DOCTORAL DEGREES
Doctor of Education
Accredited by
- Leadership-focused specializations
- Accredited and flexible online learning
- No GRE or residency required
Format
100% Online
Completion Time
This program is designed to be completed within 41 months. However, students who pursue this program at an accelerated rate may be able to complete the program in as few as 17 months.
17 Months
Credits
48
Average Cost Per Credit
$947
Program Overview
Why Get a Doctor of Education Degree?
Educational systems need leaders who can influence policy, improve outcomes, and make evidence-based decisions under pressure. National University’s Doctor of Education (EdD) prepares practitioners to lead that change, all with personalized one-to-one faculty mentorship designed for working educators:
- Flexible online courses for working professionals
- Specializations designed for your career
- Learn from 100% doctoral faculty
Support for the Whole You
13 Specializations
Choose from Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Trauma-Informed Practice, Social-Emotional Learning, and more.
Flexible Online Program
Accredited online doctoral study designed for working educators, with weekly class starts, no GRE, and no onsite residency.
Faculty Mentorship
Each course includes one-to-one mentorship with a faculty expert who has a doctoral degree. They will provide personalized support to help you reach your professional goals.
Tuition Support
Millions in scholarships, a generous transfer credit policy, and dedicated financial aid advisors help make your degree affordable.
Admission and Degree Requirements
Program Structure
1
Initial core coursework establishing the theoretical, ethical, and methodological grounding of your discipline.
2
Focused study within your chosen area of concentration and interest.
3
Mentored methods and design training that builds independent scholarly research capacity.
4
The gateway milestone involving an initial proposal establishing the foundational components of independent doctoral research.
5
Structured coursework designed to sequentially develop doctoral research with consistent faculty committee support.
*Program structure and progression may vary.*
Course and Specializations
Build expertise in the core concepts, theories, and practices of your field.
Course Sequence
5 COURSES
Foundations of Advanced Graduate Study and Research
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
This foundational course will introduce you to the concepts and practices of advanced graduate study. You will examine concepts and expectations of advanced graduate study and academic integrity as well as investigate best practices of scholarship and research. You will explore university resources and supports associated with student success, including technologies for learning and research. You will also evaluate the program process and requirements for success. Finally, you will advocate for self-care and reflection during your studies.
Foundations of Academic Writing, Conceptual & Theoretical Frameworks
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
Academic writing is at the heart of scholarly writing. How you explore and navigate your topic of interest is both a personal and professional matter. In this course, you will integrate effective research and writing skills, and evaluate standards of academic writing, honesty, and integrity. Literature and writing are closely related, so this course also offers you a first chance to examine the elements of conceptual and theoretical frameworks and critique the role of supporting literature and inquiry with conceptual and theoretical frameworks. Finally, you will synthesize the frameworks commonly used in educational research.
Specialization Course 1
Specialization Course 2
Specialization Course 3
Specialization Course 4
Specialization Course 5 (Nursing Education specialization only)
Specialization Course 6 (Nursing Education specialization only)
Scholarly Literature Review
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
You will develop effective search and scholarly writing strategies to create a scholarly review of literature. The course emphasizes how to: (a) use effective literature search strategies; (b) develop a scholarly synthesis of research literature; (c) organize research literature around identified research themes, including a study problem, purpose, and theoretical perspectives for an empirical research study; and (d) focus on developing a scholarly exposition that reflects divergent viewpoints and contrasting perspectives. The overarching goal of this course is for you to understand strategies to survey scholarly empirical and theoretical literature to avoid bias, focus on educational practice-based research problems, and address the required components of a scholarly literature review.
The Research Process
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
In this introductory research course, you will explore the underpinnings of the research process, examine research paradigms, and investigate theoretical and practical foundations of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies used within educational research. You will identify criteria for the development of a quality research study that is ethical, accurate, comprehensive, cohesive, and aligned. Specific course topics will involve the ethics of conducting research; data collection and analysis techniques; and issues of feasibility, trustworthiness, validity, reliability, generalizability or transferability, and rigor. This course is intended to familiarize you with concepts and skills associated with conducting theoretical and applied research.
Statistics I
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
This course offers foundational knowledge to become a critical consumer of statistical- based research literature as well as develop the necessary skillset for non-inferential quantitative analyses. The emphasis will be on understanding multivariate data, non-inferential and inferential statistical concepts, the conventions of quantitative data analysis, interpretation and critical inferences from statistical results. Statistical computations will be completed using statistical software applications for quantitative data analysis. The course culminates in a synthesis project to demonstrate statistical skills and aligned with APA guidelines for presentation of statistical results.
