

If you are ready to advance your teaching career, an online doctorate in education leadership at Saint Leo University will help you do just that. The College of Education & Social Services' online Doctorate in Education with concentration in School Leadership provides an advanced study program for those interested in furthering their education career, growing their knowledge base, and enhancing their professional practice.
Completing the online Doctorate in Education - EdD in School Leadership program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively engage educational stakeholders, promoting the success and achievement of students, schools, or other institutions. Graduates of Saint Leo’s EdD program become leaders in school and organizational change and improvement; knowledgeable leaders with the ability to use critical thinking skills to analyze and solve problems; create and sustain partnerships; effectively identify and apply components of action research, change theory, strategic planning and collaborative decision making.
Our EdD program graduates can expect to have acquired and refined the skills necessary for becoming organizational leaders, particularly, in the K-12 school setting. We're excited and honored for the privilege of taking part in this critical area of professional development. For this purpose, we are now offering the EdD through our flexible and convenient online format (along with one, on-campus residency held in July).
The online Doctorate in Education program is 57 hours with courses in fall, spring, and summer terms. Depending on each student's availability, our EdD School Leadership concentration can be completed in a three-year period.
Students who pursue their degrees at Saint Leo’s main campus near sunny Tampa Bay, Florida, join a community of enthusiastic learners just like them.
Education students enjoy plenty of engaging learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, as well as exciting departmental events.
Saint Leo University’s online learning experience provides a well-rounded education with the flexibility to tailor your course of study to meet your individual needs. We know our students have lives outside school, and we seek to meet them where they are. Online students can count on receiving excellent academics as well as opportunities for hands-on learning.
Taking online classes has afforded me the opportunity to learn while maintaining a job. They give me some flexibility to study at times that work more cohesively with my schedule and allow me to utilize resources such as the library 24 hours a day.
Bentley Streat | Hayes, VA
You may also choose to pursue your degree through one of our education centers, which merge a traditional in-person education with the flexibility to match your lifestyle. Education centers offer eight-week academic terms as well as evening and weekend classes.
No matter which learning experience you choose, you will receive plenty of professional development opportunities, industry knowledge from expert professors, and support from the Saint Leo community. All this together means that you will be ready for a successful career or continued studies upon graduation.
The online Doctorate in Education - EdD School Leadership concentration courses will prepare graduates to:
This advanced degree prepares graduates for careers in school leadership by enhancing personal development related to:
Students acquire the knowledge needed to pass state licensing exams, per each state’s Department of Education.
Whether your goal is to engage adult learners, manage systemic change, assess progress through cyclic strategic planning, or all three - this program will provide the education necessary to be successful in all of these areas.
The curriculum for our online Doctor of Education - School Leadership concentration adheres to the most recent national standards for educational administrators. Known as the Professional Standards for Education Leaders, or PSEL- the National Policy Board for Educational Administrators (NPBEA) has established these 10 principles to incorporate recent research for creating learning environments that deliver the most effective and consistent results for students.
Earning an EdD with a concentration in School Leadership qualifies graduates for a number of different career tracks. Some to consider are:
Career | Growth | Salary |
---|---|---|
Postsecondary Education Administration | 8% (As fast as average) | $97,500 per year |
School Executive | 8% (As fast as average) | $107,680 per year |
Postsecondary Teacher | 12% (Faster than average) | $80,560 per year |
From the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020.
Saint Leo University’s College of Education and Social Services couples a transformative liberal arts tradition with highly specialized training in the education and social services fields. Through close faculty mentorships, practical field internships, and applied learning experiences, we prepare students for careers in education, social work, criminal justice, and human services. Our faculty remain active in their respective fields as researchers and practitioners, giving students close access to a wealth of real-world knowledge and experience.
With the ever-changing needs of today's students, we provide flexible degree programs. These include programs at University Campus and education centers with evening and weekend options, as well as online offerings. These degree programs are grooming the next generation of educators and social service specialists—a new breed of professionals with the talent and resolve to make a difference in the world.