Hybrid Philadelphia Doctorate in Educational Leadership & Management (EdD)

Philadelphia, PA Campus

Drexel University’s hybrid EdD in Educational Leadership and Management teaches you to navigate and lead in today’s ever-changing educational landscape. Become a change agent for your organization through a mix of foundational leadership and research courses, paired with diverse concentration options to tailor your degree to your career goals. The program’s hybrid format combines face-to-face learning at our Philadelphia campus with online learning, making the program convenient for working professionals.

Ready to take the next step? Apply for Fall 2026 term by the priority deadline, May 1, 2026, to receive priority application review. Learn more.

What is an EdD degree?

If your goal is to work in hands-on administrative leadership roles, an EdD is a great option. Unlike a PhD, which tends to be more research-intensive and designed for those interested in faculty positions, an EdD has a practical focus and looks at real-world applications of your studies. This degree is a good fit for those working in K-12 and higher education, nonprofits, government entities, and corporations that serve the educational community.

• Courses are aimed to develop your personal leadership growth
• Core courses are taught in-person at Drexel’s main campus in Philadelphia, while concentration courses are completed online
  • Terms with 2 core courses: Friday and Saturday in person, once a month
  • Terms with 1 core course + 1 concentration course: Friday OR Saturday in person, once a month
  • Dissertation stage: No in-person requirement (all coursework is online)
• Choose from a variety of concentration options to fit the program to your interests
• Cohorted program gives you opportunities to network and interact with a community of students that learn and grow with each other
• First year students benefit from our Mentoring and Coaching Program (MAC). The program provides guidance and support to students as they navigate their coursework and opportunities to expand their networks and gather career advice.

5 Reasons You Should Earn an EdD in Educational Leadership and Management

Hear from Program Director Deanna Hill, JD, PhD, as she shares how this program can help you lead change, advance your career, and make a lasting impact in the field of education.

Mentoring and Coaching Program

Elevate your EdD journey with our EdD Mentoring and Coaching (MAC) program. In your first year, get matched with an experienced MAC alumnus who shares similar career interests. They offer invaluable guidance, helping you navigate coursework and adjust to doctoral life. Benefit from their insights, build networks, and gather career advice. Beyond the first year, forge lasting connections with your MAC for continuous support throughout your program.

For questions about the program and how to become a MAC or, if you are a new student wishing to be paired with a MAC, please contact edd@drexel.edu.

Priority Application Deadline

Drexel University offers a priority deadline for the online EdD in Educational Leadership and Management. Applications submitted by the priority deadline will receive priority review by the committee, and accepted students will receive an earlier decision. The priority deadline for Fall 2026 is May 1, 2026.

Applications are still accepted up until the regular deadline for the term. The regular deadline for Fall 2026 is July 1, 2026.

CPED Program of the year

Drexel’s EdD in Educational Leadership and Management received the prestigious Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Program of the Year Award in 2019, a distinction that recognizes programs demonstrating excellence, innovation, and impact.

Concentration Options

• Creativity and Innovation
  • Option A: Creativity and Innovation
    Provides an in-depth understanding of creativity, enhanced communication, and creative problem-solving; and explores how these may be applied to practical situations in the workplace.
  • Option B: Mind, Brain, Learning, and Innovation
    Looks at advancements in technology and research related to the human learning process and how this informs pedagogical practices across learning formats.
• Educational Administration (with Pennsylvania Principal Certification)
  Equips emerging school leaders with the tools to navigate the intricate landscape of educational leadership, including data-driven decision-making, identifying gaps in teaching and learning, and championing evidence-based practices with focus on improving learning outcomes for all students. The heart of the program lies in the internship component. As a student, you’ll assume leadership roles under the guidance of an experienced principal mentor. This hands-on experience bridges theory and practice, preparing you for the dynamic realities of school leadership.
  
