Lead and Inspire: Which WilmU Ed.D. Degree Is Right for You?   

Are you looking to lead your school or organization to its next level of success? Wilmington University’s College of Education & Liberal Arts offers two Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs to fit your goals and accommodate your schedule.  

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership  

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (EDL) for K-12 teachers and administrators supports you at the classroom, school or district level, using innovative coursework, a hybrid online/face-to-face schedule and accelerated learning options for doctoral study without career disruption.   

“Over half of all public school administrators (in Delaware) will be eligible to retire in the next three years. Are you ready to take the next step as a district leader? Are you ready for a rich career post-K-12?” says Dr. Nancy Carnevale, EDL program chair. “The EDL program prepares and inspires future education leaders by providing both building- and superintendent-level certifications.”  

Dr. Patrick Costigan, a business education teacher and department chair at Glasgow High School in Newark, Delaware, calls earning a doctorate “transformative for my career.” 

“It not only deepened my understanding of effective leadership in diverse educational settings but also gave me the tools and confidence to drive real change in my organization,” Dr. Costigan says. “The support from faculty and the collaborative environment challenged me to grow both professionally and personally.” 

Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, Learning and Innovation 

The Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership, Learning and Innovation (OLI) teaches you the skills you need to address the complex issues facing today’s organizations, with online and hybrid formats designed for today’s busy professionals.  

“Our cohorts are made up of leaders from all sectors from across the country and around the world,” says Dr. Anthony Buffone, chair of the OLI doctoral program. “It is common to see a CEO of a credit union from Michigan learn side by side with an HR director from Pennsylvania and a fire chief from Oregon, as well as educational leaders in both higher education and K-12 systems.”  

Dr. Maureen Shockley, a 2022 graduate, refers to OLI as “a big-picture degree.”  

“It’s all of the things that enable an organization to help its employees or members perform at their highest level,” says Dr. Shockley, director of learning and development at Sun East Federal Credit Union. “I’ve been doing it for 30 years, and I’m just glad to have the credential now that says I’m an expert.” 

Customizable Doctor of Education Degrees With Collaborative Cohorts 

In both of WilmU’s Ed.D. programs, you’ll benefit from hands-on learning, instructors who are active practitioners in the field and cohort models that foster collaboration with fellow candidates. You can customize your degree with a choice of concentrations and complete it in as little as three years.   

“The cohort model and the real personal relationships that you get to establish with the faculty went miles,” says Dr. Barton Reese, head of the Oakland School in Troy, Virginia. “I learned how to be a leader, the emotional piece as well.” 

“The curriculum was fantastic, but the people at WilmU made the biggest impression on me,” says Dr. Kelly Trahan, a dean at Lehigh Carbon Community College. “I talk about WilmU all of the time, and I’ve referred people there.” 

“My experience at Wilmington University was excellent,” says Dr. Stephanie Gibbs-Emenaka. “I had phenomenal mentors who guided me throughout the whole process. Getting my doctoral degree allowed me to leverage a full-time faculty teaching role at one point. Now I’m a dean of admissions and corporate partnerships (at Peirce College). All of those things have happened because of WilmU.”