Education constantly evolves. Policy affects the topography of the learning environment. Finances affect available programming. And region affects curriculum and instruction and its implementation. All of these areas overlap and all of these areas affect change in education. However, the most important person that affects change is the person who leads the charge. In a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) you will learn how to be the change that you want to see in education. No, your decision are not entirely autonomous, and no you will most-likely never have an endless budget nor will you be handed the magic wand of policy change. But as a leader you can learn how to ensure that the school that you govern has the best possible outcomes. The Ed.D. teaches you how to create community partnerships, and build awareness surrounding the specific needs of your region- be it rural, suburban or urban. You will learn how to research and integrate the best technologies for the 21st century. You will likely also study intersections between neuroscience, psychology, neurology, and education. Are you ready to take charge and implement positive effective change in the classroom? As a natural leader, we highly recommend you examine carefully our top 10 doctor of education programs.
1.)Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University is a public flagship university located in Bloomington has a combined student body of 110,000 students with the Indianapolis campus. According to U.S. News Indiana University ranks 90th in the nation and 39th for top public schools. There are also a number academic programs all in the top 10 in the nation including the business, accounting, management, marketing, nonprofit management, social psychology, elementary education, among others! The student body is diverse representing a number of ethnic minority groups and over 100 nations. According to U.S. News , Bloomington is also a “Best College for Veterans.” The creative arts are another reason to admire programming at Indiana University with the best music college in the nation. We love this program for its academic rigor, prestige and overall high quality of education.
Indiana University offers two online doctorates in education (Ed.D): one in Instructional Systems Technology another in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education. The Instructional Systems Technology program joins research and applied stills. You will learn to apply your research to test products that improve learning environments. Those who wish to enter must have a master’s degree from an accredited institution. Some of the foundation requirements for this program include adult learning through the lifespan, and learning and cognition in education. Students may elect up to 24 credits of this 60 credit hour Ed.D. The second program in Literacy, Culture and Language is a good fit for individuals who are looking to become leaders in the field of literacy education and those who are seeking the most up-to-date relevant information for the 21st century. All students will study literacy culture and language education and inquiry. This is a 60 credit hour program.
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- Academic Prestige:N90
- Flexibility: 2 degrees
2.)University of Nebraska Lincoln
The University of Nebraska is a public land grant research flagship university. It is the oldest and largest university in the UN system. Currently, there are over 25,200 students enrolled where 53% of the student body is male and 47% of the student body female. The student-to-faculty ratio is 22:1 and the majority of classroom sizes accommodate between 20-49 students. According to the U.S. News the University of Nebraska is the 124th best school in the nation and 58th best public school. The Higher Learning Commission accredits the University of Nebraska to offer comprehensive education. Lincoln is ranked as the one of America’s healthiest small cities, #1 U.S. city for quality of life, and 7th best city for college students according to American Institute for Economic Research . The Distance Learning program regularly rank highly as well according to U.S. News and all students engage with their curriculum through the web, email, videoconferencing, CD-ROM and blackboard which is their online management system. U.S. News ranks the online graduate education as the 12th best in the nation.
University of Nebraska Lincoln offers 2 online Ed.D : one in educational leadership and the other in P-12 School Leadership. Those who select the educational leaders Ed.D may also opt to do a PhD which requires some time on campus. Educational studies offers three areas of specialization: Educational Administration, Teacher Education which focuses on instructional technology, internet-based education and teaching curriculum and learning. The third area is in Special Education and Communication Disorders. The Educational Administration includes programming like student affairs administration, educational leadership and higher education. Teacher administration includes programming on internet-based education and instructional technology. All program require 90-96 credit hours for completion.
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- Academic Prestige:N124
- Flexibility: 2 online Ed.D programs and 3 specializations
3.)University of West Georgia
University of West Georgia is a public 4-year institution located in Carrollton, Georgia- West of Atlanta. There are 13,308 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 21:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits UWG to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. U.S. News ranks as the 31st best online graduate nursing program, 38th for best online graduate computer information technology programs, and 101st for best online graduate education programs. When it comes to student services, UWG offers academic and career counseling, employment for their students as well as placement for graduates. Online degrees are available at every level- there are
23 programs for undergraduates and graduate students alike. There’s even an online Doctorate in Philosophy in Education.
