online phd programs tennessee

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Tennessee Top Colleges and Universities:  University of Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Memphis

Tennessee Top Industries:  Health care and social assistance, retail trade, manufacturing

Tennessee Top Employers:  Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Eastman Chemical Company, Nissan North America Inc.

Students in Tennessee who are interested in enrolling in an online degree program have plenty of options, including at the many of the state’s public colleges and universities. In fact, students can search for specific programs, including online doctoral degrees, at the  Regents Online Campus Collaborative’s (ROCC)  website. The ROCC was established by the Tennessee Board of Regents, the governing body of the state’s public higher education institutions, to offer a full range of online programs through participating universities, such as the University of Memphis. Students of the program can choose a home campus and then take online courses offered by the other colleges and universities. In addition to the convenience of being enrolled at only one campus, this format enables students to complete their course work in their own time without disrupting their daily schedule to attend class.

Your Online PhD In Tennessee

Tennessee’s largest industries by employment are health care and social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. The health care industry employs almost  370,000 people and Vanderbilt University Medical Center is Tennessee’s  largest employer , according to Career One Stop. Many online PhD degrees that can qualify an individual for employment within this industry. For example, an online doctoral program in health administration may provide an educational credential for an individual to be considered for employment as a healthcare administrator for a large hospital. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health care administrators earned a  median annual salary of $101,340 in May 2021. However, the Medical Management Association reported that administrators who work in a facility with 26 or more physicians, such as a large hospital, earn an average of $150,756.

Online doctoral programs in business administration or project management may also apply to Tennessee’s retail trade and manufacturing industries. Both degrees give students advanced knowledge and insight into the functions of business, whether that’s in budgeting and finance, human resources, or the management and movement of inventory or materials. A doctoral degree in both disciplines could qualify an individual for a career as a top executive in either industry. Top executives are responsible for overseeing a company’s finances, appointing managers, analyzing sales reports, and ensuring that performance goals are being met. Chief executives earned a  median annual salary of $179,520 in May 2021, according to the BLS. However, executives employed by manufacturing firms earned a median salary of $119,260, and those who worked for retail trade companies received $66,050. Keep in mind these statistics are no guarantee of actual salary, which is determined by location, employer, an individual’s credentials, and condition of the economy.

PHD in Economics, Associate Professor, Department of Business Process Management, Faculty of Market Technologies IOM

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Doctorate Degrees - Ph.D. & D.N.P.

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Exceptional Learning

Exceptional Learning Ph.D. Overview

The Exceptional Learning Ph.D. (ELPhD) program focuses on the characteristics, strengths, and educational needs of individuals and groups whose learning potential and opportunities for success are frequently unrealized. Exceptional populations include people for whom social, economic, and physical characteristics may serve as a barrier to development and learning. We offer five concentrations and two strands allowing students to focus on specific areas of professional and research interests.

• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Critical Discourse and Literacy Studies
• Health Behaviors and Wellness Education
• Program Planning and Evaluation
• STEM Education

The ELPhD program offers robust academic preparation of professionals who serve their communities, public school systems, institutions of higher education, and non-traditional educational environments. Our graduates are leaders who work across local, regional, national, and international platforms to effect positive change in diverse populations of exceptional learners and educational contexts, addressing barriers to learning, primarily through research and service activities.

Exceptional Learning Ph.D. Admission Requirements A multifaceted approach is taken in the application and admissions decision process.  The applicant will be evaluated on the criteria listed below in order to determine the applicant's overall potential for success in the ELPhD program.  Please note, however, that fulfillment of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

