Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership – Public and Non-Public Schools online
Build the administrative expertise to drive meaningful change in public and nonpublic schools through an NELP-aligned program featuring an embedded dissertation and clinical experience.
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Program Overview
What can students gain from the online Doctor of Education in educational leadership program at YSU?
$25,680*
In-State Tuition
As few as 32 months
Program Duration
60
Credit Hours
Advance your ability to lead improvement efforts in diverse academic settings with the online Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership – Public and Non-Public Schools online program. This CAEP-accredited option aligns with NELP standards and prepares you to foster innovation and champion progress in K-12 school settings.
Elevate your understanding of culturally responsive leadership, stakeholder engagement and program evaluation through an embedded dissertation and immersive clinical experience. The online Ed.D. in educational leadership program equips you with the practical knowledge to strengthen school culture, promote equity and advance into leadership roles in public and nonpublic school settings.
The educator preparation programs at Youngstown State University meet rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). For more information, contact CAEP by mail at 1140 19th St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 or by phone at 202-223-0077.
- Collaboratively lead, design and implement a district mission, vision and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities
- Promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying ethical decisions and cultivating and enacting professional norms
- Develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive and inclusive district culture
- Evaluate, develop and implement coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, support and assessment
- Engage families, community and other constituents in the work of schools and the district and advocate for district, student and community needs
- Develop, monitor, evaluate and manage data-informed, equitable district systems for operations, resources and human capital management
- Cultivate relationships, lead collaborative decision-making and governance, and represent and advocate for district needs in broader policy conversations
Graduates of this online Doctor of Education program are prepared for roles such as:
- School Administrator
- District Leader
- Curriculum Leader
- Administrative Specialist
- Regional Education Leader
With this online educational leadership doctorate program, students will be able to:
- Collaboratively lead, design and implement a district mission, vision and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities
- Promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying ethical decisions and cultivating and enacting professional norms
- Develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive and inclusive district culture
- Evaluate, develop and implement coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, support and assessment
- Engage families, community and other constituents in the work of schools and the district and advocate for district, student and community needs
- Develop, monitor, evaluate and manage data-informed, equitable district systems for operations, resources and human capital management
- Cultivate relationships, lead collaborative decision-making and governance, and represent and advocate for district needs in broader policy conversations
- Collaboratively lead, design and implement a district mission, vision and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities
- Promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying ethical decisions and cultivating and enacting professional norms
- Develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive and inclusive district culture
- Evaluate, develop and implement coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, support and assessment
- Engage families, community and other constituents in the work of schools and the district and advocate for district, student and community needs
- Develop, monitor, evaluate and manage data-informed, equitable district systems for operations, resources and human capital management
- Cultivate relationships, lead collaborative decision-making and governance, and represent and advocate for district needs in broader policy conversations
- School Administrator
- District Leader
- Curriculum Leader
- Administrative Specialist
- Regional Education Leader
Nationally recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council
Tuition
How affordable is this online education doctorate?
YSU offers students the opportunity to earn their online degree with affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition.
Tuition breakdown:
$428*
Per Credit Hour
$25,680*
Total Tuition
*In-state tuition.
Note: No payment plans are available for accelerated online students.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | |
| Ed.D. Educational Leadership – Public and Non-Public Schools | $428 | $433 | $1,284 | $1,299 | $25,680 | $25,980 |
Additional Fees
Application: $45 (waived if you are an active/veteran military member)
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for those who qualify. The first step in applying for financial aid is to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). YSU's Federal School Code is 003145.
Contact Us
Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships1 Tressel Way
Meshel Hall, 203
Youngstown, OH 44555
Phone: 330-941-3505
Fax: 330.941.1659
Email: [email protected]
“Recognizing the constituency that was underserved in that way by the rigid nature of traditional doctoral programming without sacrificing the integrity of the experience and getting over the hurdles that make it accessible to people was far more valuable than the degree at the end of it, it was a great experience.”
Dr. Timothy Freeman 
“Those connections, those relationships that I have with my classmates, as well as those with the instructors, are critical to my success. At any point, I could pick up the phone and reach out to anyone in those circles, and they would be there to support me.”
Holly Schafer 
“Those courses will teach you how to manage an actual school setting or school district. The folks who are teaching those classes have been in the trenches. They understand the process from a practitioner’s lens.”
Jeremy Batchelor 
“The Ed.D. program helped me to understand how to develop research protocols and qualitative or quantitative studies, it gave me the confidence to help students develop their own research protocols and investigations.”
