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Build advanced skills to pursue your career goals with an EdD
Expand your expertise to effect real change with our Doctor of Education (EdD) program. Our five specializations help you build advanced leadership skills that are essential to K–12 or higher education practitioners.
EdD program overview
Our EdD program is designed to help experienced practitioners build high-level leadership skills, with emphasis on applied research. Learn to solve specific organizational problems, improve outcomes and address gaps in the field.
As an EdD student, you’ll begin with 5 core courses to lay the foundation for your program and develop skills in key areas of educational leadership. From there, you’ll move into coursework for your chosen specialization to grow your expertise and advance toward your capstone.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
Applicants to the EdD program must provide the following information for admission:
- A master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
View full admission requirements for EdD specializations: EdD in Adult Education, EdD in Curriculum and Instruction, EdD in Educational Leadership, EdD in Performance Improvement Leadership, EdD in Reading and Literacy
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
The total cost of your EdD program will depend on your specialization, scholarships and finances, transfer credits, academic performance and other factors. With Capella Tuition Cap, you always know the maximum total tuition you’ll pay for your degree.
View detailed tuition information and cost scenarios for EdD specializations: EdD in Adult Education, EdD in Curriculum and Instruction, EdD in Educational Leadership, EdD in Performance Improvement Leadership, EdD in Reading and Literacy
Choosing an EdD specialization
Every doctoral journey is different. Your chosen specialization can help you leverage your unique passions and interests to build advanced expertise for the next phases of your career as an educational leader.*
- Learning outcomes
- Professional paths to explore
Adult Education
- Assess the policy landscape and implications for planning and implementing adult education programs
- Apply practices promoting diversity, equity and globalization in adult education programming
Curriculum and Instruction
- Demonstrate effective curriculum and instructional leadership practices to achieve learning outcomes
- Develop appropriate and effective curriculum based on theoretical and evidence-based practices
Educational Leadership
- Apply professional knowledge base and leadership theory to organizational learning and innovation
- Promote a culture of diversity, inclusion and equity
Performance Improvement Leadership
- Assess human performance systems
- Support training and performance improvement in the workplace
Reading and Literacy
- Analyze theoretical and evidence-based foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction
- Design evidence-based literacy instruction and curricula to meet the needs of all learners
Adult Education
- Employment settings to explore include academic, vocational, corporate, government and nonprofit settings
- Research job titles such as dean, provost and training specialist
Curriculum and Instruction
- Employment settings to explore include a wide range of K–12 schools, school districts and higher education
- Research job titles such as curriculum specialist and director of instruction
Educational Leadership
- Employment settings to explore include P–12 schools and higher education, government and corporate environments
- Explore roles such as college faculty of education courses and associate dean
Performance Improvement Leadership
- Employment settings to explore include diverse corporate, health care, nonprofit, P–12 and higher education settings
- Explore roles such as training manager, development manager and learning manager
Reading and Literacy
- Employment settings to explore include a wide range of public and private educational environments
- Research job titles such as reading specialist, adult basic education director and literacy coach
*Capella cannot guarantee any specific job, promotion, salary increase or other career outcomes. You will need to conduct your own research to understand what opportunities may be available to you. Note that some career paths may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications or other designations along with a degree.
Are you looking for FlexPath?
Available for select specializations, our self-paced learning format lets you take classes at your pace and on your budget.
Why choose the EdD program at Capella University?
Foundational coursework
Build a solid base for your program with coursework that focuses on research and critical thinking and prepares you for success as a doctoral student.
Capstone: doctoral project
Your doctoral project provides the opportunity for you to solve a real-world problem in your field.
Federal grants
The U.S. Department of Education provides grants that can be used to pay for education expenses, including doctoral program tuition and fees. Explore federal grants
Federal Work-Study program
The U.S. Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides funds for part-time work to help college students finance their education. Learn more