Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership | Online
3
Years to Complete
54
Credit Hours
100%
Online
Limited-Time Offer: 50% Off Scholarship for Fall 2025 Cohort
Transform Education Through Your Leadership and Faith
Our online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership equips you with the necessary tools to be a transformative leader in education, but this isn’t the only aspect you value in an education. You also earn your EdD at a Christian university. Whether you’re an experienced teacher, administrator, or education professional in the public or private education system, this 54-credit program is designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and faith-driven perspective needed to lead effectively in today’s complex educational landscape.
Program Highlights
Christ-Centered Without Compromise
All courses are grounded on God's Word to develop a distinctively Christian approach to leadership.
Flexible and Convenient
Earn your degree 100% online while you work taking two courses per semester completing the work throughout the week.
Dissertation-First Model
Start your dissertation in the first semester with support from expert faculty enabling you to complete your degree in 3 years.
Cohort Model
Learn alongside like-minded Christian educators and experience the challenges and opportunities together with the support of the faculty.
more Details
Get an Inside Look at our EdD Program
The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership at Cairn University prepares educators, administrators, and education professionals for transformative leadership roles across public, private, and Christian education settings with a flexible, rigorous, and biblically grounded curriculum.
Specializations: K–12 Leadership, Strategic Leadership
Bible/Theology Courses: 6 credits
Core Curriculum Courses: 33 credits
Specialization & Elective Courses: 15 credits
Learn more:
- Articulate and apply leadership theories and models across a wide range of diverse educational settings at local, state, national, and international levels
- Collaborate with the educational community by employing effective teambuilding and conflict resolution strategies
- Model Christ-like leadership through personal integrity, fairness, accountability, cultural responsiveness, and ethical/legal decision-making
- Navigate challenging cultural and situational contexts as an educational leader firmly rooted in Biblical truths and a Biblical worldview
- Utilize research-based strategies to lead systematic change initiatives in educational settings
- Critically read, analyze, and synthesize educational research
- Design and conduct high-quality research that contributes new knowledge to the field of leadership, culminating in the writing of a doctoral dissertation
K-12 Leadership
Designed for educators aiming to lead in primary and secondary schools, focusing on principalship, school improvement, and special education leadership. Courses include:
- EDL 741 Principalship PK-12
- EDL 742 Data Analysis and School Improvement for Educational Leaders
- EDL 743 Financial and Business Management
- EDL 744 School Law
- EDL 745 Organizational Theory and Team Building
- SPE 644 Issues in Special Education for Leaders
Strategic Leadership
Tailored for professionals seeking to lead in diverse educational or organizational settings, emphasizing systems thinking, data analytics, and innovation. Courses include:
- BUS 628 Leading in Complex Environments
- BUS 753 Systems Thinking
- BUS 781 Advanced Data Analytics
- EDL 745 Organizational Theory and Team Building
- ORL 603 Organizational Culture and Change
- ORL 722 Cultivating Organizational Creativity and Innovation
- ORL 753 Strategic Thinking, Planning, and Decision Making
The Dissertation-First model enables you to start working on your dissertation early in the program enabling you to complete the program in 3 years. Here is a snapshot of the dissertation structure:
EDU 991 Dissertation I
This course introduces the dissertation Process. In this course you will select a dissertation topic and write Chapter 1, while securing a chair for the dissertation.
EDU 992 Dissertation II
In this course, you will write your literature review in Chapter 2 and plan your methodology for Chapter 3, and the course culminates in a defense of your proposal.
EDU 993 Dissertation III
In this course, you will conduct research, gather the data needed for your study, analyze the data, and write Chapter 4. You will then summarize the findings of your research in Chapter 5 and prepare for your final defense.
Graduates of Cairn University’s Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership program are equipped with a Christ-centered, biblically grounded education to lead with integrity in diverse educational settings. The program prepares you to serve Christ in every sphere of life, with career outcomes including:
K–12 Leadership Roles:
Superintendent: Oversee school districts, implementing policies with a biblical worldview.
Principal or Assistant Principal: Lead schools with a focus on academic excellence and spiritual growth.
Curriculum Director: Design biblically integrated curricula to shape student learning.
Instructional Coordinator: Enhance teaching practices with faith-based leadership.
Higher Education Administration:
Provost or Dean: Guide academic programs in colleges or universities, rooted in Christian principles.
Student Affairs Director: Foster student development through discipleship and support.
Program Director: Oversee specialized academic programs with a biblical perspective.
Christian Education Leadership:
Christian School Administrator: Lead private or Christian schools, emphasizing biblical integrity.
Ministry-Based Education Roles: Serve in church or parachurch organizations, discipling through education.
Consulting and Policy:
Educational Consultant: Advise schools or organizations on leadership and curriculum with a faith-driven approach.
Policy Analyst: Influence educational policy with a biblical worldview.
Cairn University is regionally accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Cairn Online has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which regionally oversees postsecondary online education.
- Application: Submit the Application for Admission along with the $25 non-refundable fee. Apply today using code EDD2025 and we will waive the fee.
- Transcripts: Submit official academic transcript(s) for all conferred degrees. Request transcripts to be sent to Cairn through the application portal.
- Master’s Degree: Applicants are required to have a completed master’s degree of at least 30 credits from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.00. The master’s degree does not necessarily have to be in education or a related field.
- Personal Testimony: Describe your conversion to Christ, spiritual growth, and church involvement. (minimum 500 words)
- Statement of Purpose: Describe your reasons for pursuing graduate studies in this field as well as identifying your desired specialization for advisor (minimum 500 words).
