Access the next level of impact in schools and pursue superintendent certification online.

Join a selective cohort of leaders elevating their impact and influence in education with the dynamic online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Executive Educational Leadership degree program at Houston Christian University (HCU).

Whether your goal is to lead educational institutions, earn superintendent certification, or contribute to the field as a scholar-practitioner, our comprehensive online EdD program blends rigorous academic study with practical application, preparing you for advanced leadership roles in both public and private educational settings.

The online EdD program, complemented by periodic on-campus meetings, allows working professionals to pursue doctoral-level education without interrupting their careers. At HCU, we’re dedicated to nurturing transformative leaders to make a lasting impact on education, guided by Christian principles and a commitment to academic inquiry and educational excellence.

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Tuition & Fees

Program Overview of the Educational Leadership Curriculum

Program Highlights

  • 63 Credit Doctorate
  • Complete in Three Years
  • Online and Residential Formats
  • Fixed Course Sequence
  • Friendly to Working Professionals
  • Master’s Degree Required
  • Approved Superintendent Preparation Program

Courses

Courses in the online executive doctorate in educational leadership program enhance your expertise, refine your leadership skills, and prepare you to navigate the complex future of educational landscapes through a combination of values-based principles and research-driven decision-making.

Coursework you may take as part of the doctoral program includes classes such as:

  • Accountability and Measurement for Current Issues in Education
  • Christian Worldview for Educational Leaders
  • Cultural Competence for Educational Leaders
  • Leadership Theory and Applications
  • Rethinking Education with Emerging Technologies

EdD in Educational Leadership Requirements

The online doctoral program in Executive Educational Leadership is 63 credit hours and is designed to be completed in three years, including the dissertation phase. The coursework focuses on implementing organizational leadership strategies and addressing the challenges faced by educational institutions, with an option to contribute to superintendent certification preparation in Texas. Credit requirements are:

  • Educational Leadership Core (27 credits)
  • Research Core (15 credits)
  • Superintendent Requirements (21 credits)

Research Core requirements in the online EdD in education leadership program include research methods coursework and applied research in education, culminating in dissertation defense preparation guided by faculty mentors on your committee. You have up to six years to complete the doctoral program.

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What can I do with a EdD in Executive Educational Leadership

Your degree’s combination of rigorous educational leadership preparation and Christian worldview integration makes you especially valuable to organizations seeking leaders who can maintain missional integrity while implementing educational best practices. This preparation equips you to provide leadership that honors both professional excellence and Christian commitments, particularly valuable in contexts where faith mission and educational vision must work in harmony.

Educational Institutional Leadership Positions

  • Head of School/President at academies or preparatory schools
  • Superintendent of school districts or networks
  • Executive Director of school associations (ACSI, CSI, etc.)
  • Principal at faith-based K-12 institutions
  • Director of Curriculum and Instruction integrating faith and learning
  • Chief Development Officer for educational institutions

Consulting and Professional Development

  • Consultant for Christian schools and educational ministries
  • Leadership Coach for Christian educational executives
  • Professional Development Director for Christian educators
  • Strategic Planning Consultant for faith-based institutions
  • Organizational Change Specialist for Christian organizations
  • Workshop Facilitator integrating faith and educational leadership

Christian Nonprofit Leadership

  • Executive Director of faith-based youth development organizations
  • Administrator of Christian social service agencies with educational components
  • Program Director for Christian family support organizations
  • Director of Christian counseling centers with educational services
  • Executive of Christian community development organizations
  • Leadership Development Director for Christian service organizations

 

 

Program Benefits and Opportunities

Careers With an Executive Leadership Doctorate in Education

Graduates of our EdD in Executive Educational Leadership program are prepared for the highest echelons of educational leadership and scholarship, including pursuing state certification as a superintendent. Empowered by the guidance of an expanded professional network and research opportunities, you can excel in career pathways, including:

  • Adjunct or Full Professor of Educational Leadership
  • Chief Academic Officer
  • Department Chair
  • District Superintendent
  • Education Consultant
  • Educational Nonprofit Executive Director
  • Post-Doc Educational Researcher
  • University President or Provost

This advanced degree equips you for roles driving systemic change and broadly influencing the future of education. Salaries for these positions are rewarding, especially in large school districts or prestigious institutions. While salary potential varies based on location, institution size, and specific responsibilities, an EdD in Executive Educational Leadership consistently unlocks opportunities for significant financial advancement in education.

Expert Faculty and Advising

When you begin the online education leadership program, the Chair of the Department of Education Online, Dr. Delesa Franklin, provides your initial academic advisement. As your research and career interests evolve, you benefit from tailored mentorship and participate and collaborate with a supportive cohort. This blend of expert guidance and peer networking prepares you for a significant impact in educational leadership, fostering relationships that extend beyond graduation.

Meet Education Department Faculty.

Admission Requirements

Students are required to submit transcripts showing they achieved a high school general or advanced diploma or a GED with passing scores. (Waived if student has 32 credit hours or more of transfer credit.)

Students must submit all college transcripts from any previously attended institutions. Official transcripts should be sent directly from the college or university that awarded your bachelor’s degree to be considered official. Transcripts from any additional coursework since that time should also be submitted including postbaccalaureate or graduate-level transcripts.

You may be accepted with unofficial transcripts by emailing copies to OnlineVerification@HC.edu; however, you must submit the official transcripts in a sealed envelope from the school or through an approved electronic service by your second semester.

Mailing Address

Houston Christian University
Attention: Online Admissions Verification
7502 Fondren Road
Houston, TX 77074-3298

Admissions and Aid

If you’re ready for a fulfilling journey in Education, Houston Christian University welcomes you to apply. Explore next steps:

Earn an Online EdD in Executive Educational Leadership at HCU

For more information about these specific teacher certification programs, please contact your program coordinator
James Bevers, EdD
James Bevers, EdD
Assistant Professor of Education
Program Coordinator, Executive Educational Leadership (EdD)
281-649-3128
Accreditation

Houston Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, graduate and doctoral degrees.