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University of Lynchburg

/ Graduate Academics / Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies (EdD)

Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies (EdD)

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Inspire and empower with our online EdD program.

The Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies is meticulously designed to elevate the existing knowledge and skills of individuals who are interested in pursuing leadership positions in their career field by preparing them to navigate complex challenges across a multitude of leadership roles.

Our EdD program adopts an interdisciplinary approach, paving a path for today’s leaders to shine in career fields across education, nonprofit, business, medical, government, and the private and public sectors. Our program’s uniqueness lies in the blend of rigorous, cutting-edge coursework, practical experiences, and partnerships with industry professionals who bring real-world scenarios to the classroom.

Whether you aspire to bring about change in educational institutions, lead community organizations, or drive innovation in the corporate world, our program is structured to accommodate your professional goals.

Emphasis is placed on blending the principles and theory of leadership with practice so you’re armed with the skills you need to face real-world challenges.

The Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies at the University of Lynchburg is your stepping stone toward becoming an influential leader capable of fostering positive change and innovation in any professional field.

Key features of our online EdD program:

  • Rigorous, relevant, and multidisciplinary
  • Key skills to navigate and lead organizations in an evolving context
  • Examination of community issues, fostering a systemic and cross-disciplinary perspective
  • Opportunities to find innovative and creative solutions for issues at local, state, national, and global levels

Why should Lynchburg’s online doctorate in leadership program be your top choice?

Designed to cultivate innovative leaders who make a difference in their communities.
At Lynchburg, our EdD program is designed to transcend the ordinary, enhancing leadership abilities across all types of communities.

  • Designed for working professionals: Our program fits seamlessly into your busy life, offering online classes with scheduled meeting times.
  • Cohort model: Learn and grow in a supportive and collaborative environment.
  • Refined skill set: Refine your analytical, problem-solving, and research skills, all deeply rooted in empirical study.
  • Practical application: Apply leadership theories, models, and techniques in your professional setting.

Unique Aspects of our Leadership Doctorate: Organizational Leadership Systems, Ethics, and Beyond

Organizational Management
Dive into the core of organizational dynamics and gain the skills to drive change in complex structures. Learn to manage human resources effectively and practice strategic communication to meet your organizational objectives.
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Promoting Ethical Leadership
Our program underscores the importance of ethics in leadership. You’ll learn to navigate legal and ethical issues so you can make informed and ethically sound decisions in leadership roles.
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Fostering Sustainability

Sustainability and responsible leadership are at the core of our program. You’ll learn to design and implement sustainable practices in your organization, contributing to a healthier planet.

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Building Communication and Organizational Skills
Effective communication and organizational skills are key to success in any leadership role. Our program helps you develop and implement strategic communication within an organization and lead through times of change, promoting a culture of transparency and cohesion.
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Harnessing Data for Decision-making
Our program equips you with quantitative and qualitative research skills so you can make strategic, data-driven, decisions. You’ll be able to understand, communicate, and leverage data to solve complex problems and drive innovation.
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Dissertation with Real-world Relevance
The dissertation component of our program is designed to be both rigorous and relevant. It requires you to work on focused research that resonates with the areas of your employing agency, school, or organization, ensuring their research has real-world implications.
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Go further. Start here.

Let us know you’re interested, and we’ll be in touch.

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Hear from EdD students, faculty, and alumni.

Donna Lewis ’07 MEd, ’15 EdD

Donna Lewis ’07 MEd, ’15 EdD considers the lessons she learned about leadership from an interdisciplinary perspective as essential in her role as director of the LAUREL Regional Program for students with severe disabilities.

Austin “Donnie” Norman ‘89 MEd, ’14 MEd, ’20 EDd

Named the 2021 Outstanding Secondary School Assistant Principal of Virginia, Dr. Austin “Donnie” Norman ’89 MEd, ’14 MEd, ’20 EdD said Lynchburg’s education programs prepared him perfectly for real-world scenarios he faced as a school administrator.

Application Process for Our Virginia-based Doctorate in Leadership Program

The application process for the Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies degree at the University of Lynchburg is simple and clear.

  • Application Deadline: July 31
  • Classes start: Aug. 24
  • Learning modality: Online
Course Delivery

Flexible learning with personalized attention: Understanding the demands and challenges of modern professionals, we have crafted a learning environment that doesn’t just offer online classes with scheduled timings, but also incorporates a strong commitment to personalized attention.

