Global​ ​forces,​ ​emerging​ ​technologies,​ ​and​ ​federal​ ​mandates​ ​are​ ​just​ ​a​ ​few​ ​of​ ​the challenges​ ​that​ ​are​ ​transforming​ ​education​ ​entities​ ​into​ ​increasingly​ ​complex organizations​ ​that​ ​require​ ​exceptional​ ​leadership.
Drexel​ ​University's​ Doctorate​ ​of​ ​Education​ ​(​EdD​)​ ​degree​ ​program​ ​in​ ​Educational Leadership​ ​and​ ​Management​ ​stands​ ​alone​ ​as​ ​a​ ​rigorous,​ ​accelerated​ ​part-time doctoral​ ​of​ ​education​ ​program​ ​that​ ​produces​ ​leaders​ ​with​ ​the​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​knowledge​ ​to create​ ​educational​ ​reform.​ ​Through​ ​collaborative​ ​discourse,​ ​action​ ​research,​ ​and​ ​the latest​ ​learning​ ​technologies,​ ​students​ ​acquire​ ​a​ ​facility​ ​in​ ​finance,​ ​leadership, management,​ ​creativity,​ ​and​ ​strategic​ ​thinking​ ​within​ ​the​ ​context​ ​of​ ​their​ ​individual education​ ​entity,​ ​university,​ ​and​ ​state.
Drexel's EdD degree program is steeped in research and is a proud R1 Doctoral University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the highest level of classification for research activity.
Drexel’s ​Doctorate ​in ​Education ​(EdD) ​degree ​prepares ​professionals ​for ​leadership positions ​in ​a ​wide ​variety ​of ​educational ​environments ​and ​addresses ​the ​challenges ​faced by ​today's ​schools ​and ​organizations. ​The ​program’s ​scholarly ​platform ​is ​based ​on ​a philosophy ​that ​diverse ​individuals ​develop ​transformational ​leadership ​skills ​appropriate ​for success ​in ​diverse, ​mainstream ​educational ​or ​business ​environments.
Within ​the ​comparative ​field ​of ​part-time ​doctoral ​study, ​Drexel's ​EdD ​degree ​program ​offers an ​unrivaled ​path ​to ​career ​advancement ​in ​the ​field ​of ​education. ​It ​is ​ideal ​for ​principals, school ​superintendents, ​K-12 ​and ​higher ​education ​administrators, ​and ​directors ​as ​well ​as community-based, ​educational ​organizers ​who ​have ​already ​completed ​a ​master's ​degree and ​seek ​an ​academic ​credential ​from ​one ​of ​the ​nation's ​leading ​providers ​of ​education.
The ​EdD ​program ​at 91ÖÆƬ³§'s School of Education offers ​a ​number ​of ​distinctive ​benefits:
- Students ​learn ​in ​cohorts, ​exchanging ​ideas, ​challenging ​each ​other, ​and ​networking.
- Students ​choose ​from ​a ​list ​of ​concentrations ​to ​suit ​their ​career ​interests.
- The ​rigorous ​curriculum ​prepares ​students ​for ​leadership ​in ​a ​variety ​of ​organizations in ​public, ​private, ​and ​business ​environments.
- Personalized ​academic ​and ​career ​advisement ​helps ​students ​identify ​and ​work towards ​their ​goals.
- Students ​have ​access ​to ​the ​program’s ​customized ​portal, ​which ​includes ​online resources ​and ​opportunities ​to ​connect ​with ​other ​students ​for ​academic ​discourse and ​social ​networking.
- Students ​graduate ​prepared ​to ​meet ​the ​challenges ​of ​diverse ​educational environments ​and ​ready ​to ​serve ​in ​a ​variety ​of ​educational ​leadership ​roles.
A doctorate degree in education can open the door to a wide range of careers. In a K-12 school setting, an EdD student can obtain a principal or superintendent certificate through the program to enable them to lead schools and school districts. Drexel’s EdD program also equips students with the skills to conduct thorough research in education, making graduates strong candidates for careers in a non-profit organizations or higher education institutions.
Education professionals looking to reach the pinnacle of their education and take the next step in their career would be wise to consider an EdD degree from 91ÖÆƬ³§. Drexel’s doctorate in educational leadership and management provides students with the advanced knowledge, skills, and dispositions to solve complex problems and lead change at the individual, group, or organizational level. Students who are eager to learn and passionate about their area of education would be the perfect candidate to apply for an EdD degree at Drexel.
Students in Drexel’s EdD degree program typically complete a 3-year plan of study. Students take classes during the first two years of the program and complete their dissertation research during their final year. In addition to a three-year plan of study, Drexel also offers a five-year plan of study for students who wish to earn their degree at a slower pace than the typical three-year plan.
