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Vanderbilt Peabody College Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) online

Bridge the divide between theory and practice, regardless of your background, in a program focused on learning and leadership.

About the program

  • Organizational leadership: Increase leadership skills through a curriculum with a unique emphasis on organizational leadership, skill strengthening, and practical application.
  • Focused curriculum: Gain skills in data and analytics, learning and design, and leadership and organizational development.
  • Diverse peers: Benefit from a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives; the median learner is 39 years old, and 79% of learners have eight or more years of professional experience.

About Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee, offers a range of degrees throughout its 10 schools, which also includes the Vanderbilt Peabody College of Education and Human Development. Peabody College offers 18 master’s programs, 3 Ed.D. program tracks, and 6 Ph.D. programs. Peabody College strives to enhance the human condition, with an emphasis on the learning and development of minors.

Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees are subject to change and may increase each academic year. Tuition does not include student fees, technology platform licensing, or support services. Learners are also responsible for travel and accommodation costs related to any in-person immersions or residentials.

Technology and services powered by 2U, Inc., the parent company of edX.

Capstone project

The capstone project enables learners — who may work in small groups or individually — to apply the skills they’ve gained throughout the program to a real-world setting. Learners work directly with organizations — under expert faculty guidance — to create a strategic plan to solve an issue their organization is facing. They identify a problem, work on a solution, and provide recommendations for improvement. Throughout this project, learners apply practical and theoretical knowledge, present their findings to faculty, and gain the confidence they will need to drive change within their communities or organizations. The capstone project is divided into two parts: Capstone Seminar I and Capstone Seminar II. Each part is three credit hours.

  • Capstone Seminar I and Paper Part I: Learners identify and investigate a problem and share their proposed solution.
  • Capstone Seminar II and Final Capstone Project: Learners take feedback from the first part of their project and adjust accordingly. Often, learners implement the final plan they’ve created.
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Admissions

Applicants from all educational backgrounds to the online Ed.D. program must have at least three years of professional leadership experience, along with 30 graduate-level hours that can be transferred to the program from a regionally accredited institution. Learners are to earn 54 credits over three years. To complete an application, you will need to submit:

  • Official transcripts

  •  Statement of purpose

  • Three letters of recommendation

  • Résumé


Covenings and immersions

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Covenings and on-campus immersions occur three times throughout the program, and bring Peabody Online learners and instructors together on the Vanderbilt University campus in Nashville. Covenings are mandatory for all learners. They take place over one or two days and offer networking opportunities. The covenings also provide an opportunity for learners to discuss, collaborate, and problem-solve with peers and faculty, ultimately demonstrating their mastery of skills gained throughout their coursework.

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