Doctoral Degree
Graduate Degree
EdD in Interdisciplinary Leadership
¹ú²ú̽»¨'s online EdD in Interdisciplinary Leadership offers two concentrations - Organizational Leadership and Educational Leadership.
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Prioritizing Educators. Reimagining Leadership.
The Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership at ¹ú²ú̽»¨ is built on a conviction: educators are uniquely equipped to transform the practice of leadership.
Every day, educators cultivate learning, develop people, navigate complexity, and inspire change. Grounded in that identity, this program deepens and extends the educator's approach to leadership through rigorous scholarship and interdisciplinary inquiry, preparing graduates to reshape leadership across educational and organizational contexts.
Program Design
The EdD in Interdisciplinary Leadership honors your commitments to work and family. Every element of the program, from the cohort model to the dissertation sequence, is intentionally structured to preserve balance while building your capacity to engage in rigorous doctoral work.
- 54 Total Credits: Completed over 3 years (18 credits per year, 6 courses per year).
- One Course at a Time: Focus on a single course for 8 weeks, 6 subterms per year.
- Weekly Rhythm: Designed for 18 to 20 hours per week of dedicated study, approximately 3 hours a day, 6 days a week.
- Cohort-Based: Small cohorts where professionals from education and other organizational settings bring distinct perspectives to shared leadership challenges.
- Structured Dissertation Sequence: Progress steadily through 6 dissertation courses spread across the entire program, backed by ongoing, personal chair mentorship starting in Year 1.
- Interdisciplinary Faculty: Scholar-practitioners who teach and research across fields, bringing varied perspectives to how leadership is studied and practiced.
Curriculum
54 credits | 4 curricular pillars
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Core Courses (18 credits)
Leadership theory, ethics, communication, cultural intelligence, and data-driven decision making.
- EDUD 731A Organizational Leadership Theory & Practice
- EDUD 732 Leadership for Transformational Change & Innovation
- EDUD 733 Communication & Leadership
- EDUD 734 Leadership & Ethics
- EDUD 735 Leadership, Diversity, and Cultural Intelligence
- EDUD 736 Data-Driven Decision Making for Leaders
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Research Courses (9 credits)
Qualitative, quantitative, and applied research design to prepare for dissertation work and evidence-informed practice.
- EDUD 831 Qualitative Research Design
- EDUD 832 Quantitative Research Design
- EDUD 833 Applied Research Design
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Dissertation Courses (18 credits)
6 courses spread across all 3 years, moving from problem identification through defense.
- EDUD 871 Dissertation 1 | Framing the Research Study
- EDUD 872 Dissertation 2 | Literature Review and Theoretical Foundations
- EDUD 873 Dissertation 3 | Methodology and Approach
- EDUD 874 Dissertation 4 | Data Analysis
- EDUD 875 Dissertation 5 | Results and Implications
- EDUD 876 Dissertation 6 | Manuscript Completion and Defense
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Concentration Electives (9 credits)
3 courses specific to your chosen concentration. Elective offerings rotate each cycle.
Fall and Spring Entry
Cohorts begin in August or January. Both follow a 3-year course sequence structured across 6 subterms per year.
Concentrations
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Educational Leadership
For professionals leading in K-12 schools, districts, and educational organizations. Recent elective offerings include:
- EDUD 784D Equity-Focused School Leadership
- EDUD 784E Current Trends in Educational Leadership
- EDUD 784G Educational Leadership for Adaptive Learning
Both concentrations share the same core, research, and dissertation coursework. Your concentration is defined by 3 elective courses and is recorded on your academic transcript.
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Organizational Leadership
For professionals leading across business, healthcare, nonprofits, government, and other organizational settings. Recent elective offerings include:
- EDUD 784A Women & Leadership
- EDUD 784B Power Dynamics & Toxic Leadership
- EDUD 784F Collaborative Leadership: Dialogue, Negotiation, & Crisis Response
Students select 3 elective courses from their concentration. The program develops new electives regularly to address relevant and emerging topics in leadership.
Both concentrations share the same core, research, and dissertation coursework. Your concentration is defined by 3 elective courses and is recorded on your academic transcript.
On-Campus Residency
The program includes 2 required on-campus residencies at ¹ú²ú̽»¨ in Seguin, Texas:
- When: Summer 1 of Year 1 and Year 2
- Schedule: Thursday through Saturday, requiring only 2 days away from work
- Format: Summer 1 elective courses are delivered in a 6-week format, shorter than the standard 8-week subterm. In Years 1 and 2, the on-campus residency is integrated into the course.
- Year 3: Fully online, no on-campus requirement
Admissions
The EdD program admits cohorts beginning in August and January. Admission is cohort-based, and all coursework must be completed through ¹ú²ú̽»¨.
Requirements:
- Earned Master's Degree: From a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from the institution awarding the master's degree.
- Professional Resume: Current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Personal Statement: Prepared according to the EdD Personal Statement Guidelines [].
- Writing Sample: Prepared according to the EdD Writing Sample Guidelines [].
The EdD program does not accept transfer credits. The program does not provide visa sponsorship for international students.
Tuition & Financial Aid
- Tuition: $850 per credit hour. Students are responsible for books, course materials, and additional costs associated with the required on-campus residencies.
- Financial Aid: Financial aid options are available to students who qualify. Students are encouraged to assess all their financial needs and explore sources of funding such as loans, grants, and outside scholarships. Start your FAFSA as soon as you apply (¹ú²ú̽»¨ Federal School Code: 003641).
NC-SARA
¹ú²ú̽»¨ is a member of NC-SARA, which means students from across the United States can enroll in the EdD program. NC-SARA also provides student protections and a resolution process for any concerns that may arise.