Wilkes University's low-residency Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership will prepare you for advancement in a teaching, administrative or leadership role. A distinct combination of theory and research provides the framework for scholarship, innovation and strategic organizational transformation.

Congratulations to Ed.D. student Mona Nashman-Smith, recipient of the prestigious Medal of the British Empire. Read more about this honor!

Specializations include:

• K-12 Administration with Pennsylvania Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility
• Educational Leadership with three concentrations from which to choose:
  • Educational Technology 
  • Curriculum and Instruction 
  • Educational Leadership Studies  

We are currently accepting applications. Apply by May 1 to join the fall 2019 cohort. Admission to the Ed.D. program is competitive and cohort size is limited.

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Format
Enjoy online learning with limited campus visits. You will attend three residencies throughout the program while participating in virtual class sessions and online learning. Our cohort model allows students to collaborate with peers in person and online, forming a strong support system that extends though graduation.

Mentorship
Our highly skilled faculty members hold terminal degrees and possess extensive experience as educators and researchers, worldwide. They will mentor you through the research process as dissertation chairs, encouraging high standards from conception through defense and providing a personalized scholarly journey.

Research
Our Ed.D. is designed to address the needs and challenges facing education professionals in contemporary society. Coursework explores the principles of leadership, scholarship and practice to prepare leaders who can affect change in educational and organizational systems. The completion of required doctoral-level coursework culminates in the development of a dissertation proposal. The final dissertation and its defense are the capstone requirements for the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

Curriculum
The curriculum is comprised of 60 post-master's credits, including 9 credits of leadership core courses, 30 credits of content area courses, 12 credits of research courses and 9 credits of dissertation. Students who take 12 to 18 credits a year can complete coursework in three to four years before beginning the dissertation process.

Educators aren't the only professionals to benefit from our Ed.D. The leadership skills addressed can prepare you for career advancement in a variety of fields. Contact us to discuss your educational goals.

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Note: K-12 Principal or PA Instructional Technology Specialist certificates are available as graduate programs at Wilkes.

"Wilkes is accessible and affordable and the Ed.D. curriculum is highly applicable to what I do every day."

Matt Barrett, Ed.D. '14
Superintendent
Western Wayne School District