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.
Specializations include:
- K-12 Administration with Pennsylvania Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility
- Educational Leadership with three concentrations from which to choose:
Admission to the Ed.D. program is competitive and cohort size is limited.
Apply now to start during our August 2021 residency.

In 2017 we celebrated an important milestone— 10 years of innovation, educational leadership and academic excellence in our Doctor of Education degree. Download our 10 year anniversary booklet here.
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.
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