Educational Leadership (Higher Education), Ed.D.

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program in educational leadership with a specialization in higher education prepares graduates to continue to advance in their careers at postsecondary education institutions as student affairs educators, administrative professionals in academics in education-related organizations or student services, academic executive positions or key leadership roles.

Our program focuses on the preparation of scholar-practitioners in the field of higher education and student affairs administration. Whether public or private, two-year or four-year, the program provides an in-depth study of the organization, administration, staffing, funding and student experience at postsecondary education institutions.

Features of the program include an intellectually challenging curriculum, award-winning faculty members, and applied learning experiences, including a unique internship opportunity in Ireland.

The Ed.D. in educational leadership specialization in higher education requires 60 credits of coursework and successful completion of the comprehensive examination and dissertation. The program of study includes leadership core courses, which provide a foundation in leadership and organizational theory and practice.

Other courses in the leadership core help you develop skills and knowledge in research methodology. Additionally, you complete specialization core courses, which prepare you for advanced study of and work in college student affairs and higher education administration.

The curriculum is designed to connect theory and practice and help you become more effective scholar-practitioners in postsecondary education institutions.

You have the opportunity to pursue a specialized course of study through electives, domestic internships, and international study abroad opportunities at various colleges and universities. All students are required to complete an internship and take a corresponding internship course (three credits). 

The program delivery format is hybrid, with a combination of synchronous face-to-face instruction and asynchronous online instruction. This typically means that you meet for synchronous face-to-face class sessions bi-weekly. During asynchronous online weeks, you are responsible for completing readings, engaging in discussions with peers and other activities related to course content.

Consistent with our commitment to applied and experiential learning, program faculty strive for a high level of social presence during asynchronous online weeks.

The program also features a distance education option if you reside outside of the Wilmington area. You can attend the synchronous face-to-face class sessions using Zoom, a platform that allows you to be part of the classroom experience virtually.

Graduates of the educational leadership doctoral program will be able to:

1. Integrate social justice principles into practice;
2. Engage in research, evaluation and data-driven decision making to contribute to education practice, policy, and theory;
3. Lead systemic organizational change to facilitate educational reform;
4. Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in order to be successful in rapidly changing, complex environments (e.g., technology, problem-solving);
5. Critically examine and imagine ways to change how our work as educational leaders is situated in economic, political and cultural systems; and
6. Develop a raised consciousness of global education policies and practices.

Successful program applicants

• have a master's degree in higher education, student affairs or a related discipline;
• are able to demonstrate strong academic performance (3.0 GPA minimum) in undergraduate and graduate coursework;
• and are able to explain how a doctoral degree fits in their career trajectory and how the educational and professional experiences have prepared them for a rigorous academic program.