Degrees That Matter
Why Gwynedd Mercy University’s
Doctor of Education (EdD) Program?
Competitive Graduation Rate
A graduation rate of 76% in 4 years vs. 56.6% nationally over a 10 year period.
Award Winning Program
Winner of the 2021 Khaladjan International Award for Innovation in Higher Education from the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA).
Innovative Dissertation Support
Dissertation advising that begins on day one, so you finish on time.
Accelerated Programs
Accelerated schedules, so you can complete your doctoral degree faster.
Customize Your EdD Journey
Leadership in Higher Education
In this concentration, you will develop skills for informed, effective administrative leadership. Courses cover finance, policy, and leveraging instructional and educational technology to drive better teaching, retainment, and student services.
Leadership in PK-12 Schools and Districts
Study school district governance so you can productively manage relationships, navigate fiscal issues and support teachers, staff, and students. Course content focuses on strategies for transformational change and fostering community engagement.
Leadership in Special Education
Learn theory and practical skills for coaching, coordinating and leading in special education programs or departments. Course content covers the neuroscience of learning, special education policy, assessment and intervention strategies, and administrative competencies.
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Hone your teaching skills to become an effective, engaging educator in traditional and online post-secondary classrooms while developing leadership capabilities for directing programs and advocating for policy.
All But Dissertation (ABD)
If you are an “A.B.D.” doctoral candidate, we also offer a path to completion in every EdD concentration area. Choose the EdD program that meets your professional goals.
Program Overview From Dr. Bandlow
Program Features
The Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership program empowers you to transform schools, departments, and school districts as an administrative leader, department supervisor, or more effective teacher.
Key facts:
- Mostly online with two residencies at our Gwynedd Valley, PA campus and one international experience.
- 54-60 credits of courses, depending on the concentration and certification options you choose.
- Additional certification options (Superintendent and Special Education Supervision) are available to students.
Global Residency Experience
In addition to two mandatory residencies at the Gwynedd Valley campus, one a weekend and the other a week in the summer, students will experience a third residency in Ireland. Built into the tuition, students will spend a one-week trip to one of the Ireland Sisters of Mercy Universities, learning about global trends in education.
Hear From our Alumni
“GMercyU’s faculty and staff not only gave me the opportunity to embark on their doctoral program but also supported me all the way through the completion of my Doctoral Journey. I cherished their consistent support, invaluable feedback, and words of encouragement in every course. I especially enjoyed the memories from each residency, particularly in Ireland, and valued connecting with everyone beyond the classroom.”
—Dr. Allan Cosma Sr., District Associate Vice Chancellor of Wayne County Community College District and GMercyU EdD 2023 graduate
Unique Approach to
Dissertation Support
GMercyU’s Professor and Director of Doctoral Studies in Education Raymond Bandlow, PhD created an innovative approach to doctoral program completion that lead to strong student outcomes and national attention.
The graduation rate for GMercyU’s EdD is 76% in 4 years vs. 56.6% nationally over a 10 year period.
At GMercyU, each newly-enrolled doctoral student is assigned to a dissertation advisor in the first course. The dissertation advisor guides the doctoral student through a series of dissertation advisement courses scheduled throughout the course of study to ensure that the student meets benchmarks of progress.
Program Details
The Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership program and certification programs enroll new students twice a year, each spring and fall.
Spring 2025
Doctorate of Education
- Start Date: February 24, 2025
Superintendent Letter of Eligibility Certificate
- Start Date: February 24, 2025
Special Education Supervisor Certification
- Start Date: March 17, 2025
Fall 2025
Doctorate of Education
- Start Date: TBD
Superintendent Letter of Eligibility Certificate
- Start Date: TBD
Special Education Supervisor Certification
- Start Date: TBD
All our doctoral programs are for professionals who hold a master’s degree in education or a related discipline from an accredited university.
First-time doctoral students will need to provide the following to apply:
- Proof of a master’s degree in a field related to the student’s preferred area of concentration from a regionally accredited institution, or comparable accreditation, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
- Your official graduate transcripts.
- A professional resume showing a minimum of three years relevant experience.
- Three letters of reference from persons in leadership roles attesting that you have the ability to engage in studies at the doctoral level and to conduct research.
- A written statement of your professional goals and topic of research interest.
- A writing sample of 750-1,500 words.
- Official results showing a minimum score of 550 (written), 213 (computer), or 79 (Internet) on the TOEFL examination, if your first language is not English.
- Personal interviews may be required for any candidates as determined by the admissions committee and can be conducted via electronic means, if necessary.
ABD students must provide the following to apply:
- ABD, Advancing to Doctoral Candidacy (ADC), or equivalent status from a regionally accredited institution (status must be in Education*).
- *Individuals who are ABD in a discipline other than Education and have spent significant time as a teaching professional in higher education will be considered for admission to the Teaching and Learning in Higher Education pathway.
