Home DOCTORAL PROGRAMS Ph.D. Educational Leadership

Preparing & Developing our Future Educational Leaders Dr. James Hodges, Ph.D. in Educational Leadership (Alumnus) Dr. Wenling Li, Program Director for Ph.D. in Educational Leadership

At Trident, we integrate theory and research in our Ph.D. in Educational Leadership program.

Next Session Starts on January 9, 2023 Apply Today

Attention Educational Leaders of Today and Tomorrow – The Future of Education is Here!

Are you ready to make a positive impact in the lives of K-12 and postsecondary students with Trident’s online Ph.D. in Educational Leadership degree program? In our 100% online program, you will:

Prepare for leadership roles in teaching, school administration, or consulting in your professional field.
Develop in-depth subject matter expertise.
Practice innovative research methods.
Contribute to and benefit from an engaging online learning community in the Trident Learning Community (TLC).
Collaborate with dedicated faculty who guide you through coursework, qualifying exam, and dissertation study.

Seamlessly blend life, learning, and leading with our affordable 100% online doctoral programs.

Structure

Trident University International is 100% online and offers a variety of doctoral program lengths—choose from 3, 4, or 5 year plans–with attentive support no matter which you choose. There are no in-person attendance requirements. Keep living, keep working, start learning.

Inspiration

Trident has an extensive and involved alumni network that can be a key resource for you throughout the program.

Transfer Credit

Trident extends a generous policy regarding required credits. Our programs are focused and efficient regarding required credits and your total required credits may be reduced based on potential transfer credits from other accredited institutions*; we may also consider awarding potential credits for prior learning.

Institutionally Accredited

Trident University International is a member of the American InterContinental University System. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Individualized Support

You will be aligned with a Department Chair who will provide individualized guidance during the research phase of the program. A Student Success Advisor will be assigned to you for personal assistance with administrative matters throughout your enrollment.

Affordable

Trident is competitively priced. There is no application fee, no lab fees.

*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Earn a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership From a 100% Online University

Our Ph.D. EL degree program is designed to help you take your skills and leadership to the next level.

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Faces of Trident

Meet and learn more about James Gregory Hodges, Trident's Ph.D. in Educational Leadership alumnus class of 2013.

Meet Your Ph.D. EL Faculty

Online doctoral students benefit from close academic mentoring relationships that advance their knowledge, research skills, and careers.

Resources, News, & FAQs

At Trident, we give our students the power to make their education dreams come true on their own terms. Earn your degree & strive toward a brighter future.

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Be Inspired

Our highly structured programs, consistent support, and compassionate commitment mean you stay on top of your goals and complete your program in a timely manner.

Change Your World

Follow your passion project, connect with like-minded peers, apply your knowledge to further your career, and change your world for the better!

Join Us For Your Future in Education

A doctoral degree represents the highest level of achievement in any academic discipline. The Trident online Ph.D. degree in Educational Leadership is research-based and prepares its graduates to excel as educational leaders at K-12 and higher levels. Our graduates are high-level administrators, cutting-edge researchers, and sought-after consultants.

Applicants who choose this path will develop deep knowledge, elevate their capacity for innovation, and learn the practical skills necessary for improving school districts and all types of educational institutions.

Earning your online Ph.D. EL will not only improve your career – it will allow you to influence and change both schools, and the lives of the students who attend them, for good.

Program Overview – What Students Can Expect

Theory and research intersect in our online Ph.D. EL program where you will learn to meet the constantly evolving and growing demands of diverse student bodies. As you complete an expansive literature review, interact with leading scholars, and delve into research to answer your most pressing academic questions, you will undergo a transformative journey. You will emerge as a world-class educational leader with the skills and knowledge to address the future of education as you prepare your students for their futures.

See the Trident University International Catalog for full descriptions of all program course offerings.

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership brochure

Admissions Requirements

Prepare to take the lead in our virtual classrooms and in your career. If you are ready to take this important next step, apply online now. The documents specified below are required for all Ph.D. applicants:

Core Courses

You will take four research methods courses and four required theory courses in the field of educational leadership. These courses build the foundation for electives, which you may pursue in your specialized area of study. Courses are valued at four credit hours.

Trident University accepts no more than four credit hours of doctoral level credits from regionally accredited doctoral granting institutions provided the transferred course meets the same content standards as the Trident course.

