As you compare online EdD program options, you may want to research the average cost of a doctorate degree in education program. Like other components of Doctor of Education programs, tuition costs can vary.

Only you will be able to determine the most affordable online education doctorate program for you. Students completing an education doctoral program online may choose to concentrate on a particular topic in the field of education.

While education doctoral programs vary, some schools may offer an organizational change and leadership concentration as part of their program.

This concentration may be a fit for someone who wants to sharpen their skills in decision-making or conflict resolution, or learn how to better drive change in their work environment. Another common concentration available is educational leadership.

A doctorate in education program with a concentration in reading and literacy may interest individuals who are interested in helping others take command of and develop an appreciation for language. An EdD program with a concentration in early childhood education may be useful to professionals interested in policy, theory, advocacy, research, postsecondary teaching and leadership positions focused on early childhood education, including early childhood special education.

Some schools are now offering educational technology concentration options as part of their education doctoral programs. These concentrations focus on software and hardware development, implementation and application to facilitate and enrich the learning experience. The U. Department of Education credits emerging educational technologies as factors in the modernization of the U. Some programs can be completed in 36 months.

While program lengths may vary, online education doctorate programs often offer the same or similar courses as their on-campus counterparts. Whatever your focus, common themes in an EdD online program often include:. Different schools of education may offer varying EdD program concentrations, so you may want to contact your desired college or university for more information on its EdD online program offerings.

Perhaps your desired school offers a different type of advanced education degree—a Doctor of Philosophy Ph. EdD programs are designed for application of knowledge to real-world organizational, leadership and education issues.

Some individuals may be interested in pursuing an online education doctorate with no dissertation required. Some schools offer an alternative like the online Education Specialist EdS degree, which typically does not require students to complete a dissertation or residency.

EdD programs however, may require what is known as a capstone project instead of a dissertation. According to the Glossary of Education Reform , a capstone is a long-term, multi-faceted assignment that serves as a culminating academic experience for the students. They tend to be investigative projects that culminate in a final product or presentation, as determined by the school program.

Learn more about the differences between EdD vs Ph. If you are wondering how to get a doctorate in education online, there are a few things to keep in mind. Individuals interested in enrolling in online education doctorate degree programs will often need to meet the following basic requirements:. Since requirements and courses of study vary from program to program, you will need to contact your desired college or university to find out if there are any additional requirements for your chosen program.

There are a few online Doctor of Education programs that students may be able to pursue with only a bachelor's degree which may also be obtained online in some cases. If you are considering a doctorate degree in education, then you may be interested in learning more about what types of EdD jobs are available as well as EdD jobs in demand.

Education doctorate careers vary, and can include working in school or district administration, in government or in the private sector. Doctor of education jobs may encompass areas like curriculum development, teaching, research and education policy planning. Below are a few EdD careers that may be of interest to those who are wondering about the kinds of education doctorate jobs that would suit them best. Within the elementary school setting, Doctor of Education jobs may include school leadership roles such as principal and vice principal.

Other roles in the kindergarten through middle school setting may include special education coordinators or instructors and instructional coordinators.

Beyond principals and vice principals, high school positions for EdD graduates might include academic and career counselors and technical educational support directors. They also oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of instructional material. At the college and university level , doctorate in education jobs may include provost, dean, registrar, president and vice president. EdD graduates could also choose to pursue jobs like admissions administrator or student affairs administrator.

Another career option is that of the registrar, who is tasked with maintaining records involving courses, graduation requirements, transcripts and student data. Outside of the school systems, education policy jobs for those with doctorate degrees in education may include researcher and education lobbyist. Career options within education-based nonprofit organizations might include executive directors and social and community service managers. Policy and planning careers in government can also be found on state, local and federal levels.

There are a number of job opportunities for professionals with a doctorate in education on the district and school administration level. These may include school superintendents, educational administrators on the district level, educational IT administrators, training and development managers and other academic management roles. There may also be human resources careers within school districts that are considered EdD jobs as well.

If you are seeking to pursue leadership roles in the field of education, or desire to improve teaching and academic systems in the public or private sectors, an EdD may be a good fit for you. In the end, only you can conclude whether an EdD is worth it.

An online doctorate in education program may be suitable for you if working in a leadership role is one of your goals. Before embarking on your journey to obtain an EdD, you may want to research demand for EdD jobs or demand for education doctorate graduates in your area.

The salary and job outlook for Doctor of Education careers differs by role. While the U. Here are some more figures to consider as you weigh your career options in the field of education:. In searching for the best online education doctoral programs to fit your needs, carefully consider the structure of the coursework and the admissions requirements. Included in our list are some of the EdD online programs from across the country.

