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online edd degree

Doctor of Education

Start your online education doctoral degree

Are you looking to elevate or support your organization or educational institution using practical, research-based tools? Our Doctor of Education (EdD) prepares you to use analytical, critical and innovative thinking to improve performance and solve complex problems in education. This program does not lead to any educational licensure or certification.

Specialize your EdD degree with one of four elective tracks

  • Educational Leadership: Gain in-depth understanding of academic structure, school financing, policymaking and faculty — all while emerging as a leader who values diversity and academic integrity.
  • Curriculum and Instruction: Influence curriculum development and policy, and evaluate instructional and assessment methods to improve learning outcomes.
  • Educational Technology: Implement technologies that revolutionize the way students learn and integrate technology into curriculum.
  • Higher Education Administration: Gain a top-level view of the complex challenges facing educational communities — and gain skills to address them through research, planning, fiscal oversight and outcomes assessment.

Ignite Your Passion

Start when you're ready

Courses

Browse courses for your online education doctorate

Education should hold practical value. That’s why our courses meet rigorous academic standards and provide you with skills and knowledge immediately applicable to your career.

Skills-aligned program icon

Look for this icon to see which skills you’ll learn in a course.

18 Core Courses

Here’s where you’ll pick up the bulk of your program-specific knowledge. By the time you finish these courses, you should have the confidence and skills needed in this field.

18 Core Courses

Doctoral degree program requirements

  • The minimum credits to obtain your doctoral degree is 54 credits
  • The doctoral degree program length can vary by specific program requirements
  • Students may be required to complete extension courses to allow ample time to satisfy the dissertation and project requirements for their program of study.  Additional courses may require additional cost and time. 

Our doctoral support team is here to guide you every step of the way. Speak to our dedicated doctoral enrollment representative for questions on your program timeline. 

602-544-3737

Dissertation

You’ll begin your dissertation in your third course and follow a schedule of milestones throughout your program. This helps you manage your dissertation in smaller segments and helps identify any research methodology challenges early, so surprises or delays can be addressed.

Symposium

While some doctoral programs require on-campus residency, we’ve shifted to an 8-week online symposium. In the required course you’ll:

  • Receive a detailed overview of each milestone in the doctoral journey
  • Understand what the University expects from doctoral students
  • Understand what doctoral students can expect from the University

Schedule

Your academic counselor will help schedule your courses for a Doctor of Education. You may also enroll in an optional, zero-credit, zero-tuition/fee one-weekend seminar in Phoenix. (NOTE: Students are responsible for their own travel costs.) The seminar provides an opportunity for personal interaction with faculty and peers as well as instruction around the framework of your dissertation. 

Program Purpose Statement

The Doctor of Education (EDD) will prepare learners to become transformational leaders who will strategically manage and lead complex educational organizations. The EDD does not lead to teacher licensure or any other professional licensure or certification. 

Tuition

Affordable, fixed tuition

Lock in the peace of mind that comes with fixed, affordable tuition. You’ll enjoy one flat rate from the moment you enroll until the day you graduate from your program. That’s your Tuition Guarantee.

Tuition Guarantee

Affordable, Fixed Tuition

$810

Cost per credit

$810

Scholarships to earn your doctoral degree, more affordably.

Everyone deserves an affordable education. That’s why we offer an unlimited number of scholarships, so if you qualify, you can get one. Starting with your first course, every qualifying new student will be awarded one of our scholarships, worth up to $3K.

Financial aid

You may have options when it comes to paying for college tuition and expenses, such as federal grants and loans. Our finance advisors can answer your questions about financial aid and can help guide you through the process.

Federal Student Loan Basics

Careers & Outcomes

What can you do with a Doctor of Education?

Discover where your degree might take you and make informed choices about your future.

An EdD can prepare you to be a:

  • Principal
  • School administrator
  • School superintendent

Our practitioner doctorate prepares you for leadership in your profession. How is this degree different from a PhD?

The Doctor of Education (EDD) will prepare learners to become transformational leaders who will strategically manage and lead complex educational organizations. The EDD does not lead to teacher licensure or any other professional licensure or certification.

Ready to get started?

Start your application for free or request additional information.

What you’ll learn

When you earn your online degree, you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply on the job. You’ll learn how to:

  • Integrate the Scholar Practitioner Leader (SPL) Model throughout the doctoral journey and beyond.

  • Cultivate a leadership identity that reflects a mature and strategic understanding of the tenets of leadership at all levels of educational organizations.

  • Develop doctoral research that identifies and addresses opportunities for improvement in complex educational contexts.

4% Growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for education administrators is projected to be as fast as average between 2022 and 2032.

The BLS Projected Growth for 2022-2032 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Admissions

Apply for free – no application fee, no obligation.

Starting your degree is a big decision — and we want you to feel great about it. That’s why we remove obstacles from your application.

  • No GMAT/GRE
  • No admissions essay or letter of intent
  • No academic or professional references
  • We’ll request transcripts at no cost to you, when possible, and we accept eligible credits from over 5,000 accredited institutions.

Receive 1-on-1 support

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 90% of our surveyed students.[1] Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

[1] Transactional Survey, August 2021-22 (18,645 respondents)

Gabriel G., Enrollment Representative

Call or chat with us 7 days a week.

G. Galindo - Enrollment Representative

Gabriel G., Enrollment Rep

Receive 1-on-1 support

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 85% of our surveyed students.[1]

[1] Transactional Survey, September 2022-August 2023 (23,739 respondents)

Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

Call us at 844-937-8679 or chat with us 7 days a week.

Doctoral Student Experience

Integrated dissertation from day one

Once your program starts, you’ll begin your dissertation with support from practitioner faculty, a dissertation committee and a peer team. You’ll also have a resource repository to help you complete it with confidence. 

Explore and inquire with the Research Hub

Our Research Hub is a community of researchers who exemplify the highest standards of academic excellence and research innovation. Browse publications or view our centers and Career Institute®.

Drive change with actionable learning

Our programs incorporate lifelong learning, social and workplace contribution, and the ability to exert positive influence. You’ll learn how to become an aspiring leader who can impact decision-making and drive change. 

Connect with your scholarly community

Your success is important to us. We host events to support your research, doctoral studies and networking. Join us for our Doctoral Journey Colloquium, Research Summit or an upcoming workshop or webinar.

Phoenix provides support and resources for busy students

Faculty Spotlight

Professionals dedicated to you

Your success is a top priority for our deans and faculty members. They bring an average of 28 years of experience and hands-on perspective to the classroom, and help bridge the gap between academics and industry knowledge.

Donna Lange

From the very beginning, I always try to make students feel comfortable and connect with them.

Donna Lange
Faculty of the Year 2020, College of Education

From the very beginning, I always try to make students feel comfortable and connect with them.

Accreditation

Count on the quality of your education

institutional accreditation

University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org. Since 1978, University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

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While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.