College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions

EdD in Educational Leadership for Social Justice

About Our Program

Our EdD program focuses on high-impact, practical research that makes a difference at your institution. Hear more from our students and faculty in this short video.

Special Features of the Program

• We deliberately seek to maintain a diverse student body, drawn from universities, colleges, schools, health-related professions, government, and human service organizations. These individuals are typically fully employed, bringing with them significant work experience and dedication to improving their respective constituencies.
• Admission is granted in the fall and spring semesters. Students may enter the program into any of the three course blocks (A, B, C). If students choose to enter during a summer session, they will begin coursework concerning early discussion regarding research interest and possible scholarly trajectories.
• The diversity of each cohort lends itself to vibrant student-faculty interactions in and out of the classroom. This, in turn, leads to a sense of shared commitment to acquiring knowledge, developing and practicing leadership skills, and conducting research in the context of “a private University with a public purpose.”

Our Alumni

Many graduates of our EdD program have advanced to senior leadership positions in education and health care. They include:

Mark Benigni, EdD, Superintendent - Meriden Public Schools; Mayor - City of Meriden, 2001-2008

Steven Minkler, BA, MA, EdD, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Central Connecticut State University

Lisa O’Connor, BS, MSN, EdD - Dean of the School of Nursing, Quinnipiac University

Marisol Aponte Ostrov, EdD, Director - Health Services, Central Connecticut State University

William Perez, EdD, Chief - Fire Department, University of Connecticut

Maria Tackett, EdD, Nursing Director, Professional Practice, Hartford Hospital

Danielle Wilken, EdD, President, University of Bridgeport

Degree Requirements

Students complete a minimum of 51 credit hours (effective Fall 2023) beyond an earned master’s degree in order to be eligible to receive the Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in Social Justice.

Program Completion Plan

EdD Program News

Congratulations to the most recent graduates from the Educational Leadership doctoral program! The graduate commencement ceremony was held on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at the XL Center, where each graduate was hooded by their faculty research advisor.

Pictured L-R: Professor Karla Loya, Joanne Menard, Amy Donofrio, Miguel Maria, Tamika Davis, Lucy Wang, Professor Karen Case, Professor K. Kayon Morgan. Not pictured: Stephanie Brown and Julie Schlossinger.

Application Process

Application - Phase 1

You must hold a completed master's degree in a related field by the start of your program. We prefer that you have professional experience (minimum of 3 years) and demonstrated professional commitment to equity and social justice. Applicants must also meet for an interview with program faculty.

Admission is granted in the fall and spring semesters. To apply online, use the link below. The following are required materials for the EdD program application:

• Official transcripts from all collegiate coursework
• Letter of Intent indicating area of scholarly interest (e.g., postsecondary instruction, organizational models for higher education, social foundations, research methodologies)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Writing sample
• Essay
• Resume or curriculum vitae

The University of Hartford is not able to support F-1 visas for international students pursuing the EdD program since it is offered in a remote format. International students who do not require an F-1 student visa are welcome to apply. There are additional requirements for international students which can be viewed here.

Faculty members in the program review applications on a rolling basis, typically once a month.

Interview - Phase 2

Once the faculty has reviewed an application, you may receive notification requesting an interview with a member of the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership faculty. The admission interview is the last phase in the application process.

Upon acceptance into the program, students are required to pay a $300 non-refundable deposit which will be applied to their tuition.

Deadlines and Dates

Admission into the EdD program can occur for the summer, fall, or spring semester. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis. Prospective students should submit completed materials as soon as possible. The admission committee will review complete applications in the order in which they are received.

Additional Information