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+---- Thread: Ed.D in Leadership: Online, Flexible, Affordable — What Am I Missing? (/Thread-Ed-D-in-Leadership-Online-Flexible-Affordable-%E2%80%94-What-Am-I-Missing)
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Ed.D in Leadership: Online, Flexible, Affordable — What Am I Missing? - RecessToResearchQueen - 07-05-2025
I've been researching Ed.D programs. At this point, I am seeking validation and reassurance that I am not missing a program I should have found.
Goal: Ed.D in Leadership
Current degrees: MS in Education, BS in Family Studies
Additional training: English as a Second Language
Certifications: Educator- PK-12, TESOL; PK-6 Elementary
And then I had a career change to HR....
Certification: HRCI Professional in Human Resources, DISC Certified Behavior Consultant
Experience: ~15 years in education, ~5 years in federal HR
Needs: Online program a must, asynchronous for max flexibility (I have young kids and work full-time), affordability, expecting around 3-4 years to finish
Additional info: Military spouse, but do not qualify for benefits through MYCAA so has to be a discount/ scholarship/ grant offered through the school itself
Career goal: To maximize my experience in education and HR, particularly in workforce training for leaders. Ideal would be to support school districts in integrating support for military children.
Where I've researched:
1. American College of Education- like that it's asynch, regionally accredited, and affordable. Concerned about 'reputation' per say. Communication has been excellent.
2. Purdue Global- Pretty much the same 'likes' with my concerns being the 'newness' of the program and it seems to have less 'focus' areas which may limit some knowledge acquisition. Communication with them has been lacking, have been waiting 2 weeks for my 'transcript review', and never heard back from my follow up email asking for an update.
3. Liberty/ National/ Regent- Didn't get the warm fuzzy from any of them
4. I've looked up state schools where we have lived (military moves), have not come up with other solid leads yet
What am I missing? Should I be looking anywhere else?
Feedback on ACE vs Purdue Global??
RE: Ed.D in Leadership: Online, Flexible, Affordable — What Am I Missing? - Stonybeach - 07-05-2025
I suggest browsing through the ACE dissertation database. Impressive scholarly work! https://scholarworks.ace.edu/communities/717fe3ce-bda8-45b3-8a47-7b71f01ac79d
ACE is located downtown Indianapolis with offices in a high-rise building. It is definitely an online school. You are correct! ACE is affordable and RA with evidence of producing graduates that embrace "scholarly work" in the field of education.
I visited the Liberty campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it is a majestic campus. It is a fully fledged university with a medical school, law school, and football team. I can't imagine the academic rigor being subpar.
Also consider Penn State: https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/penn-state-online-doctor-of-education
RE: Ed.D in Leadership: Online, Flexible, Affordable — What Am I Missing? - dietcenter - 07-05-2025
Northern Illinois University offers a fully online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, requiring 42 credits at approximately $575 per credit, totaling around $24,140. They also provide programs in Community College Leadership and a hybrid Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education. The University of the Cumberlands features an Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, covering various specializations, totaling 60 credits at about $415 per credit, for an estimated total of $24,900.
The University of Arizona Online provides a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership with 63 required credits, priced around $500 per credit, bringing the total program cost to approximately $31,500. Arcadia University offers an online Ed.D. in Leadership at a flat rate of about $16,765 for the entire program.
LSU Shreveport has an online Ed.D. in Leadership Studies consisting of 63 credits, at roughly $415 per credit, resulting in a total program cost around $26,156, including fees. Marymount University provides a 48-credit online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Organizational Innovation at about $1,275 per credit, totaling approximately $61,200.
Drexel University Online delivers an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Management, priced at about $1,525 per credit, with additional annual online fees. The University of Arkansas offers an online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership costing approximately $496 per credit, including various fees. Creighton University's online Interdisciplinary Leadership Ed.D. costs about $1,115 per credit, with semester-based university and technology fees.
Penn State World Campus has recently introduced a mostly online Doctor of Education program in leadership within education and human services. It consists of 37 credits and includes a short one-week campus residency, though specific tuition figures are not listed publicly.
