Online Doctor of Education (EdD) Degree

The Curriculum and Teaching specialization builds on your fundamental teaching and learning skills by providing the knowledge and professional competencies to enhance your instructional practice and leadership. The coursework provides a foundational understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies allow you to explore, develop, and assess contemporary teaching practices, including the evaluation of broader curriculum programs.

In the Early Childhood Education specialization, you’ll build on your knowledge and skills in educational leadership by examining the latest research and findings on the growth and development of young children. Coursework provides a foundational understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies focus on curriculum, assessment, program administration, and the roles of families and communities in early childhood education. 

The English Language Learning (ELL) specialization prepares professionals to become advanced practitioners and leaders in the field. Coursework provides a foundational understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies examine the latest teaching practices, assessment, and curriculum development for English language learners. In the final course, you’ll consider significant issues in ELL education, one of which may inspire your dissertation. Please note: if you’re seeking ELL/ESL certification, you should verify with state officials that this specialization meets applicable requirements. 

The General Education specialization allows you to select courses from a range of electives to fit your personal and professional goals. Core coursework provides a foundational understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies (12 credit hours) allow you to focus on topics of your choosing. You may select education courses at the 7000 or 8000 course-level, and up to two of these courses may be taken from other fields, i.e., psychology, technology, or business. With dean approval, you may even consider additional courses (more than two) from other disciplines to fulfill this requirement.

The Instructional Leadership specialization provides education professionals with a strong background in instruction supervision and the ability to assess and interpret data. Core coursework provides a foundational understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies focus on building a culture of learning, supervising curriculum, improving organizational practices, and initiating educational innovation.

The International Education and Globalization specialization prepares professional practitioners to apply the concepts of organizational training, development, and leadership to programs and institutions within different societies and cultures. The coursework provides you with a foundational understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies focus on practices and challenges within international education; conflict and mediation in diverse environments; and equity, inclusion, and social justice in a global context.

The Leadership in Higher Education specialization prepares professionals for leadership in a variety of higher education institutions, including public, private, for-profit, and non-profit. The foundational coursework provides you with an in-depth understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies explore leadership across a variety of functions and considerations, such management and supervision, strategic planning and operations, legal issues, and financial concerns.

The Nursing Education specialization prepares educators and leaders for professional roles in nursing education. The foundational coursework provides an in-depth understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies focus on instructional theory, evidence-based practices, evaluation methods, and the use of technology in nursing education.

The Organizational Leadership specialization prepares professionals for leadership roles within educational organizations by providing the tools necessary to make things happen. The program is grounded in applied research and explores issues, practices, and resolutions in contemporary organizations. Coursework provides a foundational understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies focus on strategies for conflict resolution, building capacity, change management, and inspiring a shared vision.

The School Safety, Security, and Emergency Management specialization provides K-12 professionals, emergency management, and district management personnel the skills and tools to keep schools safe and secure for students, teachers, and the learning process. Program coursework provides you with a foundational understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies focus on technologies for managing safety, security, and emergencies; threat assessments of people and facilities; restorative justice and other alternatives to student discipline; and ways to implement and improve school safety plans.

The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) specialization provides education professionals, advanced classroom teachers, school counselors or psychologists, and administrators with an intensive examination of the five core competencies identified by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL): self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness. Program coursework provides you with a foundational understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies examine CASEL competencies and their application across schools, classrooms, homes, and communities.

The Special Education (SE) specialization is designed for professionals who work with gifted and disabled students in a variety of settings. The program covers a spectrum of related issues, including the development and characteristics of students, learning differences, and instructional strategies that address these special needs. Foundational coursework provides an in-depth understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies equip you with the knowledge and skills to plan, assess, and deliver instruction to gifted students and those with mental, physical, behavioral, or learning disabilities.

The Trauma-Informed Educational Practices specialization builds on your professional teaching, learning, and administration skills by focusing on specific trauma-informed educational practices. The doctoral coursework provides an in-depth understanding of research methods, statistics, and data analysis, while the specialty studies extend across various educational settings and populations, preparing you for a trauma-informed approach to instruction. You’ll examine how trauma manifests in different populations and communities, specific trauma-informed strategies for the classroom, and how to strengthen resilience among both students and educators.

The specialization is designed to allow students to develop and enhance academic and practical skills for success in the academy and other career paths. The specialization reinforces principles in leadership, research, appreciation of literature, and data driven decision making, allowing graduates to create or enhance their own niche in the many disciplines of athletic coaching and sport management. Students will integrate professional and ethical essentials of leadership including DEI in athletic coaching and sport management and validate research principles to make data driven decisions in athletic coaching and sport management. Further, students will justify continual professional development in athletic coaching and sport management and cultivate effective communications with all audiences using a variety of delivery modalities. Finally, students will synthesize literature for research-based practice in athletic coaching and sport management and develop specialization content knowledge in the core and related courses.  The specialization blends coursework, research, and practical experience to prepare the graduates for careers in interscholastic, intercollegiate, professional, and recreational sport settings.

This specialization integrates curriculum development, instructional design and course delivery using technology and online learning management systems. The specialization focuses on providing a knowledge base of current research for the planning and implementation of teaching and delivery modalities using instructional design methodologies incorporating educational media.