Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Online
Develop expert-level knowledge of educational leadership theories while customizing your degree with a range of cognate courses that can help unlock career-defining professional opportunities.
Apply by
8/6/25
Program Overview
Customize the online educational leadership Ed.D. program to match your goals
Align your degree path with your unique career goals through the online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program. In addition to enhancing your knowledge of navigating governing boards, conducting action research, and driving organizational change in educational entities, this flexible online program empowers you to strategically select coursework from our entire online catalog.
Learn from supportive faculty as you explore a plethora of professional interests, ranging from healthcare economics and human resource management to special education and curriculum design. As a student in the online educational leadership Ed.D. program, you’ll work closely with our experienced staff to design a customized degree path that can help lead to high-level roles in your field of choice.
In this online educational leadership Ed.D. program, you will:
- Develop leadership skills by integrating theory and practice using job-embedded puzzles of practice
- Build the knowledge, skills, and disposition needed for transformational leadership
- Tackle local, regional, and global issues by conducting, interpreting, and applying action research
- Develop leadership skills by integrating theory and practice using job-embedded puzzles of practice
- Build the knowledge, skills, and disposition needed for transformational leadership
- Tackle local, regional, and global issues by conducting, interpreting, and applying action research
Ed.D. Career Opportunities:
- Senior Manager or Manager
- Director
- Executive Director
- Vice President
- School Leader
- Senior Manager or Manager
- Director
- Executive Director
- Vice President
- School Leader
Online education programs also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of graduate and postgraduate online education programs. Check out our other quality online education programs.
Total Tuition
$30,900
Program Duration
As few as 36 months
Credit Hours
60
Accreditation
The Northern Kentucky University College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Tuition
Pay-as-you-go tuition reduces your initial financial hardship
The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to in-state and out-of-state students.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total Program with Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ed.D. in Educational Leadership | $500 | $100 | $30,900 |
Tuition and fees subject to change at any time.
Tuition Breakdown:
Total Tuition
$30,900
Per Credit Hour
$500
Nationally Recognized
Ranked among the "Top Public Schools" by U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Calendar
Add these key dates and deadlines to your calendar
The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership online program is convenient and flexible, featuring six start dates on an accelerated course schedule. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, and be sure to note all corresponding deadlines.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 5/12/25 | 4/30/25 | 5/5/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/12/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/18/25 | 8/6/25 | 8/11/25 | 8/15/25 | 8/18/25 |
Now enrolling:
Apply Date
8/6/25
Class Starts
8/18/25
Admissions
Appling to the online educational leadership Ed.D. program is quick and easy
The admission process for the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership online program is streamlined to help you get started right away.
Admission Requirements:
- Official transcripts of all coursework from accredited institutions
- 3.25 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Minimum of five years of work experience with progressive leadership evident
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Online Admission Requirements
- Complete online application for admission
- Pay $55 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from accredited institution(s)
- A master’s degree or equivalent in an applicable field from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Evidence of significant professional leadership experience normally achieved over a minimum of five years
- In addition to the criteria above, applicants will be evaluated for their:
- Level of organizational or civic ambition
- Leadership trajectory
- Timing for pursuit of an Ed.D.
- Fit between the candidate’s hopes and aspirations and the features of our Ed.D. program
- Transfer previously earned credits:
- Transfer credits aligned with a student’s cognate topic are processed after admission to the Ed.D. program upon approval from the program director. No more than 9 credit hours of graduate credit applied to a previously earned degree, with a grade of B or better from a regionally accredited institution, can be transferred into the Ed.D. program. No more than 40% of graduate credit that was not applied to a previously earned degree can be transferred into the Ed.D. program. All credits applied toward the Ed.D. degree, inclusive of transfer credits, must be completed within a period of eight (8) years at the time of graduation.
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education
302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
Discover what you’ll learn in the online educational leadership Ed.D. program
For the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program, you must complete 60 credit hours, including 12 credits of foundational courses (included in the program as part of the curriculum), 12 credits of leadership core courses, 9 credits of justice core courses, 15 credits of administration core courses, and 12 credits of cognate courses.
Students must take all four courses below (12 credit hours):
EDD 800: Introduction to Doctoral Studies
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the perspectives and skills needed to succeed as a doctoral student, including an introduction to information literacy, doctoral-level writing, and proficiency reading and responding to major ideas in a chosen leadership field.