Find a school that interests you and find out what it takes to graduate with an online Doctorate in Education. Delivered online by the Baylor School of Education, the EdD in Learning and Organizational Change prepares students to apply essential teaching principles toward managing the dynamics of organizational change. The program is designed for experienced educators[MD2] and learning and development professionals interested in driving positive change in school systems, corporations, governmental or non-governmental agencies, and community programs.

Ready to discover more? Request information from Baylor directly. In as few as three years, you can graduate ready to design solutions and enact changes that benefit all involved in an organization. Learn in live, online classes, conduct a dissertation and collaborate with classmates and faculty regularly throughout the program.

No GRE. Request information from Dayton directly. Through live online classes, engaging collaborative course work, and in-person learning opportunities on campus in Nashville, Tennessee, the program empowers influential leaders to address systemic challenges and drive positive change within the workplace. The program consists of 54 credit hours, which can be completed on a full- or part-time schedule.

Request information from Vanderbilt directly. The program blends face-to-face online classes with immersive experiences, enabling you to gain the skills needed for leadership positions without leaving your job or relocating.

Request information from USC directly. The curriculum focuses on teaching Ed. Request information from Fordham directly. The program focuses more on experience-based teaching rather than research-based. Return To Program Table.

This program requires courses in advanced research and focuses more on these research-based methodologies. On the other hand, PhD programs are typically more theoretical, delving into the issues that affect education and academia. Students who have dreams of teaching at the university level are best served by an affordable online PhD in education.

A: Yes. Many low-cost education doctorates, including some listed in our ranking, offer admission into the program without GRE or GMAT test requirements.

A: Most doctoral programs—including affordable online doctor of education programs—require a formal doctoral dissertation. These highly involved academic endeavors require many hours of research, writing, and preparation. A few low-cost doctorate in education degrees online require that students complete a capstone project or experience in lieu of the dissertation.

Doctorate degrees in education are known for their content customization opportunities. These options allow students to concentrate their studies in a particular area of education. In some cases, students may even be encouraged to design their own individualized plan of study. Affordable online EdD programs with concentrations in Diversity and Equity Education prepare students for leadership roles in educational environments spanning preschool through postsecondary school.

The curricula for these programs are interdisciplinary in nature and cover topics such as equity issues in education, race and gender in education, social justice, leadership and policy, and diversity in education.

Enrolled students will take course titles like those listed below:. Low-cost online doctorate degrees in education with concentrations in adult learning prepare students to take on leadership roles in adult education environments, including academia, non-profits, government, and corporations. These programs address topics in adult learning such as human resource development, group dynamics, conflict resolution, adult learning theory, organizational behavior, and systems learning.

A sampling of course titles is featured below:. Affordable online doctor of education degrees with concentrations in Literacy Education prepare students to take on roles as instructional materials writers, reading specialists, language education specialists, and literacy program directors, for example. Topics covered in these types of programs include literacy program evaluation and improvement, grant writing, reading and literacy program policy, and research in literacy education.

Some sample course titles are listed below:. Students who choose a low-cost online doctoral program in education with a concentration in Special Education can expect to study topics such as theory in special education, advanced educational administration, special education program evaluation, and special education research, for instance. Their studies will prepare them for careers as lead special education teacher, learning advocate, special education curriculum developer, policy maker, and special education consultant among related positions.

Some of the courses students will encounter are listed below:. A: There are numerous career opportunities for graduates of online doctor of education programs, not only in education, but also in private industry, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

However, Payscale. Below, you will find a list of common positions associated with doctoral degrees in education along with their mean annual wages. This data was also taken from Payscale. A: Definitely. Many affordable online doctorate education degree programs are designed specifically for the working teacher or education professional. The convenience and flexibility of these programs allow students to continue their work responsibilities while pursuing their degrees.

A: Joining a professional organization during or after your affordable online doctor of education program is a good idea. Weaver Fellowship Program Who Can Apply : Full-time doctoral degree-seekers training for a career as a postsecondary teacher can apply to the Richard M. Weaver Fellowship Program. Candidates must join the Intercollegiate Studies Institute before applying, and application requirements include a biography, academic writing sample, resume, transcripts, and three recommendation letters.

The fellowship does not renew. NCGE requires that applicants possess a minimum 3. Other application materials include two recommendation letters. This credit-hour program can be completed in approximately three years, thanks in part to the fact that the doctoral dissertation is integrated into the course material. Program graduates will be prepared for a variety of careers, including holding positions as educational administrators, faculty members at universities, educational policymakers, and more.

