Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling, Ed.D.

Start Earning Your Advanced Education Degree

The University of Massachusetts Lowell's Ed.D. degrees offer professional educators the opportunity to complete a terminal degree. Graduates are able to pursue leadership roles in K-12 districts or instructional roles in education departments in higher education. These programs emphasize the development of thoughtful and reflective scholar practitioners. Please note that this degree does not lead to licensure. For more information on licensure programs for Massachusetts teachers, explore our M.Ed. and Ed.S. degrees.

All UMass Lowell Ed.D. candidates receive a degree in Leadership in Schooling, but within this, some may choose to pursue an option in STEM education (see Leadership in Schooling STEM Program of Study).

Program Format

Students complete the program as members of a cohort. Newly accepted students begin their studies in the middle of May each year, during the University's Summer semester. Students are expected to take 2 courses each semester, and they complete their program over a three-year period. Courses are offered entirely online during the Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters, however there is a one-week, Summer Residency required every year.

Applications for the Ed.D. program will be reviewed in September and April each year. The deadline for the September review is August 15; the deadline for the April review is March 31.

Questions about the Ed.D. program should be sent to the Doctoral Coordinator Stacy Szczesiul at Stacy_Szczesiul@uml.edu.

Ed.D. Program Requirements

The Ed.D. requires completion of 42 credits beyond the master's or education specialist (CAGS) degree. Nine of these credits are focused on dissertation research. The research for the Ed.D. is applied in nature and may examine an issue pertinent to a local setting. The Ed.D. program requires completion of 11 online courses (33 cr) and 9 credits of dissertation research support through online dissertation seminars. Additionally, candidates must attend a week-long summer residency each year they are in the program.

In order to complete either degree, candidates must:

• Complete the required minimum number of credits in the specified program;
• Complete all courses, including residency requirements, with a cumulative grade point average of B or better;
• Have no more than two courses below the grade of B counted toward their degree;
• Pass two doctoral examinations;
• Satisfactorily complete and defend a dissertation proposal;
• Satisfactorily complete and defend the dissertation;
• Submit all required paperwork at each stage of the degree;
• Maintain continuing matriculation if not enrolled in coursework or dissertation research credit;
• Conform to all human subjects requirements for research as specified by the Institutional Research Board (IRB);
• Complete the program within eight years from the date of admission.