For ambitious education practitioners seeking to elevate their careers and impact the global education landscape, Johns Hopkins University offers exceptional EdD doctoral programs. Designed to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and diverse perspectives, our programs provide a rigorous and unique course of study. Engage with our internationally renowned faculty and delve into crucial areas such as social justice, systems thinking, advanced research methodologies, and empirical inquiry, all tailored to prepare you as a transformational leader.
Our redesigned Doctor of Education (EdD) program curriculum incorporates cutting-edge research on the social factors influencing education, the intersection of mind, brain, and teaching practices, entrepreneurial strategies, data analysis and measurement, and the integration of technology. Recognizing the diverse professional goals of our doctoral candidates, we’ve expanded elective choices, allowing you to deeply specialize in areas that directly resonate with your professional interests and address your specific problem of practice. Our online EdD program is meticulously crafted to empower education practitioners to become impactful and transformative leaders within their unique professional environments.
The overarching vision of the Johns Hopkins EdD program is to address complex educational challenges worldwide. We achieve this by equipping education practitioners with the critical and systemic thinking skills necessary to analyze intricate problems within their professional contexts. Our program fosters deep understanding and insights, enabling graduates to spearhead positive, sustainable change. Johns Hopkins EdD graduates are distinguished by their ability to pioneer new research directions, effectively disseminate and implement research findings into practical settings, and contribute meaningfully to broader public discussions and policy development in education.
Tailor Your EdD: Areas of Interest
The EdD program at Johns Hopkins offers specialized areas of interest, allowing you to focus your doctoral studies. During the application process, you can select one or more areas of interest that align with a problem of practice you wish to investigate and explore in depth. Our current areas of specialization 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 to ensure the most current and relevant curriculum.
EdD in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education
The Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education specialization within our EdD doctoral programs is uniquely tailored for leaders within both public and private educational organizations. This specialization is designed to cultivate the knowledge, essential skills, and leadership dispositions required to spearhead innovative ventures within diverse educational settings. Through a multidisciplinary approach, you will learn to champion innovation in paradigms, strategies, values, and organizational culture across school systems, social entrepreneurial initiatives, and education-focused companies. Each course within this area provides a valuable opportunity to examine foundational leadership theories, pinpoint and refine your Problem of Practice, and formulate actionable plans. This is achieved through in-depth analysis and synthesis of presentations, critical readings, and robust discussions centered on the current landscape of varied educational environments and the evolving visions and challenges that lie ahead.
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
EdD in Learning Design and Technology
For educational leaders and researchers passionate about the transformative potential of technology in learning, the Learning Design and Technology (LDT) specialization within our EdD program is an ideal choice. This area of interest is meticulously designed to equip you with the advanced knowledge and critical skills necessary to expertly navigate and contribute to the rapidly evolving field of educational technology. Building upon the core principles of the esteemed Johns Hopkins LDT program, this specialization emphasizes the seamless integration of learning sciences, human-centered design methodologies, and innovative assessment strategies to drive meaningful and lasting educational change. As an EdD student specializing in LDT, you will thoroughly investigate the intersection of technology and pedagogy, critically analyze conceptual and empirical research, and develop practical skills in the design, implementation, and rigorous evaluation of cutting-edge digital learning environments. This specialization prepares you to confidently lead transformative initiatives that effectively leverage technology to enhance learning outcomes, foster equity and inclusivity, and address the diverse learning needs across varied educational contexts. This area of interest is perfectly suited for those driven to make a significant impact on educational practice and policy through the thoughtful and strategic application of educational technologies.
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
EdD in Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation
The Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation specialization within our EdD doctoral programs is specifically crafted for educators who are eager to explore the dynamic field of cognitive science and neuroscience research and its profound applications within education. Courses within this specialization actively promote the integration of diverse disciplines that collectively investigate the complexities of human learning and development. This area of interest draws upon foundational and applied research spanning cognitive science, psychology, brain sciences, neurology, neuroscience, and education. As a student in this specialization, you will cultivate the in-depth knowledge and refined skills necessary to expertly interpret both basic and applied research findings and to effectively apply relevant insights to educational practices and policies, all through a critical lens of social justice. The curriculum in Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation is carefully structured to build your expertise in learning sciences and cognitive diversity. This rigorous preparation positions graduates for impactful roles as highly informed educators, effective leaders, and skilled advocates dedicated to promoting equity and excellence in education for all learners.
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
EdD in Urban Leadership
The Urban Leadership specialization within our EdD programs recognizes the unique dynamism and challenges inherent in urban educational environments. Cities are vibrant centers characterized by diverse populations, rich communities encompassing a multitude of races, socioeconomic backgrounds, languages, and nationalities. This very diversity is a significant strength of urban areas. However, urban schools often serve communities facing concentrated poverty, leading to complex decisions regarding the allocation of limited resources. The Urban Leadership specialization is specifically designed for education professionals who are deeply interested in exploring this duality of urban schools through a comprehensive understanding of a Problem of Practice grounded in their own professional experiences within urban contexts. This specialization meticulously prepares educational leaders to excel in urban environments by focusing on key areas such as developing a strength-based understanding of the multifaceted complexities of urban communities, engaging with the latest research on urban educational programs, devising effective strategies for program improvement and innovation, and building strong, collaborative partnerships with families, local communities, and relevant organizations.
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
EdD Scholarship Opportunities
We are committed to making our exceptional EdD doctoral programs accessible to talented and dedicated students. Thanks to the generous support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, the EdD Initiative Scholarship provides need-based financial assistance to deserving Johns Hopkins EdD students for up to three years of their doctoral study. We encourage you to explore this opportunity to help fund your educational journey. Learn more about the EdD Initiative Scholarship.
