Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Leadership (EdD)

Our Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) and Certification Program prepares transformational leaders across K-12, higher education and social sector fields who are committed to equity-oriented change.

Four core values ground our work:

Community: Cohorts with strong peer-to-peer and faculty-student relationships
Academic Expectations + cura personalis: High standards coupled with “caring for the whole person” by recognizing that our students are professionals with full lives
Scholar-Practitioner: Applying knowledge and research to problems of practice
Social Justice: Critically examining systems of power in order to advance equity

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Program Snapshot

Department:

Educational Leadership

School/College:

School of Education and Human Development

Program Length:

4 Years

Total Credits:

What Sets Our Program Apart

In-person courses are held on campus one night per week and the remainder of the course is offered online and through practice-based projects.
Concentrations:
- K-12 Education
- Higher Education
- Social Sectors (e.g., leadership in healthcare, organization, criminal justice)
Pennsylvania Department of Education Approved Certifications:
- Principal
- Curriculum Supervisor
- Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility (LOE) with or without Ed.D.
Our program’s coursework integrates theory and scholarship with practice, highlighting the value of developing transformational scholar-practitioners who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to adapt to problems in real-world contexts. The curriculum provides content courses around:
- Leadership theory
- Historical, political and legal contexts of leadership
- Global perspectives on education
- Learning design and environments
- Social justice
- Community engagement
- Organizational theory
- Strategic planning
- Fiscal resources
The curriculum offers research methodology courses in qualitative research, quantitative research, mixed methods research, communications, research dissemination and dissertation support.
The majority of the courses are taught by full-time, tenure-track faculty who are experts in both theory and practice and have national and state reputations in scholarly publications, community engagement, professional organizations and/or teaching.
We’ve designed our Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Leadership program for the working professional. Flexibility and choice are built-in so you can balance work, family and all the other commitments of a busy life.
High-level practitioner experts and interdisciplinary faculty across Saint Joseph’s University and other institutions serve as guest speakers, attend dissertation committees and teach some of our courses and course modules.
Our Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (LOE) program prepares transformational leaders in K-12 education who are committed to equity-oriented change. Aligned with Pennsylvania and NELP Leadership Standards, our LOE program offers Pennsylvania Department of Education-approved certification for superintendent/ assistant superintendent positions. You can enroll in this program while in the doctoral program or you can start in this program and then apply that coursework toward your doctorate.

Requirements of the LOE Program:
- Three on-campus and/or hybrid courses in our graduate program:
- EDL 845: Historical, Political and Legal Contexts of Leadership
- EDL 860: Strategic Planning, Evaluation and Fiscal Resources
- EDL 850: Learning Design and Environment
- 360 hours of supervised fieldwork under an on-site mentor (at superintendent or assistant superintendent level) and a Saint Joseph’s supervisor. Fieldwork hours must be divided evenly across the three semesters (120 hours in fall, 120 hours in spring, and 120 hours in summer)

What Can You Do With A Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Leadership Degree?

Our program’s coursework integrates theory and scholarship with practice, thereby highlighting the value of developing transformational scholar-practitioners who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to adapt to problems in real-world contexts. Graduates of this program can find career placements in:

K-12: building level leadership (e.g., principals, assistant principals, heads of school, curriculum supervisors, deans, teacher leaders), district level leadership (e.g., superintendents, assistant superintendents, subject matter supervisors
Higher Education: Vice-president or director level positions (e.g., academic administration, finance/operations, student life, residence life, institutional effectiveness, office of mission, diversity and inclusion)
Social Sectors: founders/directors of non-profit organizations and foundations, healthcare leadership, criminal justice leadership

Program Details

View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.
Affordable tuition options start at $1,133 per credit.*

*This rate applies to all students accepted by Saint Joseph's University after June 1, 2023. Tuition and fee rates for students accepted prior to June 1, 2023, differ. Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our Tuition & Fees page or contact us for more information.

Financial aid may be available to you to help offset the cost of your degree. Explore your options on our Financial Aid page.

Scholarship: Terrance L. Furin

Discount Eligibility

Have you completed a year or more of service with a recognized service organization? You may be eligible for our mission discount.

Alumni of Saint Joseph's are eligible to receive 10% off the cost of this program through our alumni discount.

Check with your employer to see if they are an Edcor or a Bright Horizons EdAssist member, which may entitle you to a discount on graduate programs.

Note: discounts cannot be combined.
Saint Joseph’s University is approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, that assesses institutions for the highest available form of accreditation.
SJU is a Yellow Ribbon School that accepts GI education benefits. Our Office of Veterans Service can help you access and understand your benefits.
Graduate assistantships are offered on a limited basis and cover 20 hours/week in fall/spring semester for tuition + stipend. Please contact the program director for availability.

Why Study an Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Leadership in Philadelphia?

Here in Philadelphia, you are surrounded by many schools, colleges and universities immersed in diverse communities. With our campus being in close proximity to Center City Philadelphia, students will have many fieldwork opportunities and hands-on experiences. Education leaders will have the opportunity to help establish a sense of community in diverse neighborhoods through social justice and community engagements. Students will also be well-versed in global perspectives of education and how historical, political and legal elements continue to shape higher education and leadership.

Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Leadership Admissions Information

To be considered for admission you must have a master’s degree and have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better.
- Apply online.
- Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Submit a personal statement.
- Submit resume.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
Visit our Graduate Admission Information page to learn more about admission requirements, key deadlines, additional requirements for international students and how to submit your application.
Graduate applications are reviewed on an academic year basis. This means applications are accepted for the Fall semester only. If needed, students who do not complete their dissertation by the end of Year 4, the IDEPEL Director will automatically register relevant students for EDL 899 every Fall and Spring semester until they defend their dissertation or reach the maximum of 10 years from the start of their coursework.
If you’re applying as an international student, you must provide proof of English Language Proficiency and Certification of Finances along with your application.
Check the Graduate Admission page for additional requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

An EdD, or Doctor of Education, is fundamentally a practitioner's degree, intended for working professionals interested in taking on leadership roles in both academic/educational and organizational settings. EdD focuses on real-world application, equipping students with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively lead in educational settings.

A PhD in Education is more research-oriented, designed for those looking to pursue scholarly work or teach in collegiate settings. The PhD is ideally suited for students who want to devote their careers to scholarship and/or teaching at institutions of higher education.
The median annual salary for EdD degree holders is $78,500. Salaries for EdD professionals can vary significantly by role.
Following a flexible instructional delivery model, students attend face-to-face courses on Saint Joseph’s University’s campus one night per week and the remainder of course content is provided through other forms of instructional delivery, primarily online or practice-based projects.
The Terrin Furin Scholarship provides tuition (one Fall 3 credit course) to a first-year student in the Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Leadership program based on academic merit, financial need, and a commitment to social justice.