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Online Doctor of Education in Educational and Organizational Leadership (EdD)

Challenge yourself to facilitate positive change as an educator and leader of the schools and organizations you serve.

The fully online Doctor of Education (EdD) degree program at York College of Pennsylvania transforms educators, school leaders, and organization leaders into scholar-practitioners who advance their careers with specialized skill sets, research capabilities, and leadership experience.

Completed in three to five years, this doctorate in educational leadership allows students to apply what they learn and improve upon the challenges they face in their schools and organizations in real time. In the Applied Research Capstone, students complete elements through scaffolded coursework, leading up to a final research project and presentation that addresses a real workplace issue and analyzes the proposed solution's success.

The program's fully online coursework gives professionals enrolled in the EdD in Educational and Organizational Leadership the freedom to pursue their careers, classes, and other commitments simultaneously. With guidance from our expert faculty, students learn to create lasting change in curriculum, training and development, higher education, literacy, and other areas supported by flexible course options and program requirements.

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About the EdD in Educational and Organizational Leadership

  • Key Courses

    Online EdD Format and Delivery

    • Fall start
    • 3-5 year completion
    • 15-week semesters in fall and spring
    • 7-week summer courses offered
    • Online asynchronous courses
    • Occasional live Zoom meetings (4-7 per course)

    EdD in Educational and Organizational Leadership Program Requirements

    The focused and practical curriculum of the online EdD in Educational and Organizational Leadership spans four "strands," or pillars: Organizational Transformations, Professional Leadership and Learning Enterprise, Professional Specialization, and Evidence-Based Decision Making.

    In fulfillment of the Professional Specialization Strand, students choose one specialization as a secondary or tertiary area of expertise within a sub-discipline sourced from graduate-level courses at the College. Current course areas include business administration, public policy, school leadership, teacher leadership, and youth resilience. 

    Practical applications underpin each course. You may take courses such as:

    • EOL 701: Engaging Adult Learners
    • EOL 711: Grant-Writing Essentials
    • EOL 714: Organizational Improvement and Change

    Explore our other graduate education program subfields.

    EdD Program Admissions

    Applications for the Educational and Organizational Leadership doctoral program are accepted year-round, following a cohort model with new cohorts starting each fall term. Priority entry into the program will be awarded to strong candidates who submit materials by the early admissions deadline of April 1st. Applications are accepted until August 1st or until the cohort is filled.

    Applicants to the Doctor of Education degree program must have a master’s degree and will be required to apply with the following materials: 

    • Current résumé
    • Contact information for two references for electronic reference letters
    • Academic goal statement
    • Writing sample

    Review complete graduate admissions and financial aid information.

    Earn an EdD in Educational and Organizational Leadership at York College of Pennsylvania

    Graduates of York College’s online doctorate in educational leadership develop themselves as lifelong learners, improve the communities in which they live and work, and promote the constant betterment of the institutions and organizations on which our society depends.

    To start your journey to the EdD program, request more information today. Or, begin your application.

  • Career Opportunities & Benefits

    Careers with an EdD in Educational Leadership

    Graduates of the online EdD in Educational and Organizational Leadership degree program prepare for the next stage in their careers with support and resources provided along the way.

    With opportunities to develop specializations through tailored coursework and research, graduates build individualized skill sets to succeed in school or district administration, higher education, government agencies, or corporate or nonprofit environments. Graduates are suited to lead others and push for progress in roles such as:

    • Curriculum Designer
    • Curriculum Manager
    • Non-Profit Leader
    • Professor
    • Public Administrator
    • Reading and Literacy Specialist
    • Research Associate
    • School Administrator
    • Training and Development Manager

    The Career Development Center and Graduate and Professional Studies at York support doctoral students and candidates as they progress through the program and look ahead to new roles or advancement in their current positions and organizations.

    EdD Salary Outcomes

    The expertise of a doctoral degree allows graduates to elevate their salary expectations in current or lateral roles. They also gain the credentials and skills to pursue a wide range of advanced positions in educational administration, academia, government, and business with rewarding salaries that vary based on location, years of experience, specialization or certification area, and other factors.

