Doctor of Education
THE INVESTMENT in Leadership & Innovation
2026-2027
Elevate Your Leadership Potential
Midland University graduate and professional programs are developed and taught by industry experts in a supportive, interactive environment with resources to help you succeed. Our goal is to advance your purpose and your career. The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Innovation is a rigorous, cohort-based program designed for professionals from a range of industries who are committed to driving positive systemic change within their organizations. Through a comprehensive curriculum and applied research, students develop the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to identify and pose evidence-based solutions to complex organizational and societal problems.
A Message from our Dean Dear Prospective Midland University Ed.D. Students, If you are considering a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation, you may already be asking important questions about your next chapter: How can I expand my impact? How can I lead meaningful change within my organization, profession, or community? How can advanced study help me turn my experience and aspirations into purposeful action? The Midland University EdD program is designed for professionals who are ready to explore those questions and pursue transformative possibilities. We welcome applicants from diverse disciplines and professional settings who are committed to improving outcomes for the individuals and communities they serve. Your perspective, knowledge, skills, and professional experience will be essential to the strength of our learning community. As part of a cohort of fellow scholars and practitioners, you will have opportunities to learn, collaborate, and grow alongside colleagues who bring a wide range of experiences and insights. Together, you will explore the intersections of leadership, innovation, scholarship, and practice while developing ideas that can create meaningful change. You will also find layers of support designed to help you succeed throughout your doctoral journey. Our faculty and staff are committed to guiding and encouraging students through the challenges and opportunities of doctoral study. They bring expertise, mentorship, and a commitment to connecting academic learning with the goals and contexts of each student. An EdD is more than a degree. It is an opportunity to clarify your vision, deepen your influence, and strengthen your capacity to lead with purpose. Whether you hope to advance in your career, transform your organization, contribute to your profession, or serve your community in new ways, the program can help you connect ambition with meaningful action. At Midland University, you will find more than coursework. You will find challenge, connection, and a community that values the knowledge and experiences you bring. You will be invited to develop as a scholar-practitioner and to imagine how your leadership can help shape the future while remaining rooted in the values that guide your work. We invite you to explore the Midland University Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation and consider how this program might support your goals, your calling, and the difference you hope to make.
Dr. Cammy Romanuck Murphy
80%
34%
ED.D. STUDENTS FROM NEBRASKA
ED.D. STUDENTS ARE ALUMNI
100%
58
EMPLOYED IN AN ALIGNED POSITION
TOTAL MIDLAND DOCTORAL STUDENTS
100%
DISSERTATION DEFENSE PASS RATE
10+
STATES REPRESENTED IN OUR ED.D.
CPED Affiliated Program
The Midland University EdD Program is a proud member of the CPED consortium of more than 135 colleges and schools of education worldwide. CPED is the knowledge forum on the EdD which has committed resources to work together to undertake a critical examination of the Doctorate in Education (EdD) through dialog, experimentation, critical feedback and evaluation. CPED’s vision is to transform the EdD by inspiring all schools of education to apply the CPED Framework to the preparation of educational leaders by becoming well-equipped scholarly practitioners who provide stewardship of the profession and meet the educational challenges of the 21st century.
Practical Dissertation Design
At the heart of our program is the Dissertation-in-Practice (DiP), designed for students to understand and utilize research to positively impact real-world change. Unlike traditional dissertations, our DiP is integrated from start to finish, embedded into coursework across the entire program of study. This approach ensures that students conduct meaningful and manageable research over time, with consistent, guided support from a dedicated faculty member. Writing your applied dissertation is an integral part of your academic journey, not a separate task. It is a developing process where your research grows alongside your learning and leadership development.
STAGE 01
STAGE 02
STAGE 03
STAGE 04
STAGE 05
Identify a Meaningful Challenge
Define the Problem
Plan for Improvement
Put Your Idea into Action
Share the Results & Plan for Improvement
Explore a real-world issue in your professional setting and begin identifying a potential problem of practice.
Use research, professional experience, and stakeholder perspectives to clarify and focus your problem of practice.
Develop a theory of improvement that explains how specific actions could lead to meaningful change.
Implement a promising change idea, innovation, or intervention in a realworld setting. Collect and analyze data to evaluate the impact of your intervention.
YEAR ONE
YEAR TWO
Identify what was learned, present findings that can inform practice, and plan for future improvement.
YEAR THREE
You’ll have access to a comprehensive range of resources and personalized support throughout the dissertation process, including dissertation chapter guidebooks, templates, model dissertation exemplars, and scaffolded writing rhythms embedded throughout your coursework. You’ll also receive one-on-one support from your Dissertation Chair at every stage of the dissertation writing process, helping you move forward with confidence from start to finish.
