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.
$26,400
Total Tuition
As few as 40 months
Program Duration
60*
Credit Hours
$26,400
Total Tuition
As few as 40 months
Program Duration
60*
Credit Hours
Arkansas State University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly known as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), 1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036. Phone: 202-223-0077.
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.
Prepare for expanded career opportunities, including:
- Superintendent
- School Principal
- University Professor
- Instructional Coordinator
- Educational Administrator for elementary, secondary, or collegiate levels
*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.
Doctoral Program Support
From the first course to the final dissertation, students have A–State's full support. Our experienced faculty will teach, mentor and collaborate with you as you progress throughout the doctoral program.
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. Tuition includes all administrative fees.
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.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:
| Term | Length | Course Begin | Course End | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Day to Withdraw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2023 | 5 wk | 05/30/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 05/01/2023 | 05/01/2023 | 05/25/2023 | 05/26/2023 | 06/16/2023 |
| Fall 2023 | 7 wk | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 08/01/2023 | 08/01/2023 | 08/17/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 09/22/2023 |
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.
- 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 sending institution.
- Have a master's GPA of 3.0 or higher.**
**(Please note, you must have completed at least your Masters degree already in order to be eligible for consideration into the Ed.D. program. If you are currently completing your Master, you will need to have the degree conferred on your transcript prior to document submission deadline in order for it to be considered in your application)
- 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
- 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]
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
Academic Partnershipsc/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
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.
Students must complete the following courses. Doctoral sub-core courses are required only if not taken within 6 years of enrollment in the program and if not completed with a B or better. All students are required to take and pass the Comprehensive Leadership Core exam after completing the first 12 doctoral core courses. Students may take the test twice, if needed.
Doctoral Sub-Core:
ELCI 7523: Curriculum Theory and Practice
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.
ELAD 7033: Contemporary Issues in American Education
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Analysis of significant contemporary issues confronting American education.
ELAD 7073: Schooling in a Pluralistic Society
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
An examination of diverse cultural backgrounds represented in the nation's schools. Emphasis is a placed a understanding educational and cultural issues along with identifying agencies and programs that are designed to facilitate and nurture learning environments.
Doctoral Leadership Core:
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.
ELAD 8043: Advanced Organizational Theory & Inquiry
Duration: 7 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.
ELAD 8213: Curriculum & Instruction
Duration: 7 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 doctoral program Educational Leadership.
ELAD 8343: Comparative Education
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. This course is restricted to students in the educational leadership doctorate program.
ELAD 8313: Educational Leadership Practices
Duration: 7 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 and permission of the professor.
ELAD 8763: Socio-Cultural Foundations of Education
Duration: 7 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.
ELAD 8333: Organizational Development in Education (P-12)
Duration: 7 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.
ELAD 8253: Education Policy and the Law (P-12)
Duration: 7 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.
ELAD 8203: Politics of Education (P-12)
Duration: 7 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.
Doctoral Research and Dissertation Core:
ELFN 7783: Advanced Educational Statistics
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of inferential statistics utilizing parametric and nonparametric procedures. Prerequisite: ELFN 6773 or equivalent.
ELFN 8783: Qualitative Research & Evaluation
Duration: 7 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.
ELFN 8773: Educational Research & Evaluation
Duration: 7 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.
ELFN 7773: Advanced Educational Research
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
An advanced study of the methodology of research including quantitative and non-quantitative procedures.
ELAD 8501: Dissertation I Prospectus
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
Supervised development and composition of the dissertation prospectus.
ELAD 8511: Dissertation II Chapter One
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
Supervised composition of the dissertation introduction
ELAD 8521: Dissertation III Chapter Two
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
Supervised composition of the dissertation literature review
ELAD 8531: Dissertation IV Chapter Two Approval
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
Approval of the literature review.
ELAD 8532: Dissertation V Chapter 3
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 2
Supervised Composition of the dissertation methodology.
ELAD 8613: Dissertation VI Chapter 4 Data Collection
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Supervised data collection for the dissertation
ELAD 8623: Dissertation VII Chapter 4 Data Analysis
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Supervised data analysis and composition of the dissertation results.
ELAD 8633: Dissertation VIII Chapter 5
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Supervised composition of the dissertation conclusions.
Next Start Date: