education doctoral programs maryland

EdDPrograms.org

Ed.D. Programs in Maryland

Johns Hopkins or UMES? Salisbury or Towson? Our practical guide to doctoral education degrees in Maryland is here to answer your questions. In addition to school listings (with links to curricula & tuition costs), you'll discover a comparison of online Ed.D. programs, info about Ed.D. fellowships & tuition breaks, and a list of certification requirements. There's even a career & networking section, with data on MD administrative jobs and salaries.

Earning a Doctor of Education Degree in Maryland

You may want to put a Maryland doctoral program in education on your shortlist. Our school listings contain two highly ranked juggernauts —Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland College Park—and a number of solid schools from the University System of Maryland (USM). Like JHU and UMCP, Salisbury is part of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) . Morgan State, which is a historically black public research university, is another contender.

To get a sense of the landscape, take a look at the curricula and costs in our school listings . This Maryland Ed.D. guide also contains info on online Ed.D. programs , ideas for Ed.D. scholarships & fellowships , and a rundown of administrative certification . Once you’ve decided on an Ed.D. (or three), have a quick glance at our career section . We’ve dug up county-specific data on administrative jobs & salaries and provided links to local job boards. You’ll also find a full listing of educational leadership associations (e.g. MASSP) and ideas for conferences & training opportunities .

Online Doctor of Education Programs in Maryland

Online ed.d. providers in maryland.

• Johns Hopkins University (CAEP-accredited)
• Morgan State University (CAEP-accredited)

What to Know About Maryland Online Ed.D. Programs

We located two online doctorates of education in Maryland: one private, one public. In the private sphere, it’s Johns Hopkins—a school with a superb reputation for education and an active member of the CPED initiative . JHU’s 90-credit Online Ed.D. comes in three specializations: Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education , Mind, Brain & Teaching , and Urban Leadership . These offerings tend to attract students from around the globe.

The 90-credit number is misleading, since it includes transfer credits for your master’s degree and any post-master’s work. That means you’ll only have to complete 48-54 doctoral credits at JHU. The 3-5-year program contains career-building components: an applied dissertation , short summer residencies, and interdisciplinary coursework. But the honor of having JHU on your résumé also comes with a private university tuition price. See our Funding section for scholarship ideas.

In the public realm, you might consider Morgan State University. It has a 60-credit Online Ed.D. in Community College Leadership that’s aimed at folks who aspire to senior level leadership roles and professorships within a community college setting. Students complete it, on average, in six years.

This online Ed.D. has a lot to recommend it. It’s a cohort-based program that’s been running for many years (always a good sign). It’s available face-to-face or in a 100% online version. The curriculum includes team-based work and an internship or practicum at a community college. And it’s affordable. If you are an in-state resident or can take part in the SREB program (see the terms in our Funding section), you’ll be looking at an achievable budget.

Note: If neither of these options appeal, our overview of online Ed.D. programs contains a listing of online Ed.D.s in every state, plus our rankings of the top Doctor of Education programs.

Doctoral Education Funding in Maryland

Internal scholarships, fellowships & awards.

Universities have a habit of hiding their Ed.D. funding in strange places. To save you time, we’ve listed potential opportunities for institutional aid (e.g. internal scholarships, tuition breaks, etc.). You’ll probably need to supplement these sources with external aid (e.g. federal & private loans, tuition reimbursement from work, etc.). The Graduate School and/or the Office of Financial Aid can help you with options.

Bowie State University

BSU has a section on BSU Scholarships , but we didn’t see much beyond the general Graduate scholarship (and you’ll need to check if Ed.D. candidates are considered). However, the university does offer a payment plan. BSU employees (current and retired) and their family members should also take a look at the page on Tuition Remission .

Frostburg State University

FSU has a section on Financial Aid for Grad Students , with details on  Scholarship Programs . In particular, take a look at the Dr. Kelly Hall Doctor of Education Scholarship. Graduate Assistantships are only open to master’s students.

Johns Hopkins University

In the Ed.D. FAQs section , JHU states that modest Ed.D. program scholarships are available ($500-$2,000 per semester). You don’t need to apply for these—scholarships are merit-based and are awarded by the Ed.D. Admissions Committee. You’ll find more funding options in the list of School of Education (SOE) Grants & Scholarships —you will need to fill out an application for these. International students are ineligible for both sources. JHU also offers a monthly payment plan .

