Online and Distance Learning

An educational leadership doctorate puts you way ahead in your career in education. This page provides information on what is studied in these degrees, what the job prospects are, where you can study them online, and more ...

Why take an educational leadership doctorate program?

It is usually said that leadership is the formulation of a vision and influencing others to follow it.  This can be contrasted with management, which is the maintenance of the current operations.  But the distinction between leadership and management is not always easy to make in practice.  For example, when a management task such as the allocation of resources is used strategically to encourage others to follow the strategic plan, then this becomes both leadership and management. 

Educational leadership doctorate programs, (and other online educational leadership degree variants at PhD level) are designed to enhance your expertise and career potential in school and college administration.  Most people who choose this specialization are already licensed teachers or school administrators wishing to further their career in administration.  So the specialization is usually only offered at graduate level, e.g., as an education leadership masters degree, or a PhD educational leadership. online educational leadership degree

Finding the schools and programs you want

To browse PhD in educational leadership programs (or other relevant online doctoral education programs of education specialist EdS programs) use the search form or the list of schools below.

• University of Phoenix Online
  • Doctor of Education / Educational Leadership
  • Doctor of Education in Ed. Leadership / Educational Technology

• Capella University
  • EdS - Leadership in Educational Administration
  • EdD - Educational Leadership and Management
  • PhD - Counselor Education and Supervision
  • PhD - Leadership in Educational Administration

• Grand Canyon University
  • Ed. D. in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Behavioral Health
  • Ed. D. in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Effective Schools
  • Ed. D. in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Higher Education Leadership
  • Ed. D. in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Instructional Leadership

• The University of the Rockies Online
  • Doctor of Psychology - Educational Leadership Specialization

• Walden University
  • Ed.S. in Administrator Leadership for Teaching and Learning
  • Ed.S. Teacher Leadership
  • Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Higher Education Leadership
  • Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Administrator Leadership for Teaching and Learning
  • Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Teacher Leadership
  • Ph.D. in Education - Adult Education Leadership
  • Ph.D. in Education - Community College Leadership
  • Ph.D. in Education - K-12 Education Leadership

What do the programs cover?

An educational leadership doctorate is designed for teachers who are interested in a career as a principal or educational administrator.  The programs may include some of the taught courses included in the associated masters. 

In your research for the thesis, these educational leadership doctoral programs usually enable you to concentrate on an area of study relevant to your career and interests.

What jobs do the programs prepare you for?

In the United States, educational administrators can work in various instructional settings.  An educational leadership PhD equips you to pursue a career as a principal of a elementary, middle, or secondary school; academic dean; department chair; or other administrative and leadership position.  Clearly you have more career options with a doctorate educational leadership than with a masters or undergraduate degree.  Typical annual incomes ares hown in the right hand column.

More information about educational leadership doctorate programs

Check theses related pages:

• Educational administration and leadership doctoral programs - to enhance your expertise and career potential in school and college administration and leadership.
• Education management PhD - for senior careers in the operation of educational organizations.
• Education administration PhD - for careers in educational administration, supervision, leadership, and school development.

Use this link to find programs and schools near you.

Use the search facility on this site to find more educational leadership doctorate programs.

Request information about the admission requirements and course content of several schools before you choose a program.

Campus Programs

For those students who feel that online learning and distance education is not for them, the web site also has a section on campus programs. 

You can also search for an educational leadership doctorate program.