Choose the Best Organizational Leadership Degree for You
With more than fifty accredited institutions offering online doctorate of education (Ed.D.) degrees in leadership, it can be challenging to find the program that best fits your career goals, schedule and learning style. This comprehensive resource has been created to help you find the online program that’s right for you.
Online Ed.D. in Leadership Programs
Varying by school and programmatic focus, common names for leadership programs include doctorates in: Educational Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Organizational Change and Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, and Instructional Leadership.
Despite these variations in name, leadership-focused EdD programs tend to share a broad common purpose:
To provide professionals with the practical skills and foundational knowledge required to lead organizational change in educational institutions and systems, corporations, nonprofits and/or government.
While PhD programs are commonly designed for those seeking to advance their careers in research and academia, EdD leadership programs are ideal for experienced, working professionals wishing to apply their skills and knowledge to effect systemic change in these real world settings. For that reason, admissions and dissertation requirements often differ between the two degrees types.
Some leading EdD programs require a capstone project or dissertation in practice demonstrating the effective application of theory within your current organization. (For an informed discussion comparing the EdD to the PhD in Education, see this article from the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate.)
The Benefits of the Online Ed.D.
Offering flexibility and a focus on applied practice, online EdD leadership programs have become increasingly popular among working professionals – allowing them to:
- Advance their careers while earning a doctoral degree
- Apply theory to drive change in their current workplace
- Target their dissertation, doctoral research or capstone project to address a current organizational challenge
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online Ed.D. in Leadership
With both on-campus and online programs, students might want to consider researching the faculty quality, school reputation and accreditation, and admissions and completion requirements. However, for online EdD programs, you should also consider factors uniquely important to the online student experience, including:
- Live Versus Asynchronous Classes
- Offline Mobile Capabilities
- On-Campus Requirements
- Class Size
- Flexible Start Dates
- Dissertation Requirements
The table below provides a snapshot of these factors for over 40 accredited programs as well as links to greater detail on admissions criteria and estimated time to completion.
Compare Online Doctorate of Education in Leadership Programs
Featured Online Organizational Leadership Ed.D. Degrees
| School Name | Live Classes | Offline Accessible Mobile App | On-Campus Requirement | Dissertation or Capstone Project | Flexible Start Dates | Class Size Under 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC Rossier School of Education | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vanderbilt University | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Sponsored Programs
Full List of Online Organizational Leadership Ed.D. Degrees
| School Name | Live Classes | Offline Accessible Mobile App | On-Campus Requirement | Dissertation or Capstone Project | Flexible Start Dates | Class Size Under 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argosy University: Graduate School of Business and Management | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Arizona State University | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Grand Canyon University | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Northcentral University | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| University of Phoenix | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| University of Arkansas - Online | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Aspen University | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| William Howard Taft University | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Nova Southeastern University | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| St. Thomas University | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kennesaw State University | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Boise State University | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Northwest Nazarene University | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Concordia University Chicago | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| University of Illinois | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| University of St. Francis | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Ball State University | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Morehead State University | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| University of the Cumberlands | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | N/A |
| University of New England | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| John Hopkins School of Education | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Andrews University | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Capella University | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Walden University | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| William Carey University | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Maryville University | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Drexel University | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | No | N/A | No | Yes | No | N/A |
| Lamar University | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| University of Houston | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Regent University | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Edgewood College | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Featured Online Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership Degrees
University of Southern California - Rossier School of Education
Program(s) Overview
State: CA
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60 credits
- Average completion time: 4 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation in practice within a capstone project
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-888-628-1872
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: Y
- BA and proven leadership experience
Vanderbilt University
Program(s) Overview
State: TN
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Leadership and Learning in Organizations
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 54 credit hours
- Average completion time: 3-4 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: capstone
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-877-NNU-4YOU
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.5
- GRE required: N (recommended)
- Master’s degree
- Evidence of successful leadership experience.
- A high level of verbal and quantitative ability.
- Evidence may include the GRE, GMAT, or other indicators of verbal and quantitative skill.