The EdD in Educational Leadership and Management programs offers support to students in their first year in the program through the EdD Mentoring and Coaching (MAC) program. Each student who starts in the EdD program is matched with an alumni MAC who shares similar career interests or goals. MAC’s provide guidance and support to students as they navigate their coursework and adjust to being a doctorate of education student. Having been a student themselves, alumni MAC’s act as a sounding board to provide advice and share resources and services. The MAC program also allows students to build their networks and gather advice on career advancement. While MAC’s are assigned to serve students in their first year, many EdD students and MACs stay connected to each other throughout the duration of the program.
The MAC program is coordinated by Deanna Hill, JD, PHD. For questions about the program and how to become a MAC, please contact edd@drexel.edu.
Drexel’s ​EdD ​in ​Educational ​Management ​and ​Leadership ​program ​is ​offered ​through ​a number ​of ​delivery ​methods ​to ​help ​accommodate ​a ​flexible ​class ​schedule ​for ​working professionals ​or ​career ​changers.
The ​accelerated ​three-year, ​part-time ​EdD ​program ​delivery ​option ​allows ​students ​to have ​a ​flexible ​schedule ​while ​working ​in ​their ​respective ​field. ​Students participating in the three-year program will take two courses per term.
Drexel ​University ​also ​offers an ​extended ​five-year, ​part-time ​EdD ​program ​delivery ​option, ​which ​enables ​students ​to take ​1 ​course ​per ​term, ​which ​can ​help ​increase ​the ​affordability ​and ​tuition ​reimbursement opportunities ​for ​students ​and ​their ​employers.
The ​EdD ​in ​Educational ​Leadership ​and ​Management ​degree ​program ​is ​offered ​as ​the following:
Online ​EdD ​Degree Program
We understand that the lives of our students can be quite busy. That is why we offer a flexible, part-time with a 3-year and 5-year plan of study. Students learn online together in cohorts of up to 20 students. At no time will a student ever need to come to campus.
Drexel ​University ​has ​been ​offering ​online ​courses ​for ​doctoral ​students ​since ​1996, ​bringing its ​recognized ​faculty ​and ​curricula ​to ​a ​worldwide ​student ​body. ​Today, ​Drexel ​offers ​over 100 ​online ​degrees ​and ​online ​certificate ​programs ​for ​adults. Drexel ​online ​programs ​offer ​the ​very ​same ​faculty, ​curriculum, ​and ​degree ​as ​Drexel's distinguished ​on-campus ​programs.
EdD ​Executive ​Weekend ​Hybrid ​Format
The ​EdD ​program ​is ​also ​taught ​in ​an ​"executive ​weekend" ​in-class/online ​format, ​with classroom ​sessions ​held ​on ​Friday ​evening and ​Saturday ​morning/early afternoon three ​times ​per ​quarter. ​Students ​enroll ​in ​the ​EdD ​program in ​cohorts ​taking ​courses ​together allowing ​for ​interaction ​and ​networking ​among ​peers ​and ​local ​leaders. Cohorts contain no more than 20 students at a time. Core courses are taught in-person, while concentration courses are taught online.
The ​executive ​hybrid ​EdD ​program ​format ​is ​offered ​at ​Drexel ​University's ​Main ​Campus ​in Philadelphia, ​PA.
The ​goal ​of ​Drexel's ​unique ​EdD ​program ​in ​Educational ​Leadership ​and ​Management ​is designed ​to ​generate ​dynamic ​leaders ​with ​in-depth ​knowledge ​and ​expertise ​of ​the complex ​challenges ​that ​face ​school ​districts, ​colleges ​and ​universities, ​foundations, ​and government ​agencies.
Students ​complete ​study ​within ​their ​area ​of ​specialization ​in ​preparation ​for ​their ​required research ​courses ​prior ​to ​the ​dissertation ​phase ​of ​study.
EdD Degree Program Concentrations
The Education Doctorate (EdD) program is based on the Drexel philosophy that theory springs from practice. Students are encouraged to challenge their own thinking within a group and venture beyond problem-solving to a unique model of individual leadership that will become a lifelong pattern of professional communication and growth.
Students may choose from the following EdD concentrations:
There are 2 concentration options within the Creativity and Innovation concentration:
- Creativity and Innovation Concentration A: Creativity and Innovation. The Creativity and Innovation concentration provides program participants with a deep foundation and contextual background in the field of creativity to address the needs of education and industry. Collaborative creative leadership involved in innovation management is a focus where the vital role of creative strengths in fueling new bottom-line innovations is highlighted. Creativity serves as the stimulus to enhance educational and corporate innovations.
