Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Innovation

Arizona State University’s online Doctor of Education in leadership and innovation is designed for practicing educator-leaders looking to transform their practice and create better learning opportunities for all students. Delivered in a collaborative, cohort model, this program incorporates academic and personal support through leader-scholar community groups made up of your peers and a faculty member.

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Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 01/13/2025


Total classes:

Total classes: 20

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5–15

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 90

Degree questions, answered

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Transform education and learning opportunities for students of all ages

As a candidate in this online EdD in leadership and innovation, you’ll learn how to identify problems and implement positive changes across educational settings. With an emphasis on evaluating your approach to education, this program supports the development of thoughtful and influential practitioners. You’ll develop the tools needed to discover opportunities for change, make data-driven decisions and implement actions to boost student success.

To align your learning experience with your career goals, you can select from three distinct educational pathways, including:

  • Higher education change leadership.
  • Pre-K–grade 12 change leadership.
  • Systems, professional and reimagined change leadership.

Collaborate with faculty and fellow students

In your second and third years, you’ll collaborate in an assigned, virtual leader-scholar community (LSC) group. Together, you’ll study, conceptualize and implement change initiatives in your respective educational settings. LSC groups also support one another when conducting action research and preparing individual dissertations. Additionally, every group receives personalized guidance from a designated faculty member, who will ultimately serve as the dissertation committee chair.

Your practical research will also involve collaboration. When entering the program, you must hold a position in an educational setting that embraces innovation for positive change. As a doctoral candidate, expect to conduct multiple cycles of inquiry, or research, in your workplace to identify problems of practice, as well as propose and test solutions. As a graduate, you’ll be equipped to drive thoughtful, intentional and informed educational practices and apply a continuous improvement mindset.

Who’s a good candidate for this online EdD?

This program is designed for full-time education practitioners who want to bring innovation into their workplaces as academic leaders in schools, school districts, nonprofit organizations and private businesses, or administrative leadership roles in colleges and universities. Ideal candidates will embrace a revolution in how they approach educational leadership, including committing to continuous improvement and innovation.

Candidates should also note that this three-year, 9–10 semester program won’t support career paths leading to tenured positions at research-intensive universities. It is an excellent option, however, for those holding non-tenure-line positions at universities, such as lecturer or clinical instructor, or working within community college systems.

Will my diploma say ‘online’?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”

Online EdD in leadership and innovation courses

This program features a curriculum that encourages both self-reflection and collaboration with your leader-scholar community group. In your courses, you’ll build competencies in continually evaluating your professional practice, making informed decisions and understanding the implications of educational innovation. The program culminates in completing and defending your dissertation.


The jobs this Doctor of Education prepares you for

As a graduate, you can put your action-research experience into practice in your workplace and contribute to positive outcomes for learners. You’ll also be equipped to excel in advanced education leadership roles in settings ranging from pre-K–grade 12 to higher education. Potential career paths include, but aren’t limited to:

Today’s educators supporting tomorrow’s change leaders

The Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College faculty draws from a range of academic disciplines including cognitive science, psychology and economics. They seek to answer questions about the process of learning, teaching practices and effects of education policy. Our faculty is also committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments. They ensure teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.

Today’s educators supporting tomorrow’s change leaders

The Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College faculty draws from a range of academic disciplines including cognitive science, psychology and economics. They seek to answer questions about the process of learning, teaching practices and effects of education policy. Our faculty is also committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments. They ensure teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.

Online doctorate in education leadership admission requirements

Applicants to the Doctor of Education in leadership and innovation program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.

This program has a highly competitive admission process.

Join one of the best colleges of education in the nation

Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College brings people and ideas together to increase the capabilities of educators and the performance of education systems. According to U.S. News & World Report, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is the only U.S. college of education to rank in the top 15 for both on-campus and online graduate education degrees.

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Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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