If you want to advance your career and make a difference in the field of education, earning a PhD in Education Administration may be the next step in your professional journey.
A doctoral degree in education administration can help you gain the skills to lead educational institutions, conduct research, and develop education policy. Educational leaders maintain academic standards, develop community partnerships, and stay current with educational trends and curricula.
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The field of education continues to grow, and a PhD could help you expand your professional qualifications and opportunities.
PhD in Education Administration Programs Online
Education administrators can make an impact in education in numerous ways, including as school and district leaders, postsecondary teachers, and educational researchers.
Most educational administration doctoral programs offer a choice of specializations, including:
- Higher education
- School leadership
- Administrative licensure
While coursework can vary by concentration, here are some key topics and skills that this type of program will likely cover:
- Organizational leadership
- Human resources
- Communication
- Strategic planning
- Effective management
- Applied research
- Educational policy
- Data analysis
- Curriculum development
- School finance
- History and philosophy of education
- Evaluating curriculum, instruction, and assessments
Many administrative careers require collaborating with others and problem-solving, which in turn requires strong communication and critical thinking skills.
Graduates of educational administration doctoral programs often pursue careers at the highest levels of education. Graduates interested in education at the K-12 level tend to pursue careers as principals and superintendents.
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At the postsecondary level, career opportunities exist for teachers, deans, presidents, and other administrative roles. Since many PhD students are currently teachers and working professionals, much like with online educational administration masters programs, many online educational administration doctoral programs offer much-needed scheduling flexibility.
As challenges and advancements in our education system continue, we’ll continue to need qualified leaders to help tackle these challenges at every level of education.
Common Online PhD in Education Administration Concentrations
As you look into educational administration doctoral programs, you may find the opportunity to choose a concentration for your program that most aligns with your career goals and interests.
While concentration offerings will vary by program, some common specializations in education administration PhD programs are listed below:
- School Leadership. This concentration focuses on leadership, school improvement, community, and management skills for successful school administrators and educators.
- PreK-12 Education. This concentration focuses on Pre-K through secondary-level administration skills, including curriculum development, policymaking, and data analysis.
- Higher Education. Designed for postsecondary administrators, this concentration includes financial management, college curriculum, and diversity in higher education.
- Administrative Licensure. This concentration is designed for students interested in licensure for administrative positions like school superintendents and principals.
- Curriculum and Instruction. This concentration is designed for students interested in educational theory, research, and applications for improving classroom education.
Regardless of concentration, most PhD programs require the completion of a dissertation, with some specializations requiring candidates to complete an internship.
Education Administration Careers and Salaries
Graduates with a doctoral degree in education administration can advance their careers in education in a number of ways.
Individuals interested in school administration and leadership can pursue opportunities as superintendents of school systems or principals at the elementary, middle, or high school level. When deciding on a PhD program and concentration, it is helpful to consider your ultimate career goals and what type of program can help you reach them.
Based on information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, below are some careers and salaries for professionals in the field of educational administration.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Chief Executives | $189,520 |
| Training and Development Managers | $120,000 |
| Administrative Services Managers | $103,330 |
| Elementary, Middle, or High School Principals | $101,320 |
| Postsecondary Education Administrators | $99,940 |
| General and Operations Managers | $98,100 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,240 |
| Postsecondary Education Teachers | $66,930 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $66,490 |
| Preschool and Childcare Center Directors | $49,690 |
Many graduates pursue opportunities in postsecondary education, working in colleges and universities as postsecondary education administrators.
Some graduates can also find careers as college or university presidents, including managing general operations, budgets, finances, and faculty. Individuals interested in education in a non-traditional setting might pursue careers as training and development managers, providing professional development in various settings.
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Many jobs in this field are growing, with positions like K-12 principals expected to grow by 5% over the next ten years (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Education Administration PhD Curriculum & Courses
While courses will vary between educational administration doctoral programs, listed below are some types of courses you may take:
- History and Philosophy of Higher Education: Students in this course study the origins, characteristics, features, and philosophy of American postsecondary education.
- Development Through the Lifespan: This course examines developmental milestones and psychoeducational strategies for student development.
- Leader Behavior in Educational Administration: Students in this course will examine theories of leadership and behavior in educational administration.
- College Curriculum: This course introduces the fundamental issues and practices of college curriculum development, including the intersection of theory and practice.
- School Improvement: This course reviews research, including teacher and principal effectiveness and school improvement models.
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: You’ll examine how to improve student achievement by aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessments.
- Legal Aspects of Educational Administration: This course focuses on developing education law and its application to current school problems.
- Public School Finance: Students are introduced to the fundamentals of public school finance, including revenue, expenditure, and fiscal controls.
- Supervision of Instruction: This course introduces you to practices for instructional improvement, including classroom observation and group facilitation.
- Social Foundations of Leadership: Students will examine the history, philosophy, and sociology of education in relation to the role of leadership in education today.
While many programs will offer core educational administration courses, other courses will vary based on your chosen concentration.
How to Choose an Online PhD in Educational Administration Program
As you look into choosing a doctoral program in educational leadership, there are various factors to consider.
Some factors to consider when choosing a program include:
- Accreditation. Choosing a program from a regionally accredited school could be beneficial and affect your education and employment opportunities.
- Concentrations and curriculum. Concentrations offered in a PhD program vary by school, so it’s strategic to consider programs that align with your goals and interests.
- Location. Some online degree programs in education still have a few in-person requirements, and location may also affect your program’s cost.
- Cost and funding. The overall cost will vary by program, including tuition, financial aid opportunities, online learning fees, and tuition breaks based on your location.
- Program format and schedule. Course schedules, enrollment options, and program formats vary, so it’s helpful to consider which format will work for your long-term scheduling needs.
- Online student services. Another factor to consider is the quality and accessibility of services for online students, including tutoring services, career counseling, and online resources.
Some factors may be more important to you than others, so you might rank their importance to you before comparing the different schools you are considering.
Admissions Requirements
While admissions requirements will vary by school, listed below are some common criteria for pursuing enrollment in doctoral programs in education administration:
- Masters degree, usually in an education-related field
- Letters of recommendation from professional sources
- Official transcripts from any postsecondary schools you have attended
- Resume showing your work experience and professional accomplishments
In addition, most programs will require you to submit an online application, which is typically different from the application process for undergraduate programs.
Educational Administration Doctorate Programs Accreditation
As you look into educational administration doctoral programs, it’s beneficial to know whether a school’s programs meet the necessary education requirements.
Regionally accredited schools are verified as meeting these educational standards, and regional accreditation is the most widely accepted type of accreditation. Employers look more favorably on doctoral degrees earned from regionally accredited institutions. This could potentially affect your employment and even state licensure opportunities. In addition, other schools may only accept credits from other regionally accredited schools.
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To learn more about school accreditation, you can visit the website of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Earning your PhD is a commitment in time and cost. To help with the overall cost of your program, you can look into various opportunities for financial aid.
If you are currently working as a teacher or another education professional, your school or district may offer incentives to help cover the cost of your program. Some colleges and universities may also offer scholarships, fellowships, or assistantships to help with the cost of tuition. Students can also look into grants and scholarships through private institutions.
To learn more about opportunities that may be available to help with the cost of your program, such as government student loans, you can visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Education Administration Professional Organizations
Becoming a member of a professional organization can provide numerous benefits, including networking and professional learning opportunities.
- American Association of University Administrators (AAUA): This nonprofit organization is for leaders and administrators across all types of colleges and universities in the US.
- National Education Association (NEA): NEA is an organization of people—including educators, parents, and students—working to achieve excellence in public education.
- The School Superintendents Association (AASA): This community of school system leaders is devoted to equality in public education and supporting school leaders.
Joining a professional education organization can allow you to learn from and connect with other professionals in your field.
What Is an Educational Administration PhD Degree?
An educational administration PhD degree is designed to prepare professionals to assume leadership roles in a variety of educational settings.
In addition to leadership, PhD students can develop the skills to conduct educational research and teach at the postsecondary level. Students in educational administration doctoral programs can often choose a concentration to focus their studies on a specialty area. Common specializations include higher education administration, school leadership, and administration licensure.
Graduates aim to affect change and enhance the world of education through research, policy making, and enhancements to curriculum and instruction in the classroom.
What Can You Do with a PhD in Education Administration?
Graduates with a doctoral degree in education administration are often prepared for various leadership roles in education and the unique challenges many of these roles face.
Individuals who want to work in postsecondary education as administrators can work in various departments, including student admissions and registrar’s offices. Many graduates seek employment as elementary, middle, or high school principals. They may manage operations, hire staff, and help implement school improvement plans.
There are also a number of research and curriculum development opportunities. These professionals can work for school systems, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses.
How Much Money Can You Make with a PhD in Educational Administration?
Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, below are the median annual salaries of some careers that many graduates pursue.
- Chief executives — $189,520
- Training and development managers — $120,000
- Elementary, middle, or high school principals — $101,320
- Postsecondary education administrators — $99,940
- Postsecondary education teachers — $66,930
Many of these careers pay higher than average salaries. The amount you can earn with a doctoral degree in education administration will vary based on several factors, from where you live to your prior work experience.
How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Education Administration Online?
The time needed to complete a doctoral program in educational leadership will vary based on several factors, including your schedule and the program requirements.
Most PhD programs take 3 to 5 years to complete, depending on the credit hours required in the program and how long it takes to complete your dissertation. If your program does not require a dissertation, you may be able to complete it in 3 years of full-time study. If you are enrolled part-time, your program will typically take longer to complete.
What Jobs Can I Get with a Doctorate in Educational Administration Degree?
Jobs you may qualify for with a doctoral degree in education administration will vary depending on where you live, the current job market, your specialization, and your prior work experience.
Many graduates find employment as training and development managers, using their education and leadership skills to ensure employees have the training to do their jobs. Graduates interested in curriculum development may find employment as instructional coordinators, monitoring school curriculums and educational standards at various grade levels.
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Others find opportunities in postsecondary education as college deans, presidents, provosts, teachers, researchers, and other administration roles within colleges and universities. K-12 schools are also in need of qualified principals and administrators.
What’s the Difference Between a PhD vs. EdD in Education Administration?
While Doctor of Education (EdD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in education administration may have similar curriculum and lead to similar career opportunities, here are some of their key distinctions.
- EdD in Education Administration: This practice-oriented degree is geared toward educational leadership, policy making, and education trends. Related careers can include superintendents, principals, deans, and university presidents.
- PhD in Education Administration: This research-oriented degree is geared toward research, data collection, and instruction analysis. Related careers can include postsecondary teachers, researchers, and administrators.
In addition, PhD programs usually have a more specialized and specific focus for students to choose for their research.
What’s the Difference Between an Educational Leadership vs. Educational Administration Doctorate Programs?
While these terms are occasionally used interchangeably, here are some fundamental differences in each program and the roles they prepare graduates for.
- PhD in Educational Leadership: This degree has a focus on leadership skills at a more global level. Topics may include education policy, effective school practices, and strategic planning.
- PhD in Educational Administration: This degree has a focus on management at the school or district level. Topics may include finance, data analysis, communication, and school improvement.
When deciding which program is best for you, it’s helpful to consider your career goals and look into a program’s curriculum to ensure it aligns with your ultimate goals.
Is a PhD in Educational Administration Worth It?
Yes, a PhD in Educational Administration is worth it for many students. Many education professionals can advance their careers and earning potential after completing a PhD.
With various concentrations to choose from, you are able to choose the path that most aligns with your career goals and the impact you want to make in education. The field of education continues to need individuals with a combination of educational knowledge and management, research, data analysis, and communication skills.
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Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 7% over the next ten years.
Universities Offering Online Doctorate in Education Administration Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Andrews University offers online doctorate programs in higher education administration. Depending on professional goals, the program may be completed as a Doctor of Philosophy or a Doctor of Education. The curriculum requires the completion of 61 credit hours. With full-time attendance, the program may be completed in 5 years.
Andrews University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Aurora University offers a Doctor of Education program online. Concentrations include Instructional Leadership, Educational Administration for Principal Endorsement, and Educational Administration for Superintendent Endorsement. Classes are typically 8 to 16 weeks long. With full-time attendance, the program may be completed in 3 years, whereas with part-time attendance, it typically takes 6 years.
Aurora University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Ball State University offers an online program for an Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Supervision. Potential courses include Educational Decision Making, Ethnographic Research in Education, and Fiscal Management of Educational Agencies. The program requires the completion of 90 credits and is designed to satisfy superintendent license requirements for the state of Indiana.
Ball State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Bradley University offers a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration and Leadership program online. The program is designed to help pursue careers in settings like universities, public administration, nonprofit organizations, corporate education, and educational foundations. The completion of at least 48 credit hours is required.
Bradley University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Capella University offers an online program for a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration. The curriculum typically teaches topics like supervision, evaluation, finance, diversity and equity, and ethical leadership. The program is designed to teach the skills needed to enter careers such as principal, director of instructional technology, professor, program director, curriculum developer, and director of student services.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Carson-Newman University offers an EdD in Administration Leadership program online. This program is designed to provide the skills needed to successfully lead in diverse educational settings. Classes typically run 8 weeks long each. On average, the 57 required credit hours may be completed in 3 years when attending full-time.
Carson-Newman University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Drexel University offers a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Management program online. Concentrations include Creativity and Innovation, Educational Administration, Education Policy, Higher Education Leadership, and Learning Technologies. The program emphasizes evidence-based theory, action research, and collaborative discourse.
Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Fordham University offers an online program for an Ed.D in Educational Leadership Administration and Policy. Two immersion experiences on the Fordham Westchester campus in West Harrison, New York, aim to provide the chance to meet faculty in person. The curriculum aims to teach concepts in organizational change, transforming school communities, policy and advocacy, and leading teachers.
Fordham University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Georgia Southern University offers a Doctor of Education in Leadership program online. Specializations include PK to Grade 12 Administration or Higher Education Administration and Teacher Leadership. Potential classes include Field-Based Educational Leadership, Grand Development and Administration, and Emerging Pedagogical Approaches in Educational Leadership.
Georgia Southern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Illinois State University offers a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration and Foundations. The program is intended to be the next step after completing a master’s degree in a related discipline. The program’s hybrid format and part-time learning options are designed with working professionals in mind. The completion of at least 75 credits is required.
Illinois State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Indiana State University offers a PhD in Educational Administration program. While classes meet primarily online, face-to-face classroom sessions may be required periodically. Courses aim to teach topics like statistics, research methods, educational law, governance, and contemporary issues in education. The curriculum spans 72 credit hours and admissions are typically offered for each fall term.
Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Liberty University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration program online. Concentrations include Assessment and Evaluation, Educational Leadership, and Student Affairs. Classes typically span 8 weeks each. On average, with full-time attendance, the program is completed in 3 years.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Northeastern University offers a program online for a Doctor of Education. Specializations include Higher Education Administration, Innovative Teaching, Transformative School Leadership, Workplace Learning, or Integrative Studies. Coursework is completed in an average of 3 to 4 years when attending full-time. The program admits twice yearly, for fall and winter terms.
Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Pennsylvania Western University offers a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership program online. The program focuses on preparing for a career as a school district leader, such as a superintendent. Depending on past educational experiences, the program requires the completion of 39 to 57 total credit hours in order to graduate.
PennWest is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Sam Houston State University offers an Ed.D. in Developmental Education Administration program online, designed to help prepare educators to serve as leaders. Potential courses include Non-cognitive Student Development, Designing Learning Environments in Developmental Education, and Advanced Learning Theory. The completion of 60 credit hours is required.
Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Southern Nazarene University offers a Doctor of Education in Administration and Leadership program. Classes are typically 6 weeks long each and meet asynchronously online or on-campus in the evenings. On average, the required coursework is completed in about 32 months when studying full-time. A choice of 6 start dates is commonly offered each year.
SNU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
St. Cloud State University offers an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration program online. Classes are typically 8 to 16 weeks long each. The program aims to teach the skills needed to pursue careers in administration, teaching, advising, athletics, enrollment management, residential life, and student life.
St. Cloud State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
St. Petersburg College offers an online program for a PhD in Higher Educational Administration in partnership with the University of South Florida. The curriculum consists of educational core, research methods, concentration requirements, electives, and dissertation courses. At least 59 credit hours must be completed.
St. Petersburg College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Texas A&M University–Commerce offers a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration program online. The program aims to teach skills needed for careers such as postsecondary teacher, K to 12 principal, education administrator, or instructional coordinator. On average, with full-time attendance, the 60 required credit hours are completed in about 4 years.
Texas A&M University-Commerce is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Texas Tech University offers a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration. While classes meet primarily online, periodic on-campus sessions are required for orientation and summer sessions. Concentrations are available in Community College Administration or Higher Education College and University Administration. The curriculum consists of 60 credit hours.
Texas Tech University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University at Buffalo offers a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration. Potential classes include Research Paradigms and Problems, Educational Policy Formation and Analysis, and Leading Curriculum and Instructional Improvement. At least 72 credit hours must be completed, and on average, the program takes 3 years of full-time study to finish.
The University at Buffalo is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Alabama offers an EdD in Higher Education Administration program online. Courses cover topics like leadership, academic and student affairs, administration, finance management, ethics, and teaching methods. The program requires the completion of 66 credits. New admissions are commonly granted for each fall term.
The University of Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Florida offers a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy. The program is intended for having already completed a master’s degree in a related field. The 90 credit curriculum aims to teach key aspects of leadership in education like human resource management, research, and governance. With part-time attendance, the program is typically finished in 4 years.
The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Illinois–Urbana Champaign offers an online program for an Ed.D in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. Concentrations include Diversity and Equity, Global Studies, Human Resource Development, International Education Administration, and Learning Design.The program requires the completion of 64 total credit hours.
The University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Kansas offers a doctorate in education. Depending on professional goals, the program may be completed as a Doctor of Education or Doctor of Philosophy. Concentrations include K to 12 Education Administration, Higher Education Administration, and Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
The University of Kansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Nebraska–Omaha offers an online program for a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration. The program is designed to prepare educators with existing administrative certification with additional skills to serve as practitioners and scholars in the field. The program requires the completion of 96 credits, and typically admits for fall, spring, and summer terms.
UNO is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Southern Mississippi offers an online program for an EdD in Educational Administration for PK to grade 12 systems. A current teaching license and at least 3 years of teaching experience are usually required to be considered for admission. This program consists of 54 credit hours and typically spans 3 years of full-time study.
The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point offers a Doctor of Education in Educational Sustainability program online. Classes tend to teach topics like systems thinking, ethical action, diversity and social justice, ecological thought, and transformative learning. The program requires the completion of 54 credits and typically takes about 3 years to complete.
UW-Stevens Point is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Walden University offers an Ed.D in Educational Administration and Leadership program online but with 1 face-to-face residency on campus. Potential classes include Policy Development and Implementation, School Budgets and Allocating Resources, and School Organizational Dynamics. The program requires the completion of 79 credit hours.
Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
West Virginia University offers a hybrid program for a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration. The program aims to deepen key leadership skills like communication, research analysis, content development, and ethical decision-making. The completion of at least 87 credits while maintaining a 3.25 GPA or higher is required.
West Virginia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Doctorate in Education Administration Online
Earning your doctoral degree in education administration can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to advance your career in education.
Whether you are interested in improving education through research or seeking a career in administration at various levels, there are numerous ways to use your degree. Careers can be found at every level of public and private education institutions as well as in private businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
If you are looking to take your education career to the next level, you can look into online educational administration doctoral programs from accredited schools.
