Earn a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership (PHDEL) From a 100% Online University
Prepare to make a positive impact in the lives of students from K-12 and higher with the online Ph.D. in Educational Leadership degree program at Trident.
In our 100% online program, you will:
- Prepare for research, leadership in teaching, school administration or consulting in your professional field.
- Develop subject matter expertise.
- Practice innovative research methods.
- Join 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.
Individualized Online Doctoral Programs
A doctoral degree represents the highest level of achievement in any academic discipline. The online Ph.D. degree in Educational Leadership is research-based, prepares graduates to excel as researchers, educational leaders at K-12 and higher, administrators, and consultants.
Students who choose this path will experience rewarding challenges that will develop deep knowledge, elevate innovation, and provide the practical skills needed to improve districts and institutions. Earning your online Doctorate in Educational Leadership will not only improve your career – it will allow you to change schools and the lives of the students who attend them for the better.
Our entirely online program provides students with a unique opportunity to pursue a Doctorate in Education according to a highly individualized agenda, learn in small groups, interact extensively with other scholars in a convenient format, and work closely with College of Education faculty on important research. Collaborating with our expert faculty allows students to accrue knowledge and strengthen their research acumen through interactions with individuals from a diverse set of industries, including the academic, military, and corporate worlds. From the classroom to the culmination of the Ph.D. dissertation, students will develop the abilities needed to respond to emerging problems and opportunities facing schools.Dr. Wenling Li
Program Overview – What Students Can Expect
Integrate theory and research in our online Ph.D. in Educational Leadership program while developing the skills and knowledge to meet the growing and changing 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 that will make you a world-class educational leader.
The Ph.D. in Educational Leadership curriculum is composed of five milestones related to the completion of the dissertation, a summary of the milestone is provided below:
#1 Doctoral Coursework
The Ph.D. EL degree requires a total of 52 credit hours of coursework. After core courses are completed, students enroll in dissertation series courses.
#2 Qualifying Exam
Attempt the exam during course DEL 622. Those who successfully pass the exam continue & the dissertation committee is assigned.
#3 Dissertation Proposal
Work with the committee chair on the dissertation study, successfully defend the proposal, & be approved by the Doctoral Studies Director.
#4 IRB Application
Apply for IRB approval & conduct data research (i.e., collection, analysis, report of findings, required components of the dissertation manuscript).
#5 Final Dissertation
Write a five-chapter dissertation, defend, & be approved by the Doctoral Studies Director & Dean, then the Ph.D. EL degree will be awarded.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
| 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 |
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? 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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