The Johns Hopkins University’s Doctor of Education (EdD) program offers an exceptional opportunity for experienced educators to advance their careers and become transformative leaders. Designed for working professionals, this rigorous online program allows you to delve into critical educational issues, cultivate advanced research skills, and expand your expertise in specialized areas of education, all while maintaining your current professional commitments. Our internationally renowned faculty will guide you through a unique learning experience that emphasizes curiosity, critical discourse, and diverse perspectives, grounded in social justice principles, systems thinking, and empirical inquiry.
The curriculum is meticulously crafted to incorporate the latest research across crucial domains, including the social determinants of education, the intersection of mind, brain, and teaching, educational entrepreneurship, data-driven decision-making, and the strategic integration of technology in learning environments. Recognizing the diverse aspirations of our doctoral candidates, the redesigned program offers greater flexibility through an expanded selection of electives. This customization enables you to deeply focus on your specific professional interests and address your unique problem of practice within your educational setting.
The overarching vision of the Johns Hopkins Online Education Doctorate program is to empower education practitioners to critically and systemically analyze complex educational challenges on a global scale. We aim to cultivate deep understanding and actionable insights that enable our graduates to drive positive and sustainable change within their professional spheres. As a graduate of our program, you will be equipped to generate impactful research, effectively disseminate research findings to inform practical applications, and contribute meaningfully to public discourse and policy development in the field of education.
Explore Your Areas of Interest
The online EdD program at Johns Hopkins provides focused areas of interest, allowing you to tailor your studies to your passions and career goals. As an applicant, you can select one or more areas that align with your problem of practice and professional aspirations. Our current areas of specialization include:
- Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education: Develop the skills to foster innovation and lead new ventures within diverse educational organizations.
- Learning Design and Technology: Master the integration of learning sciences, human-centered design, and technology to create impactful digital learning environments.
- Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation: Explore the application of cognitive science and neuroscience research to create inclusive and effective educational practices for diverse learners.
- Urban Leadership: Gain expertise in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within urban educational settings, focusing on equity and community engagement.
Please note: Course offerings and sequences are subject to change to ensure the program remains at the forefront of educational innovation.
Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education Specialization
The Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education specialization within our online education doctorate is uniquely designed for leaders in both public and private educational institutions. This area of focus will empower you to cultivate the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to lead innovative initiatives and build successful new ventures within a variety of educational contexts. Through a multidisciplinary approach, you will learn to champion innovation across paradigms, strategies, values, and organizational cultures within school systems, social entrepreneurial ventures, and education-focused companies. Each course provides a rich opportunity to explore foundational leadership theories, meticulously define your Problem of Practice, and develop a comprehensive action plan. This is achieved through in-depth analysis and synthesis of presentations, scholarly readings, and engaging discussions on the current landscape of diverse educational environments and the future visions and challenges facing the sector.
Sample Courses:
- Entrepreneurship in Education
- Talent Management and Organizational Finance for Entrepreneurial Leaders
- Data Driven Decision Making for Educational Leaders
- Building Strategic Partnerships with Educational Organizations
- Leadership Theories and Practices in Education Organizations
- Research on Effective Professional Development Models
Learning Design and Technology Specialization
For educational leaders and researchers passionate about the transformative potential of technology, the Learning Design and Technology (LDT) specialization in our online education doctorate program offers unparalleled preparation. This area of interest is built upon the strong foundations of Johns Hopkins’ renowned LDT program, emphasizing the synergistic integration of learning sciences, human-centered design principles, and cutting-edge assessment strategies to drive meaningful advancements in education. As an EdD student specializing in LDT, you will explore the dynamic intersection of technology and pedagogy, examining both conceptual and empirical research while developing practical skills in designing, implementing, and rigorously evaluating digital learning environments. This specialization is ideal for individuals seeking to lead initiatives that strategically leverage technology to enhance learning outcomes, promote equity and inclusivity, and effectively address the diverse needs of learners across various educational settings. Graduates will be well-prepared to significantly impact educational practice and policy through the thoughtful and informed application of educational technologies.
Sample Courses:
- Gaming and Simulations for Immersive Learning
- The Science of How People Learn: Implications for Education
- Computational Thinking Integration for K–12 Educators
- Maker Education: Cultivating Curiosity, Creativity, and Problem Solving in Theory and Practice
- Foundations and Applications of Learning Experience Design
- The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education
Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation Specialization
The Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation specialization within our online education doctorate is specifically tailored for educators eager to explore the fascinating intersection of cognitive science and neuroscience and its profound implications for educational practice. This area of interest fosters the integration of diverse disciplines dedicated to understanding human learning and development. Drawing upon foundational and applied research from cognitive science, psychology, brain sciences, neurology, neuroscience, and education, this specialization equips educators with the knowledge and skills to critically interpret complex research and effectively apply relevant findings to educational practices and policies through a social justice lens. Coursework in this area focuses on developing deep expertise in learning sciences and cognitive diversity, preparing graduates for impactful roles as informed educators, effective leaders, and skilled advocates for equity and excellence in education for all learners.
Sample Courses:
- Mind, Brain Science, and Learning in Educational Contexts
- Fundamentals of Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan
- Neurobiology of Learning Differences and Implications for Instruction
- Supporting Twice Exceptional Learners in Educational Settings
- Fostering Creativity in Education: Research and Practice
- Social, Emotional, and Psychosocial Development of Gifted Learners
- Comprehensive Survey of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Introduction to Children and Youth With Exceptionalities
Urban Leadership Specialization
The Urban Leadership specialization within our online education doctorate program is designed to address the unique complexities and opportunities present in urban educational environments. Cities, characterized by their vibrant and diverse populations encompassing various races, socioeconomic backgrounds, languages, and nationalities, represent both immense strengths and unique challenges for educators. Urban schools often serve communities facing concentrated poverty, requiring strategic resource allocation and innovative leadership. This specialization is ideal for educational professionals committed to understanding and addressing a Problem of Practice rooted in their specific urban context. It prepares educational leaders to thrive in urban environments by fostering a strengths-based understanding of urban communities, engaging with the latest research on effective urban educational programs, developing data-driven strategies for program improvement, and building strong partnerships with families, community organizations, and other key stakeholders.
Sample Courses:
- Diverse Approaches to Urban Education Reform
- Understanding Individuals within Urban Contexts
- Organizations and Educational Institutions in Urban Settings
- Building Effective Partnerships and Community Organizing Strategies
- Power, Politics, and Policy Dynamics in Urban Education
- Leadership for School and Educational Organization Redesign in Urban Areas
- Critical Theories of Race and Racism in Education
View Program Structure and Requirements
Scholarship Opportunities
The Johns Hopkins online EdD program is committed to making high-quality education accessible. Through the generous support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, the EdD Initiative Scholarship provides need-based financial assistance to eligible EdD students for up to three years of study. We encourage prospective students to explore this opportunity to help fund their online education doctorate. Learn more about scholarship opportunities.
