Education
The Doctor of Education prepares experienced professionals for leadership in their communities, empowering its graduates from all over the world to pursue the issues they’re passionate about.
Part-Time
Northeastern's Doctor of Education degree is designed to be completed in three to four years of study, following a fast-paced quarter system rather than the traditional semester schedule. Students begin working on their dissertation in practice at the onset of their coursework by identifying their problem of practice and developing an action plan—incorporating cycles of data collection and analysis, collaboration, change work, and reflection—culminating in the dissemination of their action research findings.
The Doctor of Education program fosters leaders in professional fields to employ existing research and theory to develop and conduct research in order to investigate, explore, and transform organizational and institutional landscapes. With a deep respect for students' practical experience and knowledge, we work with students to incorporate practice-based research into their day-to-day professional lives.
Our students come from diverse disciplines and professions seeking more than just a degree. They’re gaining a practical education that translates to their everyday working environment. Students learn to apply advanced research principles to real-life problems they face in their own organizations while completing a doctoral thesis that explores a compelling educational/organizational challenge.
Residency for career success: While all EdD courses can be completed online (except for hybrid courses in Seattle and Charlotte), two-day residencies occur each year that are designed for networking and career success. Students attend residency in their first and second years in the program at one of our campuses in Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, or Seattle, WA. This offers the chance to connect in person with faculty and fellow scholars to share knowledge and experiences.
* Please note, international students enrolling in the online EdD program will be provided with an option to complete the residency through online participation in interactive sessions with fellow scholars offered during the residency period.
More Details
Unique Features
- Students choose one of three areas—Higher Education, Organizational Leadership Studies, or Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership—to focus their studies and further customize their curriculum
- Students begin work on the dissertation in practice at the onset of their program around a self-selected, compelling educational/organizational challenge—also known as the student's problem of practice
- Students are assigned a faculty advisor at the start of their program to support their dissertation in practice research throughout their program
- All coursework offered online, allowing for flexibility for working professionals
- Residencies can be fulfilled at one of our campuses in Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, and Seattle, WA. In-person participation for the residency is available for international students as well
Scholarships
- MacFarland Scholarship - New, incoming students, who are working or have the intention of working as an educator in a public school at the elementary or secondary level, within an urban area, are eligible to receive a scholarship award of up to $20,000.
Concentrations
- Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership: The Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership concentration engages educational leaders in research and practice to develop the competencies, dispositions, and values to promote educational innovation based on a commitment to social justice. This concentration is appropriate for both P-12 and university-level educators as well as professionals in for- and nonprofit organizations. In CTLL, all students are committed to the investigation of teaching and learning. This concentration provides students with the contextualization for their worksite research that contributes to the resolution of a complex problem of practice and develops their skills and knowledge to serve as transformational leaders in a variety of educational settings.
- Higher Education Administration: The Higher Education Administration concentration provides an opportunity for experienced higher education professionals to examine new and deepen previous understanding of practices within all sectors of postsecondary education. Sectors examined include community colleges, four-year colleges, for-profit institutions, and research universities. The increased globalization of higher education is addressed throughout the program. The concentration courses allow experienced higher education professionals to advance their professional practice by developing and deepening their understanding of the roles of colleges and universities in our society.
- Organizational Leadership Studies: Learning occurs in both formal educational settings including K-12 and higher education, and workplace settings. Leaders/working professionals must enhance their skills in eliminating the boundary between work and learning. The Organizational Leadership Studies concentration prepares leaders/working professionals to systematically transform corporate and nonprofit firms, government organizations, the sports industry, and formal educational settings. The concentration addresses ways leaders interact, make meaning, and collaborate within their organizations and throughout their local and global networks. Leaders/working professionals develop diagnostic skills for assessing learning, leadership, and organizational systems.
Program Objectives
- Our program is designed for experienced professionals interested in deepening their understanding of education, organizational development, and leadership. Throughout our program, students examine various approaches to critical, practice-based issues, learn research methods, and conduct a doctoral research study that investigates a compelling educational or organizational challenge.
Student Outcomes
Interested to see how this degree impacted students careers? Read here for graduates survey feedback
Accreditation Description
The Northeastern Doctor of Education degree is accredited by NECHE, New England Commission of Higher Education.
Testimonials
Lisa R, Current Student
Gina K., Current Student
Doctor Aaron B., Program Graduate
Joan Burkhardt, Program Graduate and Senior Lecturer
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Program Costs
Requirements
- Online application
- Academic transcripts: Official undergraduate and graduate degree documentation
- Admission statement: Respond to both questions separately and stay within the prescribed word limits. The ability to demonstrate clear, succinct, well-reasoned writing is essential.
1. From among the most significant issues in education/organizations today, what specific problem of practice are you interested in investigating during your doctoral study? (1,000 - 1,200 words)- Describe the problem of practice
- Explain why you want to investigate it
- Provide a strong rationale for the significance of the problem
- Minimum work experience: Three years in a related field
- Professional resumé: Must summarize work and education history, include an outline of your educational/academic skills with examples such as research and teaching experience, affiliations, publications, certifications, presentations, and other professional skills.
