Which Universities Are Best For An Online Doctorate In Education?

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There are a total of 80 colleges and universities across America that offer online or partially-online doctoral level programs in education and that many options can make for a pretty daunting process when it comes to selecting a school. But, there are some universities that stand out among the rest based on student satisfaction, the overall quality of education, and a variety of other factors. Some of the best institutions for an online doctorate in education include Vanderbilt University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Southern California among others.

There are a number of factors that come together to make a university the best possible option, and narrowing that down doesn’t have to be difficult. Even though you have nearly 100 colleges and universities to choose from, if you know what to look for in an online doctorate in education, it’ll be a breeze. Vanderbilt University is the best university for an online doctorate in education based on freshman retention and graduation rate, two strong indicators of educational quality and student satisfaction. The program available at Vanderbilt is a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations. The whole program can be completed in just three years and from anywhere across America because all of the coursework is available completely online. There is an annual immersion on the gorgeous campus in Nashville, Tennessee and students must present their capstone project to a faculty panel on campus. The program brings together skills in data analytics, systemic improvement, and overcoming organizational challenges in a way that is applicable to education and fosters strong leadership in its graduates.


Another university that ranks among the best is Johns Hopkins University, which is an incredible research university. One thing that sets apart the online EdD program at JHU is that students will complete three years of research while they’re doing their coursework, and that is usually not a component of the program because it is tailored to a more practical application. The only meeting that the program requires according to its website is the defense of your dissertation once the program is complete. Johns Hopkins University also has one of the highest graduation rates among schools offering online education doctorates. Perhaps you’d like to look into a more focused degree in concentration areas like Instructional Systems Technology or Literacy, Culture, and Language Education, both of which are available online at Indiana University. If you would rather pursue a PhD in education online, the best place to do so is to explore the online Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction with a Concentration in Career and Workforce Education at USF. This research-based program is great for anyone who wants to work in a college setting, or for a government agency designing training materials or providing that training. You could also work as a college professor, serve as a college president, or have a position at the district level in charge of policies in the education system in your community.