Doctor of Education with a Major in Educational Innovation

Our doctoral program in educational innovation is designed for practitioners who work in varied educational settings. It prepares educators to lead effectively in the teaching and learning environment, to advocate for solutions to problems, to foster innovation, and to be responsive to the evolving expectations placed upon educational systems. Based on the Carnegie Project on the Educational Doctorate (CPED) principles, the 55-hour program of study includes 19 hours of core coursework, nine hours in Education Leadership concentrations courses, 12 hours in research, and 15 hours of capstone/dissertation in practice. Students progress through the program as a cohort. For the online concentration, courses are taught asynchronously online.

Research Residency

As part of the EdD in Educational Leadership program, students will participate in a two-day, on-campus Research Residency* designed to launch their dissertation journey. Scheduled during the short break between the first and second semesters, the residency provides dedicated time to develop and refine dissertation topics in a supportive, collaborative environment and build community and mentorship connections with peers and faculty.

*In Spring/Summer 2026, the residency will take place on Friday, May 15 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) and Saturday, May 16 (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) at Augusta University.

To be considered for admission to the online EdD program, the following materials must be submitted with your application:

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended showing that you’ve earned a master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the baccalaureate level is required, calculated across all graduate coursework.

• Three formal letters of recommendation.

• A 300-500 word statement of purpose discussing how this program aligns with your career goals.

• A completed writing prompt submitted via the application status portal.

• A completed interview

• Proof of Lawful Presence: In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 4.1.6, all applicants for admission to Augusta University are required to provide validation of lawful presence in the United States.

  • Acceptance to Augusta University is conditional until lawful presence is verified.

  • ALL applicants who are U.S. citizens must submit documentation that verifies their lawful presence in the United States at the time of application to admissions@augusta.edu.

  • Please review the verification process for international transcripts and the English proficiency requirement.

Not all programs are available to residents in all states. Please check the institution's State Authorization and Professional Licensure website(s) to ensure you reside in an authorized state.