Exceptional education practitioners seeking to become transformative leaders in their field will find a rigorous and unique course of study in the Johns Hopkins Education Doctorate (EdD) online program. Our internationally renowned faculty are committed to cultivating curiosity, critical discourse, and perspective-taking, all viewed through the essential lenses of social justice, systems thinking, research methods, and empirical inquiry.
This online EdD program is meticulously designed to provide you with the latest research and practical applications in crucial areas shaping the future of education. Coursework delves into the social determinants of education, the science of mind, brain, and teaching, entrepreneurial leadership, data analysis and measurement, and the strategic use of technology in education. The program’s flexible structure allows you to personalize your learning experience through a wider array of electives. This customization enables a deeper focus on your specific professional interests and the pressing problems of practice you aim to solve.
The overarching vision of the Johns Hopkins EdD program online is to make a significant impact on complex educational challenges worldwide. We achieve this by preparing education practitioners to engage in critical and systemic thinking about the issues within their professional environments. Our graduates develop the profound understanding and insights needed to lead positive, sustainable change within these settings. As a graduate of our program, you will be equipped to contribute to new areas of research, effectively disseminate and utilize research findings in real-world practice, and contribute meaningfully to broader public discourse and policy in education.
Explore Your Areas of Interest Within Our Online EdD
The EdD program offers several distinct areas of interest, allowing you to focus your studies on a specific domain within education. As an applicant, you can indicate one or more areas that align with your problem of practice and professional aspirations. 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.
Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education
The Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education specialization within our online EdD program is uniquely tailored for leaders in both public and private educational organizations. This area of focus is designed to cultivate your knowledge, skills, and leadership dispositions, empowering you to drive innovation and build new 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 ventures, and education-focused companies. Each course provides a valuable opportunity to explore foundational leadership theories, clearly define your Problem of Practice, and develop strategic action plans. This is achieved through in-depth analysis, synthesis of scholarly readings and presentations, and robust discussions on the current state of various educational environments, as well as the future visions and challenges facing the field.
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
For educational leaders and researchers passionate about the intersection of technology and pedagogy, the Learning Design and Technology (LDT) area of interest within our online Education Doctorate provides unparalleled preparation. This specialization builds upon the core principles of Johns Hopkins’ renowned LDT program, emphasizing the integration of learning sciences, human-centered design principles, and innovative assessment strategies to foster meaningful educational transformation. As an EdD student in this area, you will critically examine the evolving landscape of educational technology, exploring both conceptual and empirical research. You will also develop practical skills in the design, implementation, and evaluation of cutting-edge digital learning environments. This area of interest is ideal for those committed to leveraging technology to improve learning outcomes, promote equity and inclusivity, and effectively address the diverse needs of learners across varied educational contexts. Graduates are prepared to lead impactful initiatives that shape 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
Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation
The Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation specialization within our online EdD program is specifically crafted for educators eager to explore the burgeoning research in cognitive science and neuroscience and its profound implications for education. This area promotes 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 itself. You will develop the essential knowledge and skills to critically interpret complex research and effectively apply relevant findings to educational practices and policies, always through a lens of social justice. The courses within this specialization are strategically focused on building deep expertise in learning sciences and cognitive diversity. This rigorous preparation positions graduates to excel as informed educators, effective leaders, and skilled advocates for equity and excellence in diverse learning environments.
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
The Urban Leadership specialization within our Education Doctorate Online program directly addresses the unique challenges and opportunities within urban educational environments. Cities, characterized by their vibrant and diverse populations, present both immense strengths and complex challenges for their schools. Urban schools often serve communities facing concentrated poverty and must navigate difficult decisions regarding resource allocation. This specialization is designed for educational professionals committed to understanding the nuanced realities of urban schools. You will delve into a Problem of Practice deeply rooted in your own professional context within an urban setting. This area of interest prepares you to lead effectively in urban environments by fostering a strength-based understanding of urban community complexities, engaging with the latest research on urban educational programs, developing data-driven strategies for program improvement, and building strong partnerships with families, 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
Unlock Scholarship Support for Your Online Education Doctorate
The prestigious EdD Initiative Scholarship, generously funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, offers need-based scholarship support to deserving Johns Hopkins EdD students for up to three years of study. We encourage you to Learn more about this opportunity to make your online education doctorate journey more accessible and affordable.
