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: 8/1/25
Next Class Start Date: 8/20/25
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 8/1/25
Next Class Start Date: 8/20/25

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.

In this program you will learn how to:

  • Respond to the changing needs of diverse organizations
  • Become an ethical leader in service to their organizations and communities
  • Become a reflective leader who integrates theory and research for effective practice
  • Equip practitioner-scholars with the skills needed to lead high-performing organizations, connect research with practice and help all students to learn
In this program you will learn how to:+
  • Respond to the changing needs of diverse organizations
  • Become an ethical leader in service to their organizations and communities
  • Become a reflective leader who integrates theory and research for effective practice
  • Equip practitioner-scholars with the skills needed to lead high-performing organizations, connect research with practice and help all students to learn

As a graduate of this Ed.D. program, you may qualify** 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 may qualify** 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
+

Advantages of an Online Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership

This program will equip you with advanced skills and knowledge in key areas of practice so you can achieve your goal of becoming an in-demand leader in education. Move beyond basic concepts to a higher level of understanding so you can view educational challenges through a wider lens. Learn how to use data to examine problems and conduct research and develop your ability to leverage technology to improve operational efficiency and enhance instructional practices. Build confidence in your ability to make informed decisions and boost your critical thinking and reasoning skills so you can effectively implement changes.
The Educational Leadership Track will prepare you for upper-level administrative roles in public and private schools such as principal, assistant principal, superintendent and assistant superintendent, as well as specialized roles such as curriculum director and special education director. The Higher Education Track will prepare you for in-demand leadership roles at colleges and universities such as provost, dean, chancellor, president or vice chancellor in key areas of education including student affairs, academic affairs and human resources. The Higher Education track is particularly suited for students who already have an Educational Specialist (EdS) degree or a master's degree in higher education.
Yes, upon completion of the program, you can qualify for a salary increase commensurate with the salary classifications in your state or school district.
This program will prepare you to make an impact in K–12 or higher education settings in areas such as curriculum and instruction, policy and law, data analysis and stakeholder engagement. Learn about best practices in instruction and how to evaluate whether principals and teachers are employing them. Develop your ability to use data to inform decisions and improve educational outcomes and acquire strategies for successfully engaging internal and external stakeholders, including donors and policymakers. Gain an understanding of changing laws and the politics of education, including how to navigate internal school district politics and external community and school board politics.

Why choose an Online Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from A-State?

Our EdD program offers you a broader perspective on your role as an educational leader. You'll gain hands-on experience with on-the-job training and learn to implement best practices so you can excel as a leading practitioner in your field.
In addition to enhancing your professional life and providing you with a sense of personal accomplishment, earning your EdD will make you a better educator. For those in educational leadership, it will open the door to rewarding opportunities and help you transition to higher education roles upon retirement, allowing you to give back to the schools you once served.
With at least one teacher, principal, counselor, curriculum director or superintendent in every county in the state of Arkansas, A-state’s student-centered programs have extensive reach and proven effectiveness. Our EdD program combines hands-on experience and research expertise to help you become a better practitioner. Our dedicated faculty members embody and practice the values they teach and are deeply committed to helping you succeed. The university sets itself apart from others by genuinely caring for students, boosting their confidence, and helping them feel capable and ready to achieve their goals. You will also benefit from affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, multiple start dates, and a streamlined admission process.

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Online Program FAQs

Students who have taken a graduate level statistics course in the last six years may be eligible to waive the pre-requisite course requirement, pending approval from the department. The Introduction to Statistics & Research course in the EdD program is specifically designed to prepare students for the doctoral level research and methodology skills needed to complete the dissertation component of the program.
You will receive support from both a mentor and a dissertation chair. Your mentor will be with you through every step of the process, and you’ll have opportunities to meet with them each semester. Both your dissertation chair and your mentor, as well as the faculty throughout your coursework, will be available to support you throughout your dissertation process.
No, all fees are included in the total tuition.
The thesis component involves significant support from both a dissertation chair and a mentor faculty member, along with faculty teaching relevant classes. The program begins by introducing different types of research and methodologies, helping you narrow down a broad topic into a specific research area. Faculty and mentors guide you through breaking down your research topic, ensuring you are not alone in the process. Each chapter of your dissertation is structured to build your knowledge step by step. You will learn how to conduct research, find resources and write your dissertation.
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 The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership- Higher Education immerses students in educational practices that combine theory with research, then utilize that expertise to develop solutions to contemporary issues in higher ed administration.
You will present your thesis in two stages: a proposal defense and a dissertation defense. The proposal defense outlines the purpose of your study, the resources you will use, and your expected findings. After completing chapters 4 and 5, you will present your dissertation defense to a committee of three people: your mentor, dissertation chair, and a third member who is a content expert. The defense typically takes 20-30 minutes and can be done face-to-face or via Zoom. After the defense, the committee will deliberate and immediately inform you if you have passed. Your dissertation will then go through ProQuest for publication, and you will receive a bound copy to keep.
Your personal statement should demonstrate your academic and career experience and highlight how earning your EdD will help to achieve your career aspirations. Ensure that spelling and grammar are accurate.
You will write your dissertation throughout the program, with courses dedicated to completing each chapter alongside the support of your dissertation chair and mentor.

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: $24,627*
Program Duration: As few as 40 months
Credit Hours 51*
Apply Now

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 may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $477
Total Tuition: $24,627*

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.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Summer 15/27/255/1/255/1/255/22/255/23/256/27/25
Fall 18/20/258/1/258/1/258/14/258/15/2510/3/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 8/1/25
Start Class 8/20/25

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 +

  • A master's degree with 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.
  • A professional resume.
  • Two references who can speak to your ability to matriculate into this doctoral program and complete a dissertation.

Application Submission Requirements

  • Complete online application and submit a non-refundable $50 fee.
  • Send official master’s transcript sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
  • 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 (7th 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 in the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership online program must complete a total of 51 credit hours. Required coursework includes pre-doctoral core (6 hours of 5000 or 6000 graduate courses and ELFN 6773 Introduction to Statistics) which may be waived depending on pre-doctoral graduate coursework completed prior to enrollment, 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.

Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.

Expand All

Students who do not have at least 39 hours of approved graduate level coursework may be required to complete 9 hours of sub-core courses consisting of 5000-6000 level courses in their second term. One of those courses must be ELFN 6773: Introduction to Statistics if student has not taken a statistics course within the past six years with a grade of B or higher. If a student has not taken a statistics course, this will be required in the first term to ensure that students are well equipped for doctoral-level research and methods courses. 

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introductory course in methods and techniques of research, and the statistical treatment and interpretation of research data.

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 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
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 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 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An advanced study of the methodology of research including quantitative and non-quantitative procedures.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Supervised development and composition of the dissertation prospectus.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Dissertation II Chapter One
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Supervised composition of the dissertation literature review
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Approval of the literature review
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Supervised Composition of the dissertation methodology
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Supervised data collection for the dissertation
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Supervised data analysis and composition of the dissertation results.
Duration: 14 Weeks 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 have not previously earned an Ed.S. degree or do not have 39 hours of graduate-level coursework may be required to complete additional graduate-level coursework before beginning doctoral-level coursework. The Ed.D. program does not lead to licensure.

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