Doctoral Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Rise to a Higher Level of Expertise

The Ed.D. Program at Union Institute & University is designed for leaders within the Education field. With majors in Educational Leadership (pre-K – 12) and Higher Education, the Ed.D. is a good fit for practical thinkers in school staff or administrative roles. Throughout the program, students will develop a deeper understanding of the skills required to transform their organizations through policies, practices and solutions to complex issues.

66 Total credits
$795 Cost Per Credit Hour
TBA Next Start Date
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Education That Fits Your Busy Life

Our 100% online Ed.D. program is designed to fit your lifestyle, no matter where you live and work. There are three terms per year - Spring (January), Summer (May), and Fall (August). A virtual residency is held at the start of each term. 

The Union Advantage

In addition to receiving the world-class doctoral education Union offers, you could finish faster and save on tuition when you transfer 24 previously earned master’s-level credits into our Ed.D. program. Here’s how it works:

Complete your EdD in 24 months

If you are a full-time student and can transfer in twelve credits.

Transfer up to 24 credits

See criteria below for determining which credits are transferable.

Pay just $27,216 in tuition

Dependent upon transferring in 24 credits.

Ed.D. or Ph.D. What's the Difference?

An Ed.D. is designed for the practitioner – someone who wants to lead, solve problems and influence outcomes in their organizations or communities. Some possible careers of Ed.D. graduates may include school district superintendent, academic dean at a university or curriculum specialist. A Ph.D. in Education is designed for the scholar who wants to prepare for teaching, research and adding to existing knowledge in their field. Essential differences between Union’s Ph.D. in Education and an Ed.D. include:

  • The Ed.D. focus is based on developing a solution for a particular challenge or issue. The Ph.D. focus is research-based.

  • Ed.D. research focuses on a single discipline, such as Higher Education Leadership – but it may sometimes require the student to conduct research in other subjects as well. Research in the Ph.D. program is interdisciplinary – involving study across multiple subject areas.

  • Certificate in Social Justice is embedded in the Ed.D. program.

  • Students entering the Ed.D. program will choose one of the two available majors: Educational Leadership (Pre-K – 12) or Higher Education Leadership.

  • Transfer up to 24 credit hours of previous graduate coursework
  • Finish in three years or less
  • 16-week terms
  • Fall, Spring and Summer start dates
  • Online residencies at the start of each term
HIGHER EDUCATION Cost of Program
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP Cost of Program

Select a major to learn more

As you pursue your Ed.D. with this major, you will develop a deeper understanding of the skills, practices and strategies required to lead in the pre-K – 12 educational space. Our 100 percent online program will challenge you to explore practical approaches to complex issues, with an emphasis on social justice. Along the way, you will gain the benefit of collaboration with fellow students – as well as mentoring from faculty members who have real-world experience in the field.

Program Courses
(Courses in green are Educational Leadership Pre-K – 12 major courses)

Term 1

  • EDU 825 Schools, Society, and Culture (3 c/h)
  • RSCH 783 Educational Research Design and Methods (3 c/h)
  • EDU 824 Education and Technology (3 c/h)

Term 2

  • EDU 700 Education and Social Justice (3 c/h)
  • RSCH 710 Research Methods (3 c/h)
  • EDU 821 Leadership and Change in Schools & Educational Systems (3 c/h)

Term 3

  • EDU 701 Ethical Leadership (Elective) (3 c/h)
  • RSCH 785 Qualitative Research (3 c/h)
  • EDU 704 Current Issues in Education Pre K-12 (3 c/h)

Term 4

  • EDU 826 Curriculum and Social Justice (3 c/h)
  • RSCH 786 Focused Research Design Project (3 c/h)
  • EDU 889 Education & Sustainability (Elective) (3 c/h)

Term 5

  • EDU 850 Art of Social Justice & Leadership (3 c/h)
  • EDU 891 Literature Review (3 c/h)
  • EDU 823 Resource Management in Education (3 c/h)
  • INTP 790 Internship Part I (Elective) (3 c/h)