- References: Submit two non-family references, either professional, academic, or ministry based references.
- Substantive Writing Sample: Applicants must submit a substantive writing sample (1,500–2,500 words) that demonstrates critical thinking, scholarly engagement, and professional communication skills. This can be an original response to an academic prompt or a previously completed academic paper completed within a prior degree.
- Interview: As part of the application process, applicants will participate in an interview with EdD faculty members to discuss their professional goals, research interests, and readiness for doctoral-level study. This is an opportunity to engage with faculty, ask questions about the program, and share how Cairn University’s EdD aligns with your aspirations.
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Featured Faculty
Stacey Bose
Dean, Professor, School of Education; Acting Chair, MS in Education
Dr. Stacey Bose has been involved in public, private, and international education for over 25 years both in the United States and abroad in the countries of South Korea, Brazil, Panama, and Ecuador. She is certified in the State of Pennsylvania as an elementary teacher, reading specialist, and K-12 principal. Dr. Bose has served in a variety of educational roles over the years prior to entering the field of higher education full-time. These roles include elementary teacher, reading specialist, K-12 curriculum and instruction coordinator, assistant principal, accreditation consultant, and adjunct professor. Before joining the faculty at Cairn University, Dr. Bose spent four years in the School of Education at Liberty University. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses residentially and online at Liberty University, Dr. Bose held the positions of director of the reading specialist program and director of accreditation.
John Furrow
Chair, MS in Educational Leadership and Administration; Faculty, School of Education
Dr. John Furrow has been in education since 1987, including over 25 years in administration. In addition to serving in a variety of teaching and administration roles in K–12 Christian schools, he has also been a guest speaker at numerous ACSI events and a team leader for ACSI accreditation visits. Currently, he is a member of the ACSI Southeast Accreditation Commission.
His wife, Beverley ’86, is an NILD Educational Therapist. Together, they have three children: Lindsay, Caleb, and Joshua.
What Our Students Have To Say
Oludipe Olusegun
The LORD has helped me to positively impact several schools with the knowledge acquired from Cairn. I love seeing change taking place in schools and the lives of students as the school leaders, principals, and teachers get a better understanding of quality Christian education."
Frequently Asked Questions
Join our Doctor of Education (EdD) program, grounded in a biblical worldview, and take advantage of an exclusive scholarship opportunity for the Fall 2025 launch.
Scholarship Details:
Year 1 (Fall 2025): Enroll as part of the Fall 2025 cohort as a full-time student (6 credit hours per semester) and automatically receive a 50% tuition scholarship to offset published $750 per credit tuition rates.
Years 2 and 3: Continue in the program as a full-time student and receive a 25% tuition scholarship each year, supporting your journey to graduation.
Who Qualifies?
This scholarship is open to all accepted and prospective students enrolling in the EdD program as part of the Fall 2025 cohort.
How to Apply:
Submit your application for the EdD program by August 22, 2025 and complete the enrollment process prior to the start of the Fall 2025 term. The scholarship will be applied automatically upon enrollment in the Fall 2025 cohort.
Limitations:
No other discounts or scholarships may be used in conjunction with this scholarship.
Our EdD program is competitively priced at just $750 per credit, offering an exceptional value for a doctoral degree. With this affordable rate, students gain access to high-quality instruction, personalized support, and the resources needed to succeed in their educational journey. Investing in an EdD from Cairn is an investment in your future as a leader in education.
Any students who sign up for the EdD program as part of the 2025 cohort, and carry the full load of 6 credit hours per semester, will automatically receive a 50% scholarship to offset the published tuition rates. Not only that, but the students who stay with the program through all three years will also receive a 25% scholarship in the second year and another 25% scholarship in the final year. For more details, please refer to the “EdD First Year Scholarship” FAQ.
While there are no specific discounted rates or scholarships for the EdD—similar to most doctoral programs—we’re here to help you explore external funding options, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and federal student loans. Contact our Student Financial Services department for guidance by emailing [email protected].
Our program is grounded on God’s Word and courses are designed to foster student learning and engagement through faculty-led instruction, research-driven activities, active learning, and meaningful peer and faculty interactions.
All courses, except the dissertation courses, are organized into seven units and delivered over 7-week terms. Each unit comprises 5–7 modular activities, including readings, reading reflections, instructional videos from Cairn faculty, an active learning activity, a weekly application project, and a component of the course research project. Additionally, students and faculty meet biweekly in live sessions to review specific unit learning objectives and engage with peers and faculty.
Faculty actively engage throughout the week by guiding course activities, facilitating asynchronous forum discussions and biweekly live sessions, grading student work, and providing detailed feedback. Online students receive prioritized technology support, with additional resources available from the Masland Library and the Writing Lab.
The program offers flexibility for working professionals, enabling you to balance your studies with career and personal commitments. It includes three semesters annually, with two courses per semester. Excluding dissertation courses, all courses are delivered in 7-week terms, allowing you to focus on one course at a time. Please refer to the Degree Completion Plan for more details.
The program is fully online, allowing you to complete course activities at your convenience throughout the week. Core courses include biweekly live sessions led by the instructor to review specific unit learning objectives and connect with peers in your cohort. If you cannot attend a live session, a recording will be provided.
Cairn accepts up to six credits of post-master’s coursework. Students with prior Bible training may also receive three credits of advanced standing in Bible, allowing for a total of up to nine credits toward the program.