DEL 602 – Leadership and Leader Roles in Education
DEL 610 – Qualitative Research
DEL 612 – Program Evaluation in Education
RMS 600 – Research Methods
RMS 608 – Quantitative Research and Advanced Statistics I
RMS 618 – Quantitative Research and Advanced Statistics II
DEL 622 – Dissertation Research
DEL 699 – Dissertation Seminar
DEL 700-702 – Dissertation Series

Note: Students are required to purchase IBM SPSS Statistical Software for the quantitative research courses and dissertation research.

See the Trident University Catalog for full descriptions of all program course offerings.

Concentrations

In addition to required core courses, you will engage in three concentration courses to complete this degree plan. Select one concentration from our four areas of study:

Educational Technology
This concentration prepares educational leaders to understand and create new technologically and sound pedagogies grounded in innovative research and practice.
Health Education
The concentration in Health Education prepares students to serve in the field of health education through teaching, research, and service. We will provide a contemporary curriculum that empowers our students to translate knowledge to meet the growing needs of domestic and global health education. Courses include Research in Educational Leadership, Health Promotion, Program Planning, Design and Evaluation, and Health Behavior and Change.
Higher Educational Leadership
This concentration prepares professionals from community colleges and higher education institutions.
Teaching, Learning and Development
This concentration prepares professionals from various sectors in pre-kindergarten through high school level teaching.

Doctoral Positioning System (DPS)

Designed to help doctoral students follow their progress, Trident’s new Doctoral positioning System (DPS) allows students to track completion of tasks and milestones that are required to obtain their doctorate. The Trident DPS includes 2 features:

ePortfolio – To save everything related to the development of your dissertation in a single place.
800 Dissertation Tasks Course – Provides a single place to submit, track, and gain approval for completed tasks.

Comprehensive Exam

This includes a written and oral qualifying exam to test your understanding of research methods and statistical concepts within the research process. Upon completion of all courses, the exam is conducted via phone conference or e-conference.

Dissertation Study and Committee

Our Ph.D. programs require a five-chapter Dissertation format. Within the Dissertation, students must defend a comprehensive synthesis of their Ph.D. study by demonstrating knowledge and scholarship with a significant and novel research project which contributes to the body of knowledge in the field(s) potentially affected by the research. Students will collaborate with dedicated faculty who guide you through coursework, qualifying exam, and dissertation study.

A Dissertation Committee (one chair and two members) will be assembled in course DEL 622. Three members must be from Trident University. The fourth optional member could be an external member to Trident. The chairperson and the committee members will be responsible for guiding the student during the dissertation process.

IRB Application

Pursuant to Federal law and regulations, Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is required for research involving human subjects. Accordingly, prior to conducting research involving human subjects, including the collecting and analyzing of data, the proposed study must be reviewed and approved by the Trident IRB.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition cost for the Ph.D. program:

tuition type	per credit	per course	per year*
Standard	$990	$3,960	$15,840
Retired Military / Veteran / And Their Immediate Family Members**	$885	$3,540	$14,160
Military & Immediate Family Members / Department of Defense Federal Civilian Employees**	$800	$3,200	$12,800
Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve U.S Military Service Members**	$800	$3,200	$12,800

*Assumes no transfer credits and that student enrolls in an average of 16 credits per year. Does not include cost of dissertation continution courses, the number of which vary based on dissertation completion date. **Tuition per credit represented with applicable military grant applied.

All per semester credit hour costs are for program level (600/700) courses. Students in the dissertation stage register for one course of four semester credit hours per session. In addition, there are dissertation continuation courses which are $800 per course at 0 credit hours.

University Fees:

Books and Supplies: $0
Bounced Check Fee: $30
Course Materials: $0
Diploma Copy: $30 (optional)
Food, Housing, and Transportation: N/A
Graduation Fee: $150
Official Transcript: $10 (rush fee $35)
Other Expedited Shipping Fees: varies based on region
Payment Plan Set-up: $35-$55 (non-refundable)
Student ID Card: $10 (optional)
Technology Fee: $0
Other fees may apply and are subject to change without advance notice.

Seeking more information on the cost of attending Trident University? Visit Trident’s Financial Aid Resources page where you will find financial aid tools including Trident’s Net Price Calculator and Shopping Sheet, a guide to assist in early financial planning for college.

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