- USC Rossier
- Doctorate Programs
- Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership online

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
online: K-12 concentration program
The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership online, which results in an EdD degree, is a three-year degree program that will prepare you to be an educational leader in K-12 settings. Designed to accommodate the schedule of working professionals, the program will train you to become a critically conscious leader with the skills to address inequities in education that affect learning opportunities and outcomes.
Candidates for this program must have a master’s degree, a minimum of three years of relevant full-time work experience and leadership experience. The EdD in Educational Leadership online program is currently offered for the K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings concentration only. Additional concentrations are offered in our on-campus EDL program.
Lead High Performing K-12 Schools and Districts
The EdD in Educational Leadership online program will prepare you to:
- Critically reflect on the way your position in society and your worldview supports or impedes your ability to lead effectively.
- Critically reflect on institutional oppression and develop strategies to create equity.
- Foster continuous organizational improvement and ensure compliance with laws, policies and mandates.
- Think strategically and use evidence-based research to assess effectiveness and improve practice for all learners.
- Model high standards of ethical practice.
Curriculum
The EdD in Educational Leadership online program coursework consists of four components: core courses, concentration courses, research methods courses and the dissertation in practice.
The dissertation in practice is a doctoral dissertation with a more practical focus than a traditional dissertation. Under the guidance of faculty in your concentration, you will apply relevant research methods to tackle a problem of practice that impedes access to equitable K-12 educational opportunities and outcomes. The purpose of the dissertation in practice is to equip you with the knowledge and skills you will use to address existing problems in your workplace well beyond your completion of the program.
Program Specifications
The EdD in Educational Leadership online program requires a minimum of 43 units. The program can be completed in three years with two courses in most semesters.
Online Learning Experience
Classes are conducted live in a real-time virtual classroom environment. The live sessions are facilitated by faculty and include highly interactive, engaging and collaborative discussions. Prior to attending live sessions, you will complete assignments submitted through the learning management system.
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