Morgan State University

The School of Graduate Studies has a comprehensive section on Graduate Aid and Funding , with details on fellowships, assistantships, and the FAFSA. You can also look into MSU’s payment plans .

Are you from out-of-state and interested in the Online Ed.D. in Community College Leadership? Be aware that MSU has an agreement with the SREB. If your state does  not have a university offering a comparable online program, a letter can be submitted for in-state tuition.

Salisbury University

The Office of Graduate Studies has sections on Graduate Assistantships and Graduate Scholarship & Fellowship Information . If you’re a resident of a nearby state, check to see if you can apply for the Good Neighbors Graduate Scholarship (i.e. reduced tuition on non-resident rates).

Ed.D. students are also eligible for couple of Salisbury University Scholarships : the modest Diane D. Allen Scholarship and the Audrey C. Christopher Endowment for Education . You may also want to investigate options for Graduate Research Grants .

Towson University

Graduate assistantships and teaching assistantships are available for doctoral students—TU recommends you contact the Ed.D. Program Director for more info. The Office of Graduate Studies has a list of Graduate Fellowships & Scholarships , such as the Terminal Degree Fellowship program. We didn’t see any general doctorate of education scholarships in the Towson University Foundation Scholarships database, but you may find awards that relate to your area of particular interest. TU also has a payment plan .

University of Maryland College Park

UMCP’s Ed.D. is an unusual program—a closed cohort offered in collaboration with local school systems—so traditional financial aid may not be relevant. Talk to the program coordinator about possibilities.

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

The Department of Education has a useful section on Financial Aid and Scholarships (internal & external)—doctoral students can apply for the Graduate Studies Grant Award. The School of Graduate Studies also has advice on Financial Assistance, with details on the Connective Graduate Studies Endowment Scholarship (students in Educational Leadership programs can apply), and USM Tuition Remission . There’s a separate section on Graduate Assistantships. And there’s a payment plan .

Note: If a university name is missing from the list, we didn’t find specific examples of Ed.D. funding beyond private & federal loans and external aid.

School Administrator Certification Requirements in Maryland

Administrative & supervisory certification.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) handles certification for public school teachers, administrators, and specialists in public schools. Administrative and supervisory certification areas include:

• Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals (i.e. Administrator I & II)
• Superintendent (i.e. Superintendent I & II)
• Library Media Administrator
• Supervisor of Guidance
• Supervisor of School Psychological Services
• Supervisor of Pupil Personnel
• Supervisor of Special Education
• Supervisor of Teachers of Hearing Impaired

Certification requirements for each area can be found in COMAR 13A.12.04​ , but we’ve also given you a brief rundown of the first two categories below.

One way to fulfill the education requirement for certification is to complete an MDSE-approved program . If you look at the MDSE’s list of Approved Programs by Certification Areas (i.e. Administration), you’ll notice many of the same names in our school listings . Many prep programs in Maryland take the form of a post-master’s certificate, but a few Ed.D. programs (e.g. Towson and UMES) are designed to meet MDSE certification standards—when in doubt, ask the Ed.D. program coordinator.

Administrator I Certificate

The Administrator I Certificate qualifies an individual to be assigned as a supervisor of instruction or assistant principal. To earn it, you must:

• Hold a master’s degree from an Institution of Higher Education (IHE).
• Have completed 27 months of satisfactory teaching performance on a professional certificate or satisfactory performance as a certified specialist as defined in COMAR 13A.12.03 .
• An MSDE-approved program which leads to certification as a supervisor of instruction, assistant principal, or principal that includes the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders .
• An approved program which leads to certification as a supervisor of instruction, assistant principal, or principal in accordance with the interstate agreement.
• 18 semester hours of graduate coursework taken at an IHE at the post-baccalaureate level to include a balance of content in certain instructional categories—see COMAR 13A.12.04​.04 for details.

Administrator II Certificate

The Administrator II Certificate qualifies an individual to be assigned as a school principal. To earn it, you must:

• Complete the requirements for Administrator I.
• Present evidence of a qualifying score on the MSDE-approved School Leaders Licensure Assessment from ETS.

COMAR 13A.12.04​.04 has more details for principals who are coming to Maryland from out-of-state, as well as info on special provisions for this certificate.