• GPA : Consideration for admission to the program is based on the applicant's grade point average (GPA) in the last graduate degree or the last sixty hours of undergraduate work if no graduate degree has been completed. An average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or above from a recognized baccalaureate, graduate, or professional degree from a regionally accredited (e.g. SACS) college or university, or an international equivalent based on a four-year curriculum is required for admission.
• GRE : Valid GRE scores (score date within 5 years of application) must be submitted as part of the ELPhD application.
• Scholarly Writing :  Students must demonstrate scholarly writing skill and mastery by submitting a reference-based paper, thesis, or other written document in which information from various sources has been synthesized. The applicant must be the sole author.
• Statement of Intent : One to two pages that address the following: intended enrollment (semester and year), intended concentration, autobiographical statement, educational and professional goals, and area of interest for future research.  Applicants to the ABA concentration must indicate the strand in which they wish to enroll: School-Aged and Adult Populations (ABAS) or Young Children & Families (YCF).
• Three Letters of Recommendation :  Recommendation letters should be from individuals, preferably professors, who are able to comment on the student's qualifications and scholarly aptitude for doctoral study.  The letters should also address characteristics that will contribute to the student's success as a doctoral student should you be accepted in the ELPhD program.  Consideration will be made based upon the content of the letters.  Please make certain the recommenders know they must submit a letter as well as evaluate the applicant on a series of qualities (done when submitting the letter).  Applications without three letters may not receive full considerations.
• Professional Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume
• Interviews with Ph.D. Doctoral Program Faculty Applicants who pass the initial evaluation will be required to have an interview with the ELPhD program faculty and director of graduate programs.

Fulfilling the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

*Please note the STEM Education concentration requires the following additional admission requirements:

1. Three years of STEM teaching/outreach (P-16)

2. Masters Degree and one of the following:

a. minimum of 18 semester hours of graduate credit in a STEM discipline

b. Teacher Licensure in a STEM discipline (Grades 7-12)

c. Teacher Licensure (K-6/8) with Highly Qualified Status in a STEM discipline based on 24 semester hours in math/science or a passing score on the PRAXIS II middle grades math or science test

Exceptional Learning Catalog

Higher Education

Overview: The online Ph.D. in Higher Education is designed for professionals in the field who are interested in using data science to best prepare students and confront challenges facing higher education.

Success and informed professionalism in these areas is vital in today’s competitive university landscape. A terminal (doctoral) degree provides students an opportunity to move into professional roles as they gain more experience. In today’s data-driven, evidence-based context, the knowledge and skills garnered through this program will contribute to additional growth and success and situate them for greater contributions to their institutions.

The program will provide preparation to be adapted to any postsecondary role with a focus to improve college access, student success, and persistence to completion. Driven by data science, program candidates will apply actionable approaches to face challenges confronting higher education.  Ph.D. candidates will also learn to use cutting-edge to best serve students and guide higher education practices and policies. 

Graduates will use their data science knowledge and skills to guide colleges and universities, state higher education agencies, foundations, and related associations. 

Admissions Requirements

•  Statement of intent (1-2 pages) detailing intended enrollment, autobiographical statement, educational and professional goals, and area of interest for future research;
• Two letters of recommendation that speak to the individual’s scholarly aptitude and capability, particularly with respect to graduate-level work;
•  Official academic transcripts sent directly to Graduate Studies from all institutions attended;
•  An academic writing sample that demonstrates excellent scholarly writing ability (applicant must be sole author);
• Based on the applicant’s GPA in the last graduate degree or the last 60 hours of undergraduate work (for those with an undergraduate degree only);
• From a recognized baccalaureate, graduate, or professional degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or an international equivalent based on a four-year curriculum
•  CV/resume

Higher Education Doctoral Catalog

Counseling and Supervision

The Counseling and Supervision, Ph.D. is designed to Meet CACREP Standards with an Emphasis on Rural Mental Health Issues.

Features of the Degree include:  The Ph.D. consists of a minimum of 48 credit hours of advanced coursework, a 100-hour clinical practicum, a 600-hour internship, and dissertation research. The program is offered as an annual fall admission cohort.

Counseling and Supervision Admissions Requirements

The Ph.D. in Counseling and Supervision is a terminal degree.  The department offers admission to applicants who appear to have the highest potential for success and the appropriate disposition for counseling and supervision in the Ph.D. program.

The recommended admission requirements are:

• A 3.5 grade point average (GPA) from an accredited Master's level program in counseling or closely related program. Preference will be given to individuals who graduated from a CACREP-accredited program.
• Official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate and graduate institution, as well as transcripts from any additional institutions of higher education attended.
• Three acceptable letters of recommendation for graduate study from either former faculty members or other persons with adequate knowledge of the applicant's professional qualities and/or potential for success in a Ph.D. program (faculty review committee reserves the right to determine suitability of the letters).
• While not required, an applicant may submit GRE General Test (GRE) scores for consideration to address their aptitude for graduate-level academic work.
• An English proficiency equivalent of Level 18 in FLS (applicable to those applicants from countries in which the official language is other than English).
• Successful interview with the faculty review committee with a focus on dis-positional congruence, personal intent, and professional aspirations.

