Maryville’s Online EdD in Higher Education Leadership

Shape the future of higher ed. Earn your EdD online.

With Maryville University’s online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Leadership, you’ll prepare to impact higher education at the institutional level by building skills in college and university leadership, administration and teaching. This leadership-focused doctorate is designed for professionals who are currently working in the field and have completed a master’s degree.

Our 32-month, part-time online EdD program provides the support and flexibility to help you reach your goals. You’ll complete coursework 100% online and follow a cohort model, which means you will benefit from smaller class sizes, collaboration and individual mentorship from your faculty advisor from the start of the program.

Complete your dissertation and coursework simultaneously.
Follow a cohort-learning model and graduate in 32 months.
Attend your research residencies virtually or on campus.
No GMAT/GRE scores are required to apply.

Maryville’s approach to the online EdD dissertation

In Maryville’s online EdD program, you’ll complete coursework at the same time that you conduct practice-based research for your dissertation. This will enable you to apply valuable knowledge as you propose practical solutions to challenges in the higher education landscape. Hear from learners and faculty about what makes our dissertation process unique.

Curriculum for the EdD online

In the 48-credit online Doctor of Education program, you will enhance your ability to:

  • Solve tomorrow’s challenges: Explore future-focused governance and finance, contemporary student experiences, data analysis and innovative technologies.
  • Hone your leadership skills: Learn cultural competence, empathy and active listening — and prepare to make decisions amid complex, evolving situations.
  • Adapt your strategies: Learn how to design higher education strategies around the needs, concerns and abilities of students in the classroom.

Required EdD courses

The structure of Maryville’s online doctorate in education program will allow you to simultaneously gain important skills, conduct practice-based research and apply your knowledge to existing challenges in higher education. The EdD online program includes the following courses, which you’ll take alongside your peers in this sequence:

  • Dissertation Study
  • Research Design
  • Advanced Research Methods
  • Research Writing
  • Research Seminar
  • Writing for Publication
  • Reflective Leadership Practice and Inquiry
  • The College Student Experience
  • Leadership in Higher Education
  • Educational Research Methods
  • The Competitive Context of Higher Education OR International Perspectives in Higher Education 
  • Research Residency I
  • The Academic Community
  • Organizational Leadership In Higher Education
  • Understanding Data and Analysis
  • Strategic Change and Innovation
  • Research Residency II
  • Performance And Accountability
  • Leading in a Complex Environment
  • Dissertation Research And Writing
  • Portfolio and Oral Defense
  • Dissertation Proposal
  • Dissertation Defense

Research residencies

As you complete the EdD program online, you will take part in two research residencies, which you can attend virtually or on Maryville’s St. Louis campus. The first residency will immerse you in dissertation research and writing through workshops, presentations and critique groups. The second residency includes presentations and workshops for advanced research and writing.

Admission requirements for the online EdD program

Maryville’s hassle-free application process is designed to remove roadblocks, so you can focus on what’s important: your growth and your goals. No application fees. No GMAT/GRE scores. Maryville will even request your transcripts for you.

Here’s what you’ll need to submit: 

No-cost online application

Official academic transcripts from your master’s program

Personal essay: 500–600 words

English proficiency scores (International applicants may be required to submit scores that meet a certain threshold.)

To be eligible for admission into Maryville’s online EdD degree program, you will need a master’s degree, a minimum required 3.0 GPA from your master’s program and at least three years of professional experience in the higher education field.

Career paths with a doctorate in education

When you complete Maryville’s EdD degree online, you will graduate with the skills, connections and experience to:

  • Advance to administrative roles
  • Oversee higher education institutions
  • Assess, improve and create new curricula and instructional methods
  • Train other educators or conduct research

With an EdD, you may qualify for educational leadership roles such as academic dean, admissions director, chief academic officer, college/university administrator, college/university president, dean of students, department chair, provost, education consultant and registrar.

Develop the expertise to lead positive organizational change in higher education. Take the next step — learn more about Maryville’s online EdD program.

REQUEST MORE INFORMATION