Start Your Path to Leadership
Start Your Path to Leadership

BRADLEY UNIVERSITY ONLINE DOCTOR OF EDUCATION

Education in the U.S. is evolving. Educational leaders must navigate financial shortfalls and political pressures; teachers must integrate new classroom technologies; and student populations must embrace diverse populations and emergent skills.

To navigate this shifting landscape, Bradley University is proud to offer an online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree with a concentration in higher education administration and leadership. Through this dynamic, future-focused degree program, you will be able to employ practical applications of theories, best practices, and leadership strategies in education, all under the thoughtful guidance of lauded Bradley faculty.

HOW YOU'LL SUCCEED AT BRADLEY

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Reimagine Education—Including Yours

Deepen your expertise or transition into leadership positions with newly developed skills and credentials. Drive meaningful change in educational policies, technologies, and environments.

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A Program That Fits Your Goals

Gain experience that aligns with your career path with an interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizing leadership theory.

Statue of Lydia Moss Bradley in front of a Bradley Campus building.

Rely On A Trusted National Institution

Earn a degree that carries weight on your resume and in your network. Join Bradley faculty and alumni as executive directors, VPs, and professors.

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 to get more information about 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.

Discover Your Next Step

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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.

BRADLEY UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE Ed.D. PROGRAM CURRICULUM

Bradley University’s online Ed.D. hones in on higher education administration and leadership (HEAL) to prepare you for a role shaping educational experiences. The HEAL curriculum is designed for education professionals looking to advance into a postsecondary teaching or administrative position and help schools overcome the challenges of higher education. Students also have the opportunity to pursue an internship and have the option to complete the doctoral research requirement within coursework, rather than a traditional dissertation.

View the Curriculum

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WHO IS AN ONLINE DOCTOR OF EDUCATION FOR?

An Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) degree is for those who have a master’s degree and want to deepen their expertise and reach the next level in their career. Depending on their career goals students usually come from a background in teaching, student affairs, corporate training, military education or enrollment management, specialized learning, or instructional design.

Review Admission Requirements

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TACKLE TODAY’S GREATEST EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES

WHY BRADLEY?

Founded in 1897 as Bradley Polytechnic Institute, Bradley University empowers students for immediate and sustained success by combining professional preparation, liberal arts and sciences, and co-curricular experiences. From our campus in Peoria, IL, Bradley has developed career-oriented, future-focused online degrees that are now available wherever you live and work. With over 1,300 graduate students and 70,000 alumni, Bradley has consistently offered the personalization and support of a small institution with the academic rigor and opportunity of a large university.

Bradley’s College of Education and Health Sciences is a destination for educators, researchers, and administrators from all over the country. Through the online Ed.D program, Bradley prepares students to succeed in their chosen discipline with doctorate level knowledge and skills. Earn your degree and join our expansive network of education professionals without having to relocate.

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“Bradley’s Ed.D. program was developed by hands-on, experienced professors and administrators bringing their expertise and higher ed insight into the program. My professors were involved in my learning and journey, encouraging me every step of the way.”
– Dr. Kamilah W., Ed.D. ‘22
“Bradley’s Ed.D. program was developed by hands-on, experienced professors and administrators bringing their expertise and higher ed insight into the program. My professors were involved in my learning and journey, encouraging me every step of the way.”
– Dr. Kamilah W., Ed.D. ‘22

EARN YOUR Ed.D. IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP FROM THE BRIGHTEST MINDS

There’s no better way to learn complex educational topics than from people who live, study, and experience them every day. Bradley’s faculty are not just educators; they are authors, researchers, award winners, executives, and students themselves. You’ll experience their innovation firsthand in your curriculum, which is continuously updated to reflect the latest trends and discoveries.

Meet the Faculty

Two members of Bradley University's faculty


Get One-On-One With Your Degree

With smaller cohorts and a low student to faculty ratio, you’ll get personalized training from some of the brightest minds in education. Professors view your success as their success and are committed to helping you achieve your goals.

ONLINE, ON YOUR SCHEDULE

Bradley’s Ed.D. degree is much more than a series of Zoom calls and PowerPoints. Both concentrations are carefully designed to support your learning and professional development. From the moment you enroll, you can attend classes and complete your coursework whenever—and wherever—works best for you.

  • Live discussions
  • Interactive learning
  • Engagement with faculty and cohort

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What’s the difference between a Doctor of Education and Ph.D. in Education?

An Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) degree is an advanced graduate degree that is unique to the academic discipline of education. Unlike a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy), the Ed.D. is typically geared toward professionals pursuing leadership roles in education, such as school administrators and directors, chief learning officers, or educational policy makers. Ph.D. graduates, on the other hand, often gravitate toward careers in academia and research.

Ed.D.
  • Advanced knowledge and skills for professional practice/real-world educational problems
  • Can teach and research within their field, but also can work in other sectors
  • Referred to as a “practical or clinical doctorate"

Ph.D.
  • Advanced knowledge and skills for teaching and scholarship
  • Can teach and research within their field
  • Referred to as an “academic doctorate”

How does an online Doctor of Education program compare to a traditional program?

Bradley’s online education doctorate offers classes and coursework entirely online that can be completed whenever, and wherever, works best for you. Every aspect of the online Ed.D. degree in Educational Leadership—the faculty, content, and learning outcomes—is exactly the same as the on-campus degree.

Students will watch lectures, participate in discussions, and complete activities online to satisfy the requirements for the program. Course content is delivered asynchronously (i.e., not all at the same time), which allows you to log in, view lectures and assignments, and submit required work as your schedule allows. Both tracks also include optional live sessions that are recorded for later viewing if students are interested.

Through Bradley’s seamless digital learning management system, you’ll also be able to track your progress and communicate with professors, all in one place.

Can I work while I complete this program?

Yes, you can keep working while you complete the online Ed.D. This program is designed with working professionals in mind and should easily be able to accommodate your schedule. Students will also complete a two-semester internship within a live educational setting as part of the curriculum. This is a great opportunity for students to actively apply the skills they’ve gained and build experience and connections for their career.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

ADMISSIONS DATES AND DEADLINES

Spring 2025

Nov
15
Final Application Deadline
November 15, 2024
Spring 2025
Jan
22
Start Date
January 22, 2025
Spring 2025

Summer 2025

Apr
15
Final Application Deadline
April 15, 2025
Summer 2025
May
21
Start Date
May 21, 2025
Summer 2025

Fall 2025

Jul
20
Final Application Date
July 20, 2025
Fall 2025
Aug
27
Start Date
August 27, 2025
Fall 2025
Sources

Bradley University has engaged Everspring, a leading provider of education and technology services, to support select aspects of program delivery.