Counseling and Supervision Catalog

Engineering

Doctoral Program Overview

A graduate program leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Engineering is offered by the College of Engineering with several distinct concentrations. Currently, the departments of Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering offer concentrations in their respective fields. The general requirements for a Ph.D. in Engineering are the same for all departments. The admission requirements, application procedures, admission to candidacy, degree requirements, and other such details may be found in the Graduate Catalog.

Ph.D. Concentration Areas Include: Chemical Engineering Computer Science Civil Engineering Electrical and Computer Engineering Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Ph.D. Admission Requirements   A graduate program leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Engineering is offered by the College of Engineering. When applying for admission, a student must state on the application the major area of study for which admission is requested.  The following concentrations are available in the Engineering Ph.D.: Civil Engineering Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electrical and Computer Engineering Mechanical Engineering

The basic admission standards for the Ph.D. program are: The basic admission standards for the Ph.D. program are the same as for the MS programs , except that, additionally, an applicant is expected to have completed an MS degree in an academic area appropriate to the proposed area of study and to have earned an MS GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, a GRE score is not required for applicants to the PhD in Engineering with a Computer Science concentration if an applicant's undergraduate degree or Master's degree is from a U.S.-based institution.

Though the general requirement for admission to the Ph.D. program is a master's degree in an appropriate discipline, students with a bachelor's degree may be admitted to the Ph.D. program directly on exceptional basis, provided the applicant has a record of excellent academic performance in an appropriate engineering program undergraduate program. The applicant's test scores, personal recommendations, and relevant work experience must indicate a high potential for success in doctoral studies and research. In addition, factors such as appropriateness of the applicant's research objectives to the research interests of the program faculty, availability of faculty to supervise the applicant's research, and prior research accomplishments of the applicant will also influence the admission decision.

Fulfilling the minimum requirement does not guarantee admission; an applicant who does not meet the above minimum, but appears to have reasonable potential for success as a Ph.D. student, may be admitted to provisional standing. His/her status may be changed to full standing after satisfying requirements specified by the Associate Dean of Engineering for Graduate Studies and Research, in consultation with the appropriate departmental chairperson, at the time of admission.

If admitted in provisional standing at either the MS or Ph.D. level, the student must remove all deficiencies and apply for reclassification to full standing prior to the completion of 15 graduate hours.

Sometimes a master's-level student takes more graduate-level courses than are required for the degree because the student is expecting to continue on to the Ph.D. program and hopes to use the extra courses to satisfy the Ph.D. coursework requirement. When this is the case, the student can request when registering for the course(s) that the course(s) be "banked" for the Ph.D. program. If the student lacks no more than 12 semester hours on the master's degree, he/she may accumulate a maximum of nine (9) semester hours which may be applied toward the Ph.D. When this is the case, the student's advisory committee must initiate approval via memo with consensus of the departmental chairperson, dean of the college, and the Director of Graduate Studies. Banked courses then show up on the student's transcript as courses taken for the Ph.D. rather than being shown as a part of his/her M.S. program. Banking course does not guarantee admission to the Ph.D. program, or, if admitted, that the student's Ph.D. advisory committee will approve the course as part of the student's Ph.D. program of study.

Degree Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Engineering The Ph.D. is a research degree. The minimum requirements for a Ph.D. degree in Engineering are the same for all departments.  Each department may include additional stricter degree requirements for students pursuing specialization in that department. 

Students Admitted with a Master's Degree

• A minimum of 18 semester credits of course work beyond the master’s degree, acceptable to the student's advisory committee. Additional six semester credits of either graduate level course work or research experience as per the policy of the student's major department. No 5000-level courses are to be used to meet the minimum requirements of course work.
• The equivalent of 24 semester credits of doctoral research and dissertation built upon the student’s course of study and making a significant contribution to the state of knowledge or to the art of the engineering profession is required; not more than 9 credits may be earned in a particular semester.
• Residence of four (4) semesters beyond the master’s degree, with at least two semesters in continuous residence, is required. All requirements, including the dissertation, must be completed within a period of eight consecutive years.
• Maintenance of a minimum quality point average of 3.0 and adherence to the general regulations of the Graduate School are expected.

