Academics
College of Professional Studies
Doctor of Education — Charlotte Residency
Spur innovation and transformation in the field of education and beyond. In this program, you’ll develop the skills to explore and solve challenges in classrooms and workplaces—and become a leader and change-maker in your community.
Location
Charlotte
Commitment
Part-Time
Duration
3–4 Years
Type
Hybrid
Program Overview
The Doctor of Education program is for experienced adult learners, working professionals, and scholar-practitioners from diverse disciplines and professions who are looking for more than just a degree. You’ll gain practical knowledge and experience to develop and conduct research to investigate, explore, and transform your organizational and institutional landscapes.
The program is designed to be completed in three to four years, following a fast-paced quarter system instead of the traditional semester schedule, and offering five concentrations for a personalized curriculum. You’ll begin working on your dissertation in practice at the beginning of your coursework by identifying the problem you want to solve and developing your research action plan. You’ll incorporate cycles of data collection and analysis, collaboration, change work, and reflection, culminating in the dissemination of your findings.
You can complete most EdD courses online, but you’ll attend a few in-person “residencies” at the Charlotte campus during your first and second years. These gatherings, which typically last a few days each, allow you to connect in person with faculty and fellow scholars to share knowledge and experiences and to network.
* Please note, international students enrolling in the online EdD program will be provided with an option to complete the residency through online participation in interactive sessions with fellow scholars.
Unique Features
- Choose one of five concentrations—higher education administration, innovative teaching and learning, transformative school leadership, workplace learning, and integrative studies—to focus your studies and customize your curriculum.
- Begin work on the dissertation in practice at the onset of your program around a self-selected, compelling educational/organizational challenge—known as your problem of practice.
- Gain the support of a faculty advisor for your dissertation in practice throughout your program.
- Enjoy flexibility and take your courses online. Short, in-person residencies also offer opportunities for you to connect and share knowledge with faculty and fellow scholars.
Scholarships
New, incoming students who are working or intend to work as an educator in a public school at the elementary or secondary level, within an urban area, are eligible to receive a scholarship award of up to $20,000.
Learn about the MacFarland Scholarship.
Concentrations
- Higher Education Administration: This is an opportunity for experienced higher education professionals to expand their previous understanding of practices within all sectors of postsecondary education. Sectors examined include community colleges, four-year colleges, for-profit institutions, and research universities. The concentration allows you to advance your professional practice by developing and deepening your understanding of colleges and universities roles in our society.
- Innovative Teaching and Learning: This concentration focuses on transforming education through innovation, justice, and policy by providing engaging opportunities for current and aspiring teaching and learning specialists working in various education spaces. You’ll focus on teaching and learning both inside and outside the bounds of P–20 schools and on developing and leading innovative curriculum and professional development.
- Transformative School Leadership: This is an innovative opportunity for experienced education professionals who are current and aspiring leaders of early childhood centers, public or private schools, or school districts. You’ll be prepared to lead and transform educational spaces and be equipped to shape the needs of education in K–12, higher education, organizational contexts, and beyond.
- Workplace Learning: This concentration helps learning professionals gain a deeper understanding of, recognize, and influence real-life social inequalities that marginalized populations face in the workplace. You’ll advance your professional practice by developing and deepening your knowledge of workplace learning, organizational dynamics, learning strategy, and ethics.
- Integrative Studies: This is an opportunity for students to design a program of study that fits their own professional goals and includes the required foundation and research courses, concentration courses from any EdD concentration, and electives from the Doctor of Education or Doctor of Law and Policy programs.
Program Objectives
- Develop a broad understanding of scholarly approaches to education and education reform
- Learn methods for researching and analyzing critical practice-based issues
- Conduct a doctoral research study that investigates a compelling educational challenge
Accreditation
The Northeastern Doctor of Education degree is accredited. The New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) awards accreditation to Northeastern University.
Tuition and Aid
Tuition
$62.8K
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for the 2024–2025 academic year and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Find detailed information on tuition and fees from Student Financial Services.
Finance Your Education
We offer a variety of financial aid resources, including scholarships.
Curriculum
Explore this program’s requirements and courses, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.
Experiential Learning
This program lets you continue to work in education while you focus on a problem of practice. Through the program’s experiential learning and site-specific research, you can make an immediate impact in your professional environment. The program explicitly integrates research and practice so that you develop the skills necessary to conceive, design, conduct, and produce original research and use it to solve real-world challenges.
Admission Dates
Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:
Domestic Application Guidelines
International Application Guidelines*
*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.
How to Apply
This program is offered by the College of Professional Studies. Learn more about the admissions process and required materials.
Request Information
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