Executive EdD in Education: Leadership or Teaching & Learning (Online & Accelerated)
Advance your career in teaching at the college level, school administration, research, or policy analysis.
Prepare for leadership at all levels of education with Gwynedd Mercy University’s innovative Online Accelerated Executive Doctorate in Education.
Our 54-credit EdD programs can be completed in less than three years and offer you a motivational learning community in which to develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to lead and transform educational institutions. This program features dissertion support from day one.
Did You Know? Program Director Raymond Bandlow, PhD, received this prestigious award for innovation in higher education from the American Association of University Administrators.
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Program Details
Across all aspects of the program, GMercyU’s Ed.D. degree emphasizes the importance of transformational leadership to change and improve systems within mainstream education, special education, and education-facing organizations including government departments, consultancies, and private companies.
Choose from:
- The Teaching & Learning in Higher Education Program
- The Leadership Program, which offers three concentrations:
- Leadership in PreK-12 Schools and School Districts (superintendent letter of eligibility content courses are included)
- Leadership in Higher Education
- Leadership in Special Education (special education supervisory certification content courses are included)
GMercyU's Doctorate in Educational Leadership program is a leader in EdD programs with a graduation rate of 76% vs. the 11% national average in three to four years.
Because our doctoral program is designed for working professional educators, we have designed it to focus on convenience and flexibility as well as relevance and academic rigor. It features:
- Small class sizes organized within a cohort model, so you can expand your professional network and create meaningful relationships with colleagues
- An accelerated course schedule, which focuses on one course at a time in seven-week blocks, except for residencies
- Convenient online coursework combined with field experience, a weekend on-campus residency, a week-long on-campus residency, and a week-long international study experience
- Rigorous coursework applicable to public education, private education, higher education, government, and business leadership and instruction
- Instruction and mentorship from field-experienced faculty members who are passionate about helping shape a new generation of education leaders
- Dissertation support from day one of your program, to ensure you can complete your degree and take your place as a transformational change agent in education
Our Online Accelerated Executive EdD program challenges you to make new discoveries in your field of interest while honing your professional instructional and leadership skills as you prepare to lead in:
- U.S. and international schools
- School districts
- Colleges and universities
- Educational policy organizations
- Government and nonprofit organizations that support education
The rigorous course of studies in our accelerated doctoral programs will prepare you with the global outlook, research skills, policy analysis capabilities, and practical executive leadership abilities you need to lead and transform educational institutions to meet the needs of all learners.
If you are a school administrator, teacher, higher education faculty or staff, or other professional actively engaged in education and want to build skills for executive-level leadership, our Ed.D. program may be the best choice for you.
Rigorous, Accelerated Doctoral Education
The Online Accelerated Executive EdD program challenges you to make new discoveries in your field of interest while honing your professional leadership skills.
Most of your coursework for the accelerated Executive Doctorate in Education takes place online, with classes presented one at a time in seven-week blocks. You will also perform field research, take on practicum experiences, and attend three residencies: two on our Gwynedd Valley campus and one international experience. The international residency travel, lodging, and conference costs are included in your tuition costs, as well as your required textbooks.
From day one, you’ll have the support of a faculty advisor who will help you prepare your dissertation. The result is a program that can help you be part of the next generation of education leaders.
The online Accelerated Executive EdD program challenges you to make new discoveries in your field of interest while honing your professional leadership skills. As a GMercyU doctorate in education graduate, you will be able to:
- Provide leadership in teaching and learning at the K-12 and college levels
- Articulate an educational organization’s mission, goals, and guiding principles that distinguish the organization from others
- Understand the foundational base of organizational theory and demonstrate the ability to bridge theory and practice
- Given scenarios of conflict, choose ethical courses of action consistent with Gospel values
- Synthesize and analyze data to reveal relations and causality and convert raw data into actionable information
- View problems and challenges through the lens of a scientist, seeking evidence-based conclusions
- Practice and model steward leadership in transforming organizations to better serve all constituents
- Demonstrate facility in the application of technology to solve problems, analyze and synthesize data, and manage information
GMercyU faculty members understand the challenges of doctoral education — they’ve all experienced it. That’s why they’ve helped us develop a doctorate of education program that offers superior support to doctoral students like you.
