UConn's Ed.D. Program in Educational Leadership

The Department of Educational Leadership’s Ed.D. program engages students in applied inquiry about a problem inherent in leadership, teaching, or school reform.  Students are encouraged to examine topics that inform equity of educational opportunity. Each student will complete a capstone project that involves framing their problem of practice, engaging in empirical inquiry on the topic, and developing a set of recommendations that will contribute to the field on the issue.

Each Ed.D. program course is a mix of in-person and online modalities. The program recently changed its in-person class location to UConn Hartford, to be more centrally located for students.

Ed.D. Program Mission Statement:

This program aims to provide professional educational leaders with the essential habits of mind and sophisticated reasoning skills necessary for leading systemic school improvement. A secondary goal is to develop a cadre of leaders who engage their profession in pursuing socially just schools.

New for 2026 - Traditional Ed.D. Program Pathway Now Accepting Applications!

Instead of waiting for 2027, prospective students interested in the Traditional Ed.D. Program Pathway can now apply by February 1, 2026, for a 2026 cohort. Traditional Pathway applications will also be accepted in 2027 like usual. This allows students more flexibility of when to start the program while maintaining the program's cohort model.

Those interested in learning more about the program and applying by Feb. 1, 2026, are encouraged to register for an information session to learn more.