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Online doctorate in education (Ed.D.)

Lead with new skills and new confidence

Concordia's Ed.D. program, Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement (LICI), consists of a relevant curriculum and dedicated faculty that will help you achieve your professional and personal goals.

With an interdisciplinary focus, our online courses incorporate best practices from various fields of study to broaden your knowledge and skill set. You'll graduate empowered as an exceptional leader and lifelong learner. 

Leadership courses

Research courses

Improvement Science and Innovation courses

online format

Courses are online with two in-person residencies
required on the Wisconsin campus.

Cohort Format

Progress through the LICI program with your group to improve learning, collaboration, and networking.
Next cohort starts in June 2025

Dissertation

A faculty member will be assigned as your dissertation chair to advise and mentor you through the process.

You learn more about yourself, you learn more about your profession, you learn more from your coursework, and that all shapes your dissertation topic.

Kathryn Battaglino, Ed.D, 2022

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What will I study to earn a Doctorate of Education

You will need to take these required leadership courses in the LICI program. 

  • Advanced Leadership Theory and Practice
  • Exemplary Leadership Case Studies
  • Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership
  • Servant and Ethical Leadership

You will need to take these required courses in improvement science and innovation in the LICI program.

  • Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change
  • Innovation and Design Thinking
  • Six Sigma Applications
  • Lean Systems Analysis 

You will need to take these required research courses in the LICI program. 

  • Intro to Doctoral Program and Research Methods
  • Quantitative Research Seminar
  • Qualitative Research Seminar
  • Advanced Research and Statistics

 

You can personalize your elective core with business and education courses. 

You can take business-related courses like Leading Non-profit Organizations, Operations and Supply Chain Management, and more relevant classes.

Or engage in education-related courses like these, Diversity and Culturally Responsive Leadership, Branding Strategy in Education, and other electives.

Dissertation Process

Embarking on your dissertation journey is a crucial step towards achieving your doctoral degree. Our program is tailored for you to kickstart your dissertation in the first year, leading to successful completion within three years. Immerse yourself in research seminar courses that offer a structured roadmap to assist you through the dissertation process. With a dedicated research chair by your side, you'll receive continuous support and valuable feedback as you craft each chapter of your dissertation.

Research Seminar 1

  • Investigate research on possible topics
  • Assigned a research chair

Research Seminar 2

  • Write Chapter 2 (Draft of Literature Review)

Research Seminar 3

  • Write Chapter 1 (Draft of Introduction)
  • Update Chapter 2

Research Seminar 4

  • Write Chapter 3 (Draft of Methodology)
  • Update Chapter 1

Research Seminar 5

  • Preparing Chapters 1-3 for proposal

Research Seminar 6

  • Data Collection

Research Seminar 7

  • Data Analysis
  • Write Chapter 4

Research Seminar 8

  • Write Chapter 5
  • Compile the full dissertation

Research Seminar 9

  • Defend dissertation
A look at the LICI program with students and faculty.
versatile applicable

Who should experience our online Ed.D?

Any growth-minded individuals: Those interested in increasing their knowledge and capacity for leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement would benefit significantly from LICI. We've found particular interest in these fields:
  • Health Professions: Those interested in teaching and learning innovative ways to improve health, lower costs, and care for patients. 
  • Business: Those who want to bring new skills, dispositions, and improvement science to their practice and vocations.
  • Education: Those who are interested in higher education leadership, administrative positions in technical colleges, prospective superintendents, heads of schools, admissions officers, development and advancement leaders, other administrative positions, curriculum instructors, and activities and athletic directors.

Why Concordia uses the cohort format

Arthur Martinez, 2022 Ed.D. Graduate

We are a unit. It’s a second layer, you have your chair, you have the professors you are working with, and then you have your cohort members. You help each other and support each other.

Danielle Point Du Jour, Current Ed.D Student

The cohort model is amazing, especially for the working professional. We have group chats, project chats, and even sometimes personal chats. I’m glad I didn’t do the journey alone.

Years to graduate
3
credits
50
Cost per credit
$925

Funding your doctorate in education

Concordia's payment plan allows you to break tuition into automatic monthly payments

Scholarships, financial aid, and convenient payment plans.

Learn more