Liberty first explored the world of distance education in the mids, and today distance students use state-of-the-art technology to connect with their peers and faculty. The university offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs entirely online with no set log in times, giving students the flexibility they need to pursue their education. Indiana State University offers a Ph. This online degree program is intended for professionals already working in higher education and offers the flexibility professionals need to accommodate their family and work commitments.

During this program, students explore a variety of class-based, practicum-based, and internship-based experiences, and during the internship, students gain experience and familiarity within a higher education setting.

This program follows a cohort model, with students enrolling in and progressing through the degree at a full-time pace with their cohorts. This program can be completed with five consecutive terms over a period of two years, and the program schedule includes a summer semester. Today, ISU offers over undergraduate, 75 graduate, and more than 70 online programs. The ISU student body represents all 50 states and more than 65 countries, and over 13, students attend the university each year.

Forbes has recognized ISU as being one of the top colleges in the country for quality and value, and the Princeton Review has recognized ISU in its Best in the Midwest ranking for the past 14 consecutive years. At Concordia University Chicago, students can pursue a Ph. This program prepares students to become leaders who can both manage and implement changes in K school curriculums and programs.

The Ed. Both programs are offered online and on-campus and include a comprehensive examination and a dissertation. Founded in , Concordia University Chicago was originally a college for teachers. Today, CUC offers a liberal-arts-based education to 4, graduate students. CUC is a private university based in the Lutheran tradition and offers an student-to-faculty ratio for a personalized, supportive education. CUC also offers a tuition guarantee in which students who pursue their education without interruption will enjoy the same tuition rate for the entire time that they are enrolled at CUC.

The University of Arkansas offers an Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree program intended for students who wish to pursue careers as supervisors in public and private schools, superintendents, federal and state government officials, and more.

Students begin this program during a summer semester, and while most of the program is offered online, students also participate in three intensive weekend seminars. These seminars focus on a theme that connects theory with practice and serves to build relationships. During the seminars, students will meet leaders in the field and participate in hands-on learning. Year three of the program focuses on structured exercises to prepare students to present their dissertations. Located in Fayetteville, AR, the University of Arkansas was established in as the first public university in the state.

Since then, the university has grown to encompass 10 colleges and schools offering over programs, including 39 doctoral programs. The University of Arkansas is among the 2. The University of the Cumberlands offers a Doctorate in Educational Leadership degree program online.

This program is designed to accommodate the scheduling needs of working professionals and can be completed entirely online. Students can complete the credit-hour program in three years and also have the option to attend on-campus on Saturdays. Program faculty are highly experienced in research, public service, professional activity, and more, allowing them to share their experience and knowledge with students. During the program, students will develop their specialty knowledge and acquire valuable skills that will allow them to lead educational institutions upon graduating.

The school became known as Cumberland College in , then became the University of the Cumberlands in Students from 36 states and 38 nations attend the university. UC offers accelerated eight-week bi-terms that allow students to quickly complete their degrees. At Lamar University, students can complete a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree program entirely online. This degree program begins during the summer and is structured so that students can still meet all of their professional responsibilities even while earning their degree.

This credit-hour program can be completed in eight semesters, including summer sessions. The program is research-based and practitioner-driven and helps to prepare students to become leaders in the field of education. Students will complete courses such as Global Communication, Dynamics of Leadership, and Leadership in Higher Education Administration as they progress toward completing this program. Over 15, students attend LU, and over 2, students live on campus.

The university offers small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio that allows for a personalized education, giving students the chance to build relationships with faculty. LU emphasizes hands-on learning, and undergraduate students have opportunities to perform research.

Offered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the program is designed for professional practitioners who wish to earn their credentials in P education. Students must attend one-week, on-campus residencies during the first, second, and third summers during which they are enrolled in the program, but they can take all of their other coursework online.

Five faculty members currently act as advisors for the program, and each faculty member has individual scholarly interests. Students considering this program are encouraged to contact the faculty to learn about their areas of interest and ability to take on new students given their current advising loads. Chartered in , the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a land-grant university and is one of the first institutions to award doctoral degrees west of the Mississippi River.

Nebraska is recognized as one of the leading teaching institutions in the country and is home to the Prairie Schooner literary magazine as well as the University of Nebraska Press. Nebraska regularly earns national recognition for the quality and value of its programs. This degree is research-intensive, and students must pass a candidacy examination and present and defend a dissertation during this program.

This credit-hour program is delivered in eight-week sessions, and more than program graduates have gone on to earn Teacher of the Year titles. Regent University was founded in in Virginia Beach, VA, and its first class consisted of 77 students. In addition to offering on-campus degrees, Regent offers online degree programs and international study opportunities in a number of locations, including Russia. In , the U. Texas Tech University offers a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership degree program for students who aspire to hold careers as leaders in the P education field.

