Educational Leadership EdD
- Doctoral Degree
- Online
- Online
2 to 2 1/2 Years Plus Dissertation
Fall Term (Aug.)
$771/Credit
Online Educational Leadership Doctorate Program
Our Educational Leadership Doctor of Education (EdD) program will help you thrive in top administrator jobs at P-12 schools, districts and other educational organizations. This program is delivered completely online, so you can earn your degree from anywhere.
We focus on helping you use what you learn to solve real-world problems. You’ll learn how to improve your daily work and lead with confidence.
Learn From Experts, Work with Peers
You’ll join a community of learners who collaborate and complete the program together. You’ll also work closely with our expert faculty. You will enjoy a program that is:
- Personalized: Blend required learning with courses that you choose to fit your goals.
- Challenging: Pursue critical reading and original research.
- Focused on Practice: Apply your coursework and research to your job right away.
Why choose an EdD Degree?
An EdD degree focuses on practical application. A PhD emphasizes pure theory and research. School districts and universities see them as equal to each other.
Career Outcomes
Career Paths Include...
- Principal or Superintendent: Leading schools and school districts.
- Professor: Teaching at a college or university.
- Director: Running programs in educational organizations.
- Applied Research Advocacy: Working to improve education policy.
Course of Study
Convenient Online Delivery
This program is delivered completely online.
- Coursework will take 2-2½ years.
- Dissertation proposal and research will take place after completion of required coursework.
Synchronous Online Sessions
Each course will include synchronous learning sessions where the professor and students meet online at the same time. These usually take place every other Saturday (morning and afternoon) during academic terms. These sessions will be critical for student success. There may also be sessions scheduled during the week as needed to support student progress.
To see specific course offerings, visit an example current students page for this program.
Courses and Requirements
- Post-Master’s Students: 64 credits including dissertation
- Post-EdS Students: 43 credits including dissertation
- You can combine the EdD degree with a principal or administrator license. Adding licensure could require added coursework.
The degree requirements reflect post-master’s enrollment; post-EdS students will take less coursework. You will work with an advisor to develop a plan of study.
Transfer Credit
If you have taken graduate courses that aligns with program courses, you can request transfer credit. Approved transfer credit can reduce the cost of completing this degree. Program faculty will review your transfer credit to confirm that it matches course content and objectives. See the full graduate transfer credit policy for details.
A student who possesses a specialist degree may count a maximum of 21 credits of specialist work in the doctoral program with the approval of the Graduate School and program advisor. Schools may have requirements that exceed the minimums established by the University.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Anna Taylor
Enrollment Counselor
Michael Cohen
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): UNC provides a health insurance plan to all degree-seeking graduate students who are enrolled in 6 or more credits for a term. If you have comparable insurance coverage, and do not want to be charged for SHIP coverage, you can opt out of this plan. Please visit the UNC Student Health Insurance pages for more information.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Federal Financial Aid
Degree-seeking students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Doctoral degree students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full-time enrollment is based on 9 credits per term.
You will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UNC Applying for Aid page provides important dates, including the release date and deadline for each academic year (a Fall-Spring-Summer cycle which begins each August).
- Late FAFSA submissions are still accepted throughout the academic year, but you may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
- If the priority deadline has passed for the upcoming/current school year, we encourage you to apply for FAFSA consideration as soon as you enroll for your first courses.
- Depending on the time of year, you may be able to submit an application for the current academic year and an early/priority application for the following academic year.
You can also find helpful information in the Federal Student Aid Resources.
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
- Possess a master’s or specialist degree from an Institutionally Accredited college or university or a comparable degree from a foreign institution.
- Two years of experience working with students in a school setting.
- If you have not taken SRM 600 Introduction to Graduate Research (3) or an equivalent course, you will need to take it before taking your first SRM course in the program.
- If you want to combine this degree with Administrator Licensure, you need a valid Principal License and two years of educational leadership experience.
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
Licensure Eligibility by State
UNC’s professional licensure programs are designed to lead to Colorado licensure. Each state sets their own requirements, so a UNC program might not lead to licensure in other states. Visit the UNC Licensure page to learn more about which states UNC programs meet educational requirements for licensure.
It’s important to understand requirements in the state where you plan to work. Visit the State Licensure Boards page to find each state’s licensing agency and contact information. Questions? Contact Licensure@unco.edu.
International Student Eligibility
You are eligible to apply: We accept international students to online UNC programs. We can’t guarantee that our programs meet distance education requirements for every country. Before you apply, check your country’s policies and regulations. You should not apply if you live in a country that is subject to U.S. sanctions.
No student visa: Students in online UNC programs do not need to come to the United States. You will not get a student visa or receive any immigration documentation. You do not need to provide financial documentation when applying.
You will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
Meet the Program Faculty
Visit the Academic Department
Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
Licensure Eligibility by State
This program is related to a state licensure, endorsement or other credential. If you intend to pursue a credential outside of Colorado, please check the Licensure Eligibility by State section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Application Deadline
This program starts each Fall term (Aug.).
Students who complete the application process (including the interview) by March 1 are given priority screening and have increased opportunities for financial assistance.
Initial review of completed applications will take place in March, and applications received after that date will be considered with a final review by May/June as needed. Contact the Program Coordinator for advising.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose:
- Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)
- Start term: Fall Term (Aug.)
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Apply to This Program
Register & Start Your Application
Submit a Started Application
Application Checklist & Status