Program Information

EdD Program Information


The EdD program includes two concentrations: K12 Administration and Higher Education Administration and will allow you to be engaged in coursework and activities relevant to your identified spectrum of educational leadership.  The dissertation requirement is based upon ECU’s Department of Educational Leadership (LEED) membership in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) using the Problem of Practice dissertation framework.

Upon completion of the program, K12 school leaders who hold a North Carolina administrative and/or supervision license(s), are eligible to upgrade those license(s).  Note: Individuals seeking the North Carolina Superintendent license (011) will be required to meet the North Carolina Standards for the Superintendent via student artifacts generated with the oversight of a local superintendent and LEED faculty member.

Start of program: second summer term (typically last week in June)

Length of time required: three years / 60 credit hours

Delivery method: hybrid model with coursework delivered both face-to-face and online

Location of face-to-face meetings: off campus partner locations (schools, community colleges, etc.), which vary each year based on the location of the majority of the students – past cohorts have been in Nash, Edgecombe, Johnston, Wilson, and Wayne counties

Number of students admitted: LEED evaluates the number of current EdD students to determine the number of available seats for each incoming cohort.  Cohorts are typically between 15 and 18 students.

Tuition:Approximately $17,900 for North Carolina residents. Courses are classified as Distance Education – approximately $290 per credit hour (about half the cost of on-campus courses). Each course is 3 credit hours. See ECU Cashier Website for more information and out-of-state rates.

Schedule: Students take 2 courses per semester in the evenings. The courses meet approximately 20% face-to-face and 80% online, and students are required to attend all course meetings.