Requirements for Doctoral Programs
5 COURSES
Doctoral Comprehensive Assessment: Pre-Candidacy Prospectus
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
The doctoral comprehensive assessment is your opportunity to demonstrate your preparation for entering the dissertation phase as a doctoral candidate. You will synthesize discipline-specific content with research designs and methods as you create a prospectus for a problem of applied practice within an educational context. This prospectus will likely become the foundation of your dissertation. Note that you will take this course only after all foundation, specialization, and research courses have been completed
Applied Doctoral Introduction
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
In this 12-week course, you will complete all relevant subsections of Section 1: Foundation. You will use your school-specific template and guidance from your chair to determine which subsections apply to your individual work. Section 1 must be completed and approved by your committee in order to pass the course and move forward. If you do not receive committee approval of Section 1, you will be able to take up to three supplemental 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of Section 1.
Applied Doctoral Proposal
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
In this 12-week course, you will compose all relevant subsections of Section 2: Methodology and Design and complete your proposal. Both of these components must be approved by your committee in order to pass the course and move forward. You will use your school-specific template and guidance from your chair to determine which subsections apply to your individual work. If you do not receive approval of Section 2 and the complete proposal, you will be able to take up to three 8-week supplementary courses to finalize and gain approval of Section 2 and your completed proposal.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Data Collection
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
In this course, you will prepare, submit, and obtain a determination from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) application before collecting data and, if applicable, executing your project modeling. You will also submit documentation that you have closed data collection. If you are still collecting data or modeling your project at the end of this 12-week course, you will be able to take up to three supplemental 8-week courses to complete the required components.
Applied Doctoral Manuscript
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
In this 12-week course, you will complete all relevant subsections of Section 3: Findings, Implications, and Recommendations, finalize your manuscript, and disseminate your findings. You will use your school-specific template and guidance from your chair to determine which subsections apply to your individual work. The final manuscript, which includes Section 3 and the dissemination of findings, must be approved by your committee in order to pass the course and be eligible to graduate. If you do not receive committee approval of all components, you will be able to take up to three supplemental 8-week courses to finalize these requirements and be eligible to graduate.
ONE OF THE FOlLOWING:
Advanced Qualitative Methodology and Designs
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
This course focuses on qualitative research methodology and designs and the methods used to collect and analyze data in educational research. You will examine the principles of qualitative research and explore commonly used designs (also referred to as qualitative traditions or genres) with a focus on application and feasibility. Qualitative data collection and analysis methods will be examined for their suitability with regard to the research design selected. Alignment between qualitative designs and research methods, issues of trustworthiness pertaining to qualitative research, and the role and responsibilities of the qualitative researcher will also be explored.
Advanced Quantitative Methodology and Designs
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
This course explores the quantitative research methodology and associated designs and methods. You will examine paradigmatic perspectives along with the tenets and conventions of quantitative research. This examination of designs and methods will include topics such as feasibility, validity, reliability, variable operationalization, inferential designs, and analytic software applications used within the quantitative research paradigm. You will also explore the components of aligned and coherent quantitative research designs that support meaningful research within the field of education.
ONE OF THE FOlLOWING:
Applied Qualitative Analysis
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
This course builds on a foundational understanding of qualitative designs and measurements to focus on analyses of the data. The course takes you deeper into the skills and techniques necessary to ensure the appropriate analyses of qualitative data, including integrating relevant frameworks, verifying trustworthiness of the findings, and selecting suitable methods to present the analyses and findings.
Statistics II
3.0 Doctoral Credit Hours
This course explores the quantitative research methodology and associated designs and methods. You will examine paradigmatic perspectives along with the tenets and conventions of quantitative research. This examination of designs and methods will include topics such as feasibility, validity, reliability, variable operationalization, inferential designs, and analytic software applications used within the quantitative research paradigm. You will also explore the components of aligned and coherent quantitative research designs that support meaningful research within the field of education.
Early Childhood Education
You’ll build on your knowledge and skills in educational leadership by examining the latest research and findings on the growth and development of young children.
English Language Learning
The English Language Learning (ELL) specialization prepares professionals to become advanced practitioners and leaders in the field.
General Education
Allows you to select courses from a range of electives to fit your personal and professional goals.
International Education and Globalization
Prepares professional practitioners to apply the concepts of organizational training, development, and leadership to programs and institutions within different societies and cultures.
Leadership in Higher Education
Prepares professionals for leadership in a variety of higher education institutions, including public, private, for-profit, and non-profit.
Nursing Education
Prepares educators and leaders for professional roles in nursing education. The foundational coursework provides an in-depth understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies focus on instructional theory, evidence-based practices, evaluation methods, and the use of technology in nursing education.