RE: Ed.D in Leadership: Online, Flexible, Affordable — What Am I Missing? - TINASAM - 07-05-2025
University of North Georgia has a EdD https://ung.edu/degrees/graduate/higher-ed-leadership-practice-edd.php
Tuition:
https://ung.edu/cost-aid/tuition/tuition-and-fee-charts.php
Higher Education leadership and practice
Also a PhD in Criminal Justice online here:
https://ung.edu/degrees/graduate/criminal-justice-intelligence-concentration-phd.php
RE: Ed.D in Leadership: Online, Flexible, Affordable — What Am I Missing? - bjcheung77 - 07-05-2025
Great starting list, I would get a shortlist created, have your favorite few entered in, then decide from that list... You want to have at least one or two as backup options if you don't get into the top or second choice.
RE: Ed.D in Leadership: Online, Flexible, Affordable — What Am I Missing? - ifomonay - 07-06-2025
I contacted National about another Ph.D. program. They had a sales guy contact me to find out if I had any concerns or questions. That part was good. But when I asked him what the graduation rates were for that program since it's been around for more than 10 years, he said he doesn't know the graduation rates, but if I Google it, there are many sources which shows it. Sounds kind of contradictory, but I'm guessing he didn't want to discuss it. Didn't give me that warm fuzzy feeling.
RE: Ed.D in Leadership: Online, Flexible, Affordable — What Am I Missing? - bjcheung77 - 07-07-2025
Graduate level graduation rates are generally lower than their undergraduate counterparts, due to taking a longer time frame to complete a dissertation or thesis, extra research work, longer traditional classes, etc. Some are here for the long run, others aren't really...
RE: Ed.D in Leadership: Online, Flexible, Affordable — What Am I Missing? - Kjnova - 10-29-2025
I am not especially looking for an Ed.D, but long story short, I ended up researching some Ed.Ds and several seem very interesting for the right person.
If you live in North Carolina, the UNC-Chapel Hill Ed.D in Organizational Learning and Leadership is $33K total, and is a 3-year lockstep cohort program. That one is not at all focused on educational leadership. The program language and the curriculum are expressly intended for any type of organization, including work for corporations. Sidenote, I may do this program, because everything except "Ed.D" appears to be a great fit for me. I would prefer a DBA, but when restricting focus to online doctorates, it's hard to find a program that is perfect in every way.
Otherwise, someone already mentioned the Penn State program, which is $38K, fully online except for one week in person, takes 3-4 years, and is not lockstep so there is more flexibility. However, that one is oriented toward educational leadership, with some focus areas you can choose.
And, UIUC has a fully online Ed.D for a similar price point, 3 years non-lockstep, with a focus on instructional design.
There are cheaper and faster options, but I mention these three as very major and respected public universities.
RE: Ed.D in Leadership: Online, Flexible, Affordable — What Am I Missing? - RecessToResearchQueen - 10-29-2025
(10-29-2025, 04:24 PM)That\s a great option! I did some more research after posting and found another, new, program that I decided to apply to and enroll in. For anyone still considering, another option to consider is Merrimack College in Massachusetts. They have an Ed.D in Educational Leadership, fully online with multiple concentration options. Tuition is very, very reasonable. The program can be completed in as few as 3 years. Kjnova Wrote: I am not especially looking for an Ed.D, but long story short, I ended up researching some Ed.Ds and several seem very interesting for the right person.
If you live in North Carolina, the UNC-Chapel Hill Ed.D in Organizational Learning and Leadership is $33K total, and is a 3-year lockstep cohort program. That one is not at all focused on educational leadership. The program language and the curriculum are expressly intended for any type of organization, including work for corporations. Sidenote, I may do this program, because everything except "Ed.D" appears to be a great fit for me. I would prefer a DBA, but when restricting focus to online doctorates, it's hard to find a program that is perfect in every way.
Otherwise, someone already mentioned the Penn State program, which is $38K, fully online except for one week in person, takes 3-4 years, and is not lockstep so there is more flexibility. However, that one is oriented toward educational leadership, with some focus areas you can choose.
And, UIUC has a fully online Ed.D for a similar price point, 3 years non-lockstep, with a focus on instructional design.
There are cheaper and faster options, but I mention these three as very major and respected public universities.
RE: Ed.D in Leadership: Online, Flexible, Affordable — What Am I Missing? - bjcheung77 - 11-13-2025
In regards to ACE, there have been members who have taken their Masters programs, I think one of them actually applied and is starting their Doctorate studies too. Take some time reviewing posts and search for threads, ACE is one of the more affordable options, I mentioned their Bridge TEFL discount if you ever wanted to do TEFL later...