The University of West Georgia offers a Doctor of Education with a Major in School Improvement. We selected this program for the high quality academics as well as for the number of areas of concentration. This is a 60 credit hours Ed.D that will take as little as 3 years to complete. The program is 100% online. The available areas of concentration are as follows: school counseling, educational leadership, K-12 online learning, instructional technology,reading, media specialist, TESOL, and Special Education. Each area of concentration comes with it unique programming. Those who select from educational leadership for example will focus on Leadership for Organizational Change, Effective Management to Promote Student Learning, Instructional Leadership for Improving Schools and more.
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- Academic Prestige: N321
- Flexibility:Several Specializations
4.)University of Florida
The University of Florida is a public land sea and space flagship research university located in Gainesville, Florida. The Florida Gators are an academic and athletic powerhouse. According to U.S. News the University of Florida or UF is the 42nd best school in the nation, 9th best public school and a top school for finance, real estate, business, engineering, quantitative analysis, accounting and so much more. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges regionally accredits UF to offer comprehensive to its students. Currently, there are over 52,000 students enrolled representing all 50 states and well over 120 countries in both the on-campus and online programs. In many ways, the University of Florida is a public ivy university as it ranks the same as schools like Pepperdine and Penn State. In terms of research, the UF is also a heavy weight and is currently looking at ways to grown food on Mars. There are also over 100 programs available online including the online PhD in Education.
University of Florida offers a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Educational TEchnology. This is for individuals who want to pursue research as their career. We selected this program for the high quality academic prestige and for the number of related degree offerings. The program is cohort-based and offered online with three required campus-based experiences. The Ed.D in Educational Technology take a minimum of three years for completion. This 60 credit hour Ed.D includes online courses like foundations of educational technology, issues and trends in Educational Technology research, Statistics, Instructional Design and more. A practicum and dissertation are required.
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- Academic Prestige: N42
- Flexibility: Two related Degrees
5.)Boise State University
Boise State University (Boise State) is a public university located in Boise, Idaho. There are 23,854 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits BSU to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as postbaccalaureate certifications, and post-master’s certificates. There are 6 colleges and schools offering a vast range of degrees in fields like engineering, business, arts and sciences and education. Additionally, Boise State has a division of extended studies including after work, evening and weekend courses as well as professional development, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Military Programs, and their eCampus. We really like the thorough ways Boise State addresses the needs of non-traditional learners. When it comes to online courses, Boise State offers 9 degrees and professional certifications. U.S. News ranks Boise State’s online graduate education programs as the 101st best in the nation.
Boise State University offers a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Technology. We selected this program for the flexible online format, the project-based style of learning, and for the quality of the academics. This 66 credit hour program is relevant for the individual who wants to see better integration of educational technologies. Some of the course material includes: emerging trends in educational technology, global and cultural perspectives in educational technology, project management in educational settings, research in educational technology, innovative practices in ed tech and much more. If you enjoy project-based learning, this Ed.D. may be a great fit for you.
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- Academic Prestige: N231
- Flexibility:Number of concentrations
6.)Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is a public 4-year institution located in Huntsville, Texas. There are 20,477 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 21:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits SHSU to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as postbaccalaureate certificates. U.S. News ranks SHSU as the number 1 best online graduate school for criminal justice, 11th best for online graduate computer information technology programs, and 22nd for best online graduate education programs. The most popular online education program is in curriculum and instruction. According to College Factual SHSU also ranks as a high value school, for not only its affordable tuition rate but also for the quality of education received compared to schools of a similar tier. SHSU offers a wide-range of programs from agriculture to visual arts. The online programs are also vast. In fact, there are 30 affordable online degrees and certifications available in fields like business, photography, history, and education.
Sam Houston State University offers 2 doctoral degree programs: A Doctorate in Education (Ed.D) in Developmental Education and Administration and a Ed.D in Instructional Technology. We selected this program for number of relevant degrees offered and the high quality academic programming. The Ed.D in Developmental Education Administration is fully online and interdisciplinary. This degree is designed to prepare programming for communica college and university students in the fields of mathe, reading, and writing. The Doctorate in Instructional Technology prepares students for technology integration. This program is also fully online.
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- Academic Prestige: N231
- Flexibility: 2 online Ed.D. offerings
7.)University of Arkansas Fayetteville
The University of Arkansas (U of A) is a public land and space grant university that was founded in 1871. It is located in Fayetteville and enrolls 27,194 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits U of A to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. According to U.S. News UA ranks as the 133rd best school in the nation 16th for best onilne bachelor’s programs, and 56th for best online graduate education programs.There are hundreds of academic programs available appropriate for both traditional and non traditional learners in a vast range of disciplines including the sciences, arts, and humanities. With over 30 online degrees and certifications, UofA has online courses for all types of interests. The largest online courses are in the fields of business, education, engineering, and health.
