Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning – Higher Education Leadership
Advance your higher education career with an affordable Ed.D.
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning – Higher Education Leadership specialization is designed to meet your unique professional needs within an increasingly diverse world. Together we will examine leadership theories and strategies that will help you effectively manage and strengthen a higher education community. Learn best practices for leadership behavior, student affairs and development, project management, accreditation and more. Explore critical higher education historical and legal issues and investigate the main components of governance within higher education institutions. This Ed.D. Higher Education Leadership degree is centered around three elements: collaborative and ethical leadership, transformational leadership, and reflective scholarship. Through practical, real-world applications, learners will gain adeptness with leading college and university administrators and faculty to create cultures that promote student success.
Individuals seeking greater knowledge and skills in accreditation policies and practices for higher education settings, strategies for developing scholarship and inclusive governance, historical and legal perspectives, and financial management of those environments would benefit most from this doctoral degree emphasis. This program is not designed as a teacher certification program, and different states and municipalities often have specific requirements concerning different degree programs. Depending on your goals for this program, please check with your local and state regulatory requirements for program acceptance.
Dissertation: This program requires students to complete a dissertation. The dissertation is the final step of a doctoral program and the culmination of a student’s doctoral studies. The dissertation is a written document that summarizes a completed research study that is grounded in theory and is methodologically sound. Students will select their own dissertation topic.
View the Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning Handbook
For more information about the program, see the Academic Catalog.
Enjoy Flexibility– 20 online courses with program start dates every 2 weeks
Choose Where You Learn– Online courses
Affordable Monthly Payments
Focus on Your Passion– Choose your dissertation topic
Aspen also offers online Ed.S. programs for students who do not wish to complete a dissertation.
Why More Students Are Choosing Aspen
Ed.D. Higher Education Leadership Courses
Aspen’s Ed.D. curriculum features 20 courses designed to equip you with advanced leadership skills. Taught by experienced educators from diverse settings, you’ll have the opportunity to apply new knowledge through the integration of your dissertation.
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EDD830 - Leadership Theory
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RSH900 - Doctoral Writing and Inquiry into Research
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EDD832 - Human Potential and Motivation
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EDH810 - Historical and Legal Perspectives in Higher Education
- ** Last effective date 07/19/2022 The Law of Higher Education: Student Version (5th Edition) - 978-1118036624
- The History of American Higher Education: Learning and Culture from the Founding to World War II - 978-0691173061
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th Edition) - 9781433832154
- ** Effective date 07/19/2022 The Law of Higher Education - 9781119271949
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EDH812 - Student Affairs and Development in Higher Education
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EDD834 - Creating Strategic Change That Lasts
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RSH910 - Research Design and Methodology
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EDD836 - Project Management Techniques
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RSH912 - Introduction to the Dissertation
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EDH814 - Accountability and Accreditation
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EDD838 - Building Successful Organizations that Endure
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RSH914 - Techniques and Interpretation for Statistical Analysis
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EDH816 - Strategic Planning
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EDH818 - Financial Management and Enrollment Development
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RSH916 - Problem-Based Research in Action
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EDH820 - Building Scholarship and Organizational Governance
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EDD820 - Dissertation I: Dissertation Committee Selection and Research Proposal
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EDD821 - Dissertation II: Literature Review, Methodology, and IRB Process
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EDD822 - Dissertation III: Research and Results
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EDD823 - Dissertation IV: Conclusions, Oral Defense, and Publication
The emphasis of this course is on leadership with the focus on the application of leadership concepts and leadership skills. Through the examination of a wide array of different leadership theories, the student gains knowledge and skills for a plethora of theoretical paradigms and models, which can be used to influence others towards positive and lasting change. Working with teams and dealing with the politics and power within an organization are also examined in depth.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This research course examines the basic principles and techniques of doctoral scholarship, and offers an overview of the development of theory and research logic, explores the relationship between theoretical and empirical constructs, and provides a wide variety of specific research methodologies, including the scholarly publication process. Students study the principles of the scientific method and research design techniques common to both qualitative and quantitative research, including sampling methods and data collection techniques. Material includes examination of various research methods including electronic searches and retrieval methods. Students learn to critically read research papers and articles, and are introduced to the writing techniques necessary to produce expository and analytical papers to the standards of publishable work. This course is a prerequisite for all other doctorate courses.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course examines a meaningful and sophisticated understanding of motivation and emotion. Blending motivation and emotion with leadership builds a powerful sense of tolerance and meaning in many domains of life: home, school, workplace, clinical setting, athletic fields, healthcare, and interpersonal relationships. The course deeply explores individual emotion, mindset, and interventions. A leader can use this knowledge to motivate individuals and evaluate how emotion drives behavior to obtain the best performance out of their employees and relationships in all facets of life.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course explores higher education law and critical issues in higher education including the numerous facets of sub-topics that fall under both. These include governance of higher education, sources of higher education law, legal relationships within institutions of higher education, law/policy distinction, and the U.S. legal system as it relates to higher education law. This course includes methodological approaches using a new historical lens and critical examinations of special issues.
