Program Overview
What Our Online Educational Leadership Ph.D. Offers You
The Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership is designed to equip you with advanced knowledge, critical thinking skills, and innovative strategies to excel as a leader in education. Through a rigorous curriculum and hands-on research opportunities, you will develop expertise in organizational management, policy analysis, and leadership theory. This program prepares you to take on high-level administrative roles in schools, universities, and educational organizations, where you will be empowered to drive systemic change, foster inclusive environments, and lead institutions toward academic excellence and community impact.
You Will Gain:
- A comprehensive understanding of leadership principles and advanced organizational theory.
- The ability to engage in reflective thought and scholarly inquiry within the context of a culturally diverse society.
- Proficiency in designing and analyzing research, as well as utilizing advanced research tools.
- Expertise in synthesizing knowledge and conducting original research, culminating in the completion of a doctoral dissertation.
Also available:
Eastern Michigan University offers a variety of graduate education programs and a post-master’s certificate online. Check out our other online education programs.
Tuition and Fees
Choosing Our Online Program Is Cost-Effective
At Eastern Michigan University, we believe in making quality education accessible and affordable. That’s why all students enrolled in our fully online programs pay in-state tuition rates—no matter where they reside! Whether you’re across the country or around the world, you can pursue your degree at a competitive cost. To explore financial aid options, visit our Financial Aid Office. For information on tuition payments, billing, and other student account services, check out the Student Business Services page.
View financial aid information Expand dropdownIf you would like to be considered for financial aid at Eastern Michigan University, you will need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Federal School Code for Eastern Michigan University is 002259.
Tuition Breakdown
For more information regarding Tuition and Fees, please visit Student Business Services.
Calendar
See the Dates You Need to Know
The M.A. in Educational Leadership online program features a convenient course schedule with multiple starts a year so you can maintain a balance between work, life and your studies. View the full calendar to find the best start date and corresponding deadlines for you.
*For term deadlines, visit the Registrar's website.
**Subject to Seat Availability
***Payment due date is based upon the specific date registered. For detailed information regarding payment due dates, visit the Student Business Services website.
Now Enrolling
August 25 - Start Fall 2025 Classes
Admissions
See the Qualifications for Our Online Leadership Ph.D Program
The admission process is the first step to earning your Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership online. Be sure to review all admission requirements, what additional materials you should send and where you need to send them.
Admission Requirements:
- Have completed either a master’s or specialist’s degree from an accredited university
- Students with a master’s degree must have completed it with a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
- Students with an accredited specialist’s degree must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
- Minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program.
View all admission requirements:
Educational Leadership Ph.D. Online Admission Requirements Expand dropdown- Applicants must complete a personal statement responding to the following prompt: ”We seek to build an academic community whose members have diverse cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences. Please tell us about your interest in pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. Please describe some of the ways (e.g., administrative work, leadership, research, service, or other significant aspects) you have considered or worked toward greater diversity and inclusion as an educational leader?” Please limit this response to 1000 words. The response will also be reviewed as an indicator of writing aptitude.
- Provide a resume reflecting professional experiences, scholarly activity, service, etc. It is desirable that applicants currently hold, or formerly have held, an administrative position; or present evidence of leadership potential.
- Submit three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s professional background. Two of the letters must be from past or present supervisors. Those supervisors must address your work’s quality and future leadership potential.
If you need to submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Office of Admissions
Eastern Michigan University
P.O. Box 970
Ypsilanti, MI 48197Documentation can be sent via email to: [email protected].
Have a question? Call us at 734.487.8892.
All professional education programs in the Eastern Michigan University College of Education are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Michigan Department of Education.
Courses
What You’ll Learn in Your Educational Leadership Ph.D. Online Courses
Program Courses Expand dropdownEDLD 709: Educational Leadership Perspectives on the Scholarship of Diversity Expand dropdownDuration: 7.5 weeksCredit Hours: 3This course will engage students in a deep examination of the literature concerned with diversity as a topic of interest. Considering the critical role of researchers and consumers of knowledge, this course will pay great attention to how current scholarship devoted to the examination of diversity shapes our understanding pertaining to themes including relevant theories, populations on campuses, organizational culture, the workforce, law, public policy, and diversity leadership.EDLD 710: Leadership Theory Expand dropdownDuration: 7.5 weeksCredit Hours: 3Theories and models of administration and leadership; general theories and research in leader behavior.EDLD 714: Data-Driven Decision Management for Educational Leaders Expand dropdownDuration: 7.5 weeksCredit Hours: 3The decision-making process in educational organizations will be explored from multiple perspectives. This course will focus primarily on understanding existing perspectives on data-driven decision management and applying these perspectives to practical situations in education. This course will only be available to students in the doctor of education in educational leadership program or the specialist of arts in educational leadership program.EDLD 740: Advanced Organizational Theory Expand dropdownDuration: 7.5 weeksCredit Hours: 3Various theories, approaches and methods of organizing educational institutions. Concern with design, purposes, processes, problems and issues of organizational structuring and change. Examination of organizational environment and informational organization. Open to specialist and doctoral students only.EDLD 810: Ethics and Philosophy for Educational Leaders Expand dropdownDuration: 7.5 weeksCredit Hours: 3Designed to equip students with analytical skills for confronting ethical issues in business, education, research, nursing and government. Mastery of the ethical process — a strategy for making good decisions. Critical thinking about ethical problems in professional settings. Analysis of selected educational and governmental policies from an ethical base using diverse views of professional moral duties as a screening device.EDLD 820: Politics and Policy Analysis for Educational Leadership Expand dropdownDuration: 7.5 weeksCredit Hours: 3This course will examine the exercise of political power in education. It is designed for the educational leader who must deal with the impact of politics on managing and leading educational institutions.
Careers & Job Market Outlook:
- Principal
- University Educators
- Superintendent
- Curriculum Specialist
- Dean
- University Registrar
- College Provost
Still have questions?
Feel free to reach out to us at 734.487.8892 or email us at [email protected]
Additional Resources
Interested in learning more? Explore our academic resources for information about programs, calendars, academic support, and so much more. While you're there don't forget to visit our five colleges. Our Graduate School provides a wealth of information to help you navigate your graduate education journey. Ready to get started? Just click Apply Now to begin the application process.