- A Statement of Purpose
Full List of Online Ed.D. in Leadership Programs
Andrews University
Program(s) Overview
State: MI
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Educational Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60 credits
- Average completion time: 4-5 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: capstone
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-269-471-6321
- Flexible start dates: N
- Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: Y
- Master's degree
Argosy University: Graduate School of Business and Management
Program(s) Overview
State: AZ
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Organizational Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60 credits
- Average completion time: 50 months
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-888-641-3530
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: N
- Master's degree
Arizona State University
Program(s) Overview
State: AZ
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Leadership and Innovation
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 90 credits (60 + 30 credited from master's degree)
- Average completion time: 4 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 602-543-6358
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: N
- Bachelor’s degree or higer, must be a working educator
Aspen University
Program(s) Overview
State: CO
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Leadership and Learning with specializations in:
- Health Care Administration and Leadership
- Higher Education Leadership
- K12 Educational Leadership
- Organizational Leadership
- Organizational Psychology
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60 credits
- Average completion time: 25 months
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-800-373-7814
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: N
- Master's degree
Ball State University
Program(s) Overview
State: IN
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD Educational Administration and Supervision
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 90 credits, 48 can be counted from master's
- Average completion time: 3.5 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-800-382-8540
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 2.75
- GRE required: Y
- Master's degree
Boise State University
Program(s) Overview
State: ID
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Educational Technology
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 66 credits
- Average completion time: 3.5 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-208-426-1966
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: Y
- Master's degree, professional experience
Capella University
Program(s) Overview
State: MN
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD with specialization in:
- Educational Leadership and Management Specialization
- Performance Improvement Specialization
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60 credits
- Average completion time: 4-5 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: capstone
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-866-933-5974
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: N
- Master's degree
Concordia University Chicago
Program(s) Overview
State: IL
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Leadership - Health and Human Performance
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 61 credits
- Average completion time: 4 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-708-888-2031
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: Y (or MAT)
- Master's degree
Drexel University
Program(s) Overview
State: PA
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Educational Leadership and Management
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60.5 credit hours
- Average completion time: 3 year or 5 year option
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-877-215-0009
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.5
- GRE required: N
- Master's degree
Edgewood College
Program(s) Overview
State: WI
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Educational Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 56 credit hours
- Average completion time: 3 to 3.5 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-800-444-4861
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: Y
- Master's degree
Grand Canyon University
Program(s) Overview
State: AZ
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in:
- Behavioral Health
- Christian Ministry
- Higher Education Leadership
- K-12 Leadership
- Special Education
- Health Care Administration
- Organizational Development
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60 credits
- Average completion time: 8 weeks
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-855-GCU-Lope
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 2.8
- GRE required: N
- Graduate degree
John Hopkins School of Education
Program(s) Overview
State: MD
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD with specialization in:
- Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education
- Urban Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 48-54 credits
- Average completion time: 4 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-877-548-7631
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: N
- Master's degree
- Relevant professional experience
Kennesaw State University
Program(s) Overview
State: GA
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Educational Leadership for Learning
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 66 credits
- Average completion time: 3 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-470-578-6117
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: Y
- master's degree, 3 years experience
Lamar University
Program(s) Overview
State: TX
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Educational Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60 hours
- Average completion time: 2.5 to 3 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-409-880-7011
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.5
- GRE required: Y
- Master’s degree
- digital video, 3 years professional experience
Maryville University
Program(s) Overview
State: MO
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Higher Education Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 48 credit hours
- Average completion time: Fastest completion is 32 months
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-888-266-0298 ext. 4231
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: N
- Master's Degree, 3-5 years in higher ed
Morehead State University
Program(s) Overview
State: KY
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD with specializations in:
- Adult and Higher Education
- P-12 Administrative Leadership
- Educational Technology Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60-credits
- Average completion time: 3 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: capstone
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-800-585-6781