3 CreditsRequired Books
One of the critical areas of higher education administration is student affairs. University and college leaders must understand the characteristics of a student population and be able to create environments that promote learning, safety, socio-emotional health, and inclusion. This course explores topics related to assessing student learning, establishing positive campus cultures, dealing with crisis on campus, involving community partners, and designing academic intervention plans.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Creating strategic change that lasts is a fine art of every successful leader. Throughout this course, students examine what the best leaders do to create an atmosphere where employees in the organization can flourish. The focus is on learning essential behaviors that promote a high-energy culture.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course begins to ask the doctoral student to reflect on past courses, studies and articles that support and build upon personal areas of interest. The course is designed to challenge students to think about an area of interest and begin develop a comprehensive research topic aligned with their professional goals. Students expand on the research topic, identify appropriate theories, methodologies and consider research design. At the end of eight weeks, students will frame the beginning of a doctoral research dissertation.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Every career today requires both leadership and management. Traditionally, leadership is seen as charting the vision while management provides the execution. Modern day leaders understand that it is more complex than that. Precise and thoughtful management does more than simply execute a collective leadership vision. It creates continuity, organization, and the capacity to understand the systemic objectives ahead. This course helps to provide guidance in the all-important area of project management and the techniques that support those outcomes.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course provides the student with an overview of each part required in the completion of the dissertation writing process. It reflects each of the five chapters necessary when preparing the doctoral dissertation and includes the ethical and professional requirements to help make the author accountable and reflective in its presentation, validity, and significance to future researchers and readers. The student selects an existing, published dissertation in their discipline and examines it throughout the course as a model for how to effectively design and write a solid dissertation.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course addresses the issue of assessment, accountability, and accreditation. It examines the national context for a culture of assessment and address issues in mission identification and planning. Students explore the use of tools to evaluate institutional effectiveness and develop measures to investigate the degree to which student learning is shaped by these dynamics. Clearly, cost is a factor in higher education and program effectiveness is impacted by how these initiatives are conceptualized, executed, and ultimately led. Communication and goal identification are also key points of interest.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course is about the steps that leaders take to create organizations that are fully undergirded in a way that leads to their ongoing sustenance and growth and continued innovation and improvement. This is an essential course in pursuit of highly effective organizations; it is imperative to create cultures of change and to attempt to create organizations that are self-sustaining and highly organized. This course addresses a number of pertinent topics regarding this change dynamic and offers the student an opportunity to give considerations to theory and instructional practices.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This research course emphasizes practicality and flexibility in its approach to augmenting organizational decision-making. In this course, a practical approach is adopted that prepares students to identify the correct method, calculate the statistics, and properly interpret the results to solve the question at hand. Application and interpretation of statistics is stressed as students see for themselves how statistics work.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course explores the essence of contemporary strategic planning. Strategic planning today has evolved in terms of process and expected outcomes and this course investigates both in higher education institutions. All effective leaders need to have a solid, achievable plan that targets the specific outcomes of the organization. This course addresses techniques for implementing strategic planning that result in a significant impact on the success of the institution.
3 CreditsRequired Books
In this course, the student has an opportunity to explore financial planning and the enrollment development process. Both of these aspects of leadership in a modern day educational system are linked. Developing the skills, strategies, and necessary leadership to accurately navigate these ever-changing dynamics creates opportunities for much better outcomes. This course explores this emergent topic and directly identifies mechanisms for developing enrollment goals that drive budget needs.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course is designed to provide students with additional research tools used to solve everyday problems through a process of inquiry and developing solutions to significant problems in the workplace. This useful strategy can provide the leader a design for decision-making based on data and supportive research. This course satisfies the Proctored Exam requirement for this program.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course explores four main components of governance within higher education institutions. In higher education these include: (a) organizational governance, (b) teaching, (c) learning, and (d) research. The sub-topics that are covered are converting theory to practice, political and cultural issues in higher education settings, the concept of organized anarchy, quality teaching, diversity, assessment, workplace learning, developing research and scholarship, and learning in the digital age. The sub-topics weave into the larger umbrella of the main four topics and all are necessary to be successful in higher education leadership.
3 CreditsRequired Books
EDD 820 is designed to provide students the guidance to select a dissertation research topic, create a research plan and form their dissertation committee. After establishing the committee, students begin work on Chapter 1 of their dissertation. Chapter 1 serves as the guiding document as it overviews the scope, purpose, nature and intent of the dissertation. At the completion of this course, students are ready to defend their dissertation proposal.
3 CreditsRequired Books
EDD 821 is designed to guide students through two integral components of the dissertation process, the literature review and methodology. Under the direction of their dissertation committee, students frame their dissertation research study within the context of the relevant academic literature. Using this knowledge, students design the methodology of their dissertation research study, complete the required ethical training to conduct research, and submit their proposal to the Institutional Review Board. At the completion of this course, students will have finalized Chapters 2 and 3 and are prepared to conduct their dissertation research study.
3 CreditsRequired Books
EDD 822 focuses on the implementation of the dissertation research study and the analysis of the results. Students conduct their research study with an understanding of key ethical, practical, theoretical and methodological considerations. At the conclusion of the data collection, students analyze and interpret data in relation to the research questions and theoretical framework. Through this process, students complete Chapter 4 of their dissertation.
