Online EdD – Doctor of Education, Leadership for Educational Equity

Online EdD Doctorate of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity

Designed for experienced educators and human service professionals who wish to be leaders of change in schools, colleges, agencies and communities, the Leadership for Educational Equity program has a strong commitment to diversity and social justice. Our students are prepared for the real world. This program partners with many education and community organizations to enhance our students’ ability to serve and champion culturally diverse and historically excluded individuals and communities. Three concentrations may be completed fully online.

A degree from the University of Colorado is a world-class education.

Program at a Glance

Degree Program:

Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity

Offered By:

School of Education and Human Development

Tuition:

Cost Per Credit:

$464*

See Graduate Student Tuition and Fees page for graduate tuition disclaimer.

Cost Per Credit:

$557*

See Graduate Student Tuition and Fees page for graduate tuition disclaimer.

Credit Hours:

54

What You'll Learn

This doctoral program provides relevant opportunities for working professionals to engage in research projects with education and community organizations that will broaden their career horizons. Students select a concentration area based on their interests and aspirations.

Most EdD students work full-time. New EdD cohorts start each summer. Students complete coursework in two or four years followed by the time required to complete the Doctoral Research Project. During the Doctoral Research Project, you will engage with faculty and district, organization, and community partners on identified problems of practice and policy.

Three Concentrations
Executive Leadership Concentration Are you a leader in a school, a district, a nonprofit, or a community organization? This concentration will prepare those interested in innovation to develop the fundamental skills to inspire and lead. You will: 1.) learn to lead personnel, in strategic planning and budgeting processes, 2.) understand evaluation and accountability systems and oversee professional development, 3.) become data savvy for strategic planning and decision-making, and more.
Higher Education Leadership Concentration Enables and supports current leaders in higher education to continue their work while completing their doctoral degrees. Students in this concentration have a strong passion for educational access, equity, and social justice in higher education, and want to be empowered with tools for positive change to impact student success. Our graduates become effective leaders who are passionate about educational access, equity, and social justice in diverse settings in colleges and universities worldwide.
Justice, Equity, and Diverse Identities (JEDI) Concentration Focus on education for justice, equity, and diverse identities (e.g., Latiné, Black, AANAPI, LGBTQIA+, and dis/ability) while pursuing research of interest that is adjacent to or within one of these areas. Students delve into the idea of educators as intellectual activists facilitating liberation and are equipped with a critical lens to problematize systemic issues. The program prepares educational leaders who: 1.) value educational excellence and social justice, 2.) seek to lead change against educational inequities in underserved schools and communities, and 3.) value complexities and unique opportunities of diverse communities. Note: The application for this concentration requires an interview and two writing samples.

Three Concentrations

Executive Leadership Concentration

Are you a leader in a school, a district, a nonprofit, or a community organization? This concentration will prepare those interested in innovation to develop the fundamental skills to inspire and lead. You will: 1.) learn to lead personnel, in strategic planning and budgeting processes, 2.) understand evaluation and accountability systems and oversee professional development, 3.) become data savvy for strategic planning and decision-making, and more.

Higher Education Leadership Concentration

Enables and supports current leaders in higher education to continue their work while completing their doctoral degrees. Students in this concentration have a strong passion for educational access, equity, and social justice in higher education, and want to be empowered with tools for positive change to impact student success. Our graduates become effective leaders who are passionate about educational access, equity, and social justice in diverse settings in colleges and universities worldwide.

Justice, Equity, and Diverse Identities (JEDI) Concentration

Focus on education for justice, equity, and diverse identities (e.g., Latiné, Black, AANAPI, LGBTQIA+, and dis/ability) while pursuing research of interest that is adjacent to or within one of these areas. Students delve into the idea of educators as intellectual activists facilitating liberation and are equipped with a critical lens to problematize systemic issues. The program prepares educational leaders who: 1.) value educational excellence and social justice, 2.) seek to lead change against educational inequities in underserved schools and communities, and 3.) value complexities and unique opportunities of diverse communities. Note: The application for this concentration requires an interview and two writing samples.

Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development

The School of Education & Human Development is consistently ranked as one of the top schools of education in the country. Our EdD program is nationally known for its rigor and influence. We provide individual supervision and mentorship that will prepare you to be research savvy, problem-solve, innovate, and make important contributions in your field of study. One of our signature strengths is a focus on preparing educational leaders to support equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts.

Molly M. — **Molly M**. | EdD Student - Higher Education concentration | graduating May 2025

Tuition and Fees

Investing in your future is a big decision. However, becoming a fully online student at CU Denver is a high-quality and affordable option for learners of all types. Visit our tuition and financial aid page for more information. Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. 

Admissions

Apply by December 16. The program has the following application requirements:

Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Written Statement of Purpose instructions vary by concentration area, including the following:
- A brief summary of your educational and/or leadership experiences, including your values related to leadership and equity, and experience working with diverse communities.
- A summary of your current professional role and responsibilities and how you use research and evidence to inform planning and decision making.
- Your purpose in pursuing the EdD, intentions for applying the skills and knowledge gained from the EdD degree, and future career goals.
Resume/CV
Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can best speak to your leadership, professional accomplishments, academic skills, and career goals (two professional and one community-based if possible).
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
After the initial review of application materials, faculty will contact eligible applicants to schedule individual interviews.

RSVP for an information session hosted by a doctoral faculty member at: https://sehd.link/SEHDedd

Questions about the application? Please reach out to our Office of Recruitment and Outreach at education@ucdenver.edu or call 303.315.6300.

Career Outlook

Students who complete the EdD program go into a broad spectrum of work and a variety of settings, including:

Agency Director
Chancellor/Vice Chancellor
District Administrator
Educator
Higher Education Leader
Inclusivity Officer
Non-Profit Leaders
Policy Advocate
Postsecondary Institution Administrator
Provost, Dean/Director
School Administrator

Robin B. — **Robin Brandehoff, PhD** | Assistant Professor, Education Foundations | Faculty Advisor, SEHD Doctoral Students of Color

Courses

Example Courses
EDFN 7410 — Power and Privilege: The Social Construction of Difference This course will focus on understanding culture and diversity, recognizing the role of power and privilege in both individual and institutional interactions, and developing a philosophy of social justice and equity.
EDUC 7100 — Leadership in Education Orients students to broad periods of administrative science, philosophical and behavioral underpinnings of various models and types of leadership, and develops doctoral-level analysis and writing skills to articulate self-knowledge as leader and the application of appropriate leadership practices in context. Prereq: admission to the doctoral program.
EDUC 7230 — Organizational Performance in Educational Contexts Explores connections between organizational behaviors and outcomes as well as external and internal factors influencing organizational behavior. The course focuses on how education organizations learn, how they can use that learning to improve performance, and what techniques are available to help understand present performance and affect future performance.
STME 7020 — Power of Data In this course we will focus on uncovering the biases in research and data, support students in using data for public good, and employ methodological frameworks which help make sense of the complex intersectionalities between race, gender, and socioeconomic class.