A Doctoral Program Designed for Working Professionals
Our Ed.D. program in leadership and administration will expand your leadership skills and help you reach a higher-level position in your career.
Select from two options to choose the format that works best with your schedule, learning style and needs:
Fully Online – Perfect for those who require flexibility, our fully online option allows you to balance your coursework with the demands of your daily schedule.
Livestream Campus – Participate in live, real-time instruction from the comfort of your home, office or whatever location you choose. This new option allows students to learn remotely while benefiting from live interaction with professors and fellow cohort members one evening a week in eight-week courses. Learn more about this option in this Q&A.
We now offer May and August start dates. Our summer start date is May 4, 2025, and our fall start date is Aug. 24, 2025.
Your leadership is needed in organizations today and your degree will open doors you never imagined, both now and in the future. You can complete our 54-credit, cohort-style degree program in just three years — or less — if transferring in post-master's credits.
Transfer in up to 18 post-master's credits; if fewer than 18 credits are transferred, the remainder of courses needed will be selected from the professional leadership track by the program director. Please note that transfer credits may come from any discipline as long as they are at the graduate level and from a regionally accredited university.
Courses run year-round and are divided into eight-week sessions (two classes per semester), earning you 18 credits per year for a total of 36 credits (for the two-year program) or 54 credits (for the three-year program.)
Since this is a cohort program, you will be with the same group of peers in all of your core courses.
Courses are offered fully online or via livestream, making it possible for working professionals to meet family and personal obligations while finishing all required courses — as well as a dissertation — in three years or less.
Residency Requirements
Residency is met by completing three consecutive semesters of study in the program with a minimum of six hours of course work per semester. Summer, fall and spring semesters are counted toward residency.
In addition, if you are transferring in credits, you will be required to attend six, day-long seminars, two each academic semester.
These seminars will address the theory and performance of the six domains central to the study of leadership in this program: authenticity, vision, culture, quality, service and communication.
You may take these seminars in conjunction with core courses. During the academic year, seminars are typically held virtually on Saturdays.
Meet Our Faculty
Karen S. McIntyre, Ph.D., professor of education and director of the Ed.D. in Leadership and Administration program
Dr. McIntyre served as Point Park University's provost, senior vice president for academic and student affairs and dean of faculty. She has held leadership positions with The Education Policy and Issues Center, Pittsburgh Public Schools and the Diocese of Pittsburgh Catholic Schools.
Linda Hippert, Ed.D., associate professor of education and coordinator of the superintendent letter of eligibility program, M.Ed. in Secondary Education and M.Ed. and M.A. in Learning, Design and Technology
Prior to joining Point Park, Dr. Hippert was the executive director of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, a regional public education agency and liaison to the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the 42 schools districts in suburban Allegheny County.
Richard Gutkind, Ph.D., professor of education and director of master's programs in the School of Education
Prior to Point Park, Dr. Gutkind had a 35-year career holding various positions for the Pittsburgh Public Schools including mathematics teacher at two schools, supervisor of a Title I mathematics program and assistant principal at two schools.
Elisabeth Ehrlich, Ed.D., senior lecturer of education and coordinator of the Principal Certificate and M.A. in Educational Administration
While teaching at Point Park as a part-time instructor, Ehrlich was assistant superintendent for Clairton City School District. Before that, she was the elementary principal for Highlands School District.
Vincenne Revilla Beltrán, Ph.D., professor of education
While Dr. Revilla Beltrán's expertise is broad-based, her areas of specialization include visionary leadership, program planning, self-reflective professional practice, mental health, self-care, adult education and professional development, online and virtual teaching, multicultural edu...
Our Ed.D. degree in leadership and administration is one of the most affordable doctoral programs in the Pittsburgh region.
Visit our Tuition and Costs page to view current rates. Tuition for students is locked in based on when they start the program while fees are subject to change each year.
Other key benefits of the program include:
Program is offered fully online and via livestream courses
Two start dates offered in May and August
Option to transfer in up to 18 post-master's degree credits
Cohort model of learning for peer-to-peer support
Ability to work closely with a mentor in your chosen field
Courses based on an interdisciplinary framework
Consistent evening schedules with class one night per week (same night) for each eight-week course for livestream students
Faculty and guest speakers from diverse disciplines
Introductory course on research writing, giving you guidance early on in the program
Feedback provided by faculty throughout the dissertation process
Affording Your Degree
The following options can help you afford your Ed.D.:
*With its already affordable cost, the Ed.D. program is not eligible for tuition discount programs.
Meet Our Successful Students & Alumni
Alumna and Fox Chapel Librarian Laura Ward Reflects on School of Education Experience, Outstanding Pennsylvania School Library Award
As the librarian at Fox Chapel Area High School, Point Park University alumna Laura Ward's hard work was recently recognized with the Outstanding Pennsylvania School Library Award from the Pennsylvania School Library Association (PSLA).
Leadership and Administration Alumnus Tyler Cook '20 is a Published Author and Elementary School Principal
"Point Park finds the perfect balance of theory, application and real-world experience. The Ed.D. program is scaffolded in a way that develops your understanding of leadership theory and then empowers you to apply it to your everyday life in a practical and impactful way."
Leadership and Administration Alumna Sherlyn Harrison, Ed.D., is the Managing Director of Programs & Operations at Pittsburgh Scholar House
"At Point Park, you do not have to sacrifice your life and work to complete a degree because Point Park promotes academic excellence while focusing on student needs."
'Who You are is How You Lead': Autumn Turk '20 Reflects on Benefits of Point Park's Leadership and Administration Program
"Through my coursework and learning experiences at Point Park, I learned the importance of understanding adult learning and that we as leaders need to be mindful of adult learning theory when designing professional development for our teachers."
Leadership and Administration Alumna Aspen Mock '18 Nominated for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year
"I would recommend Point Park University's Leadership and Administration program because it is an opportunity to empower lifelong learners along their leadership journeys, shaping their paths so they can make profound contributions in their fields."