EDD 804: Leadership: Professional & Personal Perspectives
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers Learning Associates a comprehensive interdisciplinary exploration of leadership, focusing on developing knowledge, skills, and dispositions aligned with contemporary educational leadership. It provides a framework to investigate and enhance leadership assumptions, behaviors, and goals, fostering the planning of improvements for increased leadership effectiveness.
EDD 805: Educational Leadership Theories
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Understand the role of theory in research and learn to develop and apply theoretical frameworks to guide research design and analysis. In-depth exploration of educational leadership theories within social and historical contexts. Critically analyze leadership frameworks, gaining fluency in articulating fundamental concepts such as leader, leadership, theory, power, and authority.
EDD 806: Navigating Organizational Change
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores navigating organizational change by fostering effective communication and ethical leadership, emphasizing skills applicable to any role. Students employ systems thinking to grasp interconnectedness within organizations, crafting strategies for managing change reactions, promoting resilience, and cultivating adaptable, ethically grounded teams in a supportive, innovative environment.
EDD 807: Leadership: Identity and Agency
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on individuals, emphasizing self-awareness, values, and purpose. Participants explore their unique identity and agency, synthesizing theory and introspection to gain insights into how their personal traits shape their capacity for leadership, culminating in a deeper understanding of themselves within their professional journey.
EDD 815: Unpacking Educational Systems
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores educational systems through social reproduction lenses, fostering compassion and a commitment to challenging injustice. Learning Associates gain tools and insights to problematize normative practices. The course inspires leadership that transforms conditions, policies, and practices, aiming to champion systems that support just outcomes and experiences.
EDD 816: Universal Design for Learning
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, examining strategies to create inclusive and accessible learning environments. Participants will gain insights into designing curriculum and instruction that meet diverse learner needs, promoting equity and engagement. Practical applications ensure participants can implement UDL effectively in educational settings.
EDD 817: Transforming Educational Systems
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Learning Associates leverage their prior knowledge of educational inequities to instigate positive, transformative changes in policies and practices for individuals, families, and educational institutions. The course frames the current landscape of US education through a systems perspective, fostering creative leadership, adaptive strategies, collaborative relationships, and influence within just, ethical educational contexts.
EDD 850: Critical Analysis of Education Research
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course equips participants to contextualize, design, and evaluate ethical action research. Through analyzing environmental scans and scholarly inquiry, participants learn to understand patterns across public and local knowledge sources. Emphasis is placed on addressing problems of practice with justice and equity considerations and effectively communicating findings to diverse audiences. Pre-req: EDD 800
EDD 851: Research Writing for Education Leaders
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores effective communication of scholarly inquiry and action research findings. Participants learn to align communication strategies with diverse audiences and to assess and prepare for clear, impactful presentation of action research processes, findings, and recommendations. Pre-req: EDD 850
EDD 897: Action Research Capstone
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this capstone course, students synthesize action research projects, applying them to address real-world challenges in their field and fostering advanced problem-solving and strategic decision-making. The course culminates in the presentation of impactful findings that contribute to professional growth and field advancement.
EDD 852: Working with Governing Boards
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics and responsibilities of working with governing boards within various organizational contexts. Grounded in both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, the course aims to equip doctoral students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of governance structures effectively.
EDD 853: Educational Finance and Operations
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide advanced insights in the intersection of educational finance and operations within the broader field of education leadership. Participants in this course will engage in rigorous analysis and independent research to develop an in-depth understanding of the complex financial and operational challenges facing educational institutions.
EDD 854: Education Policy Development and Analysis
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Participants explore the policy-making process, analyze its impact on educational systems, and gain skills to formulate effective policies. Practical applications ensure a comprehensive understanding, empowering leaders to navigate and contribute to the dynamic landscape of educational policy.
EDD 855: Educational Public Relations
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores advanced concepts and strategies for effective communication within and from educational institutions. Emphasizing the intersection of public relations theory and educational leadership, the course equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex communication landscape in the field of education.
EDD 856: Ethics for Educational Leaders
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Exploration of ethical considerations in educational leadership. Participants delve into foundational ethical theories and practical decision-making frameworks. Case studies and real-world scenarios enhance ethical reasoning skills, empowering educational leaders to navigate complex moral dilemmas and cultivate just learning environments.
