Online Ed.D.

All courses will be delivered in an online format that blends synchronous (Zoom) meetings with asynchronous course content. Students are required to attend two synchronous online weekend meetings per semester, which provide real-time interaction with faculty and cohort mates.

The UF educational leadership Ed.D. program follows a structured, cohort-based model. Because of this, your classes each term are pre-determined and in a set order. Students take two classes per term (6 credit hours) during Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. Our students finish their coursework in three years, and their fourth year is devoted to completing the dissertation.

Typically, students enroll in two classes (6 credits) each semester. The Ed.D. in Florida requires 90 credits for graduation. For the educational leadership program, this includes 36 hours of set department courses, 15 hours of research courses, 15 credit hours of transfer/elective courses, and 24 hours of dissertation credit.

The LEAD Ed.D. program is not a principal preparation program. Students interested in Level 1 certification for school administration in Florida are encouraged to consider our online M.Ed. and Ed.S. programs.

Prospective students must submit a completed application through the UF application portal.  Follow the graduate instructions provided by the admissions site, and be aware of our program-specific application instructions.

Once we have reviewed the applications, the department will contact prospective students and a telephone interview may be requested to finalize the application process.

Completed applications should be submitted by March 15. All application materials, including recommendation letters and transcripts, must be received by the deadline for your application to be reviewed.

This information specifically applies to educational leadership Ed.D. program applications. The scholarly paper requirement assesses your current and potential writing ability at a graduate level. Our program will enhance your research and writing skills, but we need to see that you can clearly articulate a thesis, expand on an idea, and effectively present your thoughts in writing. For your writing sample, you may write about any topic related to K-12 or Higher Education that you find significant, including learning, teaching, critical issues or leadership. Your paper must include citations and a reference list regardless of the topic.

For the Ph.D. program, the length of the paper should be no more than 10 pages, including references. The paper can be an existing work from a prior course or professional setting. However, it can also be an original piece developed for the application.

Admission to the program is a collaborative decision between the program faculty. Admission decisions for the Ed.D. in Florida are made on a rolling basis, typically beginning three to four weeks after the application deadline. We continue to make decisions until all spaces in the program are filled.

Students may transfer up to 15 credits from previous graduate coursework into the LEAD program, subject to advisor approval. Regardless of which course credits transfer, we require all students to take the full sequence of courses along with their cohort. Transfer credits will be applied to elective courses only.

Please visit the UF Distance Learning information page for more online/distance state authorization details.

Course content and delivery vary by professor, but most courses are managed through an online Learning Management System. Some professors use web conferencing with their students during the class sessions. To participate in class sessions, students must have administrative privileges on their machine to download all required software for the program. We also highly recommend reliable access to a high-speed Internet connection. Once admitted to the program, students are provided appropriate assistance with online class setup.

Please review the computer requirements from UFIT for additional information about equipment minimus.

The program’s current graduate tuition and fees, as well as other up-to-date information about program costs, are available on the college’s Tuition and Fees page.

Financial aid information is available from the UF Office of Financial Aid.  The financial aid process can take several months from submission to approval and disbursement. Prospective students should factor this timeline into their admission planning and apply for financial aid well before being accepted or starting the program.

LEAD students are often sponsored by their school or institution. There are currently no specific scholarships or fellowships for the LEAD program. Students are encouraged to apply to the UF Office for Student Financial Affairs for assistance with loans, grants, and fellowships.

If you have questions about the program, please reach out to Brian Coulter at bcoulter@coe.ufl.edu.