In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the need for highly skilled, innovative leaders is greater than ever. The Johns Hopkins University School of Education’s online Doctor of Education (EdD) program is designed to cultivate these transformational leaders, equipping practitioners with the expertise to address complex challenges and drive positive change within their professional settings. This rigorous program, delivered by an internationally renowned faculty, emphasizes critical thinking, curiosity, and a deep understanding of social justice, systems thinking, and empirical inquiry.
The EdD program at Johns Hopkins is tailored for education professionals seeking to advance their careers and become impactful leaders – essentially, to become the “doctors” of education in their specialized areas. This online format offers unparalleled flexibility and accessibility, allowing you to pursue your doctoral degree without disrupting your current career.
The curriculum is built upon the latest research in crucial areas such as social determinants of education, the science of learning (mind, brain, and teaching), educational entrepreneurship, data-driven decision making, and the integration of technology in education. A key feature of the redesigned program is its flexibility, allowing doctoral students to customize their studies through a broader selection of electives. This customization enables a deeper focus on individual professional interests and specific problems of practice that students aim to solve within their educational contexts.
The overarching vision of the Johns Hopkins EdD program is to empower graduates to tackle complex educational issues globally. By fostering critical and systemic thinking, the program aims to develop leaders who can generate profound insights and implement sustainable, positive changes. Graduates are expected to contribute to the field by creating new research avenues, disseminating research findings into practical applications, and enriching public discourse and policy in education.
Explore Your Areas of Interest
The EdD program offers several specialized areas of interest, allowing applicants to align their studies with their professional goals and areas of expertise. Prospective students can indicate one or more areas of interest that resonate with their problem of practice and desired professional trajectory. Current areas include:
- Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education
- Learning Design and Technology
- Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation
- Urban Leadership
Please note that courses and course sequences are subject to change.
Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education: Innovating for the Future
For leaders in schools and educational organizations, both public and private, the Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education area of interest provides a unique pathway to innovation. This specialization is designed to cultivate the knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to lead new ventures and initiatives within diverse educational settings. Through a multidisciplinary approach, students learn to foster innovation in paradigms, strategies, values, and culture across school systems, social entrepreneurial ventures, and education-focused companies. Each course within this area provides opportunities to explore leadership theories, define a Problem of Practice, and develop actionable plans through in-depth analysis, readings, and discussions on the current state and future challenges of various educational environments.
Sample Courses:
- Entrepreneurship in Education
- Talent Management and Organizational Finance for Entrepreneurial Leaders
- Data Driven Decision Making
- Partnerships and Educational Organizations
- Leadership in Education Organizations
- Research on Effective Professional Development
Learning Design and Technology: Shaping the Future of Online Education
The Learning Design and Technology (LDT) area of interest within the EdD program is specifically crafted to equip educational leaders and researchers to critically engage with and lead in the rapidly advancing field of educational technology. This specialization builds upon the strong foundation of the school’s broader LDT program, emphasizing the integration of learning sciences, human-centered design principles, and innovative assessment methods to drive meaningful educational transformation. EdD students will delve into the intersection of technology and pedagogy, exploring both conceptual and empirical research while developing practical skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating cutting-edge digital learning environments. Graduates of this area of interest will be prepared to spearhead initiatives that effectively leverage technology to enhance learning outcomes, promote equity and inclusivity, and cater to the diverse needs of learners across various educational contexts. This specialization is ideal for those aiming to make a significant impact on educational practice and policy through the thoughtful and strategic application of educational technologies, becoming true “doctors online” in the realm of digital learning innovation.
Sample Courses:
- Gaming and Simulations for Learning
- How People Learn
- Computational Thinking for K–12 Educators
- Maker Education: Cultivating Curiosity, Creativity, and Problem Solving in Theory and Practice
- Foundations and Applications of Learning Experience Design
- AI in Education
Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation: Understanding the Science of Learning Online
The Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation area of interest is tailored for educators who are passionate about exploring the latest research in cognitive science and neuroscience and applying these insights to enhance educational practices. This specialization promotes the integration of diverse disciplines that investigate human learning and development, drawing upon foundational and applied research from cognitive science, psychology, brain sciences, neurology, neuroscience, and education. Educators in this area will develop the critical knowledge and skills to interpret complex research and translate relevant findings into effective educational practices and policies, all through a social justice lens. The curriculum focuses on building deep expertise in learning sciences and cognitive diversity, preparing graduates for roles as informed educators, impactful leaders, and skilled advocates for equity and excellence in neurodiverse learning environments. In an increasingly online world, understanding neurodiversity in digital learning spaces is paramount, making this specialization highly relevant for educators looking to become “doctors online” in inclusive education.
Sample Courses:
- Mind, Brain Science, and Learning
- Fundamentals of Cognitive Development
- Neurobiology of Learning Differences
- Twice Exceptional Learners
- Creativity in Education
- Social, Emotional, and Psychosocial Development of the Gifted
- Survey of Autism
- Introduction to Children and Youth With Exceptionalities
Urban Leadership: Addressing Challenges in Diverse Communities Online
Cities, with their diverse populations and rich multicultural communities, represent both incredible strengths and unique challenges for education. Urban schools often serve communities facing concentrated poverty and must navigate complex decisions regarding resource allocation. The Urban Leadership area of interest is specifically designed for educational professionals who are committed to exploring this duality and developing a deep understanding of a Problem of Practice within their specific urban context. This specialization prepares educational leaders to effectively work in urban environments by focusing on key topics such as building strength-based perspectives on the complexities of urban communities, engaging with the latest research on urban educational programs, developing strategies for program improvement, and fostering strong partnerships with families, communities, and other relevant organizations. Leveraging online learning platforms to connect with and serve urban communities is increasingly important, and this specialization equips leaders to become “doctors online” in urban education reform.
Sample Courses:
- Approaches to Urban Education
- Individuals in Urban Context
- Organizations and Institutions
- Partnerships and Community Organizing
- Power, Politics, and Policy in Education
- Leadership for School and Educational Organization Redesign
- Critical Theories of Race and Racism in Education
View Program Structure and Requirements
Scholarship Support Available for Online Doctoral Studies
Making advanced education accessible is a priority. Thanks to the generous support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the EdD Initiative Scholarship offers need-based financial assistance to eligible Johns Hopkins EdD students for up to three years of their studies. This scholarship opportunity underscores the commitment to making this high-quality online doctoral program available to a diverse range of talented education professionals. Learn more about scholarship opportunities.
