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 a fully 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.
Choose Your Path
Candidates may personalize the program to align with their career trajectory. You can explore specialized topics in PK-12 public, Catholic, private, and charter education, as well as higher education, nonprofit, and community-based education.
Program Details
Degree Awarded
- Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership for Social Justice (Ed.D.)
Cohort Program?
Yes
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
18 to 24 students per cohort
Course Meeting Times
Evening Classes
Next Application Deadline
September 9, 2025
Next Program Start Date
January 12, 2026 (Spring 2026 Term)
Admission Requirements
- A completed online application
- Application fee (waived upon submission)
- Current resume
- Statement of purpose (two to three typed, double-spaced pages in 12-point font) that addresses:
- Why you want to pursue this degree at LMU
- How your formal and informal leadership experiences have informed your understanding of social justice
- How the Ed.D. degree fits your career plans
- Areas or topics of research interest
- 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
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