Term 6

  • EDU 802 Law and Policy in Education Pre K-12 (3 c/h)
  • RSCH 880 Dissertation Research (3 c/h)
  • INTP 791 Internship Part II (Elective) (3 c/h)

Term 7

  • RSCH 901 Dissertation (9 c/h)
 
 
 
 
Higher Education

The Ed.D. with a concentration in Higher Education is focused on the leadership skills needed for those working at colleges, universities and other post-secondary institutions. In collaboration with fellow students and experienced faculty members, you will gain expertise in managing change and developing practical responses to a variety of issues. Social justice is a theme that is explored throughout the program. Courses and residencies are conducted 100 percent online.

Program Courses
(Courses highlighted in green are Higher Education concentration courses)

Term 1

  • EDU 825 Schools, Society, and Culture (3 c/h)
  • RSCH 783 Educational Research Design and Methods (3 c/h)
  • EDU 824 Education and Technology (3 c/h)

Term 2

  • EDU 700 Education and Social Justice (3 c/h)
  • RSCH 710 Research Methods (3 c/h)
  • EDU 841 Leadership and Change in Institutions of Higher Education (3 c/h)

Term 3

  • EDU 701 Ethical Leadership (Elective) (3 c/h)
  • RSCH 785 Qualitative Research (3 c/h)
  • EDU Current Issues in Higher Education (3 c/h)

Term 4

  • EDU 826 Curriculum and Social Justice (3 c/h)
  • RSCH 786 Focused Research Design Project (3 c/h)
  • EDU 889 Education & Sustainability (Elective) (3 c/h)

Term 5

  • EDU 850 Art of Social Justice & Leadership (3 c/h)
  • EDU 891 Literature Review (3 c/h)
  • EDU 843 Resource Management in Higher Education Settings (3 c/h)
  • INTP 790 Internship Part I (Elective) (3 c/h)

Term 6

  • EDU 803 Law and Policy in Higher Education (3 c/h)
  • RSCH 880 Dissertation Research (3 c/h)
  • INTP 791 Internship Part II (Elective) (3 c/h)

Term 7

  • RSCH 901 Dissertation (9 c/h)

Added Distinction to your Ed.D. degree

Union’s Ed.D. program has added value and prestige – with two embedded certificates included. All Ed.D. students will graduate with a Social Justice certificate. Additionally, students will receive a certificate in either Teacher Leadership in Pre K-12 OR Teacher Leadership in Higher Education (depending upon the major). Both embedded certificates consist of 12 credit hours of course work that students will take as part of the Ed.D. curriculum.

Ask your Union advisor for details – and look for additional certificates to be added in the future.

Licensure Disclosure

This degree does not provide the education requirements for any state licensure. Please read this additional information, including a breakdown by state.

What You'll need to Apply

  • Online application – it’s free to apply, and GRE/GMAT scores are not required.

  • Personal statement/essay (two pages).

  • Official transcripts (completion date for your master’s degree).

  • One Letter of Recommendation (someone who can speak to your professional and academic work).

  • Resume/CV.

We are here to help! Our Welcome Center or a Success Coach will help you through the process after you submit your online application. Have questions? Email us at admissions@myunion.edu or call 800.861.6400.

Transfer Credit Criteria

  • Transfer credits are limited to graduate-level courses that were completed at other regionally accredited institutions with a grade of B or better.
  • Credits that applied toward a prior degree may be transferred.
  • The Ed.D. curriculum includes 12 credits (4 courses) of electives. Generally, any graduate course can replace those electives.
  • For transfer credits beyond the electives, the content of the course being transferred in must reasonably match the content of the course being replaced. For example, a course in educational leadership can replace another course in educational leadership. However, a course on bilingual education can't replace a course on school asset management.
  • In subject areas that change rapidly (such as education law, technology, or current issues), the course must have been completed in the prior five years. All other courses, except electives, must have been completed in the prior ten years. There is no time limit on courses that are transferred in to take the place of electives. Because of their importance to the dissertation process, credits for prior research methods courses cannot be transferred. 

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