Online Doctor of Education in Education Administration

Become a changemaker for education

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

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At a Glance

The online Doctor of Education in Education Administration empowers professionals to lead transformative change and drive meaningful impact in educational organizations. Designed for ambitious educators ready to elevate their careers, this program builds on a completed master’s degree in education or a related field (per program guidance). Students enter at the doctoral level and complete approximately 54 credit hours of coursework online after admission. This coursework is part of the 84 to 90 total post-bachelor’s credit hours required for the degree. This structure equips students with the leadership strategies, policy knowledge, and practical tools needed to shape the future of learning environments.

Students choose from two dynamic tracks—PK-12 Educational Leadership or Higher Education Leadership—tailored to their career goals and areas of influence.

100% Online

Time to Complete:

36+ Months

Credit Hours:

84 to 90

Time Commitment:

10-20 hours weekly

start dates

Summer

cost

The Doctor of Education in Education Administration delivers exceptional value, offering a powerful return on investment for professionals ready to lead at the highest levels. This program equips students with advanced leadership skills, strategic insight, and the credentials to pursue top-tier roles and increased earning potential in education.

Tuition and fees total $30,618 ($567 per credit hour) for the approximately 54 credit hours of doctoral coursework completed in the program. Costs for books and additional materials are not included.

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

About the Online Doctorate in Education

The online Doctor of Education in Education Administration is a fully online program designed to prepare experienced educators for advanced leadership roles by deepening their understanding of the complex challenges facing today’s educational systems. The program builds on a completed master’s degree in education or a related field (per program guidance), with students completing approximately 54 credit hours of doctoral coursework online after admission as part of the 84 to 90 total post-bachelor’s credit hours required for the degree.

Taught by nationally recognized leaders and scholars from OU’s Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, students gain the tools and strategies to lead change, solve real-world problems, and drive lasting impact in their organizations and communities.

Graduates are eligible to take the Oklahoma Principal or Superintendent Certification Exam. The curriculum is intentionally aligned with leadership standards and competencies assessed on these exams, providing structured preparation throughout the program.

This Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)-accredited program offers two specialized tracks:

PK-12 Educational Leadership

Develop advanced leadership skills and apply cutting-edge research to elevate your career in PK-12 education. Prepare for roles such as assistant superintendent, associate superintendent, superintendent, or human resources administrator.

Higher Education Leadership

Use current scholarship and research to advance your career in colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations. This track prepares you for roles in student affairs, student support services, institutional research, and senior leadership positions such as dean or provost.

The program fosters strong professional connections through a cohort model that includes community groups, networking events, and collaborative projects. Students complete a problem of practice dissertation during the third year, integrating research with real-world applications.

Courses include structured online learning experiences, with opportunities for optional live sessions that are recorded for flexible access. Monthly coffee chats on Fridays provide additional opportunities to connect with faculty and industry leaders. After year two, students may participate in an optional on-campus immersion experience.

What can you do with a Doctorate in Education??

Earning an online Doctor of Education in Education Administration from the University of Oklahoma positions you for leadership at every level of education. This advanced degree accelerates your career and opens doors to high-impact roles across academic and organizational settings. Graduates pursue leadership positions such as:

Postsecondary Education Administrator
School District Superintendent
Principal (K-12)

College Department Chair or Director
Admissions Director
Postsecondary Education Administrator

Industry Insights

Median Pay: $103,960
Job Outlook: Employment for postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 3 percent by 2033
Job Openings: An average of 15,200 openings for postsecondary education administrators are expected each year over the next decade

The salary figures reflect earnings for professionals in these roles. Starting and median salaries vary based on position, employer, experience, and geographic location.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Program Outcomes: What You’ll Learn to Drive Educational Impact

OU’s online Doctor of Education in Education Administration program equips students with the advanced expertise and leadership skills needed to become agents of change in today’s evolving educational landscape.

Graduates will:

Demonstrate a strong command of core educational leadership theories, models, and concepts
Apply leadership theory to real-world challenges in schools and educational institutions
Identify complex problems, gather relevant data, and develop strategic, actionable solutions
Design and implement strategic plans that foster innovation and drive meaningful change
Apply best practices in organizational leadership, including human resources, finance, and institutional behavior
Build advanced research capabilities in both qualitative and quantitative methods, including design, analysis, and evaluation
Uphold ethical standards in leadership, modeling integrity, fairness, and professionalism
Lead with cultural competence, promoting equity, civil rights, and inclusive educational opportunities for all students
Engage in reflective practice to evaluate their leadership impact and pursue continuous professional growth

Course Details

The Doctor of Education in Education Administration builds a comprehensive foundation in educational leadership designed to prepare students to become bold, effective leaders. The program is structured for experienced educators who enter with a completed master’s degree in education or a related field (per program guidance) and continue into advanced doctoral study focused on real-world application and impact.

