Online Doctor of Education (EdD) Programs in Iowa

At present, there is only one school in Iowa that offers an online Doctor of Education. Allen College Unity Point Health offers an online EdD in Health Professions Education through its School of Health Sciences. This program requires students to complete a dissertation and a health professions education practicum at a program-approved site near their region of residence, and is geared towards individuals who want to step into roles where they educate and lead future health professionals.

Allen College Unity Point Health is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. To learn more about this university’s Doctor of Education program, continue reading below.

Schools in Iowa with Online EdD Programs

Allen College Unity Point Health offers an online EdD in Health Professions Education that prepares students to manage organizational change, spearhead education programs and initiatives, and use evidence-based strategies to lead improvements in the health care industry, as well as patient health outcomes. This program is comprised of 60 course credits, which students can complete entirely online. While the program does have an in-person orientation, students who cannot attend can complete the orientation online. Furthermore, while some classes also include residencies that are held on campus, students have the option to attend these virtually as well. The program admits students in the fall and spring semesters and reviews applications on a rolling basis, so students can apply at any time.

The curriculum for this program is divided into four course categories: Professional Education Core, Curriculum and Instruction Courses, Research and Evaluation Courses, and Electives. In the Professional Education Core, students take courses such as Organizational Development and Change in Education; Leading a Health Sciences Learning Organization; Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues and Trends in Health Professions Education; and Today’s Health Sciences Student: Trends, Issues and Challenges. The Curriculum and Instruction courses include Curriculum Theory and Design, Integrating Evolving Technology in Health Professions Education, and Assessment and Evaluation in Health Sciences Education, to name a few. Electives that students can take cover topics in diversity in education, online education evaluation, health policy controversies, and student empowerment. In addition, part of students’ training is a required Practicum in Health Professions Education, which students complete at a site that is approved by the program.

Students of Allen College Unity Point Health’s online EdD in Health Professions Education are required to complete a professional-oriented dissertation. In preparation for their dissertation, students take a course in Evidence Based Practice in Health Professions, two Methods of Inquiry courses that cover both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and a Practice Focused Dissertation Seminar. Students also receive support from a faculty committee during their work on their dissertation, as well as the opportunity to take several Doctoral Project Seminars as electives to receive further guidance in honing their dissertation research question and methodologies. In these seminars, students work on self-selected projects and receive support and feedback from instructors and peers.

Residents of Iowa who are interested in pursuing their EdD online in a different specialization, such as Education Administration and Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or Organizational Leadership, may want to explore programs offered at schools based outside of Iowa. There are many colleges and universities nationwide that offer fully and/or primarily online EdD programs, and which accept applications from students living in Iowa. To learn more about specialization options for online EdD programs, and to browse available programs, check out our Online EdD Program Specializations page.

Online EdD Programs in Iowa

Below is a link to Allen College Unity Point Health’s website, where readers can find more information about the school’s online EdD in Health Professions Education, including details on admissions requirements, tuition, and required and elective courses.