Why This Matters
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EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP JOBS OFTEN REQUIRE MORE THAN A MASTER’S
44% of K-12 administrator jobs require at least a post-master’s certificate, and 37% of postsecondary administrator jobs require a doctorate.
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POSTSECONDARY ADMINISTRATION JOBS EXPECTED TO GROW 4%
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be 7,700 more jobs for postsecondary education administrators in 2032 than there were in 2022.
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EARN OVER $90,000 PER YEAR
The average annual salary for both K-12 principals and college administrators is over $90,000.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online doctorate in educational leadership degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online doctorate in educational leadership degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
- 69 hours to write this article
- 100 universities and colleges we assessed
- 146 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
You can pursue educational leadership studies in a PhD or EdD program. PhD programs have a greater focus on research, while EdD programs are aimed at practitioners who intend to become educational leaders. You may also see educational administration programs, which are focused on preparing future principals.
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). If your school isn’t accredited, you may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
School principals are licensed in the state where they work. Other career paths that may require certification include instructional coordinator and school superintendent. People choosing to enter the corporate world in jobs such as chief learning officer are unlikely to need certification.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online doctorate in educational leadership programs:
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Online doctorate in educational leadership programs are generally completed over three years of full-time study. Coursework is completed in the first two years and students focus on their dissertation in the third. There are also accelerated programs and part-time study options available.
- What licensing or certifications are required? If you plan to become a school principal, you will need a license in the relevant state. All states have different requirements for school principals, but for most you’ll need a master’s degree at minimum, plus teaching experience and certification.
As you research, make sure you keep track of application deadlines and the information you need to submit when you apply. This information is available from school websites or the admissions department.
You should also consider how to pay for your education by researching scholarships, grants, and subsidized loans. Also, check if your employer offers tuition assistance.