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
- Four Intensive Study Areas available
- Next cohort: Fall 2024
- Flexible online delivery

Features
Primarily Online Delivery | 48 Credits | 3 Years
- Four Intensive Study Areas:
- Educational Leadership - Principal and Superintendent tracks
- Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Allied Health, Recreation & Community Services
- Cohort model — build a network and study with the same group for the duration of the program
- Three-year plan of study; two courses per semester via online delivery
- 48-credit-hour program - 24 hours professional core, 15 hours intensive study and nine hours dissertation
- Ranked in the top 50 of Best Online Doctorate Degrees in Education by University HQ in 2022.
Here to Help
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.
![]() | Matt Townsley Program Coordinator Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology, Foundations, & Leadership Studies |
![]() | Linda Loy Enrollment Contact linda.loy@uni.edu |
Flexible Online Delivery
Courses are offered online using Blackboard, a learning management system requiring Internet access and a web browser. Many courses meet once per week in the evening via Zoom, an interactive video conferencing system. A five-day, on-campus residency during the first two summer terms is required (dates and times TBD), and an orientation meeting is required prior to the program start in August; date TBD. Contact the program coordinator for approval for online accommodations.
For a full list of courses for each study area, please contact Linda Loy.

Our graduates are prepared to:
- Demonstrate a commitment to professional development, social justice 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

Along with the application, students should submit
- official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions
- GRE scores OR a writing sample reflecting previous academic work
- Three letters of recommendation
Express Interest
Complete our online information request form. We'll send program updates, important information, and application deadlines directly to your inbox!
Learn More
The Doctor of Education program is delivered through UNI's Office of Online & Distance Education and the College the Education. Learn more about the program including faculty and the Intensive Study Areas.
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.
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 2022 online introduction to statistics course is offered for those who need this prerequisite)
Required departmental materials:
- 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