You’ll join a small cohort of classmates and be matched with a faculty advisor early in your program. You’ll take supervised dissertation preparation courses early in the program, ensuring your research and writing are on track for timely completion. And you’ll be challenged, day in and day out, to pursue research that makes a tangible difference in the lives of students.
Methodological support is available for doctoral students and their advisors to support the dissertation process. Areas in which support is provided include refining research questions, operationalizing variables, general study design, development of instrumentation methods (e.g., interview questions), the IRB application process, data analysis, and writing of results. The methodologist can support students by providing resources for better understanding a process or topic, or by reviewing individual work. Depending on the particular needs and project, students and advisors can work virtually or in-person with the methodologist. See contact information for access to the methodology support.
After you complete your online EdD program, you can connect to our extensive national and worldwide network of alumni. The colleagues, contacts, and friends you meet will inspire you.
If you are an administrator or principal with at least three years’ experience, you have the option of earning your Superintendent Letter of Eligibility as part of the online EdD programs. Your Letter of Eligibility can open the door to superintendent positions in Pennsylvania.
*Certification: This program was designed to meet the certification requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s certification requirements prior to enrolling in this program.
Special education professionals, you have the option of earning your Special Education Supervisor Certification as part of the online EdD programs. This option can equip you to provide special education leadership within a wide variety of public and private settings.
*Certification: This program was designed to meet the certification requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s certification requirements prior to enrolling in this program.
Admission Requirements
To qualify for admission to our EdD in Educational Leadership or Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, you must provide:
- A master’s degree in a field related to your preferred area of concentration from an institution accredited by the Middle States Association, or comparable accreditation, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
- Official graduate transcripts
- A professional resume showing a minimum of three years’ relevant experience
- Three letters of reference from persons in leadership roles in your chosen area of concentration attesting that you have the ability to engage in studies at the doctoral level and to conduct research
- A personal interview with a member of the graduate faculty representing the applicant’s preferred area of concentration (in person or via electronic means, if the distance is a factor)
- A written statement of your professional goals and topic of research interest
- A 750-1000 word sample of your writing abilities
- Official results showing a minimum score of 550 (written), 213 (computer), or 79 (internet) on the TOEFL examination if your first language is not English
Personal interviews are provided for all applicants. The interview permits both the student and the faculty to ensure that the program is a good fit for the student’s needs and aspirations. After enrollment, you will also need to obtain a Child Abuse Clearance, Criminal Background Check, and Federal Criminal History.
"Too often, the story heard from doctoral candidates is one of feeling isolated and unsupported as the graduate coursework finalizes and the dissertation process ensues. To those enrolled in the Educational Leadership program at Gwynedd Mercy University this is a foreign concept. From the moment an individual elects to embark on the doctoral journey, Gwynedd stands by their side to ensure success.
"Selecting a dissertation topic and designing a quality research study is scary! This will be the focus of your work for months. I remember the pressure of choosing the “right” topic and getting the design “correct” to avoid complications in the future. Each email, phone call, and conversation with various professors in the program brought guided support and assurances to allow me the opportunity to expand myself as a student and a first-time researcher. I became dedicated to my study and because of my own passion for my work, the professors were just as invested in my efforts. While writing my dissertation, I had access to not only professors in the program but also library and writing specialists to help me acquire relevant literature and review my work (multiple times) providing construction feedback to strengthen the writing. Writing a dissertation requires time, energy, and commitment. These are characteristics both students and program leaders need to display.
"My time in the doctoral program at Gwynedd Mercy University afforded me the opportunity to cement myself as a practitioner and researcher. It is in part because of the university’s dedication to each individual student’s success that I have succeeded in my doctoral program and dissertation research."
— Dawn Durham, winner of the Outstanding Dissertation Award by the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (PAC-TE)
GMercyU Residencies
Two of the program's three in-person residencies take place on campus at GMercyU. Watch the video below for a student perspective of the first residency, which captures the warmth of our EdD community.
Video created by EdD student Wil Castro
Global Residency
For our third residency, students, their guests, and faculty members spend a week experiencing the culture of Ireland and collaborating with faculty at the University of Limerick. Cost of the trip is built into your tuition.