School Safety, Security, and Emergency Management
Provides K-12 professionals, emergency management, and district management personnel with the skills and tools to keep schools safe and secure for students, teachers, and the learning process.
Social-Emotional Learning
Provides education professionals, advanced classroom teachers, school counselors or psychologists, and administrators with an intensive examination of the five core competencies identified by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL): self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness.
Special Education
Designed for professionals who work with gifted and disabled students in a variety of settings. The program covers a spectrum of related issues, including the development and characteristics of students, learning differences, and instructional strategies that address these special needs.
Trauma-Informed Educational Practices
Builds on your professional teaching, learning, and administration skills by focusing on specific trauma-informed educational practices.
Leadership in Coaching and Sport Management
Designed to allow students to develop and enhance academic and practical skills for success in the academy and other career paths.
Online Teaching and Learning
Integrates curriculum development, instructional design and course delivery using technology and online learning management systems.
Leadership in Curriculum and Teaching
Equips teachers with the tools and competencies needed to enhance their professional effectiveness as teacher leaders.
Program Credit Transfer Eligibility
Students who complete the Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning program and enroll in the Doctor of Education with a specialization in Social Emotional Learning can transfer up to 6 semester credit hours toward the degree requirements. The following equivalences would be applied to satisfy these degree requirements:
- SEL600 SEL Education Communities will transfer for SEL-7100 Foundations of SEL
- SEL630 SEL Strategies will transfer for SEL-7200 Implementing SEL in the Modern Classroom
Students who complete the Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning program and enroll in the Doctor of Education with a specialization in Trauma-informed Education Practices can transfer up to 6 semester credit hours toward the degree requirements. The following equivalences would be applied in satisfying these degree requirements.
- SEL625 Trauma in Education will transfer for TRA-7100 Trauma-informed Educational Practices within Community Contexts and Conditions
- SEL635 Leadership and SEL in Context will transfer for TRA-7300 SEL and the Ethic of Care in Trauma-sensitive Environments
Students who complete the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program in either the 1individual-based or group-based modality and enroll in the Doctor of Education with a specialization in Leadership in Curriculum and Teaching, Special Education, or General Education can transfer up to 6 semester credit hours toward the degree requirements. The following equivalences would be applied to satisfying these degree requirements.
(Individual-Based modality)
- ABA-6901 Foundations for Graduate Study in ABA will transfer as EDL-9100 Leadership for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
- ABA-6905 Assessment and Measurement in ABA will transfer as EDL-9400 PK-12 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
(Ground-based modality)
- ABA626 Functional Behavioral Assessment will transfer as EL-9400 PK-12 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- ABA634 Supervision and Management will transfer as EDL-9100 Leadership for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
(Individual-Based modality)
- ABA-6903 Concepts and Principles of ABA will transfer for LCT-7100 Dispositions of Learner and Teacher
- ABA-6905 Assessment and Measurement in ABA will transfer for EDL-9400 PK-12 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
(Group-based modality)
- ABA620 Philosophical underpinning ABA will transfer for LCT-7100 Dispositions of Learner and Teacher
- ABA626 Functional Behavioral Assessment will transfer as EL-9400 PK-12 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
(Individual-Based modality)
- ABA-6908 Research Design and Measurement in ABA will transfer as SE-7200 Analyzing Data and Monitoring Student Progress
- ABA-6909 Behavior Analytic Practice and Autism Spectrum will transfer as SE-7400 Implementing Programs for Students with Intellectual and Learning Disabilities
(Group-based modality)
- ABA630 Developing ABA Interventions will transfer as SE-7500 Implementing Programs for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
- ABA624 Measurement and Design will transfer as SE-7200 Analyzing Data and Monitoring Student Progress
- ABA628 Behavioral Change Procedures will transfer as SE-7400 Implementing Programs for Students with Intellectual and Learning Disabilities
Students must pass the courses with a grade of “B” or better to receive transfer credit.
Trusted and
Accredited
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
AAQEP is a national accrediting body focused on improving the quality and effectiveness of educator preparation programs.
Career Impact
At NU, we believe education should open doors to new opportunities. Explore career paths, salary insights, and workforce demand related to this degree, and discover how your education can support your professional goals.
*Data Source: The career outcomes data presented is sourced from Lightcast, which provides insights based on real-time job postings, public datasets, and analytics. Lightcast derives its data from sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), and the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES). While accurate and reliable, this data reflects general labor market trends and may not represent individual outcomes or specific local conditions. For more details on Lightcast’s methodology, visit their Data Overview.
