Educational Leadership and Management EdD

Degree Awarded:  Doctor of Education (EdD)
Minimum Required Credits:  36
Co-op Option(s):  None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code:  13.0401
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code:  11-9033

About the Program

The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership and Management is a professional doctoral program. EdD students develop as scholarly practitioners able to critically analyze complex systems; lead with ethical and equity-centered purpose; and design, implement, and evaluate transformative solutions that improve outcomes in dynamic organizational contexts.

EdD students learn in cohorts, supporting and challenging each other as they move together through the program. The curriculum integrates leadership and research, with coursework in systems thinking and adaptive leadership alongside applied research experiences. The program culminates in a doctoral dissertation in practice experience that allows students to impact a real-world problem of practice. Students also specialize in a concentration area and may choose to earn a post-baccalaureate certificate and/or complete requirements for state certification.

The EdD draws on interdisciplinary perspectives and is intentionally diverse by sector. EdD graduates utilize their developing knowledge, skills, and experiences to become more effective organizational leaders and/or advance in their careers in education, higher education, business, nonprofit, healthcare, and government sectors.

Designed for working professionals, the EdD is offered in two formats: (1) completely online (with no residency requirement); and (2) in a hybrid, “executive” format delivered online (60%) and on-campus (40%) in Philadelphia on three weekends per semester. To provide ultimate flexibility, both formats offer a three-year plan of study with students taking two courses per semester, and the online format also offers a five-year plan of study with students taking one course per semester. As part of the Drexel advantage, the EdD program builds on Drexel’s experiential learning model by emphasizing research to practice for real-world impact. This approach enhances student self-efficacy, fosters collaboration, and provides a basis for lifelong learning beyond the EdD program. The Drexel EdD program has a national reputation as an innovative leader in the field. As a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED), Drexel contributes to advancing the EdD as a rigorous, practice-focused degree.

Additional Information

For more information about this program, please contact the School of Education. 

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; Master's degree in Education (or another appropriate field) from a regionally accredited institution: Master's GPA of 3.5 or above; 
• 3 years of work experience relevant to your professional goals; 
• Nursing Education concentration only: Current, unrestricted United States RN license; 
• Principal Certification concentration only: current instructional certification; 
• Superintendent Certification concentration only: current K-12 principal/administrator certification; 
• Special Education Leadership concentration only: current instructional certification.
• A completed application; Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions attended (including trade schools), verifying completion of your bachelor's and master's degrees; 
• Three professional letters of recommendation; 
• Resume; 
• Personal Essay; Problem of Practice; Solo-authored academic writing sample

Degree Requirements 

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Academic advisor will provide students with a list of available elective courses in the required term.

Select courses in EDEX, LLS, or NURS require background checks, clearances, field placement components, or other licenses prior to enrollment. Please consult an academic advisor for details or to determine eligibility.

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Specialized certificates, including: 1) Leadership in Literacy Science and Systems Change, 2) School Principal Certificate, 3) Superintendent Certificate, 4) Special Education Leadership will require additional credits beyond the minimum 9-credit certificates. Please consult an academic advisor for details regarding the specific plan of study.

Creativity and Innovation Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Education Policy Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Higher Education Leadership and Student Success Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Leadership in Literacy Science and Systems Change Post-Masters Certificate

Mind, Brain and Learning Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

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Students do not need a background in neuroscience to complete the Mind, Brain, Learning certificate.

Nursing Education Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Organization and Talent Development Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

School Principal Certification Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

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For students with the appropriate background and interest in seeking Pennsylvania School Principal Certification.  

If a student's home state has a school principal certification, the student will need to contact that state’s department of education directly to confirm certification eligibility requirements. 

²

Any student required to participate in a program field experience and/or internship as a component of their coursework will be required to submit all required documents with regard to background checks/clearance(s) and field placement applications.

Superintendent Certification Post-Masters Certificate

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For students with the appropriate background and interest in seeking Pennsylvania School Superintendent Certification.  

If a student's home state has a superintendent certification, the student will need to contact that state’s department of education directly to confirm certification eligibility requirements. 

²

Any student required to participate in a program field experience and/or internship as a component of their coursework will be required to submit all required documents with regard to background checks/clearance(s) and field placement applications.

Special Education Leadership Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

¹

For students with the appropriate background and interest in seeking Pennsylvania Special Education Leadership Certification.  

If a student's home state has a special education leadership certification, the student will need to contact that state’s department of education for eligibility requirements. 

²

Any student required to participate in a program field experience and/or internship as a component of their coursework will be required to submit all required documents with regard to background checks/clearance(s) and field placement applications.

Special Education Law and Advocacy Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Program Learning Outcomes