Doctor Of Education Edmonton
Program Overview
Credits and Length: The 51-credit cohort program is designed to be completed in 3 years. Students enroll in 5-6 credits in 3 contiguous semesters (summer, fall, spring) during 3 consecutive years of study. Part-time options may be planned individually based on consultation and transfer credit.
Integration of a Leadership and Learning Concentration: Edmonton EdD candidates complete a 15-credit organizational leadership and development concentration within the program.
State-of-the-Art EdD Core Curriculum: All students complete a 21-credit core curriculum that bridges theory, best practices, and applied research for immediate impact on the profession.
Dedicated Faculty and Professional Network: Our full-time faculty hold doctoral degrees from leading national institutions of education, and our clinical faculty bring expertise and applied experience around the challenges of learning and leading. Our Educational and Teacher Leadership Boards and alumni network, 7,500 strong, connect EdD candidates with opportunities for mentorship and leadership advancement.
Thoughtfully Crafted Cohorts: EdD students are carefully selected and form learning communities with faculty around areas of interest, study, and research. A new cohort of Edmonton EdD candidates begins every three years during the summer (May) and progresses toward faculty-led seminars that culminate in the prospectus and dissertation focused on applied issues in the field.
Convenient Course Delivery Model: Courses are delivered in Edmonton and taught by UP School of Education faculty. Students enroll in two courses per semester. Generally, each course meets three times per semester for three consecutive evening and weekend days. However, in the summers, one of the courses may have an intensive, week-long meeting in lieu of a third class meeting.
Competitive Tuition and No Fees: Edmonton EdD candidates pay the same tuition rate as Portland (on-campus) EdD candidates. There is no fee to apply to the program and there are no hidden program fees once admitted. Tuition assistance, grants, and coverage of living expenses are available through Student Aid Alberta. Candidates who need to extend their program beyond three years in order to complete their dissertation pay a minimal fee each semester until the dissertation is defended and the program is completed.
Pre-candidacy evaluation. In the first two years of the program, students complete core and area of concentration courses that lay the foundation for the completion of the dissertation. During the sixth semester, students will submit a Qualifying Paper that presents a critical literature review of scholarship pertaining to the topic area they wish to study for their dissertation. The Qualifying Paper is a required step in the process towards development of a Dissertation Proposal.
Post-candidacy evaluation. In the second year of the program, a doctoral committee is established to support the student's independent research. Each Edmonton student's doctoral committee, in addition to the Chair, must include at least three voting members: one member will be from the UP School of Education, the second member will be a UP Graduate School representative outside of the School of Education, and the third member will be from an external peer institution.
Proposal Defense. Once a student's doctoral committee Chair reviews his/her Qualifying Paper and determined that he/she may progress to writing his/her Dissertation Proposal, the student will prepare a prospectus for an oral defense to members of his/her doctoral committee. The focus of this defense will be to ensure that the student's dissertation project is well-conceived, and the individual is prepared to begin conducting the proposed research independently.
Dissertation Defense. Upon completion of the dissertation, an oral defense will be conducted by the candidate to his/her doctoral committee. The purpose of the defense is to confirm three elements of the dissertation: (a) the candidate's mastery of methodology employed in the dissertation study, (b) the appropriateness of findings in relation to the methods employed, and (c) the clarity of communication.Information, Consultation, and Advising Sessions: For general questions about the Edmonton EdD program and questions related to transfer credits, please contact Dr. Julie Kalnin, kalnin@up.edu.
Edmonton EdD Admission Process
The next Edmonton EdD cohort is projected to begin in summer (May) 2026. The application review process begins on November 1. Interview invitations and admission notifications will be extended until the cohort is full.
There is no fee to apply to the program. Review the current graduate program tuition rates. Tuition assistance, grants, and coverage of living expenses are available through Student Aid Alberta.
Transfer Credit
All transfer credits must be pre-approved by the Associate Dean. Required EdD core, prospectus, and dissertation courses and credits may not be satisfied through transfer credit. A maximum of 12 post master's transfer credits may be accepted toward the Organizational Leadership and Development area of concentration, resulting in a lighter credit load during certain semesters in the EdD program. For questions related to transfer credits, please contact Dr. Julie Kalnin, Graduate Director, kalnin@up.edu.
This program is offered pursuant to the written approval of the Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education, effective July 2015, having undergone a quality assessment process and been found to meet the criteria established by the Minister. Nevertheless, prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (for example, acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies, or other educational institutions). This degree program does not lead to leadership certification currently required for school principals in Alberta.
More than a Degree
University of Portland’s education doctoral program connects you to career-enhancing experiences, a robust and supportive professional network, and the ability to make values-centered decisions.
Competitive Tuition
Edmonton EdD candidates pay the same tuition rate as Portland (on-campus) EdD candidates. There is no fee to apply to the program and there are no hidden program fees once admitted. Tuition assistance, grants, and coverage of living expenses are available through Student Aid Alberta.
Convenient Course Delivery Model
Courses are delivered in Edmonton and taught by UP School of Education faculty. Students enroll in two courses per semester. Generally, each course meets three times per semester for three consecutive evening and weekend days. However, in the summers, one of the courses may have an intensive, week-long meeting in lieu of a third class meeting.
Holy Cross Tradition
At UP, our Holy Cross heritage inspires a transformative educational experience that prioritizes ethical leadership and innovative solutions designed to make a meaningful impact on students across the country.
The UP Difference
Learn what defines the UP experience.
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Accredited
All programs in the School of Education are approved by Oregon (TSPC) and accredited nationally (NCATE/CAEP), with distinctions in the areas of evidence-based programming, faculty experience, and community outreach.
Average Education Class size
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Private University in the West by U.S. News & World Report
Inspire, Lead, and Educate
The doctor of education program at University of Portland is a comprehensive experience that equips you with the skills and credibility to lead institutions, shape policy, and drive systemic improvements. Apply now to the EdD program!