Professional Pathways
*Data Source: The career outcomes data presented is sourced from Lightcast, which provides insights based on real-time job postings, public datasets, and analytics. Lightcast derives its data from sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), and the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES). While accurate and reliable, this data reflects general labor market trends and may not represent individual outcomes or specific local conditions. For more details on Lightcast’s methodology, visit their Data Overview.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Your degree is possible at NU. From scholarships and financial aid to prior learning and transfer credit, we help remove financial barriers to your degree.
Get Financial Aid Through
the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines eligibility for financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. It’s the first step in applying for financial aid at NU.
- Apply once each year to be considered for federal
financial aid - Required for most grants and loans at National University
Scholarships
NU is dedicated to making higher education affordable and accessible, offering scholarships and grants that help eligible students reduce college costs, ease financial stress, and reach their goals.
- Military scholarships for servicemembers, Veterans, spouses, and dependents
- Need-based and merit-based scholarships for undergraduates, graduates, and alumni
More Funding Options
Don’t let financial worries stop you from getting the education you want. NU’s financial aid advisors can help you navigate available resources, including student loans, grants, tuition payment plans, and employer tuition assistance.
- Federal and private student loans for flexible financing
- Tuition payment plans and employer assistance options
Make the Most of Your
Prior Learning
Eligible transfer credit and credit for prior learning may apply toward your doctoral program. Speak with an advisor to learn more about your options.
Contact the admission team at (855) 355-6288
ABD Students Welcome
Finish your Dissertation With Us
NU’s Dissertation Boot Camp is a multi-day, immersive experience focused on helping you make real progress.
- Dedicated DCP advisors and faculty who understand your journey and desire to finish your doctorate
- DCP Bridge courses, virtual sessions, and Dissertation Boot Camps to assist students from day one
Upcoming Dissertation Boot Camps
Upcoming Dissertation Boot Camps
Take the Next Step
Learn more about our career-focused programs and flexible options for working professionals.
Why Choose NU for Your Doctorate?
National University is redefining doctoral education for career-driven learners.
No GRE Required
Rigorous doctoral study delivered fully online, with no standardized test scores required.
For Working Professionals
Flexible online doctoral programs designed to fit demanding schedules while maintaining academic rigor.
Dedicated Support
NU offers free tutoring, career coaching, wellness services, and more to support your success and well-being.
Career-Focused
Industry-aligned coursework and hands-on learning supported by an alumni network of 255,000+ worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
NU’s Doctor of Education is a 100%-online practitioner’s doctorate for education professionals who want to lead improvements in schools, districts, higher education, and educational organizations. The program is designed for working professionals with no GRE requirement, residency, or group projects, and weekly start dates.
Students can choose from 13 specialization tracks, including:
- Trauma-Informed Educational Practices
- Early Childhood Education
- English Language Learning
- General Education
- International Education and Globalization
- Leadership in Coaching and Sport Management
- Leadership in Curriculum and Teaching
- Leadership in Higher Education
- Nursing Education
- Online Teaching and Learning
- School Safety, Security, and Emergency Management
- Social-Emotional Learning
- Special Education
In every course, each student is paired with a single faculty member, creating a class size of one with no group projects. This model produces deeper engagement with course material and builds a sustained mentorship relationship between student and faculty that continues throughout the program and beyond.
The EdD uses an applied dissertation model. After completing foundational and specialization coursework and a pre-candidacy prospectus, students move through four dissertation courses covering the dissertation proposal, IRB approval and data collection, manuscript development, and final defense. The dissertation addresses a real problem of practice in the student’s educational context, with continuous faculty guidance throughout.
The degree can prepare graduates for senior leadership roles across PK-12 schools, higher education, and educational organizations. Common pathways include school and district administration, curriculum and instructional leadership, postsecondary education administration, educational consulting, and policy or program leadership in nonprofit and government settings. Demand for experienced education leaders remains strong as schools and districts navigate ongoing staffing and leadership shortages.
An EdD is a practitioner’s doctorate focused on applying research to real problems of educational practice and leadership. A PhD in education is a research doctorate oriented toward generating original scholarship and pursuing academic or research careers. NU’s EdD is designed for professionals who want to lead change in educational organizations, not primarily for those seeking faculty or research positions.
Hear from Our Graduates
Working professionals who have turned their degree into leadership impact.
The support from my chair and dean was incredible. They offered me the flexibility and resources I needed.
Krystal B.
EdD, Class of 2024
The doctoral program has opened up an entire network of progressive, forward-thinking education leaders across the country that I would not otherwise have been fortunate enough to connect with.
Sam H.
EdD, Class of 2022
Earning my degree is more than a personal milestone — it’s a catalyst for positive change within the communities I belong to.
Dr. Nina R.
EdD, Class of 2023
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.
