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Doctor of Education

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership

Bradley University’s post-master's Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program in Educational Leadership is a fully online, distance education program. Students may select from two concentrations: Higher Education Administration and Leadership or Educational Technology. The program's mission is to prepare professionals with backgrounds in education and/or leadership for a career or career advancement in in education or career advancement in education and/or education-related services.

Program Mission and Objectives

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program is designed to engage students in interactive, research-based leadership development experiences in authentic contexts, emphasizing student learning, quality instruction, and organizational effectiveness. Five program objectives guide the design and delivery of each course in the program:

  1. Provide foundational knowledge, skills, and theory related to educational governance, ethics and politics, technology, assessment, and decision-making.
  2. Focus student learning experiences on a concentrated area of study that provides specialized knowledge and skills.
  3. Immerse students in planning, conducting, and reporting original action research related to current trends and issues in education.
  4. Involve students in demonstrating application of knowledge, skills, and theory by completing an authentic capstone experience or project.
  5. Engage students in reflection and critical analysis of leadership theories, practices, and policies related to equity and opportunity in education.

    Program Requirements

    Both concentrations require the following coursework:

    Scholarly Research Courses (15 semester hours)

    • ENC 703 Action Research 1: Introduction to Action Research - 3
    • ENC 704 Action Research 2: Action Research Design and Ethics - 3
    • ENC 705 Action Research 3: Data Collection in Action Research - 3
    • ENC 706 Action Research 4: Data Analysis and Reporting in Action Research - 3
    • ENC 707 Action Research 5: Scholarly Writing and Presentation in Action Research - 3

    Core Courses (12 semester hours)

    • ENC 708 Boards and Educational Governance - 3
    • ENC 709 Ethical and Political Foundations of Educational Policy - 3
    • ENC 710 Learning in an Era of Technology - 3
    • ENC 711 National Trends in Assessment, Data Analysis, and Accountability - 3

    Each concentration requires an additional 21 credit hours for a program total of 48 semester hours. 

    Educational Technology Concentration (21 semester hours)

    • ENC 741 Applied Educational Media - 3
    • ENC 742 Instructional Design - 3
    • ENC 743 Learning Theory and Instructional Strategies - 3
    • ENC 744 Digital Learning: Online, Distance, and Distributed Instruction - 3
    • ENC 745 Digitally Driven Educational Practice - 3
    • ENC 748 Advanced Instructional Design - 3
    • ENC 749 Educational Technology Portfolio - 3

    Higher Education Administration and Leadership Concentration (21 semester hours)

    • ENC 717 Organization and Leadership in Higher Education - 3
    • ENC 718 The Community College - 3
    • ENC 719 Student and Academic Affairs - 3
    • ENC 720 The Contemporary Learner - 3
    • ENC 721 Financial Affairs in Higher Education - 3
    • ENC 722 Internship I - 3
    • ENC 723 Internship II - 3

    Educational Technology Concentration

    Concentration Overview

    Embedded within the 48-semester hour Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program, the Educational Technology concentration prepares students to meet the many needs of the digitally mediated, technology infused, and everchanging learning environments of today and the future. Concentration courses cover topics including instructional design, online and distributed teaching and learning, instructional and learning theory, and applied educational media. The concentration culminates with an educational technology portfolio development course that allows students to demonstrate practical application of educational technology. Students will be prepared to serve in technology-focused teaching and leadership positions or as instructional designers or developers in a variety of fields, including education, industry, the military, and the non-profit sector. 

    Concentration Outcomes

    Upon graduation, students enrolled in the Educational Technology concentration of the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program are expected to obtain the following outcomes:

    1. Employ methods of inquiry for using technology and best practices to enhance learning and improve performance based on individual, unit, and institutional needs.
    2. Evaluate educational technologies and processes based on best practices for the delivery of contemporary content.
    3. Design effective learning and working environments and technologies for a variety of audiences and purposes.
    4. Influence the adoption of innovative practices for developing, implementing, and supporting learning and working environments undergirded or mediated entirely by technology.
    5. Adapt theoretical and practical applications of educational technologies and processes to circumvent or solve educational problems.

      Higher Education Administration and Leadership Concentration

      Concentration Overview

      Embedded within the 48-semester hour Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program, the Higher Education Administration and Leadership concentration prepares students for career advancement in college, university, and other human services settings. Concentration courses cover topics including higher education organization and leadership, community college, teaching and learning, student affairs, and financial affairs. The Higher Education Administration and Leadership concentration culminates with a two-semester internship that allows students to authentically apply knowledge, skills, and theory in an authentic setting. Students will be prepared to serve in faculty, staff, and administrative positions in a variety of fields including education, industry, the military, and the non-profit sector.

      Concentration Outcomes

      Upon graduation, students enrolled in the Higher Educational Administration and Leadership concentration of the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program are expected to obtain the following outcomes:

      1. Interpret organizational governance structures and processes associated by institutional type, purpose, audience, and core values.
      2. Create effective and innovative teaching, learning, and academic/social support environments for students at different institution types and levels of education.
      3. Evaluate political, social, and economic influences as they apply to the range of higher education operations.
      4. Recommend resolutions to obstacles and challenges facing various members of the campus community, including faculty, staff, administrators, and board members.
      5. Develop leadership philosophies and demonstrate leadership strategies that reflect ethical and professional norms, cultural responsiveness, and institutional advocacy.

      Admission Criteria

      In addition to Bradley University Graduate Admission Requirements, admission into either concentration of the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Program requires the following:

      • Minimum degree required: earned master’s degree
      • Master’s level GPA of 3.00 or higher, no more than one final grade of C
      • Current and complete resume or CV
      • Four written responses to essay prompts
      • Two letters of recommendation from professors or professional colleagues

        Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Program Transfer Credit Policy

        • Per Bradley University's Graduate Education Policy, students enrolling in the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program may transfer in up to 9 semesters hours of doctoral-level graduate credit from an accredited program.
        • Students must make a request for transfer credit at the time they apply to the program.
        • For transfer credit to be considered, students must submit a copy of the syllabus for the course they wish to transfer in. The syllabus must be from the semester during which they completed the course. The syllabi will be uploaded to SLATE to be considered as part of the application materials.
        • The request for transfer credit will be reviewed by the appropriate Ed.D. program faculty member. Students will receive notification of approved transfer credit in their admission letter.
        • Transfer credit will not be accepted after the first day of a student's first term in the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program.
        • Transfer credit may not be accepted for the action research courses (ENC 703, 704, 705, 706, 707) or for the internship courses (ENC 722, 723).

        This is the official catalog for the 2024-2025 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.