All students in the program must follow a plan of study and research developed in conjunction with an advisory committee, satisfactorily complete a comprehensive examination, achieve candidacy, and satisfactorily defend the dissertation.

Students Admitted Directly from the Bachelor's Degree A student admitted with a bachelor's degree on exceptional basis, must successfully complete a qualifying examination based mostly on undergraduate materials before the end of the second semester of enrollment. This examination will be aimed at determining the student's mastery of the basic concepts in the discipline and the potential for successfully conducting research at the doctoral level. Based on the student's performance on the qualifying examination, the student may be (i) permitted to continue in the Doctoral Program, or (ii) advised to transfer to a MS Degree program in an appropriate discipline in the College, or (iii) recommended for termination from the graduate program of the College.

If permitted to continue in the doctoral program, the student, as described elsewhere in the catalog, will select a research advisor, form an advisory committee, and submit a program of study satisfying the following requirements.

The program of study should have a minimum total of 72 semester credit hours of academic work, consisting of course work and dissertation work, beyond baccalaureate work, subject to the following:

• The program of study should include a minimum of 42 semester credits of appropriate graduate level course work consisting of a maximum of 9 semester credits at the 5000-level, acceptable to the student's advisory committee.
• It should also include an additional 6 semester credits of either graduate level course work or research experience as per the policy of the student's major department.
• A minimum of 24 semester credit hours of doctoral research and dissertation, built upon the student's course of study and making significant contribution to the state of knowledge and the art of the engineering profession, is required; no more than nine credit hours may be earned in a particular semester.

The other requirements, such as residency, grade point average, comprehensive exam, and dissertation are the same as those for students admitted with a master's degree , as described in the catalog.

Chemical Engineering Doctoral Catalog  Civil Engineering Doctoral Computer Science Doctoral Electrical & Computer Engineering Doctoral Mechanical Engineering Doctoral

Program Overview

Environmental Sciences Biology

Environmental Sciences - Biology Ph.D. Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a biological science;
• Grade Point Average of 3.5 or above for the highest degree earned;
• International applicants must satisfactorily complete the English Language Requirement on one of the following: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, FLS, ELS, TOEIC, CEFR, SLEP.
• In addition, a graduate faculty member must have agreed to direct the student’s doctoral program and financial support must have been identified for a stipend and for research needs. Please click here for the form: Graduate Advisor Acceptance Form (PDF)

Applicants who do not fully meet the above requirements may be admitted in Provisional Standing on the basis of a favorable recommendation to the College of Graduate Studies by the appropriate departmental chairperson and the Director of the Environmental Sciences doctoral program.

Environmental Sciences Biology Catalog

Environmental Sciences Chemistry

Environmental Sciences - Chemistry Ph.D. Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in science, mathematics, engineering, or environmental science;
• Grade Point Average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale;

Environmental Studies Chemistry Catalog

Environmental Sciences Agriculture

Environmental Sciences Agriculture, Geosciences, & Integrated Research Admissions Requirements

Environmental Sciences Ph.D. Admissions Requirements for Agriculture, Geosciences, and Integrated Research Concentrations must have the following (other requirements will be updated as they are determined):

Environmental Studies Agriculture Catalog

Environmental Sciences Geosciences

Environmental Studies Geosciences Catalog

Environmental Sciences Integrated Research

• In addition, a graduate faculty member must have agreed to direct the student’s doctoral program and financial support must have been identified for a stipend and for research needs. Please click here for the form: Graduate Advisor Acceptance Form (PDF)  

Environmental Studies Integrated Research Catalog

Doctorate of Nursing Practice

Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) Admission Requirements   Admission requirements for the joint DNP program are as follows:

• a completed application with payment of nonrefundable application fee;
• official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework
• a written essay.

There are different levels of admission depending upon prior credentials of applicants and whether or not they hold a BSN, MSN, or a BSN and a master’s in another discipline. Additional requirements for admission to the DNP program include:

• A bachelor's degree in nursing is required;
• For international applicants, a bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalency (for BSN to DNP applicants), or a non-nursing master's degree or equivalency (for MSN to DNP applicants) from a nationally accredited nursing program or comparably recognized non-U.S. institution, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale;
• Certification in the selected nursing specialty for the concentration. For example: Certified FNP for FNP concentration, Certified WHNP in the WHNP concentration, etc.; OR
• Master’s in Nursing in a specialty different than the intended concentrations (WHNP, PNP, ACNP, PMHNP, FNP, Nursing and Healthcare Leadership) will require a longer program of study adapted to the previous Master’s specialty and nursing experience; OR
• Non-nursing master’s with a BSN from a nationally accredited nursing program will require a longer program of study adapted to the previous Master’s specialty and nursing experience; OR
• For the General (No Concentration) MSN-DNP, Master’s in Nursing with advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) certification (Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Midwife, or Nurse Anesthetist) or master’s level nursing administration/ healthcare systems leadership concentration;
• NOTE: All four MSN options for the Nursing and Healthcare Leadership concentration require at least one year of experience in a nursing administration role.
• Nursing and Healthcare Leadership applicants must have an MSN or a BSN and a Master's in a non-nursing business or health related field (MBA, MPH, MHA, MMCH, etc.); 
• Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States and eligibility for licensure in Tennessee or equivalency for international students;
• All applicants are required to have at least two years of full-time work experience (or equivalent) in nursing as a registered nurse;
• Three letters of recommendation are required: one from the applicant’s current (most recent) supervisor, one from a faculty member who has worked directly with the applicant during previous academic study, and one from an individual selected by the applicant;
• All applicants will be required to complete a writing sample describing a problem the applicant has identified in clinical practice, whether as a student or a practicing RN, and what steps were taken to resolve or improve the situation; 
• All applicants will participate in an interview;
• All applicants must submit a cover letter expressing the applicant’s personal goals for doctoral study; and
• All applicants must submit a current resume or vita.

Nursing and Healthcare Leadership Admissions Requirements:

Applicants seeking admission to the DNP program must fulfill all the requirements for admission to the Graduate School.

There are different levels of admission depending upon prior credentials of applications and whether or not they hold a BSN, MSN, or a BSN and a master's In another discipline. Additional requirements for admission to the DNP Program include:  1. BSN-DNP applicants:     1. A bachelor's degree In nursing Is required;     2. For international applicants, a bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalency (for BSN to DNP applicants), or a non-nursing master's degree or equivalency (for MSN to DNP applicants) from a nationally accredited nursing program or comparably recognized non-U.S. institution, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale; 

2. MSN-DNP applicants:     1. MSN     2.  BSN and a Masters In a non-nursing business- or health related field (MBA, MPH, MHA,MMCH, etc.)  NOTE: A gap analysis Is conducted to evaluate completion of graduate level courses in Leadership, Finance, Quality Improvement, and master's level clinical hours in a specialty. Additional courses and/or clinical hours to the admitted student's program of study may be required. 

3. Unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States and eligibility for licensure in Tennessee or equivalency for lnternational students; 4.  Three letters of recommendation are required: one from the applicant's current (most recent) supervisor, one from a faculty member who has worked directly with the applicant during previous academic study, and one from aln individual selected by the applicant;

5. All applicants will participate in an interview;

6. All applicants will be required to complete a writing sample describing a problem the applicant has identified in practice that the applicant might explore In the DNP program; 7.  All applicants must submit a cover letter expressing the applicant's personal goals for doctoral study; and 8. All applicants must submit a current resume or vita.

The completed application form and fee, transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work, essay, documentation of nursing licensure In the United States, MSN certification (where applicable), letters of recommendation and resume or vita must be submitted to the ETSU College of Graduate and Continuing Studies or the TTU Graduate College, depending upon the applicant's choice. International students must also forward the additionally required documentation to the appropriate school.  Factors given consideration in the admission decision include: previous grade point average (GPA), clarity of the applicant's selected problem as stated in the writing sample and during the interview, writing ability, professional work experience and achievements, professional honors and awards, Interest In rural and underserved population groups, and quality of references/recommendations. The ETSU-TTU DNP Program Admission Committee may recommend admission to a promising applicant who has not met all the admission standards on a conditional or provisional basis. The completed application form and fee, official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work, essay, documentation of nursing licensure in the United States, MSN certification(where applicable), letters of recommendation and resume or vita must be submitted to the ETSU School of Graduate Studies or the Tennessee Tech Graduate College, depending upon the applicant’s home school. International students must also forward the additionally required documentation to the appropriate home school.

