Educational Leadership PhD Online Program

  • Doctor of Philosophy
  • Darden College of Education & Professional Studies
  • Department of Educational Foundations & Leadership

Program Highlights

  • Cohort-based, executive style program
  • Real-time online classes once a week
  • No GRE required to apply
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Why ODU for Educational Leadership?

In ODU's online educational leadership program, we prepare professionals to provide leadership in a wide variety of educational settings.

Our program has a strong social justice core. Our graduates are ready to produce meaningful change in educational organizations. You will learn how to use research, theory, and your own professional expertise to advance organizational change in your current workplace.

This accelerated, executive style doctoral program is cohort based. You will complete courses throughout the program with the same group of peers. A cohort model allows our students to build an intensive professional learning community as they discuss and research educational problems of practice and policy.

The cohort model also means that your course schedule is set from the beginning of the program, making it easier for professionals working full time to plan ahead.

ODU's Darden College of Education and Professional Development is a UCEA Associate Member, www.ucea.org. Our faculty have received prestigious awards and grants, such as Dr. Karen Sanzo receiving the UCEA Master Professor award and Dr. Rachel White receiving a Spencer Foundation grant.

When you graduate, you will earn a PhD in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership.

Want to learn more? Contact us!

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  • Required Courses

    • 60 credit hours total
      • 48 credit hours of coursework
      • 12 credit hours (minimum) of dissertation work

  • Online Learning Environment

    Participate in live, regularly scheduled online class meetings and access course materials online from any location.

    To help our students complete this program while working full time, these classes meet in the evening once a week. All courses follow ODU's academic calendar.

  • Careers in Education Leadership

    This doctoral program is designed to prepare PK-12 educational leaders for a wide variety of professional positions in administration and supervision, higher education, and state and national policy making arenas. Possible careers include:

    • Assistant principal
    • Principal
    • Superintendent
    • Policy maker
    • Higher education faculty

    This is not a licensure program. It is designed for educational leaders who are already working full-time in PK-12 schools and divisions.

  • Calculating Cost

    In-state Virginia Residents
    $599 per credit hour*
    Out-of-state Students
    $623 per credit hour

    Rates are effective Fall 2023 and subject to change.
    * In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

Meet Your Team

You'll have a dedicated academic advisor for this program.

Contact us if you have questions about admission requirements, transferring credits, or application deadlines.

Ready to get started?

  • How to Apply

    In addition to meeting ODU graduate admission requirements, qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an online interview. GRE is not required. Full application requirements can be found in ODU's graduate catalog.

  • Want to get started now?

    You may be able to take up to four courses (12 credit hours) as a non-degree graduate student, before you are accepted into a specific degree program. 

    Please contact us to discuss this option with an expert advisor.