Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Leadership
Increase Your Leadership Skills and Develop New Theories with Liberty’s Ph.D. in Educational Leadership
An organization without sound leadership is like a ship without a rudder. With advanced training in educational leadership and research, Liberty University’s 100% online Ph.D. in Educational Leadership degree program will help you gain valuable communication and problem-solving skills based on empirical research to lead your students, faculty, and staff to success.
Our Ph.D. in Educational Leadership online can provide you with the tools and skills you need to lead an educational administration as well as develop research materials and publications to contribute to the body of knowledge in this field. Through this educational leadership doctorate, you can develop research-based critical thinking skills and the ability to solve problems so you can lead at any level of an educational organization.
What Will You Study in Liberty’s Ph.D. in Educational Leadership?
Through this program, you will:
- Complete dissertation research with mentorship from Liberty faculty.
- Gain an understanding of the current issues and trends in educational leadership.
- Integrate theoretical knowledge with practical skills necessary for effective educational leadership.
- Learn how to apply organizational theories and models to create and lead effective higher education organizations and implement best practices.
- Learn how to handle conflict efficiently and effectively.
These courses are designed to be rigorous so that you can be better prepared for dissertation research. This will allow you to take what you’ve gained in your professional degree and apply it to a more focused research doctorate.
Potential Career Options with an Educational Leadership Degree
- College or university administrator
- College or university professor and/or researcher
- District administrator
- Educational change agent
- Educational consultant for an education organization or government agency
- Leadership researcher
- Performance improvement officer
- Principal or assistant principal*
*This will require outside licensure.
Highlights of Our Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership Program
As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your online Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
- You will learn how to create and administer effective education environments.
- Our Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership program will allow you to develop educational management skills and foster leadership in teachers and students.
- Our online Ph.D. is a 3-year program that requires 18 hours in educational research courses.
- Completing your Ph.D. gives you a terminal educational credential that shows employers you have reached the academic pinnacle of your field’s achievement.
Military Tuition Discount
We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour. Here’s how:
- If you’re earning or have earned a master’s degree through Liberty, you automatically qualify for the low price (when you begin within 2 years of your master’s completion).
- If you haven’t earned a graduate degree through Liberty, our Executive Certificate program allows you to pay only $300/credit hour for a postgraduate certificate that can stand alone or potentially count as the first 21 hours of a related doctoral degree. Then pay just $300/credit hour for your doctorate. Learn more!
Credit Hours

Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Jun 23, 2025
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC










600+ Online Degrees
With over 600 online degrees, we have something that will accommodate your dreams and calling.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus
Our residential campus ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America. That commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well.
No tuition increase for 9 years
We want to help you pursue your goals - so while tuition rates at most universities have continued to increase over the years, the majority of our rates haven't.
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Hear from our Graduates
“The best part of my LU experience has been my growing faith formation through my developing educational understanding, as an aspiring school administrator.”
Megan Schultz, EdD School Administration & Supervision
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Morgan Schlesselman, Master's in Public Policy
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James, Master of Divinity