Educational Leadership for Social Justice (Ed.D.)
Our innovative three-year online doctoral program provides the knowledge and skills to become a critically conscious leader who’s ready to make a positive impact in education and community settings.
Learn MoreProgram Overview
The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership for Social Justice is an online, three-year program that is both theoretically grounded and practitioner-focused. It prepares superintendents, principals, policymakers, and leaders of higher education, nonprofit, and community organizations to transform educational settings into inclusive and equitable learning environments. Through your coursework and dissertation research, you can explore specialized topics in PK-12 public, Catholic, private, and charter education, as well as higher education, non-profit, and community-based education and organizations.
Program Details
Degree Awarded
Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership for Social Justice
Cohort Program?
Yes; 18 to 24 students per cohort
Typical Program Length
3 years
46 course units
Estimated Cost
$2,151 per unit plus fees; visit Graduate Cost of Attendance for more details
Teaching Modality/Cohort Size
Online; applicants must reside in eligible U.S. states
Course Meeting Times
Evenings
Next Application Deadline
September 9, 2025
Next Program Start Date
January 12, 2026 (Spring 2026 Term)
Why Choose Us?
LMU’s Ed.D. program is unique among education doctorates in several ways:
- Offered fully online, with evening classes designed for working professionals
- Generous doctoral scholarship available to all eligible admitted students
- Curriculum with social justice at its core
- Cohort model of 18 to 24 students who form a tight-knit community of educators, scholars, and leaders
- Students who reflect the diversity of educational landscapes in Los Angeles and beyond
- Integrated approach to theory and practice that allows educators to apply their knowledge to real-settings
- 1:1 ratio of dissertation chair to student to ensure directed and timely faculty support
Academics
The Ed.D. program is “scaffolded” to ensure that you can complete it in three years, including your doctoral dissertation. You can personalize the program to explore specialized topics in PK-12 public, Catholic, private, and charter school education, as well as higher education, non-profits and community-based education. Ours is the only doctoral program in Southern California designed to cover this full educational spectrum.
As a doctoral candidate, you’ll take classes in leadership, research methodologies, and dissertation seminars. With leadership for social justice at the core of every course, you’ll be guided by renowned faculty who are engaged and connected to the real world of leadership and social justice advocacy in schools and communities.
Admission Requirements
- Completed application
- Application fee (waived upon submission)
- Current resume
- Statement of purpose
- An official transcript from each previously attended college or university
- Two letters of recommendation
- Transcript evaluation (international students only)
- Official TOEFL score (international students only)
- A personal statement of intent
- GRE: Waived for Spring 2026 applicants
Scholarships
All admitted and enrolled students in the Ed.D. program receive a generous merit-based doctoral scholarship. Candidates are provided with further information about it in their letters of acceptance. Need-based scholarships are also available for eligible students.
In addition, applicants may wish to be considered for a fellowship offered through LMU’s Center for Equity for English Learners (CEEL). CEEL Fellows are expected to become research partners with CEEL faculty, and selected fellows will assist CEEL’s Executive Director and Director of Programs and Partnerships with projects related to educational research and professional learning.
Financial Aid
LMU’s Financial Aid office provides information regarding various types of state and federal financial aid and financing options to cover tuition and fees. Visit their website for further options and details on graduate student financial aid, cost of living, and other valuable resources.
Eligible applicants can also explore LMU’s graduate aid resources page for information on California DREAM Act aid and assistance.
From the Program Directors
Thank you for your interest in LMU’s doctoral proram in Educational Leadership for Social Justice! Our online three-year cohort program equips practitioner-scholars to lead change in their organizations. Centered on values-based education and built to accommodate working professionals, our curriculum connects theory to practice and is designed to analyze the nuances of today’s challenges in education. We’re confident our program will empower you to thrive in your career.
We encourage you to attend an information session, tour our campus, or schedule a meeting with our recruitment team. We look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cynthia Alcantar and Dr. Dolores Delgado Bernal
Co-Directors, Doctoral Program
Careers
The doctoral program in educational leadership for social justice is designed for experienced professionals who have already been working in education, but want to explore a topic of interest in depth and are seeking to further their careers. Our alumni thrive in a variety of employment settings, including:
- PK-12 education
- Higher education
- Community and non-profit organizations
- Local, state, and federal government agencies
- Private practice
- More
