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  • Doctoral Program

Educational Leadership: Doctor of Education (EdD)

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Application Deadlines

Fall Admission
February 1 (online)

The on-campus program is not accepting applications at this time.

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Exams & Waivers

Entrance exam: GRE
Exam waiver available: Yes

Learn more about exam waiver eligibility

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Location

On campus and online

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Completion Time

4.5 years — average time to completion

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Costs and Aid

Be the change you want to see in education.

Are you a practicing or budding education professional intent on making a difference?

Reach your personal and professional summit by  pursuing App State’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD) — a terminal academic degree that prepares you to become a leader and agent of change in diverse educational settings, including public and private schools, colleges and universities, and community and government organizations.

As an EdD student in the Reich College of Education (RCOE), you will engage in core leadership and research courses, learning to apply theory to practice to make educational systems more effective, more equitable and more sustainable.

The program’s professionally oriented concentrations allow you to gain advanced knowledge in your disciplinary specialization and prepare to take on higher levels of organizational leadership. 

App State’s EdD is also offered fully online. Learn more about the App State Online EdD.

Visit the program website for more information about the EdD in Educational Leadership, including which concentrations are offered for the upcoming year (concentrations are offered on a rotating basis).

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A 2022 ‘Best’

In its 2022 “Best Colleges” rankings, U.S. News & World Report named App State:

  • No. 1 — Most Innovative School among Southern universities
  • No. 3 — Top Public Schools in the South
  • No. 6 — Best Regional Universities of the South

The Princeton Review named App State among the best schools in the U.S. and the Southeast for 2022.

‘Top’ school for 2022

Forbes magazine ranked App State among “America’s Top Colleges” for 2022.

Learn more about App State’s accolades

Concentrations and Courses

  • Choose from one of five concentrations to gain specialized skills practitioners need to become a leader in the educational field.

    • Interdisciplinary Studies

      Pursue your research and scholarly interests through a wide variety of self-selected electives, tailoring your coursework to meet your educational leadership goals.

      Graduate Bulletin & Course Catalog

    • Higher Education

      Conduct in-depth research to examine issues — social, political, ethical and economic — that impact adult learning and development in community college and university settings.

      Graduate Bulletin & Course Catalog

    • Educational Administration

      Learn how to solve complex and interconnected challenges in pre-K–12 settings through scholarly inquiry. This concentration is designed for individuals holding a master's or specialist degree and licensure in School Administration. Dual enrollment in App State’s Educational Administration Specialist degree can lead to sixth-year superintendent licensure.

      Graduate Bulletin & Course Catalog

    • Instructional Technology Leadership

      Gain the skills to lead the strategy and implementation of teaching and learning systems using emerging educational technologies.

      Graduate Bulletin & Course Catalog

    • Literacy in Exceptionalities

      Enrich your leadership work across the pre-K–20 spectrum by learning to use multimodal expressive arts theory and inquiry to promote human flourishing.

      Graduate Bulletin & Course Catalog

Related Programs

  • Dual Degree Program: Educational Leadership - Educational Administration (EdD) and Educational Administration (EdS)
  • Dual Degree Program: Educational Leadership - Higher Education (EdD) and Higher Education - Community College and University Leadership (EdS)

Careers and Mountaineers

Where can an App State degree take you? Anywhere you want to go!

Employers

  • Public and private schools
  • Colleges and universities
  • Community organizations
  • Government agencies
  • Non-profits

Career information resource

App State’s Career Development Center
Services provided by the Career Development Center include resume reviews, career coaching, job and internship search assistance, and other tools for you to achieve life and professional success.

  • Educational leaders share thoughts on challenges and solutions in K-12 schools and community colleges
    Educational leaders share thoughts on challenges and solutions in K-12 schools and community colleges

    The annual Spring Symposium hosted by the doctoral program features successful alumni, including these five leaders. See who they are.

More to Explore at App State

International Experience

Work outside your cultural boundaries. Learn more

Professional Development

Invest in yourself with opportunities designed to stimulate career growth. Learn more

Graduate Assistantships

Earn some money while you earn your degree. Learn more

Apply

Are you ready to become a Mountaineer? Take the next step, apply for admission to App State and elevate your future success.

Start Your Application

Admissions questions? Contact us.

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Connect with App State to learn more about this program.

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Program Contact

Dr. Vachel Miller
Director and Professor
millervw@appstate.edu
828-262-2280

Dr. Chris Osmond
Associate Director and Professor
osmond@appstate.edu
828-262-7754

Elizabeth Hayes
Program Associate
hayesle2@appstate.edu
828-262-7647

Reich College of Education

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