- Faculty recommendation: Must be from a faculty member in your previous graduate program who can attest to your readiness for doctoral work. If you are no longer acquainted with a faculty member, please choose a professional who can speak of your academic capabilities to engage in doctoral-level research and writing. Recommendations should be presented as a letter attached to the general recommendation form.
- Two professional recommendations: Must be from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities, a supervisor, mentor, or colleague. It is preferred that one letter of recommendation come from your current employer and/or supervisor. Recommendations should be presented as a letter attached to the general recommendation form.
- Proof of English language proficiency: ONLY for students for whom English is not their primary language.
Admissions Dates
| Recommended Admissions Deadline | |
|---|---|
| Priority Deadline (July 12, 2021 start date) | May 14, 2021 |
| Final Deadline (July 12, 2021 start date) | June 11, 2021 |
| Priority deadline (September 20, 2021 start date): | August 1, 2021 |
| Final deadline (September 20, 2021 start date): | August 15, 2021 |
| Priority deadline (January 10, 2022 start date): | December 1, 2021 |
| Final deadline (January 10, 2022 start date): | December 15, 2021 |
| Priority deadline (July 11, 2022 start date): | June 1, 2022 |
| Final deadline (July 11, 2022 start date): | June 15, 2022 |
General Requirements
Note: A minimum of 51 quarter hours must be taken at the College of Professional Studies.
Required Foundation Courses
9 quarter hours
Must be completed in the order listed:
Required Research Courses
12 quarter hours
Must be completed in the order listed:
Concentrations
Choose one from the following:
Required Courses (12 quarter hours)
Elective Courses (15 quarter hours)
Complete any four courses (or 12 quarter hours) at the EDU 7000 level that you are not already using as a foundation or concentration course. You may take a course from another concentration and/or you may choose from the Concentration Electives course list located at the end of this webpage.
Complete one of the following:
Required Courses (12 quarter hours)
Elective Courses (15 quarter hours)
Complete any four courses (or 12 quarter hours) at the EDU 7000 level that you are not already using as a foundation or concentration course. You may take a course from another concentration and/or you may choose from the Concentration Electives course list located at the end of this webpage.
Complete one of the following:
Note:
Students who choose to pursue the international higher education track within the higher education administration concentration should complete Comparative International/Global Higher Education (EDU 7260) rather than Strategic Management in Higher Education (EDU 7258).
Students who choose to pursue the international higher education track within the higher education administration concentration should complete Educating Global Students: Issues and Practices (EDU 7264) and EDU 7261 International Student Markets as an elective.
Required Courses (12 quarter hours)
Elective Courses (15 quarter hours)
Complete any four courses (or 12 quarter hours) at the EDU 7000 level that you are not already using as a foundation or concentration course. You may take a course from another concentration and/or you may choose from the Concentration Electives course list located at the end of this webpage.
Complete one of the following courses:
Note:
Students who choose to pursue the sports leadership track within the organizational leadership concentration should complete Contemporary Models of Sports Leadership (EDU 7290) rather than Contemporary Leadership Perspectives (EDU 7275).
Students who choose to pursue the sports leadership track within the organizational leadership concentration should complete Social Justice in Sports (EDU 7292) and Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports Leadership (EDU 7293) as electives.
Dissertation in Practice
Complete 12 quarter hours.
Residency Requirement: Each student is required to satisfy two on-ground residencies. Dates and other event information are released annually. Seattle and Charlotte students will satisfy residency requirements through regional campus hybrid courses.
Electives
Below is a list of courses regularly offered as electives within the Doctor of Education program that can satisfy the Program Elective requirement. However, any EDU 7000 level course not already being used towards your degree can satisfy this requirement.
Note: To complete the Concentration Electives requirement, follow the required detailed instructions listed under the Elective Courses section located in the Concentration options listed above.
Please note: This curriculum is for marketing purposes only and is subject to change. Official curriculum can be found within the course catalog.
The core of the mission of the program is to allow educators to remain in the places they work, focus on a problem of practice, and through experiential learning and site-specific research opportunities in the program, make an immediate impact in their professional environments. The program explicitly integrates research and practice for professionals so they develop the requisite skills for conceiving, designing, conducting, and producing original site-based research in order to effect ethical change related to real-life problems of practice.
Our Faculty
Our faculty represents a wide cross-section of professional practices and fields ranging from finance to education to biomedical science to management to the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.
By enrolling in Northeastern, you gain access to a network of more than 255,000 alumni and 3,350+ employer partners, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global nongovernmental organizations. Our current students and faculty across strategically located regional locations further foster a lifelong, global community of learning and mentoring.
Below is a look at where our Education & Learning alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.
-
Where They Work
- Boston Public Schools
- Chicago Public Schools
- NYC Department of Education
- Lockheed Martin
- Veterans Affairs
- Johns Hopkins
- MIT
- UCLA
- Columbia University
-
What They Do
- Media Consultant
- College President
- Chief Information Officer
- Instructional Designer
- Diversity Officer
- Founder-CEO
- Principal
- VP of Student Services
- Community Services Director
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What They're Skilled At
- Experiential Learning
- Team Building
- International Education
- Leadership
- Change Agency
- Entrepreneurship
- Urban Education
- Strategic Management
- Student Engagement
Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.