Answer: Yes, a wide range of religiously affiliated colleges and universities offer Doctor of Education programs online, both in specializations related to religious studies and more standard degree concentrations. While the majority are Christian schools of various denominations (e.g., Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist), there is also one Jewish college with an EdD students can pursue online with minimal on-campus requirements. Programs at these institutions generally combine traditional EdD coursework with a certain amount of faith-based study, whether that is full courses dedicated to religious practice or an overall curriculum built upon religious values.

Christian schools such as Grand Canyon University, Concordia University, Bethel University, College of Saint Mary, Abilene Christian University, Liberty University, and more, as well as the Jewish institution Gratz College in Pennsylvania, all have online EdD programs available for students interested in receiving a faith-based education. At these schools, there are even several programs dedicated specifically to religious education or leadership, such as the online Doctorate of Education in Leadership with a concentration in Jewish Education from Gratz, or Liberty University’s online Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership with an emphasis on Ministry Leadership.

To learn more about the different religious institutions that offer EdD programs online, as well as available concentrations in faith-based leadership or education, continue reading below.

Religious Schools with Online EdD Programs

Students have a number of options to choose from when it comes to pursuing an EdD online from a faith-based college or university. While most of these schools are affiliated with Christianity in some form, as mentioned above, there is one Jewish institution that offers an online EdD program in several degree concentrations.

Below is a list of faith-based schools in the United States with EdD programs students can pursue online, along with their particular religious affiliation:

• Abilene Christian University – Churches of Christ
• Alverno College – Roman Catholic
• Baylor University – Baptist
• Bethel University – Baptist
• Carson-Newman University – Baptist
• Clark Atlanta University – Methodist
• College of Saint Mary – Catholic
• College of St. Scholastica – Catholic, Benedictine
• Concordia University-Chicago – Lutheran
• Concordia University-Saint Paul – Lutheran
• Concordia University Wisconsin – Lutheran
• Creighton University – Jesuit
• D’Youville College – Roman Catholic
• George Fox University – Christian
• Grand Canyon University – Christian
• Gratz College – Judaism
• Houston Baptist University – Baptist
• Liberty University – Baptist
• Lipscomb University – Churches of Christ
• Loyola Marymount University – Catholic
• Marymount University – Catholic
• Molloy University – Catholic
• Nebraska Methodist College – Methodist
• Northwest Nazarene University – Church of the Nazarene
• Regent University – Christian
• Rivier University – Catholic
• Rockhurst University – Jesuit
• Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota – Lasallian Catholic
• Southeastern University – Assemblies of God
• Southern Nazarene University – Church of the Nazarene
• Southern Wesleyan University – Wesleyan Church
• Spalding University – Roman Catholic
• St. Thomas University – Catholic
• Trevecca Nazarene University – Church of the Nazarene
• Union University – Baptist
• University of Dayton – Catholic, Marianist
• University of Findlay – Christian
• University of Mary – Catholic, Benedictine
• Viterbo University – Catholic

In most cases, these schools offer fairly standard EdD programs, with specializations and curricula students might find at any institution. However, students pursuing their degree at one of these faith-based institutions can generally expect the instruction or coursework to include some emphasis on faith or religious practices, particularly as they relate to the program’s area of focus.

For example, Concordia University – Chicago, a Lutheran school, offers EdDs online in a wide range of specializations, from Early Childhood or Special Education to Sports Leadership, Organizational Leadership, and Education Technology. While their programs do not include explicit courses focused on religion, Concordia states that students are required to “reflect on their beliefs and practices” throughout their studies, developing “competency and servant leadership within the context of integrity and Christian values.”

Faith-Based Online EdD Programs

There are also several schools that offer online EdD programs specifically focused on leadership or education in religious contexts. Regent University in Virginia, for example, has a Doctor of Education with a concentration in Christian Education Leadership students can pursue online. Curriculum in the program combines coursework in areas such as data-driven decision making, advanced research design, staff development, and financial management, with more faith-based courses such as Christian Worldview for Educators, Kingdom Education, Christian Education-Philosophy, Starting and Operating Christian Schools, and Student Discipleship in Christian Education.

Also based in Virginia, Liberty University offers an online Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership with an emphasis on Ministry Leadership through its Rawlings School of Divinity. The program is designed to equip students with the management skills and biblical foundation they need to effectively lead in the church or other ministry organizations. Similarly, Grand Canyon University in Arizona has an online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership program with an optional concentration in Christian Ministry. Students in this degree track take a variety of courses related to leading others in the delivery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, studying such topics as Theology of Leadership, Ethical Dilemmas and Stewardship, Christian Ministry and Culture, Practical Considerations in Christian Ministry, Leading Across Cultures, and Disciple Making in the Leadership Context.

Finally, Gratz College offers a Doctorate of Education in Leadership online with three concentrations to choose from, including one in Jewish Education. Along with required core courses in areas such as Leading an Educational Organization, Strategic Planning for Educational Leadership, Needs Assessment, and Methods of Inquiry, students in the Jewish Education track complete an additional seven-course curriculum consisting of the following classes: Leadership in Jewish Education; History and Philosophy of Jewish Education; Landscape of Jewish Education in North America; Program Development, Curriculum, and Assessment; Ethical and Legal Issues in Jewish Education; Current Trends in Jewish Education; and Planning, Budgeting, and Finance in Schools.