- Official graduate transcripts.
- Resume showing professional experience- minimum of three years’ relevant experience recommended.
- Three letters of reference from persons in leadership roles in the applicant’s chosen area of concentration.
- A personal interview with graduate faculty (video conferencing is available).
- Written statement of professional goals and topic of research interest.
- Non-U.S. applicants need a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (written), 213 (computer), or 79 (Internet).
Estimated 2024-2025 costs: $1,130 per credit hour
- Doctorate of Education ($61,020 for the complete 54-credit program)
- ABD Program ($30,510 for the complete 27-credit program)
Fees: The administrative costs of your education are covered through fees. Fees are not refundable. To learn more about tuition and fees, contact an enrollment representative today.
Financial Aid: To learn how to determine your Financial Aid eligibility, please contact the financial aid office at nontermaid@gmercyu.edu or 877-499-6333.
- Developing a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Organization
- Dissertation Advisement I
- Dissertation Advisement II
- Dissertation Advisement III
- Dissertation Advisement IV
- Educational Policy in Research and Practice in the U.S.
- The Ethics of Educational Leadership and Policy
- Equity, Equality and Equal Opportunity
- Foundations of Educational Research
- Global Educational Policy and Practice
- Labor Relations and Fiscal Management
- Qualitative Educational Research Methods
- Quantitative Educational Research Methods
- School Boards and School District Governance
- School Law and Policy in Special Education
- Social Justice, Systems of Power, and Cultural Identity
- The Superintendency
- Transformational Leadership for Holistic Achievement
- Designing Interventions and Assessing Outcomes
- Dissertation Advisement I
- Dissertation Advisement II
- Dissertation Advisement III
- Dissertation Advisement IV
- Educational Policy in Research and Practice in the U.S.
- The Ethics of Educational Leadership and Policy
- Equity, Equality and Equal Opportunity
- Foundations of Educational Research
- Foundations of Special Education Administration
- Global Educational Policy and Practice
- Neuroscience of Learning
- Organizational Research and Theory Development
- Quantitative Educational Research Methods
- Qualitative Educational Research Methods
- School Law and Policy in Special Education
- Social Justice, Systems of Power, and Cultural Identity
- Supervision / Administration of Special Education
- Dissertation Advisement I
- Dissertation Advisement II
- Dissertation Advisement III
- Dissertation Advisement IV
- Educational Policy in Research and Practice in the U.S.
- Enrollment Management in Higher Education
- The Ethics of Educational Leadership and Policy
- Equity, Equality and Equal Opportunity
- Equity-Minded Innovations in Higher Education
- Finance and Fiscal Policy in Higher Education
- Foundations of Educational Research Methods
- Global Educational Policy and Practice
- Leadership and Administration of Higher Education
- Legal Issues for Inclusive Higher Education
- Organizational Research and Theory Development
- Quantitative Educational Research Methods
- Qualitative Educational Research Methods
- Social Justice, Systems of Power, and Cultural Identity
- Advancing Social Justice Through the Faculty Role (with week residency)
- College Student Development Theory
- Crisis in the Classroom
- Curriculum Development and Academic Program Design
- Dissertation Advisement I
- Dissertation Advisement II
- Dissertation Advisement III
- Dissertation Advisement IV
- Equity, Equality, and Equal Opportunity
- Foundations of Educational Research Method
- Foundations of Teaching and Learning (with weekend residency)
- Global Education Policy (with week residency)
- Innovative Practices for Online Instruction and E-Learning Technology
- Learning Models and Instructional Design
- Quantitative Educational Research Methods
- Qualitative Educational Research Methods
- Social Justice, Systems of Power, and Cultural Identity
- Teaching Adults and Adult Learning Theory
Additional Certificates
Earn Your
Superintendent Letter of Eligibility
If you are an administrator or principal with at least three years of experience, you can also pursue your Superintendent Letter of Eligibility through this concentration or as a standalone certification.
If you earn the Superintendent Letter of Eligibility as part of your EdD program, you will take an additional six credits, bringing your program total to 60.
For students taking the Superintendent Letter of Eligibility as a stand-alone certification, the program consists of 15 credit hours for those with a principal certificate, up to 24 credit hours for those who do not.
Earn Your
Special Education Supervisor Certification
If you hold Special Education Certification with a Subject Certification, you have the option to earn your Supervisor of Special Education Certification as part of this EdD concentration program or as a standalone certification program.
If you pursue the certification as part of your EdD, you take an additional six credits, bringing the total for your EdD to 60 credits.
If you enroll in the certification program as a stand-alone option, you will take 15 credits.
Ready to get the
dissertation support
you need?
Contact Gwynedd Mercy University today to learn more about our dissertation support and multiple degree options.