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Pursue a doctorate in education (Ed.D.) degree online at Regent University.

Ed.D. – Doctor of Education

Prepare for Leadership Opportunities Through Regent’s Doctorate in Education

Are you ready to build your skills and knowledge so you can become an organizational leader in education? If you desire to drive change in this field, earning an Ed.D. degree is your best next step. Regent’s Doctor of Education is a terminal degree with a focus on applied research and practice-oriented curriculum. Designed to facilitate the learning styles of adults, this program offers a collaborative community for higher-level thinking and problem solving. Follow your dream path to learning the latest developments in the field of education while preparing to demonstrate independent scholarly ability at the doctoral level. During this time, you’ll prepare to pass a comprehensive candidacy examination to show technical competence in your field of study, and present and defend your dissertation before a dissertation committee.

Online
66+
January 13, 2025

INCREASE YOUR INFLUENCE & SALARY

Advance in organizational leadership roles and earn a higher salary too.

WIDEN YOUR JOB PROSPECTS WITH AN ED.D. DEGREE

Enjoy rewarding opportunities in schools and communities.

MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN EDUCATION

Create engaging education environments that foster learning with the knowledge and skills gained through the doctorate in education.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE

Regent has been ranked among top national universities by the U.S. News & World Report for two consecutive years (2019 and 2020). Our programs have also been ranked by it among the Top 5 Online Graduate Education Programs in Virginia for seven years in a row. Experience the Regent difference through the Doctor of Education degree program.

Presented from a Christian worldview, this specialty degree is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach.

Regent University ranked #2 of Top 25 Accredited Online PhD & Doctoral Degree Programs | Learn.org, 2020
Regent University ranked #43 of the top 60 doctorate in education degree programs | Intelligent.com

On completing the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree program, you will be able to:

  • Foster institutional change through innovative thinking grounded in theory and research.
  • Develop original research that greatly impacts the field of education and promotes the core values of our society through shared responsibility.
  • Understand key theories that inform planning, administration, policy and professional practice.
  • Practice vital skills in critical thinking, scholarly research and writing.

Career Opportunities

  • School Principal
  • Superintendent
  • Education Administrator
  • University Professor
  • Training & Development Manager
  • Instructional Coordinator
$96Thousand
2019 median pay for elementary, middle, and high school principals U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Adult Education program equips current and aspiring organizational and institutional decision-makers with the knowledge and skills to design, implement and evaluate professional development programs for adult populations.

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The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Advanced Educational Leadership program is designed for students who desire to become leaders in the field of education. It will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to improve educational systems and institutions.

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The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Christian Education Leadership program focuses on teaching for discipleship. The research-based relational love motive, being crucial to both faith and learning, is a mainstay of the educational process in this program.

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The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Curriculum & Instruction helps you deliver research-supported programs while teaching you how curriculum and instruction can be structured and applied to educational reform.

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The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Educational Psychology allows for a broad area of academic inquiry with topics like psychological underpinnings of learning, cognitive strategies for learning in children and adults, creating environments conducive to learning, brain research, teacher education, faculty roles; and professional development in varied settings.

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The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Educational Technology & Online Learning will prepare you for leadership positions in K-12, higher education or corporate learning settings. You will study the principles of curriculum, instruction, assessment and evaluation, and apply them to an online education setting.

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The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Higher Education program prepares you to work as a post-secondary administrator or faculty member teaching higher education issues. This concentration is designed for professionals who are in current positions where the doctorate is the required or preferred degree for advancement.

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The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Higher Education Leadership & Management is designed to prepare mid- to senior-level administrators at Christian higher educational institutions for positions of significant administrative leadership.

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The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – K-12 School Leadership program provides continuing education for teachers and is designed for those seeking initial administrative endorsement in preparation for positions as principal or assistant principal.

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The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Special Education program provides career development for special education teachers seeking leadership positions in special education research, practice and policy.

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2020-2021 Semester Check-In Deadlines:

All new students are expected to check-in for the semester 2 weeks prior to the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

Session

Semester Check-In

Session Start Date

Session A

Friday, August 14

Monday, August 24

Session M

Friday, September 11

Monday, September 21

Session B

Friday, October 16

Monday, October 26

Session C

Tuesday, January 5

Monday, January 11

Session T

Friday, January 29

Monday, February 8

Session D

Friday, March 5

Monday, March 15

Session E

Friday, April 30

Monday, May 10

Session F

Friday, June 11

Monday, June 21

Application Process – Doctoral Programs (Ed.D.)
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Step 1: Application & Application Fee
Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.