- Creativity and Innovation Concentration B: Mind, Brain, Learning, and Innovation focuses on innovative teaching and training within education and the workforce. The courses explore advancements in technology and research related to the human learning process and how this informs pedagogical practices across learning formats (online, hybrid, and face-to-face). Mind, Brain & Learning focuses on evidence-based practices from the Learning Sciences and Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) Science related to designing courses, modules, or programs that support transformative teaching and learning. The Mind, Brain & Learning option within the Higher Education Leadership concentration also examines neuroplasticity, neurodiversity, Culturally Responsive Teaching, and Universal Design for Learning using creative and innovative practices to meet the needs of all learners.
This concentration equips emerging school leaders with the tools to navigate the intricate landscape of educational leadership, including data-driven decision-making, identifying gaps in teaching and learning, and championing evidence-based practices with focus on improving learning outcomes for all students. The heart of the program lies in the internship component. As a student, you’ll assume leadership roles under the guidance of an experienced principal mentor. This hands-on experience bridges theory and practice, preparing you for the dynamic realities of school leadership.
(with Pennsylvania Superintendent Letter of Eligibility)
This concentration equips visionary leaders with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to navigate the complexities of organizational management, transformational change, and adaptive leadership in K-12 education. Responsible for overseeing every aspect of a school district, superintendents lead instructional innovation, fiscal management, policy implementation, and community engagement while reporting directly to the Board of Education. This concentration provides real-world leadership training through dynamic coursework, expert faculty mentorship, and an intensive, year-long internship that immerses students in the day-to-day responsibilities of a superintendent. From crisis management and budget oversight to policy advocacy and stakeholder communication, students gain hands-on experience that prepares them to lead with confidence.
The Educational Policy concentration combines academics with 91ÖÆƬ³§'s tradition of applied learning. Students engage with policies and policy issues impacting education, those working in it, and those served by it. Policy studies are contextualized within the range of jurisdictional entities from local to national and international settings. Heavy emphasis is placed upon the roles of ethics and ethical decision-making in past and future policy-making.
There are 2 concentration options within the Higher Education Leadership concentration:
- Higher Education Leadership Concentration A: Administration, Leadership & Assessment examines the historical growth and advancement of colleges and universities in the U.S., including the roles of school boards, community organizations, state boards of education, state government agencies, special interest groups, professional organizations, and unions. There is an in-depth focus on legal issues and assessment, which are core to higher education. Courses examine strategies of success through an understanding of the career patterns of faculty, deans, vice presidents, provosts, and presidents and how decision-making and change are implemented. Within this framework, coursework explores the impact of variables such as the law, politics, and power structures at an educational institution.
- Higher Education Leadership Concentration B: Administration, Student Success & Innovation explores the connection between strategic enrollment management and institutional planning and sustainability. This concentration focuses on the institution’s critical role within the community through civic engagement and partnerships. The courses examine the student lifecycle from recruitment and the enrollment funnel to the student experience and graduation. There is a focus on the integration of creativity and innovation as catalysts for change within higher education.
The Human Resource Development concentration is designed to produce 21st century leaders with the competencies and capabilities to facilitate workplace learning, performance and change in any organizational setting. Human resource development focuses on the strategic aspects of people and organizational practices, like training, career development, organization development, employee engagement, leadership development, coaching and mentoring, culture change, and talent development, among other areas.
The Learning Technologies concentration is designed for individuals interested in leading change through meaningful technology integration in either the business or school environments. The five concentration courses focus on areas in Instructional Design, Performance Support, Virtual communities, Learning in Participatory Culture and E-Learning Leadership. Through this coursework, students learn how to design and incorporate different learning technology platforms into school curriculum and business training settings and gain real-world practice solving learning and performance problems collaboratively through a transformational model of change.
There is a nationwide shortage of nursing faculty. The Nursing Education concentration prepares registered nurses to assume faculty positions while providing them with a robust interdisciplinary education between Drexel's School of Education and the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Please note: students who wish to pursue this concentration must have an RN license.
This concentration designed to equip educators, administrators, and advocates with essential legal knowledge and collaborative skills to support students with disabilities. Through an in-depth exploration of special education laws, court cases, and advocacy strategies, students gain practical expertise applicable in schools, family support services, and community-based work, empowering them to drive meaningful change by fostering legally sound, school-family-community partnerships that meet the diverse needs of all learners.
Students are prepared to take on supervisory roles within the education system after gaining the unique leadership knowledge and skills needed to successfully direct programs within special education. Graduates are equipped with the advanced skills, knowledge, and competencies to head programs that meet the needs of students at risk for and with disabilities in a variety of environments.
For ​full ​EdD ​program ​course ​descriptions, ​please ​see ​the .
If interested in pursuing an EdD in Educational Leadership and Management degree from 91ÖÆƬ³§, use the links below to apply to a specific program or contact us for more information.
We encourage students to visit the School of Education's to ensure they are aware of all the requirements for admission to the program.