Education

The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate selected Northeastern’s EdD program as the 2022-2023 Program of the Year, noting the “redesigned Dissertation in Practice Curriculum and the adoption of action research as its guiding methodology.” The committee praised “the program’s efforts to move beyond the typical five-chapter dissertation and engage scholarly practitioners in the acquisition of skills to realize meaningful change in their local contexts, emphasizing social justice.”

As you begin the program, you’ll also begin your dissertation in practice. After identifying your problem of practice, you’ll develop an action plan—incorporating cycles of data collection and analysis, collaboration, change work, and reflection—and culminate in the dissemination of your findings. A faculty advisor will support your research.

Higher Education Administration: This concentration allows experienced higher education professionals to expand their previous understanding of practices within all sectors of postsecondary education and advance their professional practice by developing and deepening their understanding of the roles of colleges and universities in our society. Sectors examined include community colleges, four-year colleges, for-profit institutions, and research universities.

Innovative Teaching and Learning: This concentration focuses on transforming education through innovation, justice, and policy by providing engaging opportunities for current and aspiring teaching and learning specialists working in various education spaces. The concentration focuses on teaching and learning both inside and outside the bounds of P-20 schools, developing and leading innovative curricula, and professional development.

Transformative School Leadership: This concentration provides innovative opportunities for experienced education professionals who are current and aspiring leaders of early childhood centers, public or private schools, or school districts. The concentration prepares students to lead and transform educational spaces and be equipped to shape the needs of education in K-12, higher education, organizational contexts, and beyond.

Workplace Learning: This concentration helps professionals gain a deeper understanding of, recognize, and influence real-life social inequalities faced by marginalized populations in the workplace. Courses allow students to advance their professional practice by developing and deepening their knowledge of workplace learning, organizational dynamics, learning strategy, and ethics.

Integrative Studies: This concentration allows students to design a program of study that fits their own professional goals and includes the required foundation and research courses, concentration courses from any EdD concentration, and electives from the Doctor of Education or Doctor of Law and Policy programs.

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:

Domestic Application Guidelines

International Application Guidelines*

_{*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.}

• Online application

• Academic transcripts: Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission

  • The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)

• Admissions statement: Please provide a personal statement that describes a significant issue or topic within an educational or learning context that you are interested in investigating. Why are these topics important to address? How have your previous work, life, or research experiences prepared you for investigating this topic or issue in the Northeastern doctoral program? (~1500 words)

• Minimum work experience: Three years in a related field

• Professional resumé: Must summarize work and education history, include an outline of your educational/academic skills with examples such as research and teaching experience, affiliations, publications, certifications, presentations, and other professional skills.

• Faculty recommendation: Must be from a faculty member in your previous graduate program who can attest to your readiness for doctoral work. If you are no longer acquainted with a faculty member, please choose a professional who can speak of your academic capabilities to engage in doctoral-level research and writing. Recommendations should be presented as a letter attached to the general recommendation form.

• Two professional recommendations: Must be from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities, a supervisor, mentor, or colleague. It is preferred that one letter of recommendation come from your current employer and/or supervisor. Recommendations should be presented as a letter attached to the general recommendation form.

• Proof of English language proficiency: ONLY for students for whom English is not their primary language.