3 CreditsRequired Books
EDD 823 brings students to the completion of their dissertation journey. Students complete the final chapter of their dissertation, polish the completed work, and then organize and facilitate an oral defense of their work. Upon receiving final approval and grade, students are able to apply for publication as well as their commencement from Aspen University.
3 CreditsRequired Books
“Aspen was the clear winner for practical purposes, but I had no idea how outstanding the faculty would be, and how much I would truly enjoy learning with them. I wanted to learn more about higher education history, theories, and leadership from those who had been there, and Aspen’s curriculum and faculty really met my needs.”
Peter B.
Ed.D. Higher Education Leadership, graduated July 2020Cost & Time to Completion
The Best Fit for Working Professionals
We understand the difficulties in pursuing your Ed.D. when you have a demanding work and family schedule. Aspen’s course format and frequent start dates are designed to help working professionals move through their degree efficiently.
Our Monthly Payment Plan Makes Us Different.
Paying for your Ed.D. shouldn’t be complicated. Our Monthly Payment Plan makes it easy for you to finance your program.
Tuition Rates
| $35,700 | Tuition |
| $4,250 | Fees |
| $3,000 |
Estimated
Textbook
Costs
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| $42,950 | |
Other Ways to Finance Your Ed.D.
Students who have served, or are currently serving in the United States Military and their legal spouses are eligible to receive a Military Affiliation Discount from Aspen University.
Aspen University is currently approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer federal student aid for the Ed.D. program.
Aspen University maintains employee tuition discount partnerships with a large and growing number of organizations. Tell your enrollment advisor where you work and ask them to check for you prior to enrolling.
Aspen offers several payment plans for students to fund their education.
Kristine B.
Ed.D. Organizational Leadership, graduated November 2022Admission Requirements
Application – A completed application; Aspen does not charge an application fee
Resume – Current resume or curriculum vitae
Statement of Goals – A statement of your goals reflecting the academic, professional, and personal goals you would like to achieve through your work with Aspen University. The statement of goals should be between 300 – 500 words.
Master’s Degree –Official Transcript demonstrating a master’s degree from an institution that is accredited by a CHEA recognized accrediting body or an international equivalent; applicants must have earned at least a 3.0 GPA in their master’s program (see Catalog for more information)
Career Outlook
As higher education continues to evolve, the demand for leaders with advanced expertise in strategic management is growing. An Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership equips professionals to navigate complex challenges, ensuring institutional success.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow by 3% from 2023 to 2033, which amounts to approximately 15,200 job openings per year, primarily driven by retirements and the need for fresh leadership perspectives.
Graduates of the Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership program are prepared for a wide array of leadership roles, including academic deans, provosts, vice presidents, and administrative positions in educational consulting, policy development, institutional research, and educational non-profits. This program empowers students with skills in strategic planning, policy analysis, and organizational leadership, making them pivotal in shaping the future of education.
By completing an EdD in Higher Education Leadership, you position yourself to make a lasting impact on the academic landscape and drive meaningful change in higher education institutions. Lead the way. Shape the future.
Average Annual Salary for Postsecondary Education Administrators
$102,610
Data pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Fall 2024. Salary can vary widely depending on geographical location and role.
Ed.D. Higher Education Leadership Frequently Asked Questions
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What is an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership?
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Is this program offered fully online?
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Who is this program intended for?
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What are the core subjects covered in this program?
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Is a dissertation required for the Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership?
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Are there any residency requirements?
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Do I need to have a background in higher education to apply?
The Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership is a professional doctoral degree designed for those seeking leadership roles in higher education, such as at universities, colleges, or educational organizations. The program focuses on equipping students with the skills necessary to lead, manage, and improve higher education institutions, covering areas like administration, policy, academic affairs, and organizational development.
Yes, the program is delivered entirely online, offering flexibility for working professionals. It incorporates both live (synchronous) and on-demand (asynchronous) learning, allowing students to balance their studies with their professional responsibilities.
This program is ideal for mid-career professionals already in or aspiring to leadership roles in higher education, such as administrators, faculty transitioning to administration, or policymakers. It’s also well-suited for individuals from educational nonprofits or government agencies, as well as those seeking to transition into higher education leadership.
The program covers leadership theory, strategic planning, higher education policy, law, diversity, finance, and student development. Courses also include research methods and data analysis, focusing on evidence-based decision-making.
Yes, a dissertation is required. Students will conduct research on a practical issue in higher education, demonstrating their ability to apply theoretical and research-based solutions. The dissertation process begins after completing coursework. Students collaborate with a dissertation committee to develop a proposal, conduct research, and defend their findings. Click here to view the IRB Handbook.
Although the program is fully online, it includes two virtual residencies. These residencies are designed to enhance learning, provide networking opportunities, and prepare students for the dissertation process. Click here to view the Doctoral Residency Guide.
No, a background in higher education is not required. The program welcomes applicants from diverse professional backgrounds who are interested in transitioning into higher education leadership.