Doctor of Education (Online)
Program Credit Hours
60 credits
Course Length
7 weeks per course
Average Completion
40 months (for coursework)
Program Format
Online
Cost per Credit Hour
$665
Total Cost
$39,900*
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Accreditation*Total Cost (cost per credit hour x total credit hours) is provided to aid in program comparison only. All stated financial information is subject to change. Total Cost does not include book and material costs.
An online doctorate for the high-impact educator.
Southern Wesleyan University’s Ed.D. in Administration & Leadership is a practice-focused doctoral program designed for experienced educators and leaders who want to drive meaningful change in schools, districts, higher education, and organizational settings.
The Administration & Leadership concentration prepares practitioners to lead people, programs, and systems across P–16 education and allied organizations. Students develop advanced competence in ethical decision-making, strategy, finance and operations, human capital management, policy/governance, program evaluation, and data-informed improvement. Coursework emphasizes applied leadership practice and culminates in a staged dissertation sequence in which candidates design, execute, and defend a research study addressing a real organizational problem of practice. The program is delivered fully online in accelerated 7-week A/B terms (RSCH 703 runs full-term) and is designed for working professionals seeking roles such as district/school leadership, postsecondary administration, instructional leadership, or organizational development in education-adjacent settings.
“The Ed.D. program has been an incredible opportunity for me! The professors are helpful and knowledgeable and always available to answer questions that may arise. This is a program I would highly recommend to anyone considering more educational opportunities.”Dr. Rachel Gregory — Ed.D. graduate
“I chose SWU because it felt like it matched my professional goals but also my personal values.”Courtney Wood - Ed.D Doctoral Candidate
- College/university professor
- Curriculum developer
- District leadership
- Instructional coach
- Non-profit organizational leadership
Graduates of the Ed.D. program will be able to:
- Create, enact, and advocate for a shared mission focusing on high-quality education that supports each student's academic success and well-being.
- Live out a Christian ethic and adhere to professional standards when engaging with students, colleagues, and community.
- Develop and support intellectually rigorous and coherent curriculum, instruction, and assessment systems.
- Cultivate an inclusive, caring, supportive school community that encourages beneficial, meaningful, and reciprocal behaviors.
- Foster a professional community of teachers focused on student development and success.
Additional Program Information
- Submission of a completed application.
- An earned master's degree in education or related field from an institution that is fully accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or a comparable degree from an international institution with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4-point scale. A master's in a related field must be approved by the School of Education Graduate Review Committee.
- Be in good standing at all previous institutions of higher learning. Students who, for academic or disciplinary reasons, are not eligible to register in the college or university last attended will not be admitted for graduate study.
- Official transcripts of all degree-conferring colleges and university-level coursework.
- Submission of two professional references with one of the references from current supervisor.
- Resume.
- One page letter addressed to the Department of Education Graduate Admissions Committee explaining why this particular degree would be important to the applicant’s career.
- International transcripts must be evaluated by an approved agency. American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers can do this evaluation, and National Association of Credential Evaluation Services provides a list of approved agencies. From the NACES list, Southern Wesleyan recommends using World Education Services or Josef Silny.
- Applicants for whom English is a second language must meet the official TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper test), 213 (computer test), or demonstrate equivalent evidence of proficiency in English, such as an overall band score of 6.0 or higher on the IELTS test.
If you have any questions regarding admission requirements for your degree program, please contact a SWU Global representative at 864-644-5508 or .
In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972 and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Southern Wesleyan University does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sex, or physical handicap in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. The university reserves its right to operate as a church-related institution and to develop policies consistent with the religious tenets of its sponsoring denomination, The Wesleyan Church.
Additional information related to SWU’s non-discrimination policies include:
Southern Wesleyan does not advise students on what will or will not be accepted by their state departments of education. Students are encouraged to contact their state department of education to ensure the degree offered by Southern Wesleyan University meets state requirements. Additionally, Southern Wesleyan cannot determine credentials for individuals desiring to teach at the collegiate level as this varies by accreditor and is based on each individual's collegiate credit history.
Commencement ceremonies are held on SWU’s campus twice a year in May and December. Online graduates who complete their degree program of study at the conclusion of the summer semester will have their degrees conferred at the December graduation. Letters of completion are available to graduates who wish to confirm to their employers that they have completed their degree program upon request through the Office of Academic Records at . We look forward to celebrating with you soon!