• Educational Administration (with Pennsylvania Superintendent Letter of Eligibility)
  Equips visionary leaders with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to navigate the complexities of organizational management, transformational change, and adaptive leadership in K-12 education. Responsible for overseeing every aspect of a school district, superintendents lead instructional innovation, fiscal management, policy implementation, and community engagement while reporting directly to the Board of Education. This concentration provides real-world leadership training through dynamic coursework, expert faculty mentorship, and an intensive, year-long internship that immerses students in the day-to-day responsibilities of a superintendent. From crisis management and budget oversight to policy advocacy and stakeholder communication, students gain hands-on experience that prepares them to lead with confidence.
• Education Policy
  Engages with policies and policy issues that have an impact on education, those working in it, and those served by it. Includes a heavy emphasis on the roles of ethics and ethical decision-making in policy development.
• Higher Education Leadership
  • Option A: Administration, Leadership, & Assessment
    Examines the historical growth and advancement of colleges and universities in the U.S. with a look at the impact of variables such as the law, politics, and power structures.
  • Option B: Administration, Student Success, & Innovation
    Explores the connection between strategic enrollment management and institutional planning and sustainability with an examination of the student lifecycle from recruitment to the student experience to graduation.
• Human Resource Development
  Produces 21st century leaders with the competencies and capabilities to facilitate workplace learning, performance, and change in any organizational setting.
• Learning Technologies
  Teaches the skills needed to solve the technological learning challenges facing schools and businesses. Includes a focus on areas such as instructional design, performance support, virtual communities, learning in participatory culture, and e-learning leadership.
• Nursing Education
  Prepares registered nurses to assume faculty positions while providing a robust interdisciplinary education between Drexel's School of Education and the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Those who wish to pursue this concentration must have an RN license.
• Special Education Law and Process
  Equips educators, administrators, and advocates with essential legal knowledge and collaborative skills to support students with disabilities. Through an in-depth exploration of special education laws, court cases, and advocacy strategies, students gain practical expertise applicable in schools, family support services, and community-based work, empowering them to drive meaningful change by fostering legally sound, school-family-community partnerships that meet the diverse needs of all learners.
• Special Education Leadership
  Students are prepared to take on supervisory roles within the education system after gaining the unique leadership knowledge and skills needed to successfully direct programs within special education. Graduates are equipped with the advanced skills, knowledge, and competencies to head programs that meet the needs of students at risk for and with disabilities in a variety of environments.

Alumni Spotlight

Learn about Dr. Brandon Wallace’s journey in educational leadership and how the EdD in Education Leadership and Management prepared him for success as a professor and a father.

Hear from Dr. Erik Pederson as he shares his story about his experience as a student in the EdD in Educational Leadership and Management program. Dr. Pederson talks about working with students from all types of industries and how the program has prepared him for success in his career and how he earned his Superintendent Letter of Eligibility through the program.

Archived Webinars

• Escaping the Trap of Memorization: Using Active Learning Strategies to Facilitate Knowledge Synthesis
• Leaders’ Role in Recognizing and Responding to Distress and Promoting Wellbeing
• Online Open House: EdD in Educational Leadership and Management
• Student Experience: EdD in Educational Leadership and Management

Why Should You Take a Hybrid Program in Philadelphia?

Drexel’s hybrid EdD program in Philadelphia gives you the best of both worlds. Your concentration courses are completely online, giving you the flexibility Drexel’s online classes are known for. Your core classes are taught in-person at Drexel’s main Philadelphia campus, giving you the ability to collaborate and learn with your classmates face-to-face. Taking courses on Drexel’s campus also means you have easy access to a host of Drexel on-campus facilities, like the Hagerty Library, the Writing Center, and the Student Recreation Center. You will have online access to these resources as well.

How to Apply to the Philadelphia Hybrid Doctorate in Education Program

To apply to Drexel’s hybrid EdD in Philadelphia, you need both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Your master’s degree should be in education (or another appropriate field), and you should have a master’s GPA of at least 3.5. Your résumé should also indicate at least three years of relevant work experience.

In addition to these academic requirements, you will need to submit a completed application, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume, and writing requirements. For a full list of application materials, please visit the Admissions Criteria page.

Additional EdD Program Options

• Online EdD in Educational Leadership and Management

State restrictions may apply to some programs.