Doctor of Education (EdD)
Preparing you to take the next step as a leader and expert to help transform today’s formal and informal education and community settings
- Specialized academic fields available
- Next cohort begins Fall 2025
- Priority Application Deadline: February 1, 2025
- Apply now!
Features
- Six Specialized Academic Fields:
- Principalship
- Superintendency
- Special Education
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Cohort model — build a network and study with the same group for the duration of the program
- Three-year online plan of study
- 48-credit-hour program - 24 hours of professional core, 15 hours of intensive study and 9 hours of dissertation
- Students can become a Holmes Scholar if qualified; click here for details.
As an Online & Distance Education student, you’ll have a dedicated Enrollment Contact and Program Coordinator to assist you with registering for classes, navigating the course sequence and billing process, preparing for graduation and much more.
 | Cheryl Meller Graduate Recruitment & Event Coordinator College of Education cheryl.meller@uni.edu |
 | Sohyun Meacham Coordinator, EdD Program, and Associate Professor, Literacy Education College of Education sohyun.meacham@uni.edu |
 | Lisa Jaeger Enrollment Contact lisa.jaeger@uni.edu |
Request Information
Courses are offered online using Blackboard, a learning management system. Many courses meet once per week in the evening via Zoom interactive video conferencing. A three-day, on-campus residency during the first two summer terms is required (dates and times TBD), along with an orientation meeting that's required prior to the program start (August 30, 2025). Contact the program coordinator for approval for online accommodations.
A hybrid option is available for students who prefer or require an on-campus experience. Participants will attend the same synchronous online lectures as fully online students and a required in-person component each week. In addition, all students will be expected to attend a week-long experience on the UNI campus during both summer terms.
For a full list of courses for each study area, please visit the academic catalog.
Our graduates are prepared to:
- Demonstrate a commitment to professional development, civil rights and personal growth by incorporating effective, adaptive and creative responses to meet changes and challenges in global society
- Analyze, implement and integrate knowledge, theory, practice and research findings to lead and make informed decisions in their professional practice
- Effectively communicate an important, complex problem of practice in relation to past research, current practices and potential future impacts of solutions
Individualized Support Services
Throughout every step of your program, you'll have a dedicated team of support staff ready to assist you. You'll also have access to UNI services such as:
- Personalized academic advising
- Support from Financial Aid, Career Services and Rod Library staff
- Academic support and tutoring opportunities from the Learning Center
- Access to student accessibility services and staff
- Technical support assistance
Courses are offered online using Blackboard, a learning management system. Many courses meet once per week in the evening via Zoom interactive video conferencing. A three-day, on-campus residency during the first two summer terms is required (dates and times TBD), along with an orientation meeting that's required prior to the program start (August 30, 2025). Contact the program coordinator for approval for online accommodations.
A hybrid option is available for students who prefer or require an on-campus experience. Participants will attend the same synchronous online lectures as fully online students and a required in-person component each week. In addition, all students will be expected to attend a week-long experience on the UNI campus during both summer terms.
For a full list of courses for each study area, please visit the academic catalog.
Our graduates are prepared to:
- Demonstrate a commitment to professional development, civil rights and personal growth by incorporating effective, adaptive and creative responses to meet changes and challenges in global society
- Analyze, implement and integrate knowledge, theory, practice and research findings to lead and make informed decisions in their professional practice
- Effectively communicate an important, complex problem of practice in relation to past research, current practices and potential future impacts of solutions
Individualized Support Services
Throughout every step of your program, you'll have a dedicated team of support staff ready to assist you. You'll also have access to UNI services such as:
- Personalized academic advising
- Support from Financial Aid, Career Services and Rod Library staff
- Academic support and tutoring opportunities from the Learning Center
- Access to student accessibility services and staff
- Technical support assistance
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the program, students must have:
- a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
- three years of professional experience, minimum
- completed a master's level introduction to statistics course (a summer 2025 online introduction to statistics course is offered for those who need this prerequisite)
Required departmental materials:
- CV/Resume
- Transcripts of all previous academic work
- GRE scores or a writing sample reflecting writing ability from previous academic work
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your potential for advanced professional study, including at least one from a former faculty member and one from an employer/supervisor
- TOEFL or IELTS test scores if your first language is not English
- Applicant statement highlighting your professional background, reason for seeking the doctoral degree, research interests and career goals
Important: A hybrid Ed.D. option is available and designed for students who prefer or require an on-campus experience. Participants will attend the same synchronous online lectures as fully online students and a required in-person component each week. In addition, all students will be expected to attend a week-long experience on the UNI campus during both summer terms. For any questions about which program best suits your needs, please contact Cheryl Meller at cheryl.meller@uni.edu.
Express Interest
Complete our online information request form. We'll send program updates, important information, and application deadlines directly to your inbox!
Priority Application Deadline: February 1
Along with the application, students must submit the required additional application materials listed above.
Contact Us
Our team of support staff is available to help you throughout your UNI journey.
Contact us at 319-273-7206 or online@uni.edu for assistance!
Delivery of this program is contingent on a sufficient number of students being accepted into the program.
Janel Alleyne
"As a working professional and parent, remote learning has allowed flexibility for me with evening classes. Learning in a remote setting has also given me the opportunity to collaborate with many great individuals, with each of us bringing unique experiences and knowledge to our class conversations, making the learning never-ending."
Class of 2023, Doctor of Education, Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Northern Iowa