Answer: Yes – Many online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs do not require students to submit GRE, MAT, or other standardized test scores (e.g., GMAT) as part of the application process. Other programs that ask for the GRE/MAT may allow students to waive the requirement if they meet certain conditions, such as a minimum cumulative GPA in their master’s program or specific work experience. There are online EdD programs, however, that do require test scores from all applicants. As such, prospective students should be sure to carefully review admission requirements, or speak directly with an admissions counselor, before applying.

EdD programs are typically quite rigorous, requiring a considerable commitment from students in both time and effort. Applicants to these programs must be able to show they are ready for doctoral-level study, including intensive courses and a lengthy dissertation process. Due to this, programs generally have a number of requirements students must meet in order to be considered for admission. These typically include a master’s degree, relevant work experience, a writing sample, and multiple letters of recommendation.

Keep in mind, admission requirements vary by program. Additionally, the majority of online EdD programs have a selective admissions policy, meaning that even if students meet or exceed all the criteria for admission, they still might not be offered a spot in the program. Prospective applicants should always check with admissions staff from their programs of interest for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information regarding admission requirements and the application process.

Admission Requirements for Online EdD Programs

As mentioned above, the specific admission criteria for an online EdD program will vary from school to school. Most, however, require students to fill out and submit a detailed application form, along with a small fee. In addition to that, the following requirements are fairly standard:

• Master’s Degree: Nearly all online EdD programs require that applicants hold a master’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university. Most require a master’s in education or a related field, but there are EdD programs that accept any master’s degree for admission. While rare, there are also some programs that admit students who only hold a bachelor’s degree. In these programs, applicants without a master’s degree typically must complete 20-25 additional credits of master’s-level coursework before beginning doctoral courses. (Note: While not common, there are also some online EdD programs that require an EdS for admission.)
• Official Postsecondary Transcripts: Students typically must submit official transcripts of all their past undergraduate and graduate coursework as part of their application package. Most EdD programs require applicants to have maintained an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher either throughout their studies or during a specific portion of their postsecondary education (e.g., the most recent two years).
• Resume: Online EdD programs generally ask for a current resume or curriculum vitae (C.V.) outlining applicants’ background in education or related fields. Depending on the program, students may need to possess a specific type or amount of work experience in order to be considered for admission (e.g., three or more years in an educational leadership role).
• Personal Statement: In their personal statement essay, students are given the chance to explain why they would be a good fit for the program, detailing their motivations and relevant past academic and professional experience. Some programs may have specific questions or prompts for applicants to answer, such as describing a problem related to their practice that they are interested in addressing through research or their dissertation.
• Letters of Recommendation: Finally, most online EdD programs ask for three or more letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s qualifications and competency to conduct doctoral-level work. While this requirement varies by program, most typically require a letter from either (or both) a professor from the applicant’s master’s program who can attest to their academic abilities, and/or a school/organization administrator who they have worked with closely in a professional setting.

Further admission requirements for an online EdD program may include additional writing samples, teaching certification, a background check, or an interview, typically conducted via Skype, telephone, or another video conferencing application. Applicants whose primary language is not English may also need to submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores as proof of English proficiency.

As mentioned before, programs also often have specific GPA requirements students must meet to be considered for admission. In most cases, this is a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in both their bachelor’s and master’s programs.

Online EdD Programs No GRE Required

There are several online EdD Programs that do not require standardized testing as part of their admissions requirements. There are also EdD programs that do not explicitly require standardized test scores, but recommend or strongly encourage students to submit them along with their other application materials to support their overall case for enrollment. Finally, there are online EdD programs that require applicants to submit GRE or other standardized test scores as a way to provide further evidence of their verbal and quantitative skills. Those that ask for these scores typically stipulate that the exam must have been taken within a certain timeframe, such as the last five years, in order to be considered. Programs may also have a certain minimum score students must achieve.

Some EdD programs that require standardized test scores may allow students to forgo this requirement by applying for a GRE or MAT waiver. In these cases, applicants typically must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for the waiver, such as a minimum graduate GPA over 3.5 or 3.75. For example, the University of West Florida’s online EdD program in Curriculum and Instruction allows students to waive testing requirements if they have a master’s degree with a GPA of 3.75 or higher.

Examples of Online Doctor of Education GRE Requirements

In order to give students a better understanding of typical standardized testing requirements, below are some examples of online EdD programs in various specializations, along with their criteria when it comes to GRE/MAT scores.

Online EdD Programs No GRE Required:

• Arizona State University: Online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation – No GRE required
• Drexel University: Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management – No GRE required
• Northeastern University: Online Doctor of Education – No GRE required
• University of Florida: Online Doctorate of Education in Special Education – No GRE required
• Wilmington University: Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership – No GRE required

Online EdD Programs GRE Optional:

• Fordham University: Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy (K-12) – GRE not required, but GRE or MAT scores recommended
• Johns Hopkins University: Online Doctor of Education – GRE not required, but strongly encouraged

Online EdD Programs with GRE Waiver:

• Gwynedd Marcy University: Online Doctorate in Education Leadership – GRE required (students may be able to waive the GRE with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher)

Online EdD Programs that Require Standardized Test Scores

• Southern Wesleyan University: Online Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Assessment – MAT scored required, but students may submit GRE scores in lieu of scores from the MAT (Note: For 2022, MAT scores have been waived due to Covid-19.)
• Texas A&M University: Online Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (P-12) – GRE scores required (Note: For 2023-2024, GRE testing requirements have been waived.)