Baylor's fully online doctorate in education , which focuses on learning and organizational change, allows working professionals to graduate in three years. Degree-seekers explore the psychology of learning, educational evaluation, instructional design, trends in leadership, and organizational change in technological society.

The program culminates with research methods and capstone experiences. Applicants do not need to submit GRE scores. Application requirements include a resume, official transcripts, three letters or recommendation, a personal statement, and a video interview.

New cohorts start in January, May, and August. IWU offers an online doctorate in education that students can complete within less than two years. Students complete courses in scholarly research and writing, issues and ethics in education, educational history and law, and learning and change management theories. Graduates work in college faculty, educational consulting, and nonprofits. This program only accepts applicants who hold an educational specialist degree or at least 30 doctoral credits.

Johns Hopkins offers a fully online doctorate in education for working professionals who can study part time and graduate in years. Specializations allow students to focus their studies on entrepreneurial leadership in education; urban leadership; mind, brain, and teaching; instructional design in online teaching and learning; and technology integration in K education.

Students must complete a three-day residency every summer. Applicants need a master's degree from an accredited college with a minimum 3. GRE scores are optional. Classes begin every fall. Liberty offers a Christian perspective doctorate in education degree with tracks in K, higher education, and curriculum and instruction. The fully online program provides added flexibility with eight-week courses and no scheduled class times.

Earning an Ed. Prospective students need a master's degree from an accredited school with a minimum 3. Marymount's fully online doctorate in education program prepares students for higher education faculty positions in three years.

The curriculum covers theory and practice, ethical leadership and social justice, and transformative leadership. Students must complete their degree in five years. Eligible applicants need a master's degree in education from an accredited college, with a minimum 2.

Applicants also need three years of work experience, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and a virtual interview. The program does not require GRE scores. The doctorate in education degree from Maryville emphasizes collaboration within small classes and mentorship opportunities. Curriculum covers reflective leadership practice, organizational leadership in higher education, and understanding data and analysis.

Students also complete a research residency and can graduate in less than three years. Applicants need a master's degree from a regionally accredited school and a minimum 3. Maryville also requires three years of work experience, transcripts, a resume, a personal essay, and two professional letters of reference.

NGU offers a fully online doctorate in education with specialty tracks in K leadership and higher education leadership. Students mostly attend self-paced courses with some live classes online. This online doctorate in education program covers social foundations, organizational development, law and policy, grant writing and proposal development, and research courses. Working professionals can graduate in four years while studying part time.

New students begin in the fall or spring. NGU requires doctorate in education candidates to have teaching experience. NCU's doctorate in education degree allows students to pick from more than 16 specializations, including curriculum and teaching, e-learning, early childhood education, international education, or English language learning.

The doctorate in education program offers 16 courses. Candidates need a master's degree from an accredited college. Degree-seekers can graduate in less than three years to pursue careers as postsecondary teachers, education administrators, and training and development coordinators. NSU's online doctorate in education degree appeals to current superintendents, principals, and lead teachers through eight concentrations.

Students graduate within three years. The program covers organizational behavior and human development, change management, critical thinking for decision-making, and emerging theories of organizational leadership.

NSU's admissions office accepts applications on a rolling basis. Regent's online doctorate in education allows students to pursue career development with 10 concentrations, including adult education, advanced educational leadership, Christian education leadership, and special education. The curriculum features a Christian perspective with courses in qualitative data analysis, research design and analysis, educational statistics, and issues in education.

Graduates become school principals, superintendents, professors, and instructional coordinators. Qualified applicants must hold a master's degree from an accredited institution. Regent's accepts applications on a rolling basis. Saint Peter's online doctor of education degree offers a concentration in higher education for professionals who want to secure leadership positions in academia or research. The program's curriculum includes statistics, organizational behavior and leadership, curriculum development and instruction, research design and methods, student development and programming.

Most degree-seekers graduate in less than three years. They have up to eight years to complete the program and dissertation. Applicants need a master's degree with a minimum 3. Findlay's online doctorate in education prepares students to become superintendents or teachers by offering two concentrations.

The superintendent and teaching concentrations require 15 additional credits to gain practical skills in collective bargaining, grant writing, and networking. Students complete courses mostly online, except for the three-day summer institute. They can graduate within three years. Findlay also offers students the chance to present their research at the Mid-Western Educational Research Association. The College of Education faculty also requires in-person or virtual interviews. Educators can advance their careers with TUN's doctorate in education degree that focuses on education administration and leadership.