The educational ecosystem involves many moving parts. To ensure students, instructors, schools and districts receive the resources they need, leadership is key.
Doctoral programs—the highest degrees in educational leadership—prepare students to make a profound impact on the education field through direct action or research. If you want to make a difference in education, consider earning an online doctorate in educational leadership.
To find your ideal degree type, consider which career in educational leadership you plan to pursue. A Ph.D. focuses on research and academia to advance educational leadership policy, while an Ed.D. more commonly leads to hands-on administrative roles in education.
This in-depth guide explores online doctorates in educational leadership and ranks the top 10 U.S. schools offering these degrees. Find information about tuition costs, accreditation, common classes and course delivery methods for a doctorate in educational leadership.
Our Methodology
- Best Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs
- Should You Enroll in an Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership Program?
- Accreditation for Online Doctorates in Educational Leadership
- How To Find the Right Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership for You
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs
Best Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs
Should You Enroll in an Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership Program?
Though the flexibility of distance learning can offer some distinct benefits over an in-person education, online programs require strong motivation, organization and time management skills to stay on top of assignments.
Before applying to an online doctorate in educational leadership, consider your availability and personal learning style. Research whether a school delivers its coursework through asynchronous, synchronous or hybrid delivery, as each method involves a different level of flexibility and interaction.
For example, if your program uses hybrid delivery, you must be able to travel to campus for your in-person requirements. Even programs with fully online coursework may mandate occasional on-campus residencies.
Synchronous coursework requires you log on at specific times to engage with peers and instructors in real time. Are you able to commit to a set schedule? Asynchronous delivery allows you to complete assignments on your own schedule, but it requires more careful management of your time and energy.
As you research online doctorates in educational leadership, keep these factors in mind, along with the following considerations.
Accreditation for Online Doctorates in Educational Leadership
Accreditation is a voluntary process through which schools—along with their programs and departments—undergo rigorous evaluation for their curricula, resources and student outcomes.
Institutional Accreditation
You should attend only institutionally accredited schools. Otherwise, you may be ineligible for federal financial aid, struggle to transfer credits to accredited schools and not qualify for professional credentials. The following agencies are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to deliver accreditation at the institutional level:
- WASC Senior College and University Commission
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Higher Learning Commission
- New England Commission of Higher Education
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
CHEA and ED approve other institutional accreditors, as well, but those listed above are the most common and reputable.
CHEA maintains a searchable directory of accredited schools. Use this tool to check any school’s or program’s accreditation status.
Programmatic Accreditation
Degrees, programs and departments within schools can receive program-specific accreditation. The primary accreditor for educational leadership programs is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP-accredited credentialing is typically not required for employment but demonstrates high quality preparation for the workforce.
Like institutional accreditors, CAEP’s provider search tool allows you to look up the accreditation status of any prospective program.
How To Find the Right Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership for You
Ready to start narrowing down online programs? Here’s where to start.
Consider Your Future Goals
Consider your professional and personal aspirations to find the right online doctorate in educational leadership for your needs. For example, if you want to work as a professor or conduct research to grow the educational leadership field, a Ph.D. could be your best choice. Look for programs with research opportunities that align with your intended academic field.
On the other hand, if you plan to pursue administrative roles in education, government or nonprofit settings, an Ed.D. in educational leadership may be the best option. As you research schools, prioritize programs with experiential learning, like fieldwork, internships or residencies, in your preferred sector.
To work in a public school administrative position as a superintendent, principal or vice principal, you will likely need a state administrator license. Choose a doctoral program that prepares you for this credential.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
Higher education doesn’t come cheap. As a potential doctoral student, you’re likely familiar with financial aid and paying for your education. However, when it comes to financial aid, doctorates function a bit differently from bachelor’s and master’s degrees in educational leadership.
Some doctoral programs are “fully funded,” meaning the school covers your tuition and may provide a stipend in exchange for adjunct professor work or assistantships. It’s more common for Ph.D. programs to be fully funded than Ed.D. programs.
Among the programs ranked on this page, the average total tuition for a doctorate comes out to about $55,470, with program costs ranging from about $31,000 on the lower end to nearly $90,000 for the most expensive.
Whether your program is fully funded or not, you can seek financial aid from several sources. Start by submitting a FAFSA, which will provide information on whether you qualify for government-sponsored aid such as grad PLUS loans and direct unsubsidized loans.
Federal loans require repayment with interest, so you should also research grants and scholarships. These sources do not require repayment, making them an ideal form of aid. Grants and scholarships often come from independent organizations and higher learning institutions, which may distribute gift aid based on financial need, academic merit or identity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs
Is a doctorate in educational leadership hard?
Yes, many students find educational leadership doctoral programs challenging. As the terminal degree in the field, a doctorate in educational leadership entails a rigorous curriculum of in-depth coursework, a dissertation and fieldwork.
What does a doctorate in educational leadership do?
A doctorate in educational leadership qualifies you for administrative roles in education, such as dean of students, principal, chief academic officer and academic department chair. Depending on your degree type, you can also pursue employment as a professor or researcher.
What is the difference between an Ed.D. and a Ph.D. in educational leadership?
The primary difference between an Ed.D. and a Ph.D. in educational leadership relates to typical career outcomes. People with Ed.D. degrees typically work in practical, administrative roles in education, while those with Ph.D. degrees find employment in academia or research.