Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion

Programme overview

Indiana Wesleyan University offers an online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership that combines leadership theory, change management and applied research. Faculty work collaboratively with each student to personalize the program of study, and the curriculum is taught from a Christian/biblical perspective. The program is 60 credit hours; tuition is listed at $650 per credit hour and students who start are offered a locked tuition rate for continuous enrollment.

What you'll study

Coursework targets leadership in educational contexts and the skills needed to link research to practice. Topics explicitly included in the program description are:

• learning and change management theories
• conflict resolution within educational leadership
• issues and ethics in education
• collaboration in educational leadership
• applying education history, learning theory and cultural responsiveness to action research
• integrating multicultural and global perspectives into action research
• application of biblical principles in reading, research, writing and reporting

The program includes a sequence of listed courses (EDL-707, EDL-709, EDL-711, EDL-713, EDL-715, EDL-717, EDL-719, EDL-721, EDL-716, EDL-723, EDD-719, EDD-720, EDD-740, EDD-760, EDD-820, EDD-840, EDD-860, EDD-880, EDD-950, EDD-990) and a strong emphasis on completing an action research dissertation tied to the student’s own professional environment.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a master’s degree in education or a related field from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education and CHEA–recognized agency, submit official transcripts sent directly from the granting institution, and have a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Candidates need a minimum of three years’ experience in an educational organization or related field and at least two letters of recommendation.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles across P–12 education, educational administration, education policy work and positions that require applied/action research expertise. The degree’s focus on ethics, cultural responsiveness and collaboration supports advancement into district leadership, policy analysis, curriculum leadership and practitioner-researcher roles.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Financial aid options noted for the program include grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits and employer reimbursement. The university provides an estimated cost of attendance on its financial aid webpage, applicable program fees, and maintains a locked tuition rate for students who remain continuously enrolled. Cost sheets and financial aid guidance can be requested through the enrollment office.