LoadingLoadingLoadingLoadingScholar-practitioner doctorate for educational transformation
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The ALU Doctor of Education (EdD) is a professional doctorate for leaders who generate knowledge from and for the field. Unlike a pure PhD that prioritises theory contribution for academic careers first and foremost, the EdD centres problems of practice: school and university improvement, learning design, equity and policy implementation. You will complete structured doctoral coursework, defend a research proposal, and produce a dissertation that is both scholarly and actionable. Supervision pairs research faculty with practitioners who understand institutional complexity.
The EdD is assessed at doctoral standard. Viva voce examination and ethical research conduct match the Arab Leadership University's doctoral regulations. Ideal for heads, deans, system leaders, instructional designers and education policy professionals.
Faculty spotlight
Professor Alex Morgan leads learning-sciences supervision; Dr. Aisha Okonkwo specialises in equity and comparative education systems reform.
Study online
Tuition is free. Examinations are free. There is no exam fee. Study from anywhere in the world.
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDD701 | Becoming a Scholar-Practitioner in Education Identity, inquiry stance and doctoral craft for practitioner-researchers.
| 3 |
| EDD702 | Learning Sciences & Pedagogical Leadership How people learn and implications for pedagogical leadership.
| 3 |
| EDD703 | Education Policy, Equity & Systems Reform Policy analysis through equity and systems lenses.
| 3 |
| EDD704 | Organisational Change in Education Settings Leading organisational change in schools, colleges and universities.
| 3 |
| EDD705 | Ethics, Positionality & Professional Judgement Research and professional ethics for educational leaders.
| 3 |
| EDD706 | Improvement Science & Programme Evaluation Measurement and evaluation methods for continuous improvement.
| 3 |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDD711 | Qualitative Inquiry for Educational Practice Interview, observation and case study methods for problems of practice.
| 3 |
| EDD712 | Quantitative Methods & Measurement in Education Measurement, survey design and basic multivariate analysis for education data.
|
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDD802 | Doctoral Dissertation Research Supervised original research addressing a problem of practice at doctoral standard.
| 24 |
| EDD803 | Doctoral Viva & Impact Dissemination Viva voce examination and professional dissemination of findings.
|
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 3–4 years. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Arab Leadership University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@aleaderuni.com.
Recognised & Accredited
| 3 |
| EDD713 | Mixed Methods Research Design Integrating qualitative and quantitative strands in one study.
| 3 |
| EDD714 | Literature Synthesis & Research Proposal Writing Systematic reviews and doctoral proposal development.
| 3 |
| EDD801 | Doctoral Research Proposal Defence Formal candidacy defence of the research proposal before a panel.
| 0 |
| 0 |