Students complete approximately 54 credit hours of doctoral coursework online as part of the 84 to 90 total post-bachelor’s credit hours required for the degree. Within this coursework, students also complete concentration courses approved by their doctoral committee, aligned to their selected area of study and professional goals.

Embedded Dissertation

The dissertation is integrated throughout the program and designed to align closely with each stage of coursework. Students identify a Problem of Practice that reflects a meaningful challenge in their professional context and develop it into a research-based dissertation focused on practical solutions and lasting impact in schools, districts, or higher education settings.

Course Structure

The program includes 18 courses completed in a structured online sequence. Courses are delivered in accelerated 7- to 8-week terms across fall, spring, and summer semesters, allowing students to focus on one course at a time in a highly structured progression.

Learning Experience

Courses include scheduled live sessions that support collaboration and engagement with faculty and peers. Live participation is expected and is an important part of the learning experience in many courses; when students are unable to attend, recordings and alternative assignments are available to ensure access and continuity.

Because of the structured and engaging nature of the program, consistent participation in live sessions is strongly encouraged for student success.

Doctoral Education Courses

The EdD in Education Administration includes 18 doctoral-level courses totaling 54 credit hours. Each course is designed to build advanced leadership capacity and support the development of the embedded dissertation.

Visionary Leadership in Education (3)
Pro Seminar (3)
Qualitative Inquiry for Practitioners (3)
Advanced Inquiry (3)
Educational and Community Relations (3)
Applied Quantitative Research Methods in Educational Administration (3)
Program Evaluation (3)
Prospectus Development (3)

Expand each course below to view detailed descriptions, credit hours, and learning outcomes. Courses are sequenced to support development of research skills, leadership capacity, and dissertation progress.

Visionary Leadership in Education

Credit Hours: 3

The course is intended to prepare educational leaders who value and are committed to educating all students to become successful adults. Included is a detailed analysis of the role of vision and visionary leadership in educational organizations. Both scholarly literature and best practices concerning visionary leadership in education underlay course activities and discussions.

Pro Seminar

Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this course is to introduce beginning doctoral students to the concept and process of research. Included are issues related to the role of philosophical frameworks, theory, research conceptualization, scholarly writing, and rudimentary research methods.

Qualitative Inquiry for Practitioners

Credit Hours: 3

Introduces graduate students to concepts, methods, and issues in qualitative research as it is used in educational settings. Draws attention to epistemological and ethical concerns in social science and to strategic and logistical issues in the conduct of field research. Both positive and interpretive approaches to the use of qualitative methods will be explored. Concept and theory building, strategies and techniques, and discussions of different issues of reliability and validity in the use of qualitative data will be emphasized.

Advanced Inquiry

Credit Hours: 3

The course is intended to help provide advanced graduate students with the necessary analytical skills to become effective consumers of research, and to produce an effective doctoral dissertation. The course focuses on skills related to formulation of research problems, developing research proposals, collection, analysis and interpretation of data.

Educational and Community Relations

Credit Hours: 3

Examines the field of intra/interpersonal relationships in the context of educational organizations and their constituent communities; topics include authenticity, organizational communication, leader behavior, group dynamics, and conflict management.

Applied Quantitative Research Methods in Educational Administration

Credit Hours: 3

Designed to provide advanced graduate students with research skills required of effective executive educational leaders. This course will provide students with the analytical tools necessary to become effective, critical consumers of educational research, and to enable potential educational leaders to oversee and supervise staff in the preparation, development, and dissemination of evaluative research.

Program Evaluation

Credit Hours: 3

This course builds knowledge and competencies on theory-based evaluation science through a review of evaluation approaches and theoretical paradigms, evaluation components, terms, and methods; and endemic issues and challenges in conducting evaluation in the social sciences.

Prospectus Development

Credit Hours: 3

This seminar is designed for advanced PhD students/candidates and is a formal venue for developing a sample dissertation prospectus as a starting point to work from and further develop with the student's dissertation chair and committee.

