Online Doctor of Education Degree

Transform and Inspire as a Leader in Education

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Are you a K-12 educator looking to elevate your experience and skills? If so, the online Doctor of Education degree program at the University of Michigan-Flint is designed for you!

With a robust curriculum, the online EdD program increases your competencies in decision-making, education policy analysis, and organizational leadership. It empowers you to become a confident, inspiring, and effective leader who can transform the landscape of K-12 or higher education.

Discover how our well-rounded program can help you achieve your greatest goals.

Why Earn Your EdD Degree at UM-Flint?

Flexible Format

UM-Flint’s Doctor of Education degree program is offered in a flexible format. Designed to accommodate your busy schedule as a working professional and facilitate your success in the program, our online EdD allows you to progress in a part-time, online/weekend format.

The EdD program blends online coursework with a synchronous class held one Saturday per month and is designed for completion of coursework and advancement to candidacy in two years, and completion of all degree requirements in three to five years.

Expert EdD Faculty

All courses are taught by distinguished faculty. They impart first-class instruction with extensive real-world knowledge and experience in education. As you complete the Doctor of Education degree, you have access to local administration and curriculum experts who share best practices in leading classrooms and schools.

Small Cohorts

UM-Flint’s online EdD degree program is delivered in a cohort model. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, we foster a small collaborative learning environment in which you can share your passion for leadership in education with your peers.

This cohort structure also enables you to develop a strong support network for personal and professional growth. During the program of study, you have ample opportunities to work on team-based projects that allow for networking while improving collaborative and communication skills.

U-M Resources

UM-Flint is a part of the world-renowned University of Michigan system, making it possible for you to tap into additional resources at the Dearborn and Ann Arbor campuses.

Online Doctor of Education Program Curriculum

The University of Michigan-Flint’s online EdD program offers a robust curriculum that aims to cultivate your leadership growth in K-12 or higher education. The curriculum encompasses eight courses (24 credits) in the core area, which can be completed in two years, and an additional 12 credits focusing on dissertation research which can be completed in 1-3 years.

To support your path to degree completion, our doctoral advisor will help you determine what courses are needed to fulfill program requirements.

Review the detailed Doctor of Education program curriculum.

Advance Your Career in Education with an EdD Degree

UM-Flint’s Doctor of Education program is specifically designed for K-12 educators looking to build upon their background and skills, as well as for those interested in administration roles in higher education.

The program also fosters administrators at the building level who want to pursue a central office position in a wide variety of areas such as:

  • Human Relations
  • Finance
  • Curriculum 
  •  Superintendents 
  • Admissions

Furthermore, graduates of the online EdD program can potentially pursue a career in higher education as a professor or administrator, as well as other career paths such as Education Consultant and Education-focused Entrepreneur in non-profit or for-profit organizations.

Admission Requirements

  • Completion of an Education Specialist in an education-related program from a regionally accredited institution.
  • A minimum overall graduate school grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale, or 6.0 on a 9.0 scale, or equivalent.
  • At least three years of work experience in a P-16 educational institution or in an education-related position.

Admission decisions are made by the program director in consultation with the program faculty. The requirements above are necessary but not necessarily sufficient for admission; admission is not guaranteed. Depending upon the program size in any given year, admission may be competitive.

Applying to the EdD Program

To be considered for admission to the online Doctor of Education (EdD) degree program, submit an online application below. Other materials can be emailed to [email protected] or delivered to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library.

  • Application for Graduate Admission*
  • $55 application fee (non-refundable)*
  • Official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) from colleges and universities where graduate work was completed as well as those where you completed your bachelor’s degree and/or work toward your teaching and/or administrative certifications. Please read our full transcript policy for more information.
  • For any degree completed at a non-US institution, transcripts must be submitted for an internal credential review. Read the following for instructions on how to submit your transcripts for review.
  • If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency.
  • An essay of at least 1000 words describing your reasons for seeking admission to the program
  • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
  • Scholarly writing sample in the form of a 10+ page research paper or equivalent published research article that will be used to assess your ability to perform scholarly research and writing
  • Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be from the following: 1) professional peer, 2) professional supervisor, 3) community leader, or 4) graduate study faculty.  All letters should speak to your academic and leadership abilities.
  • Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.
Graduate Programs Ambassador

Anthony K.
[email protected]

Educational Background: I received my undergraduate degree in Social Work from Southwestern Oklahoma State University located in Weatherford, Oklahoma. I later obtained my Masters of Social Work Degree with an emphasis on Community and Administration Practice from the University of Oklahoma. I received my Education Specialist Degree from UM-Flint and I’m currently a Doctor of Education candidate with UM-Flint! 

What are some of the best qualities of your program? The Ed.S and Ed.D program are very flexible and provide traditional and non-traditional pathways for completion of academic requirements. Some courses were co-facilitated by faculty providing the opportunity for in-depth discussion and responsive academic programming. Faculty were diverse in school of thought and had significant practical and academic experience in all sectors of the field of education. I’m grateful and humble to continue through the life-long learning journey at UM-Flint. 

This program is fully online. Admitted students will not be able to obtain a student (F-1) visa to pursue this degree. However, students living outside of the US may complete this program online in their home country. Other nonimmigrant visa holders currently in the United States please contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected].

*Alumni of a UM-Flint graduate program or a Rackham graduate program (any campus) may substitute the Change of Program or Dual Degree Application which requires no application fee.


Application Deadlines

Program faculty review applications twice annually after each of the following dates:

  • April 1 (early admission*) 
  • August 1 (final deadline; applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis after August 1 deadline)

*You must have a complete application by the early deadline to guarantee application eligibility for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.

Academic Advising

At UM-Flint, we provide a dedicated academic advising expert to help guide your educational journey towards the EdD degree. If you need further assistance with your academic plan, find your advisor’s contact information.


Learn More about UM-Flint’s Online EdD Program

Do you envision yourself leading positive changes in education? Apply to the University of Michigan-Flint’s online EdD program today! You can earn your degree in as little as three years!

Want to learn more about the Doctor of Education program? Request information.