The Doctor of Education program provides experienced adult learners, working professionals, and scholar-practitioners from various backgrounds and perspectives with the practical knowledge and experience they need to develop and conduct research to investigate, explore, and transform their organizational and institutional landscapes.
The program is designed to be completed in three to four years of study, following a fast-paced quarter system rather than the traditional semester schedule, and offers five concentrations to create a personalized curriculum. Students begin working on their dissertation in practice at the onset of their coursework by identifying their problem of practice and developing an action plan—incorporating cycles of data collection and analysis, collaboration, change work, and reflection—culminating in the dissemination of their action research findings. Our students come from diverse disciplines and professions seeking more than just a degree. They’re gaining a practical education that translates to their everyday working environment.
While all EdD courses can be completed online (except for hybrid courses in Seattle and Charlotte), two-day residencies occur each year designed for networking and career success. Students attend residency in their first and second years in the program at one of our campuses in Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, or Seattle, WA. This offers the chance to connect in person with faculty and fellow scholars to share knowledge and experiences.
* Please note, international students enrolling in the online EdD program will be provided with an option to complete the residency through online participation in interactive sessions with fellow scholars offered during the residency period.
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Unique Features
- Students choose one of five concentrations—higher education administration, innovative teaching and learning, transformative school leadership, workplace learning, and integrative studies—to focus their studies and further customize their curriculum.
- Students begin work on the dissertation in practice at the onset of their program around a self-selected, compelling educational/organizational challenge—known as the student's problem of practice.
- Students are assigned a faculty advisor at the start of their program to support their dissertation in practice research throughout their program.
- All coursework offered online, allowing for flexibility for working professionals.
- Residencies can be fulfilled at one of our campuses in Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, and Seattle, WA. In-person participation for the residency is available for international students as well.
Scholarships
- MacFarland Scholarship - New, incoming students, who are working or have the intention of working as an educator in a public school at the elementary or secondary level, within an urban area, are eligible to receive a scholarship award of up to $10,000.
Concentrations
- Higher Education Administration: The higher education administration concentration provides an opportunity for experienced higher education professionals to expand their previous understanding of practices within all sectors of postsecondary education. Sectors examined include community colleges, four-year colleges, for-profit institutions, and research universities. The concentration courses allow experienced higher education professionals to advance their professional practice by developing and deepening their understanding of the roles of colleges and universities in our society.
- Innovative Teaching and Learning: The innovative teaching and learning concentration focuses on transforming education through innovation, justice, and policy, by providing engaging opportunities for current and aspiring teaching and learning specialists working in various education spaces. The concentration focuses on teaching and learning both inside and outside the bounds of P-20 schools and focuses on developing and leading innovative curriculum and professional development.
- Transformative School Leadership: The transformative school leadership concentration provides innovative opportunities for experienced education professionals who are current and aspiring leaders of early childhood centers, public or private schools, or school districts. The concentration prepares students to lead and transform educational spaces and be equipped to shape the needs of education in K-12, higher education, organizational contexts, and beyond.
- Workplace Learning:The workplace learning concentration helps learning professionals gain a deeper understanding of, recognize, and influence real-life social inequalities marginalized populations face in the workplace. The courses allow experienced learning professionals to advance their professional practice by developing and deepening their knowledge of workplace learning, organizational dynamics, learning strategy, and ethics.
- Integrative Studies:The integrative studies concentration provides an opportunity for students to design a program of study that fits their own professional goals and includes the required foundation and research courses, concentration courses from any EdD concentration, and electives from the Doctor of Education or Doctor of Law and Policy programs.
Program Objectives
- Develop a broad understanding of scholarly approaches to education and education reform
- Learn methods for researching and analyzing critical practice-based issues
- Conduct a doctoral research study that investigates a compelling educational challenge
Student Outcomes
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Accreditation Description
The Northeastern Doctor of Education degree is accredited. There are six regional accrediting bodies. The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) awards accreditation to Northeastern University.