    Salary.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on recent average yearly salaries for roles you can pursue as an EdD in Educational and Organizational Leadership:

  • Internships & Work Experience

    Applied Research Capstone

    The final research component of the online Doctor of Education in Educational and Organizational Leadership degree program is a piece of unique scholarship developed through the application of theory and skills students have engaged with throughout the program.

    In a written report and presentation, created over three courses in the program's final year, students present rigorous research and analysis that applies a solution to a real-world problem faced by their school, organization, or company.

    Finding and solving a real-world problem in an educational institution or organization creates the confidence to accelerate career development and provides hands-on experience connecting research, theory, and practice — resulting in a tangible outcome that furthers graduates' career opportunities.

    Project-Based Learning

    Apart from the Applied Research Capstone, each course and specialization within the online doctorate of educational leadership program takes research and theory and transforms them into projects with real-world benefits. Students may:

    • Develop a grant project and participate in grant review processes
    • Receive, respond to, and give professional editorial feedback
    • Explore venues to present scholarly work, including publishing research and conference presentations
    • Create editorial manuscripts for peer review
  • Mentorship & Community

    Faculty

    Full-time professors and adjunct faculty members in the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education teach engaging courses through online learning anchored by a select number of group cohort meetings. Faculty members are senior leaders in schools across South Central Pennsylvania, at York College, and beyond. 

    Graduate Professional Engagement Board

    Both an opportunity for leadership experience and a personal connection to an expanded professional network, the Graduate Professional Engagement Board (GPEB) advocates for support and resources for graduate and professional students and aspires to strengthen graduate programs at York College of Pennsylvania.

    Working through the Graduate Leadership Council, Student Senate, and ambassadorships during graduate-sponsored events, EdD students who are members of the GPEB improve the graduate learning experience through real opportunities to implement structures and foster cultures in these environments.

  • High-Demand Skills

    Skills for Advanced Careers in Education Leadership, Policy, and Consulting

    Whether you work with adult learners in an organization or students of varying ages and needs, it's crucial to acquire the hard skills in organizational development and leadership needed to impact the success of any school or business.

    In York College’s online Doctor of Education program, you can enhance your comprehension and practical application of pedagogical skills and soft strategies for learning and effective communication. Graduates can:

    • Manage educational organizations or related enterprises through strategic planning and financial and personnel considerations
    • Explore funding opportunities, including grants
    • Write conference proposals and scholarly research publications
    • Apply theoretical knowledge and data-backed research in educational leadership to create solutions for real-world problems in schools, government agencies, or business settings
    • Effectively develop and implement policies that support organizational goals and promote causes within educational law and policy
    • Improve curriculum, teaching strategies, and instructional practices

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is an EdD in Educational and Organizational Leadership worth it?

    Yes, an EdD in Educational and Organizational Leadership is worth it for professionals aiming to enhance their leadership skills and impact in educational settings. It prepares graduates for advanced roles in administration, policy development, and organizational improvement, offering opportunities for higher salaries, greater influence, and the ability to drive meaningful change in education systems and other organizations.

  • What can you do with a doctorate in educational leadership?

    With a doctorate in educational leadership, graduates can pursue high-level careers as senior school leaders, educational policymakers, university administrators, curriculum developers, and consultants. This degree opens doors to leadership positions in K-12 schools, higher education institutions, educational non-profits, and government agencies focused on education.

  • How long is the online EdD program?

    The online EdD program typically ranges from 3 to 5 years, depending on the student's pace, program structure, and whether the student is enrolled part-time or full-time.

Program Requirements

Required Courses and Degree Requirements for Graduation
Doctor of Education in Educational and Organizational Leadership, Ed.D.
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2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

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Contact Us
Graduate Programs - Behavioral Sciences and Education
Molly Milam, PhD, BCBA-D
Asst. Director, Graduate Programs in Behavioral Sciences and Education
Appell Life Sciences Building, Room 346
Phone: 717.815.2005
mmilam1@ycp.edu

Dawn Keiser, Administrative Assistant
Appell Life Sciences Building, Room 355
Phone: 717.815.1551
dkeiser@ycp.edu