Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership – Superintendent Certification Online
Prepare for superintendent certification as you gain the administrative expertise to ensure local schools and students succeed.
Apply by
8/6/25
Program Overview
Become a high-impact leader in your district with a superintendent Ed.D.
In the online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership – Superintendent Certification program at NKU, you will develop the diverse administrative skillset required to oversee school operations across multiple campuses, along with specialized knowledge in federal and state education policies and their impact on local districts.
Learn how to create a culture of excellence, innovation, and student achievement through coursework that emphasizes strategic management, transformational leadership, and civic engagement. Develop expertise to address challenges and meet school performance goals while preparing to promote inclusion, equity, and accountability at the district and campus levels. NKU faculty and current district administrators will offer support as you complete your action research capstone and superintendent Ed.D practicum.
In this online superintendent Ed.D. program, you will:
- Gain insight into the challenges, practices, and perspectives facing educational leaders
- Demonstrate creative leadership that encourages thoughtful innovation and risk-taking
- Demonstrate the capacity to scan ever-changing environments and analyze the forces that impact organizational effectiveness, and use this knowledge to design and implement adaptive strategies
- Prepare to influence the creation, continuation, and evaluation of just and ethical educational contexts, norms, policies, and practices to transform educational institutions
- Develop strategic planning expertise tailored to the role of school superintendent
- Gain insight into the challenges, practices, and perspectives facing educational leaders
- Demonstrate creative leadership that encourages thoughtful innovation and risk-taking
- Demonstrate the capacity to scan ever-changing environments and analyze the forces that impact organizational effectiveness, and use this knowledge to design and implement adaptive strategies
- Prepare to influence the creation, continuation, and evaluation of just and ethical educational contexts, norms, policies, and practices to transform educational institutions
- Develop strategic planning expertise tailored to the role of school superintendent
Ed.D. Career Opportunities:
- Superintendent
- Assistant Superintendent
- Other District Administrator roles
- Superintendent
- Assistant Superintendent
- Other District Administrator roles
Online education programs also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of graduate and postgraduate online education programs. Check out our other quality online education programs.
Total Tuition
$30,900
Program Duration
As few as 36 months
Credit Hours
60
Accreditation
The Northern Kentucky University College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Tuition
Discover our affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition
The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – Superintendent Certification online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to in-state and out-of-state students.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total Program with Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ed.D. in Education Leadership – Superintendent Cert | $499 | $100 | $30,900 |
Tuition Breakdown:
Total Tuition
$30,900
Per Credit Hour
$499
Nationally Recognized
Ranked among the "Top Public Schools" by U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Calendar
View enrollment dates and deadlines
The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – Superintendent Certification online program is convenient and flexible, featuring six start dates on an accelerated course schedule. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, and be sure to note all corresponding deadlines.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | 8/18/25 | 8/6/25 | 8/11/25 | 8/15/25 | 8/18/25 |
Now enrolling:
Apply Date
8/6/25
Class Starts
8/18/25
Admissions
Review the online superintendent Ed.D. program admission requirements
The admission process for the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – Superintendent Certification online program is streamlined to help you get started right away.
Admission Requirements:
- Official transcripts of all coursework from accredited institutions
- 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Minimum of three years of full-time teaching experience
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – Superintendent Certification Online Admission Requirements
- Complete online application for admission
- Pay $55 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, you application fee will be waved
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from accredited institution(s)
- A master’s degree or equivalent in an applicable field from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Evidence of significant professional leadership experience. We are looking for people with a history of leading that transcends the expectations of their professional commitments. It is rare to find this in an applicant with less than five years of progressive professional experience.
- In addition to the two criteria above, applicants will be evaluated for their:
- Level of organizational or civic ambition
- Leadership trajectory
- Timing for pursuit of an Ed.D.
- Fit between the candidate’s hopes and aspirations and the features of our Ed.D. program
In order to be eligible to select this cognate, learning associates must submit:
- A current Kentucky Rank II or Rank I teaching certificate or out-of-state equivalent,
- Evidence of at least three (3) years full-time teaching experience,
- Evidence of two (2) years or more full-time experience in one or more of the following positions: Elementary, Middle, or High School Principal; Supervisor of Instruction; Guidance Counselor; Director of Pupil Personnel; Director of Special Education; School Business Administrator; Coordinator/Administrator/Supervisor of District Services; Local District Coordinator of Vocational Education, and
- Level I and II certification for any one of the following positions: Elementary Principal (grades P-4); Middle School Principal (grades 5-8); Secondary School Principal (grades 9-12); School Principal (P-12); Supervisor of Instruction (P-12).
Transfer previously earned credits:
- Transfer credits aligned with a student’s cognate topic are processed after admission to the Ed.D. program upon approval from the program director. No more than 9 credit hours of graduate credit applied to a previously earned degree, with a grade of B or better from a regionally accredited institution, can be transferred into the Ed.D. program. No more than 40% of graduate credit that was not applied to a previously earned degree can be transferred into the Ed.D. program. All credits applied toward the Ed.D. degree, inclusive of transfer credits, must be completed within a period of eight (8) years at the time of graduation.
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education
302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
Explore our doctoral program in educational leadership curriculum
For the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – Superintendent Certification program, you must complete 60 credit hours, including 24 credits of core courses, 15 credits of specialization courses, 12 credits of cognate courses, and 9 credits of capstone courses.
EDD 800: Introduction to Doctoral Studies
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the perspectives and skills needed to succeed as a doctoral student, including an introduction to information literacy, doctoral-level writing, and proficiency reading and responding to major ideas in a chosen leadership field.