Doctorate of Nursing Practice Catalog

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Online Doctor of Education (EdD) Programs in Tennessee

There are nine schools in Tennessee that offer Doctor of Education degrees online. Austin Peay State University, Carson-Newman University, East Tennessee State University, Lipscomb University, Middle Tennessee State University, Trevecca Nazarene University, Union University, University of Memphis, and Vanderbilt University all have EdD programs students can pursue primarily or entirely online. A total of eleven online programs are available through these universities, in specializations ranging from P-12 School Administration or Higher Education Leadership to Instructional Design and Technology, Adult Education, School Improvement, Educational Leadership, Global Sport Leadership, and Assessment, Learning, and Student Success.

All of the schools listed on this page are nonprofit institutions, regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Every department discussed below is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Schools in Tennessee with Online EdD Programs

Austin Peay State University in Clarksville offers an online EdD in Educational Leadership with concentrations in K-12 Leadership, Higher Education Administration, Literacy Studies, Nurse Educator, and Socioscientific Studies through its Eriksson College of Education. This 60-credit program is designed to apply advanced research methods to the identification and solving of complex problems in education-related spaces. Students also learn how to foster professional development for themselves and their peers within their organizations while also supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Core classes in this program include Theories of Leadership, Contemporary Approaches to Educational Problems, Organizational Development, Team-Building and Group Dynamics, Multicultural Leadership, Program Planning and Evaluation, Strategic Planning and Decision Making, and Research Design.

From there, students take courses according to their concentration, which can include classes such as Schoolwide Interventions and Inclusive Practices, Supervision of Curriculum and Instruction, Higher Education Administration, Designing Effective Professional Learning, The Nurse Educator, Advanced Clinical Decision Making and Concepts for Doctoral Students, Theory and Practice of Literary Education, Critical Literary Practices in Schools and Communities, Socioscientific Issues in Education, and Leading Integration of STEM Instruction. As their culminating experience in the program, students complete a five-chapter dissertation through which they study an educational challenge, examine how to address it, implement an intervention, and monitor progress or improvement at the organizational and/or systemic level. During their work, students receive support and mentorship from faculty.

Located in Jefferson City, Carson-Newman University’s Department of Adult and Graduate Studies offers a Doctorate of Education that students can pursue online in one of two concentrations: Administrative Leadership or Curriculum and Instruction Leadership. Both tracks require 57 semester hours beyond a master’s degree and are designed to be completed in roughly three years. All students take a core curriculum consisting of courses in Foundations of Leadership, Educational Leadership Theory and Policy Analysis, Organizational Leadership, and Ethical, Social, and Spiritual Leadership Principles, as well as a research core focused on quantitative and qualitative research design and analysis.

Those who choose the Administrative Leadership concentration can expect to complete additional coursework in topic areas such as Legal and Ethical Issues, Professional Learning Communities, Financial Planning and Responsibilities, Management of the School, and Emergent Educational Leadership Topics and Trends, while the Curriculum and Instruction Leadership track contains concentration classes in Curriculum and Instruction Strategies, The Teacher as Leader, Evaluation for Continuous Improvement, and Diversity and Exceptionality Practice and Theory. Carson-Newman’s Educational Leadership EdD program is delivered entirely online, with no campus residency requirements. However, students must complete a mentored internship worth three credit hours.

East Tennessee State University in Johnson City has two different Doctor of Education programs available for online study. The first, offered by their Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, is an EdD in Educational Leadership, with concentrations in Higher Education Leadership, School Leadership, or Administrative Endorsement. Each degree track requires a minimum of 66 credit hours, including an internship experience. Besides this, the program is fully online. Coursework is delivered through asynchronous instruction, meaning there are no specific log in times to view lectures or participate in class discussions. Instead of a traditional on-campus residency, students take part in various technology-enhanced residency activities throughout their studies, such as blogs or online book clubs hosted by program faculty.

Along with this program, East Tennessee State offers a Doctorate of Education in Global Sport Leadership online through its School of Graduate Studies. This 60-credit EdD helps prepare students for high-level management roles in academic or professional sports, with a focus on internal operations, external operations, research, and analytics. Courses cover topics such as Strategic Thinking and Planning for Global Sport Leaders, Interpersonal Relationships in Sport, Sport Branding and Marking, Organizational Behavior for Sport Leaders, Effect of Global Governing Bodies on Sport Leadership, Interpreting and Applying Analytics in Sport, and Law and Negotiation for Sport Leaders. While coursework is delivered entirely online, the program includes global study abroad components, such as a two-week field trip and attendance at an international sporting event. In lieu of a traditional dissertation, students complete a Doctoral Capstone digital portfolio as their culminating experience in which they outline their personal leadership philosophy, compiling work from throughout their studies to support their unique set of leadership principles and best practices.

