Doctor of Education

The online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership for Organizations prepares you to enact positive change from the top-down through service-based leadership.

Designed for professionals who already hold a master's degree, the online Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations will help you lead mission-driven organizations to success through the program's emphasis on research, collaboration, social justice and applied practice.


Program Overview

Degree Information and Courses

We cultivate student learning in the Catholic and Marianist tradition and challenge students to construct inclusive communities of purpose, demonstrate practical wisdom and choose value congruent behaviors.

University of Dayton's online Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations is a 60-credit program led by expert School of Education and Health Sciences faculty and can be completed in as few as 36 months.

As a student in this immersive online program, you will:

  • learn to lead organizations through service-based and social justice principles;
  • develop a scholarly practice through inquiry, research and hands-on experience that you will put into action from day one;
  • investigate organizational leadership through an in-depth dissertation-in-practice;
  • collaborate with classmates and instructors online and in person during two on-campus immersions and build a strong network of like-minded peers.

Ed.D. Dissertation

You will begin a dissertation-in-practice during the third term, and will continue working on it throughout your time in the program.

For your dissertation, you will conduct in-depth, independent research in an area that interests you and aligns with your career goals. It will be an original action research study that will balance empirical research and direct application of new knowledge and findings. You may choose a dissertation topic pertaining to your current organization and begin implementing what you learn right away, in addition to planning long-term organizational goals.

Expert UD School of Education and Health Sciences faculty will offer their continuous support throughout the dissertation process, and collaboration with classmates in research affinity groups will help you refine your ideas. You will present a culminating dissertation report during the second of two immersions, and receive feedback from faculty and peers.

Visit the Catalog to view additional details about education in leadership for organizations, including degree requirements and course descriptions.

Admission Requirements

The University of Dayton online Ed.D. admission committee welcomes passionate professionals who are interested in building community by committing to the common good. Successful applicants possess a deep interest in learning systems, are skilled communicators and desire to further the missions of their organizations through equity and social justice.

All applicants to the Ed.D. program must hold a master's degree.

The program offers three start dates per year in September, January and May.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Rooted in our Catholic, Marianist traditions, the University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success.

Financial aid may be available for degree-seeking graduate students, file the FAFSA to be considered. Once you have applied and been accepted to a graduate program, we will prepare your applicable aid for the upcoming year.


Online Ed.D. in Leadership for Organization

The University of Dayton's online Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations is a 60-credit program led by expert School of Education and Health Sciences faculty and can be completed in as few as 36 months.

As a student in this immersive online program, you will:

  • learn to lead organizations through service-based and social justice principles;
  • develop a scholarly practice through inquiry, research and hands-on experience that you will put into action from day one;
  • investigate organizational leadership through an in-depth dissertation-in-practice;
  • collaborate with classmates and instructors online and in person during two on-campus immersions and build a strong network of like-minded peers.