Click here to find out more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

Congratulations! If you represent a college or university that is included in this list, please collect your seal below.

Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student/teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire an online doctorate degree in education leadership and administration, but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best online doctorate in education leadership and administration programs.

What institution did we forget? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

1. University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Lincoln, NE

The Department of Education Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has an array of graduate and professional programs for educators interested in becoming school administrators, with concentrations in everything from pre-K to higher education. Using its online platform, the Department of Education Administration has an online doctor of education in educational administration degree program that meets the needs of professional professionals interested in obtaining credentials for P-12 administration. The coursework centers on comprehension challenges in a school or district setting, seeing the needs of learners and adults, analyzing situations, and formulating approaches and solutions.

The doctor of education in educational administration degree program entails 45 credit hours. Learners in the online doctor of education in educational administration degree program must also finish an internship, dissertation, and three one-week on-campus residencies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. Candidates must hold a current Standard Teaching Certificate from Nebraska or a credential recognized as equivalent to a Nebraska Standard Teaching Certificate. Candidates must also have a minimum of two years of full-time teaching experience at the grade levels relevant to their desired class of study.

2. Governors State University, University Park, IL

The College of Education at Governors State University has an online doctor of education in multidisciplinary leadership degree program with a concentration in higher education. The multidisciplinary nature of the degree program helps learners develop the skills to work across distinct subjects with ease, continually developing their leadership expertise to keep pace with the rapidly changing world, incorporate research and data-driven decision-making in their work, and collaborate effectively with others.

The required capstone project allows learners to plan, implement, finish, and orally defend a holistic practicum project. Graduates emerge ready for careers in higher education, with valuable skills, including organizational and social reform-oriented leadership, ethical practices, strategic planning, budgeting and finance, fundraising, globalization, and community relations. The online doctor of education in multidisciplinary leadership degree program entails 60 credit hours. Learners in the online doctor of education in multidisciplinary leadership degree program must also finish a qualifying examination and capstone project. Candidates must hold a master’s degree from a sanctioned degree program.

3. Ball State University, Muncie, IN

Many of the programs offered in the Teachers College and Department of Educational Leadership prepare learners to get licensure along with their studies. The Department of Educational Leadership has an online doctor of education in educational administration and supervision degree program. The degree program caters to education administrators and professionals dedicated to advancing the profession via quality teaching, research, and service. Learners can customize their doctoral degree program to meet their specific needs by choosing from an array of minors and by choosing whether to work on Indiana licensure as a school superintendent.

The doctor of education in educational administration and supervision degree program entails 90 credit hours. Learners in the online doctor of education in educational administration and supervision degree program must also finish an internship and dissertation. Candidates for this program must hold a master’s degree.

4. Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI

The Department of Leadership has an online doctor of education and doctor of philosophy in higher education administration degree program. These programs prepare professionals who hope to work on careers and academic positions in research and teaching in colleges and institutions, along with corporate training or policymaking positions at the individual and state levels. Being more research-focused, the PhD degree program serves those who wish to work in research or teaching, while the EdD degree program primarily readies those seeking administrative and executive positions.

The doctor of education and doctor of philosophy in higher education administration programs require 60 and 61 credit hours, respectively. Learners in online programs must also finish an internship and dissertation, and they must attend a one-week in-person orientation at the Andrews University campus. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a relevant field from a sanctioned US institution or the overseas equivalent.

5. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

The College of Education has an online doctor of education in higher education administration degree program that enables learners to prepare for their career objectives in a cohort setting. The coursework delivers the skills learners need to develop as scholarly professionals who comprehend the importance of equity and social justice. Graduates finish the degree program ready for careers as instructional and administrative professionals for positions in two- and four-year colleges and institutions, government agencies, and in the business sector.

The doctor of education in higher education administration degree program entails 60 credit hours.  Learners in the online doctor of education in higher education administration degree program must also finish a dissertation and attend three one-week, in-person professional development sessions on campus. Candidates should have full-time professional experience in either a public or private two-year or four-year higher education institution or a state or federal educational agency serving higher education.

6. Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX

The Department of Educational Leadership has an online doctor of education in developmental education administration degree program. The multidisciplinary degree program in developmental education administration readies educators to develop and administer programs for community college students. Graduates of this degree program can perform key roles, including applying administrative theory to instructional leadership functions, setting objectives, assigning responsibilities, examining allocation and utilization of resources and supports, and planning and administering coursework.

The doctor of education in developmental education administration degree program entails 60 credit hours. Learners in the online doctor of education in developmental education administration degree program must also finish an internship, dissertation, and three online mentoring appointments with an advisor per year. Candidates to the degree program must hold a master’s degree.

7. George Fox University, Newberg, OR

The School of Education has an array of in-person and online undergraduate and graduate degrees, along with licensures, endorsements, and professional degrees. The coursework draws on Christian principles and encourages academic rigor and spiritual growth. The School of Education prides itself on intimate class sizes, individual attention for learners, and a cohort model that enables learners to build meaningful professional relationships.

The School of Education has an online doctor of education degree program with a concentration in administration. The degree program endeavors to develop educational leaders and administrators with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to inspire, educate, and serve others effectively for the common good. The adaptable nature of the online EdD degree program offers a perfect solution for principals, vice-principals, district office administrators, and superintendents who want to continue working full-time while pursuing further education. The online doctor of education degree program entails 56 credit hours.

Learners in the online doctor of education degree program must also finish a dissertation and annual two-week summer residencies on campus. Candidates must hold endorsed, regionally sanctioned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education or a related field, with a GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.

8. Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, TN

Carson-Newman University has an array of graduate and professional programs to serve the needs of busy adults looking to further their education. The school has in-person classes and programs at several locations in the state of Tennessee, along with a diverse range of online offerings. Learners in the education programs in the School of Adult and Graduate studies can apply for scholarships, loans, grants, and loan forgiveness programs that seek to make higher education more reasonably priced for teachers.

The School of Adult and Graduate Studies has an online doctor of education degree program with a concentration in administrative leadership. The coursework centers on analyzing theory and research findings for application in an array of educational settings so that graduates emerge ready for careers as educators, administrators, and leaders. Learners may concurrently obtain an Administrative Licensure Specialization (only valid in TN) while they finish the doctor of education with a concentration in the administrative leadership degree program. The online doctor of education degree program entails 57 credit hours.

Candidates must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or institutions, including the highest degree attained, and should have a minimum of three years of experience teaching in a PreK-12 classroom. Candidates must also submit proof of employment in a P-16 setting or a background check.