Kelly Colwell 
“I like that the program doesn’t take forever. A lot of doctoral programs take years and years, and I didn’t want to take that long. I wanted to have a clear finish line.”
Lashonda Abdussatar 
“Leadership is leadership, the faculty were phenomenally flexible about allowing you to input your own experiences into the concepts they were teaching.”
Nicholas Cascarelli 
Previous
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Calendar
When can students start the online Ed.D in educational leadership program at YSU?
At YSU, we offer multiple start dates throughout the year so you never have to wait long to begin your educational leadership doctoral program online. View the chart below to find upcoming start dates, along with important deadlines, such as when your application should be submitted and when payments are due.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:
12/14/26
Next Application Deadline
1/4/27
Start Classes
| First Starts | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/4/27 | 12/14/26 | 12/21/26 | 12/30/26 | 1/1/27 | 2/21/27 |
| Spring 2 | 3/8/27 | 2/15/27 | 2/22/27 | 3/3/27 | 3/5/27 | 2/21/27 |
Admissions
What are the requirements for the online education doctorate?
YSU's online Ed.D. programs have specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.
Online application
Master's degree
Minimum 3.25 GPA
GRE Waiver Available
Online application
Master's degree
Minimum 3.25 GPA
GRE Waiver Available
- Complete online application for admission
- Pay $45 application fee ($90 International). Waived for active/veteran military members or for applicants who have attended the College of Graduate Studies in the past.
- A master's degree from a college or university certified by a regional accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education
- Minimum 3.25 GPA
- Names and contact information for 2 professional references (in online application) who have supervised the applicant in professional roles or university faculty member knowledgeable regarding the candidate's scholarly abilities
- Submit one 750-word essay (in online application)
- Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from regionally accredited institutions
- Submit official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (waived for applicants who have a graduate GPA of 3.25 or higher)
- Holistic review of work experience including professional roles, achievements, associations, educational background, leadership and service
- Faculty interview may be requested if further assessment is needed
Transcripts must be mailed from the granting institution or sent electronically through a secured server vendor.
Mailing Address:
YSU College of Graduate Studies
1 Tressel Way
Coffelt Hall
Youngstown, OH 44555
Email Address:
[email protected]
Courses
What courses will I take in the YSU online Ed.D. in educational leadership program?
To earn the Ed.D. Educational Leadership – Public and Non-Public Schools online, you must complete a total of 60 credit hours. Required coursework is comprised of 24 credit hours of doctoral educational leadership core, nine credit hours of educational research core, 12 credit hours of dissertation studies, three credit hours of clinical experience and 12 credit hours of electives relevant to your primary professional discipline.
Leadership Core Courses
EDAD 8122: Leadership in Education
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course students will critically analyze contemporary ways of thinking about leadership. As students examine their present paradigm of leadership, they will also analyze a reconfiguration of leadership that reflects developments in the new sciences and other fields.
EDAD 8102: Perspectives on Leadership Among Diverse Populations
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An explorative study of constructs and concepts of cultural diversity within groups based on notions of class, race, gender, sexual orientation, educational status, mental and physical ability, religion, ethnicity, class. Consideration for expectations and organizational practices as informed by diversity issues.
EDAD 8155: Seminar in Current Issues
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This doctoral-level course explores the intersection of economics and education, focusing on the financial, policy, and leadership aspects that shape educational institutions. Through an analysis of economic theories, funding structures, and policy decisions, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of how economic factors influence educational access, quality, and outcomes. The course will also examine the role of leadership in navigating these economic challenges, with a special emphasis on integrating technology and aligning educational policies with best economic practices.
EDAD 8135: Building Organizational Culture & Community Partnerships
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Building Organizational Culture and Community Partnerships is designed in accordance with the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) District Level Program Standards, Standard 5. Candidates in this educational leadership preparation course will learn to apply new knowledge and skills to engage families, communities, and related business partnerships to meet student and community cultural and environmental needs. An examination of the school and community culture will contribute to the essential objectives of the course.
EDAD 8142: Educational Decision-Making & Ethical Problem Solving
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will teach students how to make competent leadership decisions by applying and enforcing ethical standards with followers. Ethics is at the heart of leadership. Leaders must make every effort to make ethical decisions and foster ethical behavior among followers. In this course students will explore the ethical demands of leadership. We draw from many fields of research to help students make ethical decisions, lead with integrity, and create an ethical culture. This course is designed to increase students’ ethical competence and leadership abilities
EDAD 8125: Educational Politics & Policymaking in the US
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Reviews professional literature on politics and policy making at the local, state, and federal level, including the values, institutional actors, processes, and interest groups that shape educational policy. Explores means of identifying problems, analyzing policy alternatives, and measuring policy outcomes.