Video created by EdD student Jessica Brasch
Curriculum
The online Accelerated Executive EdD program requires completion of at least 54 credits of coursework. The exact courses you take depend upon your chosen area of interest. No matter which area you choose, you’ll have the support of a faculty advisor as you progress through your coursework and develop your dissertation.
Online with Three Residencies
Foundation Courses for Educational Leadership - 27 credits
EDU 801 | Educational Policy in Research and Practice in the U.S. |
EDU 802 | Developing a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Organization |
EDU 803 | Foundations of Educational Research Methods |
EDU 804 | Social Justice, Systems of Power, and Cultural Identity |
EDU 805 | The Ethics of Educational Leadership and Policy |
EDU 806 | Equity, Equality and Equal Opportunity |
EDU 807 | Quantitative Educational Research Methods |
EDU 808 | Qualitative Educational Research Methods |
EDU 809 | Global Educational Policy and Practice |
Concentration Courses for Educational Administration - 15 credits
EDU 821 | The Superintendency |
EDU 822 | School Boards and School District Goverance |
EDU 824 | Transforming Leadership for Holistic Achievement |
EDU 825 | Labor Relations and Fiscal Management |
EDU 842 | School Law and Policy in Special Education |
Dissertation Advisement Courses - 12 credits
EDU 811 | Dissertation Advisement I |
EDU 812 | Dissertation Advisement II |
EDU 813 | Dissertation Advisement III |
EDU 814 | Dissertation Advisement IV |
Practicum Experience - Letter of Eligibility Superintendent Certification Only - 6 credits
EDU 828 | School District Practicum I |
EDU 829 | School District Practicum II |
You may also need to take the following prerequisites to qualify for the Superintendent Letter of Eligibility:
EDU 571 | The Principalship |
EDU 574 | School Law and Policy Issues |
EDU 576 | Human Resources and Staff Development |
Three courses and two practicum experiences are identified in this doctoral program for the Letter of Eligibility. PDE requires 360 hours, 2 semesters, of central office practicum hours for Letter of Eligibility for Superintendent. PA requires 3 years of prior professional experience in an educational setting relating to the instructional process and evidence of satisfactory achievement on the required test for Letter of Eligibility.
Online with Three Residencies
Foundation Courses for Educational Leadership - 27 credits
EDU 801 | Educational Policy in Research and Practice in the U.S. |
EDU 802 | Developing a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Organization |
EDU 803 | Foundations of Educational Research Methods |
EDU 804 | Social Justice, Systems of Power, and Cultural Identity |
EDU 805 | The Ethics of Educational Leadership and Policy |
EDU 806 | Equity, Equality and Equal Opportunity |
EDU 807 | Quantitative Educational Research Methods |
EDU 808 | Qualitative Educational Research Methods |
EDU 809 | Global Educational Policy and Practice |
Concentration Courses for Educational Administration - 15 credits
EDU 841 | Design Interventions and Assessing Outcomes |
EDU 842 | School Law and Policy in Special Education |
EDU 843 | Foundations of Special Education Administration |
EDU 844 | Neuroscience of Learning |
EDU 845 | Supervision and Administration of Special Education |
Dissertation Advisement Courses - 12 credits
EDU 811 | Dissertation Advisement I |
EDU 812 | Dissertation Advisement II |
EDU 813 | Dissertation Advisement III |
EDU 814 | Dissertation Advisement IV |
Practicum Experience - Supervisor of Special Education Certificate Only - 6 credits
EDU 848 | Supervision & Admin of Special Education Practicum I |
EDU 849 | Supervision & Admin of Special Education Practicum II |
You must possess an Initial Special Education certification with a Subject certification in order to meet the minimum requirements for Supervisor of Special Education (Single Supervisory certificate). Three courses and two Special Education practicum experiences are identified in this doctoral program for Supervisor of Special Education. PDE requires 360 hours, 2 semesters, of special education supervisor practicum hours.