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: Y (or MAT)
- Master's degree
Northcentral University
Program(s) Overview
State: AZ
Leadership degree(s) offered:
- EdD in: Organizational Leadership
- Instructional Leadership
- Leadership in Higher Education
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 54 credit hours
- Average completion time: 45 months
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-866-776-0331
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: Not stated
- GRE required: N
- Master's degree
Northwest Nazarene University
Program(s) Overview
State: ID
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Educational Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 36 credits
- Average completion time: 26 months
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-877-NNU-4YOU
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.5
- GRE required: N
- Recognized EdS or equivalent accredited graduate experience
Nova Southeastern University
Program(s) Overview
State: FL
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD with concentrations in:
- Educational Leadership
- Higher Education Leadership
- Organizational Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 54 credits
- Average completion time: 24 months
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-800-541-6682
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: Y
- Master's degree
Regent University
Program(s) Overview
State: VA
Leadership degree(s) offered:
- EdD in Advanced Educational Leadership
- Exceptional Education
- Executive Leadership
- Higher Education Leadership & Management
- K-12 School Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 66+ credits
- Average completion time: not stated
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-800-373-5504
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 0
- GRE required: Y
- A scholarly reviewed, academic writing sample, on a journal article topic related to your concentration
St. Thomas University
Program(s) Overview
State: FL
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Leadership and Innovation
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60 credits
- Average completion time: 2.5 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-888-986-8109
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.25
- GRE required: N
- Master's degree
Trevecca Nazarene University
Program(s) Overview
State: TN
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Leadership & Professional Practice
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 57 credit hours
- Average completion time: 27 months
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-844-TNU-GRAD
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.39
- GRE required: N
- Master's degree
University of Arkansas - Online
Program(s) Overview
State: AR
Leadership degree(s) offered: Educational Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 42 credit hours
- Average completion time: 3 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-800-952-1165
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: Y
- EdS degree, valid teaching license
University of Houston
Program(s) Overview
State: TX
Leadership degree(s) offered: Executive EdD in Professional Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 51 credits
- Average completion time: Not stated
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-713-743-2255
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: Y
University of Illinois
Program(s) Overview
State: IL
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 64 credits
- Average completion time: 4-5 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-217-333-0960
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: N
- Master's degree
University of New England
Program(s) Overview
State: ME
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Educational Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 51 credits
- Average completion time: 3 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-800-994-2804
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: N
- Master's degree
University of Phoenix
Program(s) Overview
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Educational Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 62 credits
- Average completion time: 3 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-844-937-8679
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: N
- Supervisory or Management Experience and graduate degree
University of St. Francis
Program(s) Overview
State: IL
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Educational Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60 credits
- Average completion time: 3.5 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-800-735-7500
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: N
- Master's degree
University of the Cumberlands
Program(s) Overview
State: KY
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Educational Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60 credits
- Average completion time: 18 months
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-800-343-1609
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.5
- GRE required: Y
- Master’s degree, combined 300 on GRE, or 400 on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), writing sample describing the student’s research interests
Walden University
Program(s) Overview
State: MN
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD with specialization in:
- Community College Leadership
- Higher Education and Adult Learning
- Higher Education
- Leadership and Management
- Educational Administration and Leadership
- Higher Education (Self-Designed)
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 79 credits
- Average completion time: 3 years
- Dissertation or capstone required: capstone
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-866-492-5336
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- GRE required: N
- Master's degree, and current work experience in a field related to the concentration of study
William Carey University
Program(s) Overview
State: MS
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD in Educational Leadership
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 63 credits
- Average completion time: Not stated
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-601-318-6600
- Flexible start dates: N
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.25 in a related specialist program
- GRE required: N
- Bachelor’s degree
William Howard Taft University
Program(s) Overview
State: CO
Leadership degree(s) offered: EdD with a concentration in Leadership and Management
Completion requirements:
- Program length: 60 credits
- Average completion time: 27 months
- Dissertation or capstone required: dissertation
Admissions information:
- Contact admissions at: 1-877-894-8238
- Flexible start dates: Y
Admissions requirements:
- Minimum GPA: not stated
- GRE required: N
- Teaching certificate/credential, a Master’s degree in education, or a minimum of 2 years of professional full-time experience in an education-related field of work