Why Choose OU Online for a Doctor of Education Online Degree

OU Online delivers high-quality, affordable undergraduate and graduate programs in a flexible, fully online format—backed by the reputation of a top-tier public institution. The Doctor of Education in Education Administration program is designed to help professionals advance their careers and lead with confidence by building a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in today’s educational landscape.

Faculty Expertise

The Doctor of Education in Education Administration is built on the foundation of world-class University of Oklahoma faculty mixed with professors of practice providing valuable instruction. By linking industry experts with our online programs, we offer the most advanced curriculum and prepare students for future career success.

Robust Student Support

OU Online offers robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center. The program accommodates the needs of working professionals, allowing you to expand your leadership skills while maintaining full-time employment.

Global Alumni Network

With more than 250,000 alumni across the world, becoming a Sooner means you’ll have access to a strong network of education professionals to accelerate your career. As a Sooner, you’ll be part of a powerful network of leaders working in the field across the world, helping you expand your education administration career.

Flexible Format

The Doctor of Education in Education Administration is delivered in a fully online, flexible format built for working professionals around the world. The program features a summer start, allowing each cohort to begin together and move through a thoughtfully sequenced curriculum designed for steady progress and meaningful peer collaboration. Earn your degree in as few as 36 months while maintaining full-time employment and personal commitments. Study from anywhere while gaining specialized expertise in educational leadership and administration, with a clear application timeline that helps you plan ahead and prepare for a strong start.

Tailored Experience

Move through the program as part of a small, focused cohort of professionals who share your passion for educational leadership. Collaborate in online discussions with expert faculty and peers, build lasting connections, and grow your professional network while developing the skills to thrive as a leader in education.

Being able to attend school at my own pace while working full-time is great. Also being able to attend my dream school while living in another state is an additional bonus. I am currently in my third OU Online program, and I love it. I recommend it to everyone. The wonderful staff and administrators make you feel important even though you are hundreds of miles away.

Emma Oldham

Doctor of Education in Education Administration

Cost & Financial Aid

Earning a Doctor of Education in Education Administration is a powerful investment in your future—and OU Online is committed to making that investment accessible and transparent.

Students pay $567 per credit hour, totaling $30,618 for the approximately 54 credit hours of doctoral coursework completed in the program as part of the 84 to 90 total post-bachelor’s credit hours required for the degree. Books and additional materials are not included.

Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. OU’s dedicated financial services team will support you every step of the way—so you can stay focused on your education and career growth.

For questions about financial aid for your online program, contact the Online Aid office at onlineaid@ou.edu or call 405-325-2929.

A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester’s tuition.

* Please be aware that tuition and fees may change, as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Transfer Credit

Transfer coursework is not applied toward the doctoral coursework requirements of the program. Students must complete the structured 54 credit hours of doctoral study through OU Online as part of the degree.

Admission to the program requires an earned master’s degree in education or a closely related field (per program guidance). This graduate-level preparation is used to meet the total post-bachelor’s credit hour requirement for the EdD, which is 84 to 90 credit hours.

Take the Next Step

To apply to the online Doctor of Education in Education Administration program, applicants must hold a conferred master’s degree from an accredited college or university (or the international equivalent) in education or a closely related field (per program guidance). Applicants should have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 or a graduate GPA of 2.8.

Admissions to the program are selective and based on a holistic review of academic preparation and professional experience.

Application Process

Complete the online application at https://gograd.ou.edu/apply/ - No Application Fee
Submit a current resume
Provide official college transcripts from all institutions for both undergraduate and graduate degrees (note: can provide unofficials to receive a decision, but must have officials during the first semester
Submit a one-page problem of practice purpose statement that you are considering for your dissertation in the program (600-750 words). Include the following components in your statement:
- Background on the setting (e.g., school district, higher education institution, or non-profit organization)
- Description of the problem of the practice
- Importance of your problem of practice
International students must demonstrate English proficiency.
It is understood that the dissertation topic/interests may change, so you are not locked into this proposal if you are accepted into the program.

Application Timeline

The admissions committee follows a rolling admissions process, reviewing applications as they are received. While admissions may remain open until two weeks before classes begin, some programs may have earlier deadlines. The committee aims to provide decisions within two weeks of receiving a completed application.

Step 1

Contact an Enrollment Coach to discuss your qualifications and interest in the program.

Step 2

Complete the online application. No application fee.

Step 3

Provide supplemental materials, including a resume, a one-page problem of practice purpose statement, and transcripts from all institutions attended.