Curriculum
Through a comprehensive curriculum and applied research, Midland University’s Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation guides students through a purposeful, year-by-year progression of coursework designed to build advanced leadership capacity. The chart below outlines the course sequence and credit load for each year of Midland University’s 3 year EdD program. Leadership: From Theory to Practice Doctoral Seminar Socially Just Leadership
YEAR ONE COURSES
Multiple Perspectives on Teaching and Learning
Total Credit Hours: 21 Organizational Theory and Behavior Qualitative Inquiry for the Scholar-Practitioner Statistical Analysis for Leadership and Change Digging Deeper: Contextualizing the Problem of Practice Human Resources Management
YEAR TWO COURSES Total Credit Hours: 18
Mentoring and Supervision for High Performing Organizations Assessment and Data-Driven Decision-Making Strategic Design for Organizational Learning and Engagement Research Action Plan: The Proposal Applied Ethics Applied Data Collection and Analysis Pt 1
YEAR THREE COURSES Total Credit Hours: 15
Applied Data Collection and Analysis Pt 2 Planning for Continuous Improvement Dissertation in Practice: The Defense
Our EdD is 100% online with flexible, primarily asynchronous courses. Each course runs Monday through Sunday, with most assignments due at the end of the week—allowing students to balance learning with their busy schedules while staying connected.
The Investment
Choosing to join the Midland University doctoral program will connect you to a peer group of like minded professionals choosing to invest in a future of positive change. The chart below outlines estimated tuition and credit load for the 3 year Doctor of Education program. To maintain a high-quality and accessible program, students pay a one-time course fee, which covers all required texts and materials. All other readings and resources are integrated into the course at no additional cost.
The majority of our EdD students typically cover their tuition costs themselves, often utilizing our available payment plan. Many also enhance their funding through federal student aid or educational loans to make the program more financially manageable.
Your advisor will be your greatest resource and advocate as you work through the Admissions process and can explain this outline in greater detail. We are excited you are considering an advanced degree at Midland, and we’re here to support you every step of the way!
YEAR ONE
YEAR TWO
YEAR THREE
Total Credits by Year
21 Credits
18 Credits
15 Credits
Cost per Credit Hour
$575
$575
$575
Student Fee per Credit Hour
$25
$25
$25
$12,600
$10,800
$9,000
Total Cost by Year Books & Materials Fee
Estimated Tuition Investment
$200
$32,600 *Pricing is subject to change.
Federal graduate financial aid is not dependent on income, although the FAFSA requires input from your tax returns. We have found that the a majority of our applicants have been eligible to borrow up to the full cost of the program, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements outlined on the FAFSA.
Useful Student Resources
As an EdD student and valued member of the Midland University community, you'll have access to a variety of resources designed to support you throughout your academic journey. From academic and technology support to career and student services, we're committed to helping you every step of the way. Your success is our top priority, and we're here to ensure you have the tools and support you need to reach your goals.
COHORT COACH From day one, your dedicated Cohort Coach will be there to provide one-onone support. Whether you're navigating your first course or preparing for your dissertation defense, your coach will offer expert guidance throughout your doctoral journey.
DOCTORAL WRITING SUPPORT You’ll have access to a comprehensive range of resources and personalized support throughout the dissertation process. You’ll also receive one-on-one support from your Dissertation Chair at every stage of the dissertation writing process, helping you move forward with confidence from start to finish.
CPED STUDENT NETWORK As a Midland EdD student, you’ll benefit from our membership with the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). This partnership gives you access to national resources, professional development opportunities, and a powerful student network of EdD scholars and practitioners.
ACADEMIC ADVISOR Your advisor will work with you to develop a degree path, provide support should academic challenges arise and celebrate success with you at graduation. The support provided by your advisor will truly set your experience as a Midland University EdD student apart from all other programs!
FACULTY SUPPORT Our caring faculty are fully committed to your success in the classroom and your career trajectory after graduation. Through the delivery of relevant content, engaging learning experiences and support through office hours, you’ll see firsthand that Midland faculty are dedicated to seeing you succeed.
CAREER STUDIO From resume support, to job placement advice to connection of professionals in your intended industry, the Career Studio is a valuable resource ready to push you & your career to the next level.
11213 Davenport St. #100, Omaha, NE 68154 402.941.6226 | graduate.admissions@midlandu.edu midlandu.edu/online