Format
100% online
Time Commitment
Part-time or full-time options
Duration
3-5 years
Program Start
Summer
Credits
51

Program Overview

Our mission is to develop dynamic, transformative, and socially responsible leaders who engage others, value diversity, operate with professional integrity, and believe in enabling and empowering all stakeholders to create high-performing schools and school districts.

  • A highly personalized approach: Small cohorts keep the student/teacher ratio low and the level of support high. You will develop career-long professional relationships with your peers, faculty, and advisors.
  • Apprenticeship experience: A doctoral apprenticeship offers students the chance to build their professional network, expand career options, and hone their leadership skills.

Doctoral Admission Requirements

Curriculum Requirements - Total Credits Required: 51

The Foundation Courses provide the framework for what we mean by scholar practitioner. Each of  the Foundation Courses is grounded in the assumption that research in service of improved practice will facilitate deliberate change.


These courses address such issues as: how bias and our histories  inform how we understand the world; how we can ethically identify and describe practice-embedded  educational research; how conducting a literature review and integrating, from both practice and  research, allows us to be transparent and critical about the ways we pursue and generate knowledge;  how we can align research questions and approaches; and what it looks like to gather and work with  research data in the context of practice.

Foundation Courses

  • EDL 702 - History of Public Education (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 704 - Introduction to Critical Inquiry (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 708 - Change Leadership in Education (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 710 - Sociology of Education (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 730 - Current Issues in Educational Policy (Cr: 3)

Method Courses

  • EDL 716 - Literature Review I (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 727 - Qualitative Research Methods (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 728 - Mixed Methods for Educational Research (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 752A - Action Research (Cr: 3)

K-12 Leadership Electives

Electives - 9 credits

Students must choose three of the following courses:

  • EDL 706 - Family-School Engagement (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 711 - Prior Learning Assessment Seminar (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 719 - Finance, Budget and Operations in Education (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 725 - Diversity, Access, and Equity in Education (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 731 - Leading well: Educational Leadership and Wellbeing (Cr: 3)

Misc Courses

  • EXM 700 - Research Defense Proposal (Cr: 0)

Experiential Courses

  • EDL 772A/772B - Doctoral Apprenticeship I & II (Cr: 6)

Dissertation Courses

  • EDL 755A - Dissertation Study Part I (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 755B - Dissertation Study Part II (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 755C - Dissertation Study Part III (Cr: 3)
  • EDL 782 - Dissertation Continuation (Cr: 0)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will:

  • Locate, analyze and synthesize existing research to address problems in the field that address questions of equity, ethics, and social justice to bring about solutions to complex problems of practice.
  • Prepares leaders who can construct and apply knowledge, theories and frameworks from education and related fields of inquiry to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, organizations, and communities
  • Utilize social scientific research processes (Action Research) to develop and evaluate research
  • Emphasizes the generation, transformation, and use of professional knowledge and practice to communicate clearly with scholarly audiences and communities via written research, oral presentations, and in dialog with each other which integrates multiple perspectives.
  • Develops a professional knowledge base that integrates both practical and research knowledge, which links theory with systemic and systematic inquiry to affect change in educational contexts and the greater community.

View academic catalog and learning outcomes
School of Education

Faculty

Endicott’s professors aren’t just teachers; they are scholars, authors, thought leaders, and experts in their fields, so you learn best practices from experienced practitioners who share insights from their real-world experience. You will gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to make an impact and accelerate your career.

Carnegie Project on Education Doctorate

Accolades

Endicott's Doctorate of Education program is a member of the Carnegie Project on Education Doctorate (CPED).

Advance Your Career With Endicott

Endicott is known for its excellence in preparing students for their careers. With a small-school environment and personalized guidance, we are focused on your success and provide the tools you need to accelerate your career.

  • Your Studies, Your Way

    We understand the demands of balancing work, life, and grad school. So we’ve made our graduate programs flexible to meet your needs. Classes are available in-person, 100% online, or hybrid, allowing you to find the right fit for your busy life.

  • Academics & Resources

    Our curriculum grounds you in the essentials of an advanced education, our expert, approachable faculty are real-world practitioners who offer direction and guidance, and our modern, state-of-the-art facilities are available to help you pursue your goals.

  • Career Support & Networking

    The knowledgeable, professional staff at Endicott’s Career Center provides personalized career support to help you meet your goals. From career advising and resume help to sharpening your interview skills and connecting with our extensive alumni network, you will receive a lifetime of support to help you with job search strategies at any stage of your career. Once a Gull, always a Gull!

Industry Insights

Get a glimpse of the types of careers you can pursue with this degree, along with estimated salaries and projected growth rates, sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Example Job Titles Median Annual Salary Projected Job Growth (2024-2034)
Education Professor $83,980 7%
Education Researcher/Social Scientist $95,890 4%
Provost/Chief Academic Officer $103,960 2%
"From the beginning of the program to the end, the strength of my cohort and supporting faculty ensured my success. The faculty who served my cohort were focused, empathetic, and held us to high expectations. They modeled the principles of adult education and gave us first-hand insight."
Charmie Curry Ed.D. '17
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Wellesley Public Schools

Experiential learning is transformative

The Endicott Experiential Edge

At Endicott, learning goes beyond theory. Through real-world case studies, practitioner-led instruction, and applied problem-solving, you’ll gain the skills and experience to make an immediate impact in your field.

Doctoral Apprenticeship 1 & 2

Combine doctoral-level study with paid, hands-on training to gain practical experience while earning your doctorate, honing your leadership skills, and expanding your career options.

Career-long Connections

Endicott’s highly personalized approach results in a network of peers, faculty, and advisors for continued professional support throughout your career.

Program Cost: $57,783
Endicott is committed to fostering lifelong learning, including making all levels of education accessible to students who are motivated to learn and succeed.
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Tuition & Fees
The total cost of attendance reflects the cost-per-credit pricing for the current academic year and depends on how quickly students complete the program. Please visit the link below for more information on tuition and fees, and read our Financial Aid information for ways to fund your education. You may also reach out to one of our helpful graduate school admission staff with any questions.
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Financial Aid
Investing in an advanced education is a significant financial commitment, but it is an investment in your future. At Endicott College, we believe in supporting our students through financial aid to ensure success, while maintaining financial stability. Financial aid available for graduate students includes federal Stafford and Graduate PLUS loans, as well as additional private loan options. Please visit this page for more information about financial aid for our graduate programs.
Learn more about advancing your career with Endicott.
Connect with a member of our admission team.
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