Online with Three Residencies
Foundation Courses for Educational Leadership - 27 credits
EDU 801 | Educational Policy in Research and Practice in the U.S. |
EDU 802 | Developing a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Organization |
EDU 803 | Foundations of Educational Research Methods |
EDU 804 | Social Justice, Systems of Power, and Cultural Identity |
EDU 805 | The Ethics of Educational Leadership and Policy |
EDU 806 | Equity, Equality and Equal Opportunity |
EDU 807 | Quantitative Educational Research Methods |
EDU 808 | Qualitative Educational Research Methods |
EDU 809 | Global Educational Policy and Practice |
Concentration Couses for Educational Administration - 15 credits
EDU 831 | Leadership and Administration of Higher Education |
EDU 832 | Legal Issues for Inclusive Education |
EDU 833 | Finance and Fiscal Policy in Higher Education |
EDU 834 | Enrollment Management in Higher Education |
EDU 835 | Equity-Minded Leadership in Higher Education |
Dissertation Advisement Courses - 12 credits
EDU 811 | Dissertation Advisement I |
EDU 812 | Dissertation Advisement II |
EDU 813 | Dissertation Advisement III |
EDU 814 | Dissertation Advisement IV |
Practicum for ABD online - 3 to 6 credits in lieu of above
EDU 838 | Practicum for Leadership in Higher Education |
Online with Three Residencies
Foundation Courses for Educational Leadership - 42 credits
EDU 803 | Foundations of Educational Research Methods |
EDU 804 | Social Justice, Systems of Power, and Cultural Identity |
EDU 806 | Equity, Equality and Equal Opportunity |
EDU 807 | Quantitative Educational Research Methods |
EDU 808 | Qualitative Educational Research Methods |
EDU 809 | Global Educational Policy and Practice |
EDU 860 | Foundations in Teaching and Learning |
EDU 861 | College Student Development Theory |
EDU 862 | Advancing Social Justice through the Faculty Role |
EDU 863 | Learning Models and Instructional Design |
EDU 864 | Curriculum Development and Academic Program Design |
EDU 865 | Teaching Adults and Adult Learning Theory |
EDU 866 | Innovative Practices in Online Learning and E-Learning |
EDU 867 | Cultivating Inclusive Learning Spaces: Trauma-Informed Practice |
Dissertation Advisement Courses - 12 credits
EDU 811 | Dissertation Advisement I |
EDU 812 | Dissertation Advisement II |
EDU 813 | Dissertation Advisement III |
EDU 814 | Dissertation Advisement IV |
3 to 6 credits in lieu of above with Program Director approval
EDU 838 | Practicum for Leadership in Higher Education |
GMercyU's faculty and staff not only gave me the opportunity to embark on their doctoral program but also supported me all the way through the completion of my Doctoral Journey. I cherished their consistent support, invaluable feedback, and words of encouragement in every course. I especially enjoyed the memories from each residency, particularly in Ireland, and valued connecting with everyone beyond the classroom.
—Dr. Allan Cosma Sr., District Associate Vice Chancellor of Wayne County Community College District and GMercyU EdD 2023 graduate
Lead in 21st Century Education
Learn more about how you can prepare for roles of influence in policy, administration, and school leadership with our innovative online executive doctorate (EdD) program. Call 833-588-5953 or e-mail to accelerate@orkexpo.net to contact an admissions counselor. You also can request information today!
Learn More About EdD Degrees
An Ed.D. degree is a doctoral-level degree focused on professional education leadership and practice. It differs from a Ph.D. in Education, which primarily focuses on developing researchers. Designed for experienced administrators and teachers who want to achieve the highest level of instruction and leadership in the profession, Ed.D. degrees provide a combination of advanced theory and skills development in:
- Teaching, assessment and curriculum development
- Faculty and staff management and development
- Education policy and regulation
- Education research
- Community relations and outreach
GMercyU's Accelerated Executive EdD program prepares you for the highest levels of education leadership. The exact nature of the roles you pursue will vary depending on your area of interest and previous experience.
Job titles may include, but are not limited to:
- Superintendent of schools
- State board of education official
- College Dean or administrator
- Education policy analyst
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15,300 openings for post-secondary education administrators are projected each year, on average, through 2033.
Gwynedd Mercy University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Learn more about GMercyU's accreditation, including our accreditation status.