Earn a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) that is affordable, online, and designed for educational leaders – from the state’s flagship university.
Great school leaders face complex issues, yet remain motivated to break through barriers and make a difference. If this is your passion, earning a doctorate will not just put “Dr.” in front of your name. Students in this online program will use a mixed-methods action research (MMAR) dissertation design to address a leadership problem of practice within their organization. This online program provides the research-basis for the real-world initiatives you are leading. As you engage with teachers, administrators, boards, parents and business/community leaders, your work will be enriched by your doctoral training.
Many educators tell us they value a deep, enriching doctoral experience at a top tier university, but cannot put their careers on hold. Our online program is both rigorous and accessible to working professionals.
The Ed.D. is an executive Ed.D., or practitioner doctorate, designed for motivated professionals who work in leadership roles and stimulate meaningful change in educational systems. You will have the unique opportunity to use your current position as the real-world basis for your research and goals.
Among a tight cohort of doctoral students, you will advance together in the online program. We engage in lively, online class discussions. You will learn from each other and become a team striving to make an impact in education.
As a graduate of our program, you will have a professional network of faculty and alumni to consult as you navigate challenges and work to lead and transform schools.
Welcome
We wish a warm welcome to all of our future and current students as well as alumni who are visiting our Ed.D. program page. This program is led by distinguished faculty whose mission is to prepare committed graduate students to serve as educational leaders across a number of educational contexts such as early care and education, P-12, and higher education. You will explore, innovate, and discover alongside faculty and a cohort of fellow peers during our completely online program. We hope you find this information helpful and energizing as you begin your doctoral journey.
Dr. John Nash, Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership Studies
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Still have questions? We are available to help during your application process.
Questions About the Application Form, Checking for Completeness, Uploading Materials
- Courtney McCord, Department Success Specialist, Courtney.McCord@nulluky.edu
Questions About the Programs, Materials or Qualifications Related to the Application, or Entrance to the Programs
- Beth Rous: beth.rous@nulluky.edu
Program Outcomes
Educators who choose to earn a doctorate often serve in roles such as:
- Directors/Assistant Directors
- Principals/Assistant Principals
- Administrative and academic deans
- Academic deans
- Coaches
- Others leaders (various positions)
Academics
You will work with your advisory chair during the first semester to develop a program plan based on your needs and goals. It will be reviewed regularly and updated as needed.
You will take twelve (12) required courses and two (2) elective courses based on your specialty area, which totals around 42 credit hours of post-master’s graduate coursework, not including dissertation residency.
You will also complete at least four credit hours of dissertation residency (EDL 767).
All courses taught in the Department of Educational Leadership are online and include five to six live, synchronous class sessions via Zoom. Some courses are taught on Saturdays, others are taught in the evening during the workweek.
Program Pathway
The program below represents the academic program and sequence for students starting their EdD after the Fall 2017 Semester.
For students ENTERING in the Fall 2020 semester, please refer to the Program Plan for Students Entering in Fall 2020. Click the appropriate pathway title to expand.
Program Pathway for Students Entering in Fall 2020
| Leadership Core | Research Method Core | Writing Core | Electives |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 hours | 15 hours | 3 hours | 6 hours |
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*Denotes course in which live Zoom class sessions are held on five to six Saturdays during the sixteen-week term.
| Year 1 (18 hours) | ||
|---|---|---|
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Fall (6 hours) |
Spring (6 hours) |
Summer (6 hours) |
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You’re a doc student!
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Take two courses.
Create a plan for diagnosing a problem of practice for your dissertation. |
No summertime blues!
Implement diagnosis plan, conduct literature review for problem of practice |
| Year 2 (12-15 hours) Cumulative of 30-33 | ||
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Fall (6 hours) |
Spring (6 hours) |
Summer (0-3 hours) |
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Select your major advisor and choose an elective.
Work with your advisor to select committee members. Hold your program planning meeting. |
Spring forward!