The University of Arkansas offers a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership. We selected this program for the high quality of academic programming. All of the course material is presented online, though this program does require 3 intensive weekend seminars. The Ed.D in Educational Leadership requires 42 credit hours for completion, takes about 3 years to complete, and is a great option for anyone who wants to become a school principal, superintendent, or a federal and state government official. This program is part of the department of curriculum and instruction. If you are looking for a versatile Ed.D, this is a great option.
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- Academic Prestige:N133
- Flexibility:online
8.)University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina Columbia (USC) is a public sea-grant research university located in Columbia, South Carolina. It is the flagship university of the state. There are 34,099 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The Southern Association ofColleges and Schools accredits USC to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. The Carnegie Foundation awarded USC with both a research and community engagement designation- one of 32 public universities in the nation receiving this recognition. U.S. News ranks USC as the 46th top public school in the nation, 62nd best school for veterans, 5th for best online graduate nursing programming, 57th for best online graduate engineering programs, and 76th for best online graduate education programs. Their online presence is also robust- offering over 40 degrees and professional certifications in fields like library science, mathematics, and education among others.
University of South Carolina offers a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Educational Technology. We selected this program for the high quality of academic offerings, accelerated format, and for the flexible online degree offering. This 60 credit hour course will take just 36 months to complete and prepares you for leadership and the challenges of technology-based learning. This program is project-based and emphasises design and development as well as research.This online Ed.D. is broken into the following components: core curriculum and instruction courses, educational technology courses, research, cognate courses, examinations and dissertations. This is a great option for any individual looking to enter into a leadership role in educational technology.
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- Academic Prestige: N103
- Flexibility: accelerated
9.)Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University is a private research university located in Baltimore, Maryland. There are 23,917 students enrolled with Johns Hopkins. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredits JHU to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. JHU has a world-renowned medical school. According to U.S. News JHU ranks as the 11th best school in the nation, 19th best value school, and 6th best education school in the nation. Over the years, JHU has developed a large and reputable online university including nearly 60 fully online degrees and professional certifications. Business, computer science, engineering, and education are among the top picks by enrollment. JHU even offers a fully online doctorate of philosophy in education.
Johns Hopkins University offers a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). We selected this online Doctor of Education for the high quality academic prestige and number of areas of focus. Students from all over the world look seek out this program. JHU is a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate. The three areas of specialization are in: Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education, Mind, Brain & Teaching, and Urban Leadership. The Mind, Brain, and Teaching specialization explores neurosciences, cognitive sciences, and psychology. The Urban Leadership program examines the problems facing 21st century urban education. Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education focuses on building new venture opportunities such as community partnerships. This is a phenomenal opportunity. Apply early and do a lot of research about the scholars as this is a competitive course.
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- Academic Prestige:N11
- Flexibility: 3 areas of concentration; online
10.)Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw State University (KSU) is a public university located in Kennesaw and is part of the University System of Georgia. KSU currently enrolls more than 33,000 students and is fully accredited by the Southern Association of College and Schools. Amongst other things, KSU is known for its vast options online offering 18 degrees 6 bachelors, 11 masters and one doctoral. The bachelor’s programs available consist of a bachelor of business administration in information security and assurance, a bachelor’s in business administration management, bachlor’s in business administration marketing, Bachelor of Science in nursing, and others. The graduate level programming includes a master of business administration, masters of education in educational leadership, Master of Science in international policy management, a master of education in special education and other. Historically, Kennesaw is known as the staging ground for the Great Locomotive Chase and was cited by Family Circle magazine as one of the nations 10 best towns for families.
Kennesaw State offers a Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership. We selected this program for its quality academic programming, and accelerated format. This online Ed.D requires just 45 credit hours for completion and may be completed in as few as 3 years. This course is broken into four main component parts: the certification in teacher leadership, advanced teacher leadership, research, and the dissertation. All students are required to complete a 3 hour residency project working with a team onsite. For an affordable and fast Ed.D in teacher leadership, try the program at Kennesaw State.
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- Academic Prestige: N231
- Flexibility:online; accelerated