EDAD 8140: Seminar in Administrative Theory
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Extension of the administrator's abilities to analyze professional problems, develop leadership strategies, and exercise sound decision making. Nontraditional (nonfunctionalist) theories are stressed, with emphasis on deconstructing and purposefully framing educational issues. Case studies strengthen the application of the theories.
EDAD 8130: Learning Processes & The Instructional Leader
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of current theories and research in the areas of cognition and learning, development, and motivation that underlay approaches to teaching in any context. Primary topics will include social cognition, interpersonal relationships, group processes, and intergroup relations, as well as applied issues.
Educational Research Core Courses
FOUN 8104: Research Strategies in Educational Administration
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of major research methodologies and a preview of the different paradigms and assumptions that underlie controlled disciplined inquiries. Techniques associated with particular methodologies in educational administration will be introduced, and their strengths and weaknesses will be analyzed.
FOUN 8111: Advanced Research Design & Statistics
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An in-depth treatment of the major correlational, experimental, and quasi-experimental research designs and associated statistical analyses, including the design and analysis of surveys and factor analytic techniques. Experience in data analysis using SPSS or other statistical packages.
FOUN 8112: Qualitative Research for Educators
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Consideration of evolving and qualitative methods and literature that apply to doctoral study of problems in teaching, school leadership, and school change.
Dissertation Study Courses
EDAD 8191: Seminar in Educational Research - Dissertation: Review of Literature
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Students will build knowledge and skills in conducting a literature review to complete Chapter 2 of their dissertation. Writing will be broken down into manageable milestones, following the guidelines set forth by the YSU Educational Leadership Dissertation Guidelines and template.
EDAD 8192: Seminar in Educational Research - Dissertation: Introduction & Proposal Defense
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This course is the for Doctoral Candidates who are in the process of developing and completing Chapter 1 of their dissertation, which includes the background to the problem, problem statement, purpose statement, theoretical frame, limitation, operational definitions, methods, etc. relevant to the proposed research study. Finally, candidates will develop a presentation and defend their proposal to their committee.
EDAD 8193: Seminar in Educational Research - Dissertation: Methodology
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Students will build knowledge and skills in developing Chapter 3 of their dissertation. Writing of Chapter 3 will be broken down into manageable milestones, following the guidelines set forth in the YSU Educational Leadership Dissertation Guidelines and template.
EDAD 8194: Seminar in Educational Research - Dissertation: Data Collection & Analysis
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Students will build candidate knowledge and skills in developing Chapter 4 of their dissertation, which includes collecting data, completing the data analysis, and writing up their findings. Writing will be broken down into manageable milestones, following the guidelines set forth in the YSU Educational Leadership Dissertation Guidelines and template.
EDAD 8195: Seminar in Educational Research - Dissertation: Results & Discussion
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Students will gain knowledge and skills in developing Chapter 5 of their dissertation, which will discuss the findings and their implications. Writing of the chapter will be broken down into manageable milestones, following the guidelines set forth by the YSU Educational Leadership Dissertation Guidelines and template.
EDAD 8196: Seminar in Educational Research - Dissertation: Defense
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Doctoral candidates, nearing the end of the dissertation process, will prepare and defend their dissertation proposal to their committee. Finally, they will prepare the final version of their dissertation for submission to the Graduate school.
Clinical Requirement Course
EDAD 7040: Clinical Practice for the Administrative Specialist
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Candidates for administrative specialist licenses in areas of curriculum, instruction, and professional development or pupil services administration develop an individualized clinical plan and complete a set of tasks and an integrated project aligned with professional standards under the guidance of an appropriately licensed cooperating administrator.
Teaching, Learning, Data or Research Electives
TCED 6932: Action Research in Urban and Rural Education
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on action research as it applies to urban and rural education. Topics include reflecting to identify a problem, reviewing literature, planning and implementing interventions, data collection and analysis strategies, and sharing outcomes with others. Course may be offered onsite, online, or as a combination of both. Field experience in an appropriate educational setting is required.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Apply different types of reflection throughout the action research process.
- Align action research studies with personal goals and values.
- Articulate research questions that are action-oriented and outcome-based and seek support for this using AI.
- Evaluate and synthesize published research to inform practice, with the support of an AI.
- Write an action research proposal that can provide a positive intervention in a school setting, including urban and/or rural settings.
- Follow ethical guidelines in action research studies.
TCED 6933: Brain Based Teaching and Learning
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A critical appraisal of dealing with learning and teaching. Each learner constructs his/her brain as learning occurs. Teachers reconsider their practices in light of the science of learning research provided by education, neuroscience and socio-psychology.
