Lead schools with character and competence
The Doctor of Education at Union University prepares educators of character and competence to lead schools and communities with excellence and integrity. Guided by a framework of sensitivity, reflection, and faith, the EdD equips practitioners to advance Christ-centered educational leadership in service to students, institutions, and society.
Quick Facts
Academic Program
EdD with Higher Education Specialization
Ed.D. with P-12 School Administration Specialization
Department
School of EducationFormat
Blended
Program Type
Degree
Curriculum
What You'll Study
The Doctor of Education at Union prepares educational leaders for the highest levels of practice and scholarship in the field — developing the research skills, leadership expertise, and educational depth needed to transform schools, systems, and organizations from positions of genuine authority and influence.
Find Your Way
Degree Pathways
EdD with Higher Education Specialization
Ed.D. with P-12 School Administration Specialization
Forming Leaders Who Make Schools Genuinely Better
At Union, doctoral education is more than academic achievement — it’s about becoming the kind of leader whose schools and communities are genuinely better because of your presence. Faculty invest in your growth as a scholar, practitioner, and person of faith, preparing you to lead with wisdom, compassion, and conviction.
Program Details
Higher Education Specialization
The EdD in Educational Leadership with a Higher Education specialization at Union University offers an academically rigorous program designed for professionals in higher education and business seeking to advance their leadership in academic institutions. Delivered through summer residencies and online coursework, the program begins a new cohort each June.
P-12 School Administration Specialization and Instructional Leadership Concentration (licensure)
The doctoral program with a concentration in Instructional Leadership (IL) leads to a recommendation for licensure as a principal or supervisor in instruction upon successful completion of the first 39 hours of the 60-hour program and satisfactory scores on the SLLA exam. The coursework is designed to meet CAEP and State of Tennessee licensure standards in school leadership as it integrates doctoral-level outcomes in research, practice, and analysis. Instructional Leadership: The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (P-12 School Administration) has three components: Leadership Issues, Leadership Practice, and Leadership Research.
P-12 School Administration Specialization and Teacher Leadership Concentration (non-licensure)
The coursework for this concentration prepares teacher leaders and is based on the same CAEP and Tennessee Department of Education standards as the IL coursework (without practicum requirements) and integrates doctoral-level outcomes in research, practice, and analysis in school leadership. This non-licensure track has three components: Leadership Issues, Leadership Practice, and Leadership Research.
P-12 School Administration Specialization and Leadership in School Reform Concentration (non-licensure)
Candidates must have one of three qualifications to be admitted to the program: (1) leadership experience, (2) a school leadership license, or (3) a school leadership degree.
Dissertation Handbook and Forms
Appendix A Online Forms
- A-1: Dissertation Committee Request for Outside Member Form
- A-2: Proposal Methodology and Statistics Approval Form
- A-3: Dissertation Proposal Approval Form
- A-4: Submission of Article/Paper for Publication or Professional Presentation Form
- A-5: Format/Appearance Checklist
- A-6: Dean’s Office Approval of Dissertation
- A-7: Announcement of Dissertation Defense
- A-8: Dissertation Defense Approval
- A-9: Request to take EDU 751 — Proposal Development Course
Schedule of EdD Dissertation Deadlines
It is strongly suggested that students and committees plan on submitting earlier than the stated deadlines to allow time for corrections and resubmission for approvals.
| Deadline Description | Registration Term | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Submission of error-free manuscript to Dean’s Office for pre-defense review | October 1 | March 1 | May 15 |
| Successful defense of Dissertation | November 15 | April 15 | June 30 |
| Submission of final manuscript, publishing agreement, and fees to ProQuest Publishing | December 10 | April 30 | July 20 |
| Graduation Date | December | May | July |
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