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A professor teaching a class: Pursue an Advanced Educational Leadership Ed.D. at Regent University.

Ed.D. – Advanced Educational Leadership

Dynamically Shape Educational Work Environments

Do you have what it takes to create positive change in educational environments? Regent’s Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Advanced Educational Leadership is designed for students who desire to become leaders in the field of education. In this individualized program, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to advance and improve educational systems and institutions. Maximize your leadership potential through this doctoral program aimed at developing you into a champion in education and in the community.

Online
61+
August 24, 2026
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INCREASE YOUR INFLUENCE & SALARY

Advance in leadership while increasing your earning potential.

TRANSFORMATIVE ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Build an impressive reputation by facilitating innovative, positive change in educational policy.

EXPAND YOUR CAREER PATH

Enjoy a variety of high-level career opportunities.

Presented from a Christian worldview, the Ed.D. in Advanced Educational Leadership is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

On completing the Ed.D. – Advanced Educational Leadership degree, you can:

  • Develop paradigms and processes of change and principles of an effective change process from both macro and micro levels.
  • Apply skills in strategic planning and evaluation, such as designing an internal evaluation of a local program, contracting for an external evaluation, or critically reviewing an evaluation report.
  • Lead school and district initiatives that improve student performance and foster community unity.

Career Opportunities

  • Superintendent
  • Educational Policy Developer
  • International Educational Reformer
  • Academic Dean
  • Education Consultant
Ranked Among Top National Universities U.S. News & World Report, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023
Table listing featured courses with course code, name, and credit hours.
EDCO 801Strategic Planning & Program Evaluation3
Examines strategic planning and the role of program evaluation in the planning-implementation-evaluation cycle to include the curriculum planning process. Topics include various theoretical and philosophical perspectives, alternative evaluation designs and related methodologies including collaborative action research and issues related to design, measurement and utilization. The goal is to help educators become active collaborators in the evaluation process and to give them the tools to judge the value of an evaluation. Whether the task is designing an internal evaluation of a local program, contracting for an external evaluation at the district level, or critically reviewing an evaluation report as a basis for making an administrative decision, this course offers important leadership preparation. Each student will prepare an evaluability assessment related to a self-selected educational program in his/her area of concentration. Prerequisite: a graduate level research course.
EDSL 710The Adult Learner3
Provides an overview of the major theorists associated with adult learning based on historical and philosophical perspectives. This course will review and evaluate theory and research that make adult education a distinctive field of philosophy and practice.

Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.

2026-27 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 14Monday, August 24
Session MFriday, September 11Monday, September 21
Session BFriday, October 16Monday, October 26
Session CWednesday, January 6Monday, January 11
Session TFriday, January 29Monday, February 8
Session DFriday, March 5Monday, March 15
Session EFriday, April 30Monday, May 10
Session FFriday, June 11Monday, June 21

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (M.A.)$5856$3,510
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5856$3,510
M.S. in Library Science$7006$4,200
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8206$4,920
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8203$2,460
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8203$2,460

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (M.A.)$5859$5,265
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5859$5,265
M.S. in Library Science$7009$6,300
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8209$7,380
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8206$4,920
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8206$4,920

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$900 (Fall & Spring)
$750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (M.A.)$5856$3,510
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5856$3,510
M.S. in Library Science$7006$4,200
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8206$4,920
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8203$2,460
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8203$2,460

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (M.A.)$5859$5,265
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5859$5,265
M.S. in Library Science$7009$6,300
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8209$7,380
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8206$4,920
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8206$4,920

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$900 (Fall & Spring)
$750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Advanced Standing

Students possessing an Ed.S. or equivalent may be admitted to the Ed.D. program with advanced standing after a review of their post-master’s transcript(s). Offered in a cohort model. Students may begin the program in the spring, summer or fall semesters. Courses are delivered online with some required face-to-face components. School division cohorts are also offered in varying formats.

“A Regent education will open up doors for you. It certainly has for me.”
Roxie Godfrey, Ed.D., 2005 Teacher Educator & Assistant Professor, Texas Tech University
“One of the biggest skills I learned through my studies at Regent was confidence. I learned that I am worthy, and I can go forward in my career and affect more students than just those in my own classroom.”
Kathy Galford, Ed.D., 2018 School Principal, Chesapeake Public Schools
“One of my professors actually called me while I was in the program. That really opened up the door for me. Even though I'm doing this online, I still have a person and a face to talk to. Just having those lines of communication is awesome.”
Rahni Jenkins, MA, 2016
“I was equipped with the critical thinking skills I needed to strategically implement and assess fresh and creative ways to approach instruction and learning. I received consistent encouragement from my professors and cohort to push beyond my personal best in research and daily practice.”
Alicia Langley, M.Ed., 2012 TESOL
“I didn’t have time to sit in the classroom, and I needed to do the work on my own time. Regent checked off all the boxes that I needed it to. The ability to be able to do things at my own pace was wonderful ... The biggest thing I took away from Regent was servant leadership. I kind of put that into my own soul.”
Ernie Stokes, Ed.S., 2018 Music Teacher, Butts Road Intermediate and Camelot Elementary