Our dedication to individualized attention doesn’t just improve the educational experience but makes a significant difference in empowering learners to realize their full potential, fostering deeper understanding and helping bridge the gap between theory and practice. By seamlessly blending flexibility and personalization, we strive to provide a leadership doctorate program that truly stands apart.

Admission Requirements
  • A completed master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
  • Official transcripts from your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, along with any other pertinent graduate coursework
  • Successful completion of a graduate research course within the prior master’s degree (or taken subsequently)
  • A minimum overall graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
How to Apply
  1. An online application
  2. A current resume or curriculum vitae
  3. A 300-500 word essay focused on career goals and emphasizing prior leadership opportunities and experiences
  4. Successful completion of a prior master’s degree. A professional postgraduate degree will be considered, based on relevance to the leadership studies program.
  5. Official transcripts from your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, as well as any other relevant graduate coursework
  6. Successful completion of a graduate research course within the prior master’s degree (or taken subsequently)
  7. One letter of recommendation from an individual in a leadership position representing your current employer, which indicates support for your participation in the program and verifies your capacity for successful future leadership
  8. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with your academic performance and/or work experience
  9. Evidence of strong writing skills as reflected in scores on the GRE/GMAT writing sub-test and/or in selected samples of writing from previous graduate programs (e.g., major term paper, master’s thesis), published work, and/or examples of professional work products related to job responsibilities
  10. GRE/GMAT scores already on file at the University of Lynchburg are acceptable as are official copies of the scores submitted by applicants.

For admitted cohort students, a $300 program deposit is required and will be applied to the first semester’s tuition.

Tuition and Cost

This estimated breakdown is based on a total of three years of study (the typical length to complete the program). The Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies requires 54 credit hours at $725 per credit hour.

Your actual course selection may vary from what’s shown here, and the breakdown of your cost is meant to give you an idea of what a likely scenario could be.

  • Total tuition: $39,150

Years 1, 2, and 3

Fall semester:

  • Credits: 6
  • Tuition: $4,350

Spring semester:

  • Credits: 6
  • Tuition: $4,350

Summer semester:

  • Credits: 6
  • Tuition: $4,350
Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Graduate Assistantships

Financial aid for graduate students is available in several different forms. Additional information can be found on the graduate financial aid website.

The University of Lynchburg does offer graduate assistant positions.

Career Opportunities Unlocked by a Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies

The Doctor of Education program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of leadership paradigms, theories, and applications. It’s tailored for those aspiring to occupy leadership roles within their professional fields.

The following are a few potential sectors that an EdD graduate might venture into:

  • Administration in Higher Education
  • Government and Public Policy
  • Business Industry
  • Consulting
What can you do with an EdD?

Ultimately, the Doctor of Education in Leadership program is a pathway to top leadership opportunities where you can apply your skills, make a difference, and shape the future of your field.

Virginia

Education:

Higher Education Administrators:

  • Average: $124,200
  • Entry level: $68,800
  • Experienced: $151,900

School Superintendent:

  • Average: $173,583
  • Lower 25%: $141,796
  • Top 25%: $209,450

Nonprofit:

Chief Executive:

  • Average: $184,201
  • Lower 25%: $139,229
  • Top 25%: $237,341

Executive Director:

  • Average: $83,271
  • Lower 25%: $67,729
  • Top 25%: $100,999

Public Service Average Salary:

  • Chief of Police: $116,400
  • City Manager: $110,819
  • Fire Chief: $91,777

Consultant Average Salary:

  • Human Resources: $81,311
  • Leadership: $105,379
  • Management: $93,666

National

Education:

Higher Education Administrators:

  • Average: $115,180
  • Lower 25%: $77,010
  • Top 25%: $132,010

School Superintendent:

  • Average: $174,664
  • Lower 25%: $142,652
  • Top 25%: $210,715

Nonprofit:

Chief Executive:

  • Average: $185,313
  • Lower 25%: $140,070
  • Top 25%: $238,773

Executive Director:

  • Average: $83,774
  • Lower 25%: $70,150
  • Top 25%: $101,609

Public Service Average Salary:

  • Chief of Police: $117,100
  • City Manager: $111,488
  • Fire Chief: $92,331

Consultant average salary:

  • Human Resources: $81,802
  • Leadership: $106,015
  • Management: $93,000

Figures for Virginia come from JobsEQ, and national data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Program Contact

Mac Duis, EdD
Assistant Professor of Education
Director of the Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies Program

434.544.8284
duis_m@lynchburg.edu