THE ONLINE Ed.D STUDENT EXPERIENCE
CONCENTRATION OPTIONS, PROGRAM DETAILS, AND MORE.
In Bradley’s online Ed.D. program, every aspect is designed by renowned practitioners with a deep understanding of the educational experience. The core courses and concentration courses build practical knowledge and skill; the action research courses build scholarly knowledge and skill; and the internship or digital portfolio combine academics and scholarship through real-world application that is customized to each student’s personal and career goals.
Whether you choose to pursue a concentration in higher education administration and leadership (HEAL) or educational technology (EdTech), you will be trained to find and implement new solutions that enhance learning outcomes.
Program Details
- Offered 100% online
- Asynchronous classes
- Three start dates per year: in spring, summer, and fall
- 48 credits to completion
- No GRE or doctoral residency required
AN ONLINE DEGREE FOR THE MODERN EDUCATION LANDSCAPE
Considering an online Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership to take your career to the next level? Your journey starts here. Complete the form below to get a program brochure for Bradley University’s Education, Counseling, and Leadership department’s online Doctor of Education program.
Get valuable insights into the online experience, learn more about Bradley University’s course offerings, and see where an advanced education can take you.
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Bradley University is authorized to deliver online programs to US citizens and permanent residents residing in the United States. International students are encouraged to inquire about on-campus opportunities by visiting Bradley University International Admissions.
HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION & LEADERSHIP (HEAL)
Ranked among the Best Online Doctor of Education Programs in 2023, this track will focus on educational leadership within multiple institutional settings: public, private, residential, charter, community college, and state education.1 This online higher education leadership degree is ideal for those in associate director/director level positions and up who want to influence educational policy at the local, regional, or national level. Just like in the EdTech concentration, students will complete doctoral scholarship in the form of a scholarly research project (paper and presentation), but they will complete an internship as well.
Track Takeaways
- Organizational behavior
- Leadership strategies
- Educational frameworks
- Policy development
- Economic development capabilities
- Management & team building
COURSE SPOTLIGHT
ENC 717 - Organization and Leadership in Higher Education
Unique missions, traditions, people, and agendas shape the decision-making structure(s) of higher education organizations. The framework of organizational lenses, and leadership are explored, and applied to the multi-varied audiences of the higher education institution.
Gain Real-World Internship Experience
The final portion of the higher ed administration and leadership track is a two-semester internship in a higher education institution. Within a live educational setting, doctoral students will focus on applying the skills they’ve gained thus far to address present and future leadership challenges. This internship will be essential for networking, problem solving, and real-time development and application.
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TRACK
The online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership with a concentration in educational technology is uniquely positioned to address the evolving landscape of educational leadership within the digital era. This program takes a multifaceted approach to developing leaders who are not only adept at navigating current educational technologies, but who also want to shape the future of education through technological innovation. By immersing themselves in the planning, design, development, application, assessment, and management of digital learning environments, students will build a holistic understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of educational technology.
Track Takeaways
- Advanced Instructional design
- Learning theory
- Media production
- Data analytics
- Artificial intelligence
- Applied educational media
COURSE SPOTLIGHT
ENC 741 - Applied Educational Media
This course will cover pre-production (assessing need and resources, planning, and preparing), production (development and implementation), and post-production (assessment/evaluating technology and media application for effectiveness in an instructional environment). Understanding how to use technology to increase the likelihood of reaching educational goals is a primary outcome of this course. This course will be performance driven with students being required to create instructional materials. The latest and most relevant ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) standards will be covered in order to serve as a framework for application.
Distinguish Yourself With A Digital Portfolio
The online education technology doctoral program culminates in a unique dual capstone experience: an action research project and a digital portfolio. The rigorous action research project (our alternative to a traditional dissertation model) will teach students to test theories, assess technologies in live environments, and make data-driven decisions to solve real-world problems. This is supplemented by the creation of a digital portfolio, which is a ready-made professional showcase of students’ scholarly work and technological abilities.
SCHOLARLY RESEARCH PROJECT VS. DISSERTATION
At Bradley, all online Dr. of Education in Educational Leadership students must complete a scholarly research project. This project is the equivalent of a traditional doctoral dissertation in that students systematically plan and conduct original, empirical research and document each stage of the process by writing an extensive scholarly paper.
However, the scholarly research project differs from a traditional dissertation in four ways:
- Action research is the primary research methodology for all students in the online Ed.D. program. Within this methodology, students select quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods as a secondary research methodology.
- The process of designing, conducting, and writing the scholarly research project is embedded within the program’s five action research courses, as opposed to the traditional practice of completing all coursework prior to beginning the dissertation.
- Because the action research courses are embedded within the coursework, students complete the project under the guidance of course instructors instead of a traditional dissertation committee.
- Students receive feedback and have opportunities to revise and improve their project in each action research course, as opposed to defending their research proposal at the midpoint and delivering a traditional dissertation defense once the entire paper is written. In place of a traditional dissertation defense, students in the Ed.D. program present their projects to authentic professional audiences.
TEACHERS. LEADERS. RESEARCHERS. AUTHORS.
All working together to help you succeed.
One of the distinct advantages of our online doctoral program in educational leadership is the caliber of professors and program directors who actively engage in the education field. Bradley University’s esteemed faculty have held—or currently hold—leadership positions in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education, admissions, enrollment, student affairs, curriculum design, government, and nonprofits. Under their guidance and mentorship, you’ll be able to achieve new levels of personal and professional growth.
THE ONLINE Ed.D. STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Under the direction of our award-winning educational faculty, Bradley offers a highly convenient and engaging doctoral program without sacrificing quality. To accomplish this, students are given a robust learning management system that contains interactive tools, simulations, discussions, and learning resources. This approach does not merely replicate the traditional classroom experience online, it transcends it—creating a new paradigm for doctoral education in the digital age.
One of the greatest benefits of enrolling in an online doctoral program is the flexibility it provides. The asynchronous format empowers students to delve deeply into content when they are most ready to learn, leading to a more personalized and reflective educational experience.