For detailed descriptions, please request a Program Overview.

The online Ed.D. of Leadership in Higher Education is a 60-credit hour program, designed to be completed in 39 months while working full time. The program allows students to start two times a year, in the Fall or Spring.

The program curriculum includes:

• 8 CORE courses (24 credit hours)
• 5 RESEARCH courses (15 credit hours)
• 7 CONCENTRATION courses (21 credit hours) in one of two concentration areas: Higher Education or Organizational Leadership & Change.

Courses are offered in a 7-week accelerated format, with two 7-week terms roughly equaling the length of a traditional semester.

Core Courses

• Leadership in the 21st Century: Current Trends, Emerging Possibilities
• Demystifying Doctoral Research & Writing
• Introduction to Digital Learning Environments
• Discerning the Past & Leading the Future of Education
• Ethical Decision-making: Global Issues, Frameworks & Approaches
• Managing Resources: Economic & Financial Issues
• Socially-Conscious Leadership
• Predictive Analytics in Higher Education & Leadership

Research Courses

• Action Research I: Preparing & Proposing the Culminating Experience
• Empirical Methods: Introduction to Statistics for Research
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Practical Application of Research Methodologies
• Action Research II: Implementation, Analysis, Defense

Concentration Courses - Higher Education

• Design Thinking: Creativity & Innovation 
• Leading Strategically in Higher Education
• Systemic Inquiry: Leading in Crisis & Complexity
• The Legal, Ethical & Moral Responsibilities of Universities
• The Adult Learner: Foundations, Implications, Practice
• Strategic Communications in Higher Education
• Special Topics (when need or opportunity arises)

Cognitive Courses - Organizational Leadership & Change

• Design Thinking: Creativity & Innovation
• Principles & Practices of Organizational Change
• Systemic Inquiry: Leading in Crisis & Complexity
• Mentoring & Coaching for Leadership Success
• Conflict Analysis & Resolution
• Organizational Diagnosis, Design, Development
• Leading High Performance Teams
• Special Topics (when need or opportunity arises)

All graduates of the online Ed.D. program will acquire skills specialized for application, such as:

• Critically examine innovative ways to lead within the context of higher education;
• Use data analytics in a leadership capacity in order to solve complex issues facing education organizations;
• Demonstrate capacity to lead complex, adaptive systems in a constantly-changing world;
• Provide theoretically-informed solutions for complex issues through the lens of social justice.
• Develop strategies that address practical issues through field-based action research.
• Demonstrate both oral and written communication skills key for leaders in education organizations

The career outlook for post-secondary education administrators is strong, with faster than average growth (10%) compared to other professions, and a national median salary of $90,760 (BLS, 2018). This means that 18,200 of new jobs will be created and need skilled professionals to advance these institutions.

The Ed.D. degree allows higher education administrators, change management experts, training professionals, and all those who straddle the worlds of teaching and training to specialize in leadership in Higher Education to broaden their knowledge and increase the scope of their skills and professional network.

The online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) of Leadership in Higher Education was designed by Dr. Glenda Ballard, the dean of the School of Human Development and Education and Dr. Tom Sechrest who also leads the Master of Science in Leadership & Change (MSLC) Program. Dr. Ballard and Dr. Sechrest have assembled an experienced team of educators with years of higher education leadership and teaching knowledge as the faculty for this program — each faculty member brings their unique teaching and higher education experience to the program.

To apply for the online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) of Leadership in Higher Education program, students are required to have a master’s degree from an accredited university and completion/submission of the following application materials.

1. St. Edward’s University application for admission

The admissions application for the online Doctorate (Ed.D.) of Education of Leadership in Higher Education program can be completed online HERE. You will need to create and validate an account, before beginning the application.

2. A nonrefundable application fee, or fee waiver

Note there is a $50 application fee to apply.

3. Official transcripts from all institutions attended

St. Edward’s University prefers transcripts submitted electronically. If your undergraduate institution does not provide electronic transcripts, please have official transcripts mailed to:

St. Edward’s University
Office of Admissions
3001 South Congress
Austin, TX 78704-6489

4. A resume or C.V. 

5. A letter of intent

The applicant is to write a 2-3 page document that clearly describes the following:

• Why you want this degree
• What background experiences, knowledge, skills, etc. you will bring to the program and your studies
• Why our program
• How we will experience you as a student

6. Two letters of recommendation

The applicant must secure and have sent to the admissions staff two (2) letters of recommendation from professional references. It is advised that these letters address academic prowess, professionalism, leadership, and research/writing skills. These letters must be from professionals who have worked with the applicant within the last three years and are not family or friends.

7. A writing sample (please see instructions below)

The applicant is to submit a 6-8 page academic paper on one of the following topics:

• Current issues in post-baccalaureate higher education leadership
• Current issues in leadership and change in a diverse world
• Challenges and solutions to leading future leaders
• Using social justice as the means by which to lead

8. A copy of a government issued ID

• Driver’s License
• State ID
• Passport

Additional Requirements for International Students or permanent resident applicants

• Official foreign credential evaluation of foreign credits.
• TOEFL score of at least 79 or an IELTS score of 6.0
• Copy of Permanent Resident Card (if applicable)

Once this information is submitted, the School of Human Development and Education at St. Edward’s University uses a rolling admissions process to evaluate each candidate. Prospective students should expect to be contacted within two business days of their finalized application regarding next steps. After that, the application will be presented to the Admissions Committee, and students should expect to hear back within two weeks on their acceptance to online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) of Leadership in Higher Education program.

Apply for the 39-month online program or talk to a counselor today. Call 512-387-3110 or email us directly at edd [at] stedwards.edu.