EDD 804: Leadership: Professional & Personal Perspectives
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers Learning Associates a comprehensive interdisciplinary exploration of leadership, focusing on developing knowledge, skills, and dispositions aligned with contemporary educational leadership. It provides a framework to investigate and enhance leadership assumptions, behaviors, and goals, fostering the planning of improvements for increased leadership effectiveness.
EDD 805: Educational Leadership Theories
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Understand the role of theory in research and learn to develop and apply theoretical frameworks to guide research design and analysis. In-depth exploration of educational leadership theories within social and historical contexts. Critically analyze leadership frameworks, gaining fluency in articulating fundamental concepts such as leader, leadership, theory, power, and authority.
EDD 806: Navigating Organizational Change
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores navigating organizational change by fostering effective communication and ethical leadership, emphasizing skills applicable to any role. Students employ systems thinking to grasp interconnectedness within organizations, crafting strategies for managing change reactions, promoting resilience, and cultivating adaptable, ethically grounded teams in a supportive, innovative environment.
EDD 807: Leadership: Identity and Agency
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on individuals, emphasizing self-awareness, values, and purpose. Participants explore their unique identity and agency, synthesizing theory and introspection to gain insights into how their personal traits shape their capacity for leadership, culminating in a deeper understanding of themselves within their professional journey.
EDD 815: Unpacking Educational Systems
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores educational systems through social reproduction lenses, fostering compassion and a commitment to challenging injustice. Learning Associates gain tools and insights to problematize normative practices. The course inspires leadership that transforms conditions, policies, and practices, aiming to champion systems that support just outcomes and experiences.
EDD 816: Universal Design for Learning
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, examining strategies to create inclusive and accessible learning environments. Participants will gain insights into designing curriculum and instruction that meet diverse learner needs, promoting equity and engagement. Practical applications ensure participants can implement UDL effectively in educational settings.
EDD 817: Transforming Educational Systems
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Learning Associates leverage their prior knowledge of educational inequities to instigate positive, transformative changes in policies and practices for individuals, families, and educational institutions. The course frames the current landscape of US education through a systems perspective, fostering creative leadership, adaptive strategies, collaborative relationships, and influence within just, ethical educational contexts.
EDD 852: Working with Governing Boards
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics and responsibilities of working with governing boards within various organizational contexts. Grounded in both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, the course aims to equip doctoral students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of governance structures effectively.
EDD 853: Educational Finance and Operations
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide advanced insights in the intersection of educational finance and operations within the broader field of education leadership. Participants in this course will engage in rigorous analysis and independent research to develop an in-depth understanding of the complex financial and operational challenges facing educational institutions.
EDD 854: Education Policy Development and Analysis
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Participants explore the policy-making process, analyze its impact on educational systems, and gain skills to formulate effective policies. Practical applications ensure a comprehensive understanding, empowering leaders to navigate and contribute to the dynamic landscape of educational policy.
EDD 855: Educational Public Relations
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores advanced concepts and strategies for effective communication within and from educational institutions. Emphasizing the intersection of public relations theory and educational leadership, the course equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex communication landscape in the field of education.
EDD 856: Ethics for Educational Leaders
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Exploration of ethical considerations in educational leadership. Participants delve into foundational ethical theories and practical decision-making frameworks. Case studies and real-world scenarios enhance ethical reasoning skills, empowering educational leaders to navigate complex moral dilemmas and cultivate just learning environments.
EDA 639: School Superintendency
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course will be conducted in a Professional Learning Community environment and format. Class participants will be expected to establish a shared vision, a set of values required to achieve the vision, and two/three critical goals to be accomplished during the course. These goals should be measurable and able to document the fact that students were successful in acquiring the appropriate knowledge, understanding, and applications for the role of the superintendency.
EDA 649: School System Administration
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Study of overall school district management and operations including ad-ministration of auxiliary services; federal programs, financial management, and human resources.
EDA 659: Strategic Management in Education
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to assist those desiring to be certified as a school superintendent to understand, appreciate and acquire strategic planning skills. The ability to plan, acquiring the skills needed in formulating plans and demonstrating the ability and skills to execute plans are all critical skills and tools individuals must possess to successfully perform in the role of a public school super-intendent.
EDA 679: School Superintendent Practicum
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Study and observation of the role and responsibilities of the superintendent are the key components of the practicum experience. Students are required to spend time in field settings.
EDA 680: School Superintendent Practicum II
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Study and observation of the role and responsibilities of the superintendent are the key components of the practicum experience. Students are required to spend time in field settings.
EDA 681: School Superintendent Practicum III
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Study and observation of the role and responsibilities of the superintendent are the key components of the practicum experience. Students are required to spend time in field settings.
EDD 850: Critical Analysis of Education Research
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course equips participants to contextualize, design, and evaluate ethical action research. Through analyzing environmental scans and scholarly inquiry, participants learn to understand patterns across public and local knowledge sources. Emphasis is placed on addressing problems of practice with justice and equity considerations and effectively communicating findings to diverse audiences. Pre-req: EDD 800
EDD 581: Understanding the US College Student
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores critical issues of access and equity for contemporary US college students, examining the evolving demographics and characteristics of this population. Participants analyze challenges and opportunities, exploring strategies to enhance inclusivity and address disparities in higher education, fostering a deeper understanding of student experiences.
EDD 897: Action Research Capstone
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this capstone course, students synthesize action research projects, applying them to address real-world challenges in their field and fostering advanced problem-solving and strategic decision-making. The course culminates in the presentation of impactful findings that contribute to professional growth and field advancement.
