Doctorate in Education (EdD) | Online
3
Years to Complete
54
Credit Hours
$750
Cost Per Credit
Transform Education Through Your Leadership and Faith
Our online Doctorate in Education (EdD) 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
Quality Credits at Reduced Cost
Our EdD is designed as a 54-credit program, meaning you can complete it in as little as three years, and at a competitive rate of $750/per credit, you will earn your degree at an affordable and time-saving rate while still receiving the highest quality education.
Flexibility at Your Pace
Your time matters. At Cairn, you will earn your EdD in a timeline that works for you while still getting the most out of your educational experience. Our cohort model, paired with a select few residency days in which you can choose to be in-person or synchronous, will allow you to learn in a flexible environment that doesn’t compromise on academic excellence.
Christ-Centered Without Compromise
On top of the basics every institution should provide for an EdD, we take it a step further. Cairn’s mission statement applies to the EdD just as it would for any other program. So instead of earning any degree, earn an EdD from a Christian university that will set you apart as an individual, an educator, and a leader.
Unique Early Dissertation Support
Beginning from the first semester, you will work on your dissertation. You will be provided with a plethora of resources, mentored by faculty who care, and supported in forming a project that showcases your passion and expertise. This early-dissertation start allows you to work on your degree at your pace while giving you the tools and resources to put forth your best work.
more Details
Get an inside look at our EdD Program
Choose from two distinct specializations and start your dissertation early with a streamlined model designed to integrate your research into the program from the start.
Chose from the two specializations we offer to customize your degree!
Specialization: K-12 Leadership
- 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 Org Theory/Team Building
- SPE 644 Issues in Spec Ed for Leaders
Specialization: Organizational leadership
- ORL 602 Philosophy of Leadership
- ORL 603 Organizational Cultural/change
- ORL 611 Communication Skills for Leaders
- ORL 612 Principles of Team Dynamics/Development
- ORL 734 Principles of Org Consulting
- ORL 742 Fundraising/ Development
The early-dissertation start allows you to work on your degree at your pace while giving you the tools and resources to put forth your best work. Here is a snapshot of the dissertation structure:
EDU 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 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 Dissertation Ill
In this course, you will conduct research, gather the data needed for your study, and analyze the data. Finally, you’ll write Chapter 4.
EDU Dissertation IV
In this course, you’ll summarize the findings of your research in Chapter 5. You’’ll prepare for your final defense and submit your dissertation for publication through the library.
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Cairn Online has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which regionally oversees postsecondary online education.
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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."
Featured Faculty
Stacey Bose
Dean, Professor, School of Education; Acting Chair, MS in Educational Leadership & Administration
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.
Sheryl Vasso
Chair, MS in Education; Professor, School of Education
Dr. Vasso teaches on diverse topics in education, including models of teaching, educators and education in film, children’s literature, curriculum design, and assessment. She has taught at all levels from elementary to post-graduate, including teaching teachers on 5 different continents.
In addition to teaching at Cairn, she is founder and president of Words of Worth, Inc. In that ministry, she teaches and writes Bible studies on various topics and books of the Bible. She enjoys speaking for church and para-church organizations, national and international conferences, and for various schools providing professional in-services for educators.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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 EdD is designed to fit seamlessly into the lives of busy professionals. You’ll benefit from a blend of flexible, asynchronous activities—recorded lectures, discussion boards, and case studies—and engaging synchronous sessions. This structure allows you to learn at your own pace while still fostering meaningful connections with peers and faculty. Courses typically contain seven units and are delivered in 7-week terms*. Each unit contains 5-7 modular activities. Each learning activity includes instructional videos accompanied by reflections, quizzes, discussion forums and other assessments. Courses also utilize adaptive learning technologies such as Cerego for long-term retention of concepts and VoiceThread for enhanced collaboration.
The asynchronous delivery provides flexibility around your daily busy schedule. In most courses, interactive activities are typically due by Wednesday while the rest of the unit’s work is due by Sunday night. The MBA, M.A. in Music and Criminal Justice programs use the 7RD2 process and require the completion of certain activities daily to optimize learning.
Our own Cairn faculty intentionally participate in the course throughout the week to provide you with an incarnational experience.
*Few capstone courses are intentionally offered in 14 weeks to optimize student learning.
You can complete the EdD program in as little as three years, depending on the schedule you set for yourself. The program is designed to provide flexibility for working professionals, allowing you to balance your studies with career and personal commitments. Whether you choose to accelerate your timeline or take a more measured approach, you’ll be supported every step of the way by our dedicated faculty and staff.
Yes, there are scheduled live sessions that provide real-time interaction and personalized support. You can choose to attend in-person or synchronous virtually. These are planned with your busy schedule in mind. Outside of these, you have the freedom to engage with course materials and complete assignments on your own timeline.
Our competitive per-credit rate ensures you’re receiving exceptional value, but it also means we do not accept transfer credits from other institutions. By completing all your coursework at Cairn, you’ll benefit from a cohesive and comprehensive program that aligns with our mission and standards, ensuring a seamless and impactful educational experience.
While we recognize the value of your professional experience, our competitive per-credit rate means prior work experience cannot be transferred for credit at Cairn. This policy allows us to maintain the integrity of the program and ensure all students engage fully with the rigorous curriculum designed to prepare you for leadership and innovation in the field of education.
You can view the application and enrollment requirements here.
