University of New England

What you'll study

The curriculum concentrates on leadership, organizational change, policy analysis, ethics, and research methodology, with options to pursue qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research aligned to professional goals. Coursework and dissertation development run in parallel so students build toward a practice-based, publishable dissertation.

• Program total: 51 credits, delivered fully online.
• Course format: 8-week courses, 3 credits each; two courses per 16-week semester.
• Integrated dissertation model: students begin shaping a research topic early, complete dissertation development courses, obtain committee assignment, go through proposal approval, IRB, data collection and analysis, and prepare for the defense with continuous faculty mentorship.

Sample core courses

• EDU 801 — Preparation for the Doctoral Journey (3 credits): emphasizes building the dissertation throughout the program; produces a Literature Review Matrix tied to the student’s working topic and reinforces academic writing, alignment of problem/purpose/questions, and use of the Dissertation Template.
• EDU 802 — Qualitative Research Design (3 credits): introduces several qualitative methods and activities that align with developing a potential qualitative study for the working topic.
• EDU 803 — Quantitative and Mixed Methods Research Design (3 credits): covers quantitative and mixed-methods designs, their appropriateness for a working topic, and activities to build a potential quantitative or mixed-methods study.
• EDU 804 — Leading in a Culture of Technology (3 credits): course focus listed in the catalogue.

Entry requirements

Admissions use a holistic review and do not require the GRE. Applicants must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent); those near completion may receive conditional acceptance pending final transcripts. Required application materials include an online application, résumé/CV, two-part goal statement addressing professional reasons for doctoral study and initial research ideas/context, and official transcripts showing master’s conferral.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to bridge theory and practice and to lead innovation and policy change in complex professional settings. The program targets individuals pursuing advanced leadership roles across educational institutions and allied sectors—where applied research and the ability to produce publishable scholarship strengthen professional credibility and influence.

Scholarships & funding angle

The programme page does not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should consult the university’s financial aid office and UNE Online resources for grants, employer tuition assistance, assistantships if available, and federal student aid options. Planning for funding early—by exploring institutional aid, external fellowships, and employer support—will be important given the doctoral-level time and resource commitment.