Leadership Doctor of Education

Tuition fees for Leadership Doctor of Education are 12,009 USD per year.

The Doctor of Education in Leadership program is designed for experienced and practicing professionals across various sectors including education, business, and healthcare. It focuses on the practical and theoretical study of leadership, strategic management, research, technology, evaluation, assessment, and analytics. A distinctive feature is the option for students to complete either a dissertation or a capstone project.

The program requires a minimum of 42 credits, distributed across coursework, a comprehensive exam, and either a dissertation or capstone project, with continual enrollment required throughout.

Admission is cohort-based, beginning each fall. Applicants must submit a graduate application, resume, statement of interest, and letters of recommendation. Eligibility requires evidence of 30 graduate credits from an accredited institution, either within a completed graduate degree or as aligned credits supported by an essay.

The programme totals about 42 credit hours. Hybrid (mix of online and on-campus) weekend format, designed for working professionals. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 64% of applicants.

Drake University places students in Des Moines, a city with connections to the arts, business, politics, and food. The campus offers an open environment for students who want to begin with a clear academic interest or take time to discover a direction. Hands-on experiences, leadership opportunities, and support designed to help students gain their footing are part of the Drake experience.

Academic options span more than 150 programs across seven colleges and schools. Faculty help students connect classroom learning with research, internships, and other practical experiences. Personalized mentorship is central to the student experience, with faculty available to support students as they work toward their goals. Global perspectives are integrated into campus life through learning alongside students from around the world and opportunities on campus and across the globe.

Community service is also part of learning at Drake. Students, faculty, and staff contribute more than 230,000 hours each year through volunteer work, outreach, and pro-bono service in the Des Moines community. International students can expect a setting that links academic study with local engagement and global perspectives, while the city provides access to cultural, civic, business, and culinary experiences beyond campus.