TCED 6905: Intro to Digital Teaching and Learning
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Digital teaching and learning is much more than knowing some great apps for the smart board or IPad. It is understanding a new paradigm that promotes a new pedagogy. It takes educators beyond the formal traditional classroom of lecture and paper/pencil into an interactive, student-centered environment. This course will introduce students to the paradigm of digital teaching and learning and provide the framework and foundation for change within districts and classrooms to meet 21st century learning.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Develop an action plan for their classroom that aligns with 21st century learning and integrates digital technology including acceptable AI for a district.
- Determine technologies, including AI that support content learning and skills for 21st century learning.
- Plan differentiated learning in a content by choosing digital learning experiences, including AI that support each student.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of digital learning within their own classroom.
- Apply research-based principles to establish positive, safe, and secure student-centered learning environments where students understand their responsibility as digital citizens.
- Navigate through the LMS platform and various technologies successfully including AI.
TCED 6936: Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction to Improve Learning
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focus on the instructional design process from a practical perspective. Emphasis on planning the curriculum to include content analysis, learning objectives, instructional strategies, and measurement of student achievement.
Public/Non-Public School Leadership Electives
EDAD 7020: Human Resource Leadership
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In-depth examination of policies and practices designed to reconcile the interests of schools and the people who make them up. Topics include professional and staff development,equal employment, position description, recruitment, selection, performance appraisal, removal, compensation, and collective bargaining. Course will cover how to develop workplace conditions that promote employee leadership, well-being, and professional growth as well as collective accountability.
EDAD 6947: School Building Operation and Management
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theories of leadership and schooling that provide future principals with guides for action and behavior will be presented. Theories that shape personal decision-making processes that build schools as learning communities will be presented.
EDAD 6948: Data Driven School Improvement and Program Evaluation
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines how data-informed decision-making affects educational accountability and the effectiveness of school improvement initiatives. Students develop skills in retrieving, analyzing and interpreting data to support equitable leadership, program evaluation and improvement at the classroom, building and district levels.
EDAD 6954: Community Engagement and Collaborative Partnerships
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores how strategic communication and marketing can build community support for schools and their programs. Students develop leadership perspectives and practical skills for strengthening school-community collaboration and creating effective partnerships.
EDAD 7018: School Discipline and Student Support Services: Policies, Programs and Prevention Strategies
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines student discipline and youth-related issues that may affect student health, safety and well-being. Emphasis is placed on the school leader’s role in developing comprehensive policies, prevention strategies and research-supported student service programs.
EDAD 6949: Legal and Ethical Issues in Public Administration
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Reviews the legal foundations of schools and educational policy through cases, statutes and constitutional provisions affecting elementary and secondary education. Students examine the relationship among legal, ethical and political issues and learn to identify, evaluate and model sound legal and ethical decision-making.
EDAD 6952: School Finance and Budget Planning Processes
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines school funding at the state and local levels, with attention to budgeting, site-based management and school business practices. Students also complete an action-research project related to school finance or budgeting.
EDAD 7024: Collective Bargaining and Systems Issues in Human Resources Administration
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines human resource issues from a central-office perspective. Topics include the legal, regulatory and political contexts of public-sector collective bargaining, traditional and interest-based bargaining, human resource policy development, grievance procedures and administration of negotiated agreements.
EDAD 7025: Educational Governance: Advanced Law and Policy Seminar
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines emerging legal developments affecting P–12 education and considers both the role and limitations of law in advancing educational reform. Students also review research concerning governance and the factors that influence organizational compliance.
EDAD 7026: Technology and Facilities for Learning Organizations
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores the management of educational facilities and the integration of technology into learning environments. The course considers how instructional technology and workforce preparation affect the planning, operation and use of school facilities.
EDAD 7035: The Superintendency and Evolving Ways of Looking at Leadership
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines the superintendent’s role in administering school systems. Students study leadership within complex organizations and apply current theory and research to leadership challenges in dynamic and sometimes unpredictable educational environments.
EDAD 7012: Technology Leadership and Organizational Change
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines how educational leaders create and support a vision for the effective use of technology. Students explore organizational change, technology-supported teaching and learning, stakeholder support and the development of a school culture in which technology is integrated into instructional practice.
EDAD 8131: Social Emotional Wellness for Wounded Students from a Leadership Perspective
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on leadership strategies for supporting students who have experienced trauma or significant social-emotional challenges. Students examine how empathy, school community, safety and targeted resources can improve students’ social, emotional, academic and long-term outcomes.
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