For education practitioners looking to elevate their careers and become transformational leaders, an online doctorate of education program offers a flexible and rigorous path to achieve their professional goals. The landscape of education is constantly evolving, demanding leaders who are not only knowledgeable but also innovative and equipped to address complex challenges. Johns Hopkins University’s online EdD program is designed to meet this need, providing a unique and comprehensive doctoral experience for those committed to making a significant impact in the field of education.
The Johns Hopkins Online EdD: A Transformative Educational Leadership Journey
The Johns Hopkins School of Education offers an exceptional online doctorate of education program that empowers experienced educators to cultivate critical thinking, engage in meaningful discourse, and embrace diverse perspectives. Guided by a world-renowned faculty, students in this program delve into a rigorous curriculum that integrates social justice principles, systems thinking methodologies, robust research methods, and empirical inquiry. This online EdD program is meticulously crafted to equip practitioners with the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to become impactful leaders within their respective educational settings.
The curriculum is informed by the latest research across critical areas including the social determinants of education, the intersection of mind, brain, and teaching, entrepreneurial strategies, data-driven decision making, and the effective integration of technology in education. Recognizing the diverse professional aspirations of its doctoral candidates, the program has been redesigned to offer greater customization through an expanded selection of elective courses. This allows students to deeply focus on their specific professional interests and address their unique problems of practice within their educational contexts.
The overarching vision of the Johns Hopkins EdD program is to foster positive and sustainable change in education globally. It aims to develop education practitioners who can critically analyze systemic issues within their professional environments, develop profound insights, and lead transformative initiatives. Graduates of this online doctorate of education program are prepared to contribute to the field by generating new research, disseminating research findings into practical applications, and actively participating in broader public discussions and policy development.
Tailoring Your Online EdD: Areas of Focus
The Johns Hopkins online doctorate of education program provides opportunities for students to specialize through various areas of interest. Applicants are encouraged to select one or more areas that resonate with their professional challenges and align with their desired areas of expertise. The current areas of focus 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: Driving Innovation
The Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education specialization within the online doctorate of education program is uniquely designed for leaders in both public and private educational institutions. It empowers students to cultivate the essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to lead innovative ventures within diverse educational organizations. By exploring multidisciplinary perspectives, educational leaders can foster innovation in paradigms, strategies, values, and culture across school systems, social entrepreneurial initiatives, and education-focused companies. Each course within this specialization provides a platform to explore foundational leadership theories, identify a specific Problem of Practice, and develop actionable plans through in-depth analysis and synthesis of presentations, readings, and discussions regarding the current state of various educational environments and future challenges and opportunities.
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 Education
The Learning Design and Technology (LDT) area within this online doctorate of education program is meticulously crafted to equip educational leaders and researchers with the advanced expertise to critically engage with the rapidly evolving landscape of educational technology. Building upon the foundational principles of the School of Education’s renowned LDT program, this specialization emphasizes the integration of learning sciences, human-centered design principles, and cutting-edge assessment strategies to drive meaningful advancements in education. EdD students will investigate the intersection of technology and pedagogy, exploring both conceptual and empirical research, and developing practical skills in the design, implementation, and evaluation of effective digital learning environments. This specialization prepares graduates to lead transformative initiatives that leverage technology to enhance learning outcomes, promote equity and inclusivity, and effectively address the diverse needs of learners across varied educational contexts. This focus area is ideally suited for professionals seeking to make a significant and lasting 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
Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation: Understanding the Science of Learning
The Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation area of interest within the online doctorate of education program is specifically designed for educators who are passionate about exploring the latest research in cognitive science and neuroscience and its potential applications within educational settings. The curriculum encourages the integration of diverse disciplines that investigate human learning and development. This specialization draws upon foundational and applied research from cognitive science, psychology, brain sciences, neurology, neuroscience, and education. Educators will develop the essential knowledge and skills to effectively interpret complex research and to apply relevant findings to educational practices and policies through a social justice lens. Courses in this area of focus are structured to build expertise in learning sciences and cognitive diversity, preparing candidates for impactful roles as informed educators, effective leaders, and skilled advocates for equity and excellence in 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 the Challenges of Urban Education
The Urban Leadership specialization within the online doctorate of education program is tailored for educational professionals who are deeply interested in exploring the unique dynamics of urban schools and communities. Urban environments are characterized by diverse populations, fostering rich communities encompassing various races, classes, languages, and nationalities. This inherent dynamism is a significant strength of urban areas. However, urban schools often serve communities facing concentrated poverty, leading to complex decisions regarding resource allocation. This area of interest prepares educational leaders to effectively navigate the complexities of urban environments by fostering a deep understanding of a Problem of Practice grounded in their specific professional context. The curriculum focuses on developing a strength-based understanding of urban communities, engaging with current research on urban educational programs, developing effective strategies for program improvement, and building strong partnerships with families, communities, and other 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
Scholarship Opportunities for Your Online EdD
Recognizing the commitment to advanced education, the Johns Hopkins School of Education offers scholarship support to help make this online doctorate of education program accessible. Funded through the generous Bloomberg Philanthropies EdD Initiative Scholarship, need-based scholarships are available for eligible Johns Hopkins EdD students for up to three years of study. Learn more about scholarship opportunities.
Embark on your journey to educational leadership and explore the transformative possibilities of an online doctorate of education program at Johns Hopkins University.