Lipscomb University in Nashville offers an online Doctor of Education in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change, designed for K-12 or higher education professionals who want to advance their expertise in educational leadership, theory, research, practice, collaboration, innovation, and more. Available through the College of Education, this faith-based program consists of 54 credit hours and is designed to be completed in three years. The curriculum includes a particular focus on organizational change, ethics, and global perspectives on learning, with courses in areas such as Organizational Theory and Practice, Change Management, Brain-Based Research, Comparative and International Education, Strategic Planning and Assessment, Ethical Behavior in Education, and Legal and Political Issues in Leadership. Three on-campus intensives are required, held Thursday through Saturday at different points throughout the program. Additionally, there is a 10-day international experience that takes place during the summer semester at the end of the first year. Online students are also required to travel to campus at the end of the program to defend their capstone research results.

Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro offers an online EdD in Assessment, Learning, and Student Success with concentrations in both Higher Education and School Improvement through its College of Graduate Studies. This program is 100% online and is comprised of 60-72 credits, depending on how many credits students must devote to their dissertation work. Students of the Higher Education concentration complete 12 credits of core courses such as Educational Statistics, Qualitative Research Methodologies, and Application and Research Seminars in Student Learning, Student Success, and Assessing Student Learning. Other required courses include Measurement and Assessment in Higher Education, The Ethics of Higher Education, Studies in Leadership, Legal Issues in Higher Education, Instructional Development in Higher Education, and Evaluation in Higher Education. After their required coursework, students can choose two electives, which can include a College Teaching Practicum, Online Course Development for Higher Education, Issues in Higher Education, and/or a Seminar in Educational Foundations. Students of the School Improvement concentration take four themed course sequences. The first is a Student Learning Core that includes courses in Cognitive Learning Theory and Student Achievement; Implementing a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum; and Teacher Observation, Evaluation, and Improvement. Following this, students fulfill an Assessment Core that features courses in Assessment Literacy; Formative Assessments and Improved Student Learning; and Data Analysis, Learning, and School Improvement. Finally, students complete a Research-Based School Improvement Core, with courses such as Highly Effective Schools and School Districts, Schools as Professional Learning Communities, and Collaborative Teaming and Effective Schools. Students of this concentration also take courses in Educational Statistics and Qualitative Research Methods.

In addition to successfully passing their classes, students of the EdD in Assessment, Learning, and Student Success must complete a research article and submit it to a peer-reviewed professional journal, present research at a regional or national educational conference that has been approved by the program director, and pass a comprehensive examination that reflects their mastery of the overall coursework in the program. Their culminating experience in the program is the dissertation, which consists of a research problem that is pertinent to students’ work context, and one which they want to address through the research methodologies they have learned in the program.

In Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University’s School of Education has an online Doctor of Education in Leadership with Tracks in Higher Education, Consulting and Coaching, Enterprise Leading and Managing, Health Care Administration, Pre-K-12 District Leadership, and Professional Practice. Students can complete this 57-credit program in about 27 months. Core courses in this program cover Scientifically Based Practice, Strategic Policy and Planning, Transformational Learning, Cultural Influences, Applied Leadership, Ethical Leadership, Intrapersonal Effectiveness, Collaborative Teamwork and Team Development, Creating Effective Organizations, and Technology Based Statistics. From there, students take track-specific coursework. For example, students of the Higher Education track take classes in Higher Education Leadership and Administration, Teaching in Higher Education, and a Teaching Practicum, while the Health Care Administration track features courses in Change Management and Negotiation Strategies, The Culturally Competent Healthcare Leader, and Quality Systems Management and Regulatory Affairs. Trevecca’s EdD in Leadership is offered 100 percent online, with no in-person requirements. Courses are delivered asynchronously using the Blackboard learning management system, and students engage with their cohort classmates and instructors through email and weekly online discussion posts.

