Leadership Ed.D. (Online)

Career Competencies

With FDU’s Ed.D. in Leadership program, you will develop advanced leadership competencies and evidence-based strategies for addressing challenges in education, healthcare, and organizational contexts.

Through online coursework and faculty mentorship, you’ll build expertise in:

• Strategic leadership for diverse professional settings
• Applying data analytics for informed decision-making
• Developing globally minded solutions for systemic issues
• Creating partnerships between employers and educators
• Enrollment management and retention initiatives
• Driving educational innovation and transformation
• Fostering inclusive cultures in your institution or organization

The Ed.D. in Leadership is delivered fully online so you can study anywhere, anytime—with flexible scheduling to balance your professional and personal responsibilities. Courses are taught in 8-week sessions by expert practitioners, and you’ll complete a dissertation and 45 credits over 27–45 months. Each course is designed for working professionals seeking the qualifications and supportive community necessary to excel in higher education, P-12 schools, and health education settings.

Courses and Requirements

The Ed.D. in Leadership online program combines data analytics with social justice and sustainable development training to prepare students for diverse leadership roles. While navigating a curriculum founded on innovative academic solutions, students will become scholarly practitioners proficient in effective and current administrative practices, database management, statistical analysis, and more.

All students in an Ed.D. in Leadership program will take the courses in the Common Research and Common Leadership sequences, totaling 30 credits. Students will take track-content-specific courses for the remaining 15 credits.

Common Courses for all Ed.D. in Leadership Students

All Ed.D. in Leadership students will complete the same five (5) Common Research Required Sequence courses (15 credits) and the same five (5) Common Leadership Required Sequence courses (15 credits). The remaining five (5) program Content Sequence courses will be determined by the track in which the student is enrolled.

*The remaining 15 credits in each respective program are content-specific courses.

Milestones

Milestone tasks of the Ed.D. in Leadership degree program include the dissertation pre-proposal, qualifying portfolio, dissertation proposal and defense, dissertation final defense.

Admission Requirements

A complete application includes:

• Graduate application form
• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Official graduate and undergraduate transcripts.
• Professional experience in a related field (P12, higher education, health care). Five years’ experience is preferred.
• A 1000-1500 word essay on your research interests as follows:
  • This program will prepare you to become a scholarly practitioner in your field. Your dissertation research will be on a problem of practice, as defined by the Carnegie Project for the Educational Doctorate (CPED, 2023): “A problem of practice is a persistent, contextualized, and specific issue embedded in the work of a professional practitioner, the addressing of which has the potential to result in improved understanding, experience, and outcomes.” We will be using this essay to understand better the research you would like to do in this program, and your preparedness for doctoral-level writing. (Further prompts are specified in the online application.)
• Two letters of recommendation. These letters should speak to your professional practice and to your academic preparedness.
• A resumé that states your educational background, work experience, and professional goals.
• An interview with the Ed.D. Program Admissions Committee.
• Transfer up to six (6) course credits upon matriculation. Course transfer credit requests are evaluated based on course equivalency, date course was completed, and grade received.

Track Details: Higher Education

Prepare to drive institutional change and innovation in colleges and universities with Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Ed.D. in Leadership—Higher Education track. This program is crafted for current and aspiring professionals who want to address systemic challenges, serve diverse student populations, and advance inclusive practices across the postsecondary landscape. Through coursework in social justice, sustainability, data analytics, and academic program assessment, you will gain the skills to improve institutional effectiveness, foster enrollment and retention, and lead collaborative teams and campus initiatives. The flexible online format and dedicated faculty mentors help you balance your doctorate with your career, building expertise in strategic leadership, partnership development, and organizational transformation.

You will be prepared for influential leadership roles such as:

• Dean or Associate Dean
• Director of Student Success or Student Affairs
• Chief Diversity Officer
• Higher Education Consultant
• Policy Analyst
• Enrollment Manager
• Academic Program Director
• Institutional Researcher
• Professor of Higher Education

As a doctoral student, you’ll engage in data-driven problem solving, applied research, and hands-on experiences—empowering you to lead positive, sustainable change in higher education institutions and the communities they serve

Higher Education Track Courses

All Ed.D. in Leadership students will complete the same five (5) Common Research Required Sequence courses (15 credits) and the same five (5) Common Leadership Required Sequence courses (15 credits). These courses are listed above under the heading Common Courses for all Ed.D. in Leadership Students. The remaining five (5) program Content Sequence courses for this track are listed below.

*Option if not taken as part of the required research sequence

Track Details: P-12 Education

Prepare to lead meaningful change in schools, districts, and education agencies with Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Ed.D. in Leadership—P-12 track. This program is tailored for educational professionals who are ready to tackle urgent challenges facing P-12 education, empower diverse learners, and build more inclusive, innovative school communities. Through online coursework focused on social justice, sustainability, and advanced data analytics, you’ll gain the skills to close equity gaps, redesign systems, and forge strong partnerships among schools, families, and communities. Flexible scheduling and expert faculty mentorship allow you to complete your doctorate at your own pace, all while building your competencies in collaborative leadership, strategic planning, and educational transformation.

Graduates are prepared for influential leadership roles such as:

• Superintendent
• Assistant Superintendent
• School Principal
• Director of Special Education
• Director of MTSS/Student Services
• State Department of Education Specialist
• Chief Equity Officer
• Curriculum Developer
• Educational Policy Analyst
• Professor of Education

Throughout your studies, you’ll engage in real-world problem solving, research, and immersive field experience—preparing you to create equitable, responsive, and high-achieving school environments as a forward-thinking leader.

P-12 Education Courses

All Ed.D. in Leadership students will complete the same five (5) Common Research Required Sequence courses (15 credits) and the same five (5) Common Leadership Required Sequence courses (15 credits). These courses are listed above under the heading Common Courses for all Ed.D. in Leadership Students. The remaining five (5) program Content Sequence courses for this track are listed below.

*Option if not taken as part of the required research sequence

Track Details: Health Education

Lead transformative health education and patient engagement across hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmaceutical companies, public health agencies, and nonprofits with Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Ed.D. in Leadership—Health Education track. This program prepares professionals to develop and direct patient education initiatives, advance health literacy, and implement strategic health promotion for diverse populations. The curriculum is designed to deepen competencies in data analytics, program development, interprofessional collaboration, and integrated care solutions while supporting those who wish to lead teams, champion community wellness, and drive innovation within the healthcare sector. Graduates also acquire the expertise needed for faculty development and academic leadership within health professions, addressing the evolving demands of nursing, pharmacy, and allied health education.

Career Opportunities in Health Education

Graduates pursue dynamic roles, including:

• Director of Health Education Programs
• Patient Education Specialist (Hospital, Pharmaceutical, Nonprofit)
• Public Health Director
• Healthcare Administrator or Executive Director
• Health Literacy Consultant
• Chief Learning Officer (Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, or Nonprofit)
• Health Promotion Coordinator
• Policy Analyst (Health Policy)
• Dean, Associate Dean, or Curriculum Leader in Health Professions Schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Allied Health)

This Ed.D. track is ideal for those committed to influencing health outcomes through innovative education, strategic leadership, and systemic change—both in the healthcare field and the academic preparation of future professionals.

Health Education Track Courses

All Ed.D. in Leadership students will complete the same five (5) Common Research Required Sequence courses (15 credits) and the same five (5) Common Leadership Required Sequence courses (15 credits). These courses are listed above under the heading Common Courses for all Ed.D. in Leadership Students. The remaining five (5) program Content Sequence courses for this track are listed below.

*Option if not taken as part of the required research sequence