Work with your advisor on your prospectus from ELS 620 diagnosis. Hold your prospectus meeting. |
Option to enroll in elective. |
| Year 3 (9-12 hours) Cumulative of 42 required | ||
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Fall (3-6 hours) |
Spring (3-6 hours) |
Summer (0 hours) |
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Continue your research.
Design the reconnaissance phase of your study. |
Take your last class!
Work on QE Chapters 1-2 (QE) |
Hold your QE (May) You’re a doctoral candidate!
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| Year 4 | ||
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Fall |
Spring |
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Just keep writing…just keep writing…
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Defend your dissertation.
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Program Pathway for All Other Students
| Leadership Core | Research Method Core | Electives |
|---|---|---|
| 21 hours | 12 hours | 9 hours |
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*Denotes course in which live Zoom class sessions are held on five to six Saturdays during the sixteen-week term.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
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Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
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You’re a doc student!
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Take two courses.
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No summertime blues!
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| Year 2 | ||
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Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
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Select your major advisor and choose an elective.
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Spring forward!
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Start your research!
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| Year 3 | ||
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Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
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Continue your research.
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Take your last class!
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You’re a doctoral candidate!
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| Year 4 | ||
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Fall |
Spring |
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Just keep writing…just keep writing…
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Defend your dissertation.
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Our Program Experience
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Oriented toward Educational Leaders |
Online, Cohort-based Experience with Summer Doc Week |
Relevant, Authentic Problems of Practice in Educational Contexts |
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We value:
Leadership…
Our program prepares educators to assume formal leadership roles within educational organizations across the developmental continuum (early care and education, public schools, higher education, community education).
Transformation…
We value leaders that are capable of leading change within organizations. In an era of technology shifts, economic uncertainty, and global challenges educationally-based organizations will need to be nimble to deliver high quality learning experiences to children on a daily basis.
Collaboration…
Because collective leadership by administrators and teachers is essential for successful organizations, our program emphasizes developing interpersonal relationships and interdependence to achieve shared visions and goals.
Equity…
Educational organizations should be places where everyone is provided equitable opportunities. Our program is unapologetic in preparing leaders to make educational organizations places that value diversity through welcoming school cultures and socially just policies.
Community…
Because organizational leaders are community leaders as well as building leaders, we value the broader role of leadership within communities. This community nature extends to our program also, as students are part of a tight-knit community within their cohort as they complete the program.
Authenticity…
All courses integrate individual and group learning, field-based activities, high-quality virtual class meetings, and research and reflection to assure relevance and applicability.
Admissions
You must meet the admission requirements established by the UK Graduate School and by the Department of Educational Leadership Studies.
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Eligibility |
You must have:
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Application Documents |
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International Teachers |
If your native language is not English, you must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score.
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Statistical Methods |
You must show that you have completed a graduate-level basic statistics course with a grade of B or higher. This requirement serves in lieu of a minimum quantitative GRE requirement.
If you have not taken such a course you may:
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Answers to a Few Program Questions
Answers to many more questions are found on our departmental FAQ page.
Detailed information about the application process can be found at https://education.uky.edu/edl/admissions/.
The Ed.D. program consists of 10 courses and 4 hours of dissertation residency (minimum). Students traditionally take around 4 years to finish.
For information regarding current program cost please refer to the UK Graduate Tuition and Fees page.
Application Questions
- Justin Bathon: justin.bathon@nulluky.edu
Program Questions
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- Beth Rous: beth.rous@nulluky.edu
You can also fill out the form below to receive useful emails about the program, such as application tips and online info sessions.
Our graduates receive an Ed.D. in Education Leadership.
You can find tuition refund policies, deadlines, amounts, and other important information on the UK Student Account Services website.
Not sure if this is the program for you? Need more information before applying?
We’ll help you find out if you’re qualified to apply and give you more information about our degree programs.
State Authorization and Licensure
If you plan to complete a University of Kentucky online program while living outside of Kentucky, you should check the Out-of-State Students page to determine if the University of Kentucky is authorized to provide this program in your state of residence. If you plan to use the degree to seek licensure, you should also determine if the degree meets the educational requirements for licensure in your state.