At Union University in Jackson, students can pursue a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership online with a focus on either P-12 School Administration or Higher Education. Both specializations are offered by the university’s School of Education, and feature a blend of theory and practice based on both classic knowledge and current research. The P-12 School Administration degree option has three areas of concentrations to choose from: Instructional Leadership, Teacher Leadership, or Leadership in School Reform. The Instructional Leadership track offers students the opportunity to earn licensure while completing their degree, while the other two options are non-licensure tracks, for those who already have a license or significant leadership experience. Each is fully online and designed to be completed in three years. The Higher Education specialization, on the other hand, requires a two-week summer residency and takes around three and a half years to finish. Students who choose this focus can expect to study a range of topics related to managing postsecondary institutions, such as Higher Education Law, Strategic Planning and Marketing for Higher Education, Higher Education Finance, The American College Student, Curriculum Design and Evaluation in Higher Education, and Higher Education Policy and Assessment.

The University of Memphis (UofM) has two EdD programs students can complete entirely online, making no visits to campus during their studies. The first is a Doctorate of Education in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership with a focus on Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) offered by their College of Education’s Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership. This 54-program helps students become experts in the development and implementation of instructional methods and materials, teaching them how to effectively analyze and improve all sorts of learning environments. UofM also offers a Doctorate of Education in Higher and Adult Education online, available through the College of Education’s Department of Leadership. Students can choose to concentrate in either Adult Education or Higher Education, depending on their professional goals. The Higher Education track is designed primarily for those interested in senior-level administrative positions at public or private colleges or universities, or other higher education-related agencies, boards, or commissions. The Adult Education track may also lead to these types of roles, but focuses specifically on the cognitive development of adult students and unique challenges inherit in teaching this demographic.

Finally, Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development, located in Nashville, offers a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations online through its Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations. The program includes a 54-credit curriculum, but a total of 84 credit hours are needed in order to graduate. This means students will need to transfer 30 credits toward the 84 required to graduate. (Students who hold a master’s degree or those with a bachelor’s and at least 30 graduate-level credits are both eligible to apply.) Coursework in the EdD program focuses on three key competency areas: Leadership and Organizational Development, Data and Analytics, and Learning and Design. Examples of course topics include Leadership Theory and Practice, Organizational Theory and Behavior, Psychological Perspectives on Learning, Research Design, Applied Statistics, Economics of Human Resources, and Public Policy and Administration. Instruction is delivered synchronously, through weekly online classes held live via webcam. There are also three on-campus residency sessions, which give students the chance to meet with their peers and professors in person and collaborate on hands-on projects and creative problem-solving activities.

Online EdD Programs in Tennessee

The following is a comprehensive list of Doctor of Education programs offered online by schools in Tennessee. To learn more about any of the EdD tracks discussed on this page, click the corresponding link below to visit the program’s website.

Austin Peay State University

Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership with Concentrations in K-12 Leadership, Higher Education Administration, Literacy Studies, Nurse Educator, and Socioscientific Studies (Masters to Doctorate)

Carson-Newman University

Online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) (with Concentrations in Administrative Leadership, and Curriculum and Instruction Leadership) (Masters to Doctorate)

East Tennessee State University

Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (with Concentrations in Higher Education Leadership, School Leadership, and Administrative Endorsement) (Masters to Doctorate)

Online Doctorate of Education in Global Sport Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)

Lipscomb University

Online Doctor of Education in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change (Masters to Doctorate)

Middle Tennessee State University

Online Ed.D. in Assessment, Learning, and Student Success with Concentrations in Higher Education, and School Improvement (Bachelors to Doctorate)

Trevecca Nazarene University

Online Doctor of Education in Leadership (with Tracks in Higher Education, Consulting and Coaching, Enterprise Leading and Managing, Health Care Administration, Pre-K-12 District Leadership, and Professional Practice) (Masters to Doctorate)

Union University

Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership (with Specializations in Higher Education, and P-12 School Administration with Concentrations in Instructional Leadership (Licensure Track), Teacher Leadership (Non-Licensure Track), and Leadership in School Reform (Non-Licensure Track)) (Masters to Doctorate)

University of Memphis

Online Doctorate of Education in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership - Instructional Design and Technology (Masters to Doctorate)

Online Doctorate of Education in Higher and Adult Education (with Concentrations in Adult Education, and Higher Education) (Masters to Doctorate)

Vanderbilt University

Online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations (Masters to Doctorate (or Bachelor's plus 30 graduate credits))

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