analysis of school curriculum, grades P-12 Presentations and discussion will focus on the four prevailing curriculum conceptions: Humanistic, societal, technological and academic. Prerequisite: Admission to Educational Leadership doctoral program.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of international education with a focus on acquiring knowledge associated with global education practices and their implications in a rapidly changing society.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the professional applications of theoretical and empirically-based leadership practices with specific application to administration of educational institutions. Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral program.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines educational ideas, concepts, and issues as it describes the social, political and economic issues and trends related to schools in a pluralistic society. Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral program.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Application of research and practice to problems of change and innovation in education. Assessment and intervention strategies for school improvement efforts will be examined. Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral program.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the relationship of law and policy, and legal decision and educational practice. Among issues addressed are the relationship between schooling and the state, the nature and scope of students’ and teachers’ substantive and procedural rights, and the many meanings of educational opportunity. Emphasis is given to consideration of the tension among political, professional, and legal authority at the local level and the distinctive policy role of the federal government. Prerequisite: ELAD 6073 and admission to doctoral program.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the political perspective of school administration and provides the practitioners with strategies and realizations critical to being a successful political influence in schooling. Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral program.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of inferential statistics utilizing parametric and nonparametric procedures. Prerequisite: ELFN 6773 or equivalent.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Study of the theoretical, conceptual and methodological aspects of research and evaluation methods derived from traditions of ethnographic and ethnomethodological inquiry. Prerequisites: ELFN 6773, ELFN 7773 and ELFN 7783, and admission to doctoral program.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of research designs and statistical techniques to provide students with the opportunity to relate, integrate, and synthesize evaluation processes. Study will focus on theories and practices of curriculum and environmental and educative roles of instruction. Prerequisites: ELFN 7773, ELFN 7783, and admission to doctoral program.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An advanced study of the methodology of research including quantitative and non-quantitative procedures.
Duration: 14 weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Supervised development and composition of the dissertation prospectus.
Duration: 14 weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Dissertation II Chapter One
Duration: 14 weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Supervised composition of the dissertation literature review
Duration: 14 weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Approval of the literature review
Duration: 14 weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Supervised Composition of the dissertation methodology
Duration: 14 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Supervised data collection for the dissertation
Duration: 14 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Supervised data analysis and composition of the dissertation results.
Duration: 14 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Supervised composition of the dissertation conclusions.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines educational ideas, concepts, and issues as it describes the social, political and economic issues and trends related to schools in a pluralistic society. Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral program.

*Applicants who were admitted prior to Spring 2022 and previously earned an Ed.S. degree do not need to take the pre-doctoral 9-credit-hour leveling coursework. These applicants will satisfy the Ed.D. academic requirements with 51 credit hours. The Ed.D. program does not lead to licensure.

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