Pay the $50 nonrefundable application fee by check or money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.

Fee Waiver: Attend a graduate School of Education on-campus or online information session to learn how to streamline your application process, discover financial aid resources and waive your $50 application fee.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts
We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcripts from U.S.-based schools, which indicate successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, in order to review your application for an admissions decision. Please submit your unofficial transcript to our Admissions Office by email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SOE Doctoral Application Pieces.

Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. For further details, please review the International Admissions Checklist on the International Students Admissions page.

International Applicants: Please visit the International Students Admissions page for a more detailed explanation of the Regent University application information and to determine whether or not you qualify as an international student.

*Upon conditional acceptance to the program by review of unofficial transcripts, Regent University’s Admissions Office will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institutions, which indicate successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. We will notify you if your previous institutions will not release transcripts directly to us.

Step 3: Complete Your Admissions Questionnaire
Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests. This should only take a few minutes to complete, but please answer the questions completely and thoughtfully. This gives us a better opportunity to get to know you and align your objectives with our programs. The admissions questionnaire can be found here. Once completed, it will be sent directly to an admissions counselor who will be in touch with you right away to help complete the rest of your application.

Step 4: Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please email a scanned copy or photograph of it to apply@regent.edu with the subject line: Government ID.

Step 5: Admissions Interview
If an interview is necessary, the admissions office will contact you to schedule an appointment. The interview can be conducted on campus or over the phone and typically takes about an hour.


Important Information
Background Check: Students in endorsement programs are required to complete a background check because the program includes direct contact with students in field experiences. Regent University School of Education has entered into an agreement with Certified Background/Castle Branch (CB), a private vendor that conducts background checks for many universities and educational institutions. After you are admitted into the program, you will be provided instructions to set up an online profile with Certified Background and request your background check. Learn more.

2019-20 Tuition Rates

Degree Level / ProgramCost Per Credit Hour

Ed.S., Ed.D., & Ph.D.

$775 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state)


University Services Fee (Online Students)$550
Library Orientation$50 (one-time fee)
Blackboard Orientation$50 (one-time fee)

2020-21 Tuition Rates

Degree Level / ProgramCost Per Credit Hour

Ed.S., Ed.D., & Ph.D.

$775 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state)


University Services Fee (Online Students)$600
Library Orientation$50 (one-time fee)
Blackboard Orientation$50 (one-time fee)

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Estimated Cost of Attendance: View the estimated cost of attendance to see an example of the total cost of tuition and fees.

Advanced Standing

Students possessing an Ed.S. or equivalent may be admitted to the Ed.D. program with advanced standing after a review of their post-master’s transcript(s). Offered in a cohort model. Students may begin the program in the spring, summer or fall semesters. Courses are delivered online with some required face-to-face components. School division cohorts are also offered in varying formats.

“When I felt called to teaching after a career in the military, Regent University bridged the gap and laid a solid, Christian-based path for me to follow.”

John Pienkowski, M.Ed., 2017 Level II Career Switcher

“The Virginia Beach City Public Schools cohort of ESL teachers in training was the perfect platform in which to study and learn. Upon completion of my last TESOL class, I was blessed with the opportunity to join the ESL staff of VBCPS. The amazing faculty of Regent's TESOL department helped make it possible.”

Altina Suber, M.Ed., 2015 Teacher

“Just four years after receiving my degree from Regent, I had the honor of being named one of the nation's top educators. My Regent professors honed my focus on leadership, quality and innovation in education, which I use in my classroom every day.”

Lakeshia Ames, M. Ed., 2008 Educational Leadership

“The Career Switcher program gave me the skills that I needed to feel comfortable stepping into my classroom and allowed for my success. I am now a first-year teacher who is thriving in an environment that applauds creativity and innovation.”

Breanna Mead, M.Ed., 2018 Career Switcher

“My credentials from Regent helped earn me the respect of parents and the confidence of school leaders. I'm so pleased that I could go one step further and share on a national level.”

Catherine Webb, Autism Certificate, 2004 Autism Certificate