Superintendent I Certificate

The Superintendent I Certificate qualifies an individual to be assigned as a county deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent, or associate superintendent through either Traditional or Reciprocal Certification. In the traditional way, you must:

• Have completed 27 months of satisfactory teaching performance or satisfactory performance as a certified specialist as defined in COMAR 13A.12.03 in a PreK-12 setting.
• Have completed 24 months of satisfactory administrative or supervisory experience in a PreK-12 setting.
• An MSDE-approved program which leads to certification as a superintendent.
• A program offered by an IHE leading to certification as a superintendent in the state in which the institution is located.
• 45 semester hours of graduate coursework, including a minimum of 15 semester hours in education administration taken at an IHE.

COMAR 13A.12.04​.03 has more details on requirements for Reciprocal Certification for out-of-state candidates.

Superintendent II Certificate

The Superintendent II Certificate qualifies an individual to be a county superintendent through either Traditional or Reciprocal Certification. To earn the traditional certificate, you must meet almost the same requirements for the Superintendent I Certificate.

However, in the educator preparation pathway, the MDSE will want to see that you’ve tackled coursework covering public school administration, supervision, and methods of teaching. For the last preparation pathway, it also expects you to have 60 semester hours of graduate coursework—including a minimum of 24 semester hours in education administration.

COMAR 13A.12.04​.03 has more details on the prep pathways and requirements for Reciprocal Certification for out-of-state candidates.

Educational Leadership Jobs in Maryland

Educational leadership career outlook.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks employment & salary data for elementary & secondary school education administrators and postsecondary education administrators across the U.S. Maryland is looking good. It employs a respectable number of K-12 administrators, especially for a small state. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan areas are predictable job hotspots.

You can dig deeper into these numbers by visiting the MSDE’s Division of Assessment, Accountability, and Information Technology , which publishes Maryland Public Schools Report Cards . We particularly recommend the section on Staff Publications . Here you can view professional staff categories (e.g. superintendents) in each Maryland county/agency by type of degree and years of experience. There are also data on total employment numbers of each category. For example, Baltimore is a strong employer of K-12 directors, coordinators & supervisors.

State data for Maryland postsecondary education administrators aren’t always available, though the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area continues to be popular. So you may wish to consult the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)’s Annual Data Book , which encompasses all of Maryland’s public postsecondary institutions. Check out the section on Full-Time & Part-Time Staff to view actual employment numbers (UMCP is the clear winner.)

Educational Leadership Salaries

You’ll find mean wage data for all kinds of Maryland educational administrators in the BLS’s section on State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Maryland . Salaries for elementary & secondary school education administrators are particularly strong—the state is often in the top wage bracket, along with its neighbor, Delaware. Better yet, the MSDE’s section on Staff Publications has up-to-date salary schedules for public school professionals, with stats on superintendents, CFOs, directors, and more.

The wage story for postsecondary education administrators is similarly rosy. You’ll frequently see Maryland among the top paying states in the country, along with New Jersey and Delaware. The MHEC’s Annual Data Book doesn’t publish salaries for staff at Maryland public colleges & universities, but it does list average salaries of full-time faculty. Large UM institutions are usually the highest payers (e.g. UMCP and UMB). The Baltimore Sun Media also keeps track of university wages in the Public Salaries Archive . You can search by name or institution, but not by title.

Educational Leadership Job Boards

Large job sites (e.g. HigherEdJobs, SchoolSpring, LinkedIn, TopSchoolJobs, etc.) will have postings for educational administrative positions in Maryland. But we also wanted to highlight a few state resources.

• ASBO MD&DC posts current Job Opportunities for business officials, as well as links to HR departments in Maryland counties.
• MABE advertises current Maryland Superintendent Vacancies ; PSSAM has a similar section on Career Opportunities for superintendents, interim superintendents, etc.
• Each Maryland county (e.g. Harford County Public Schools) will have job postings under its Careers or Human Resources section. The MDSE has links to all Local Education Agencies (i.e. counties).
• USM provides links to USM Institutions’ Offices of Human Resources (i.e. job openings in many of Maryland’s public universities).

Educational Leadership Organizations in Maryland

Educational leadership associations.

• Association of School Business Officials of Maryland and the District of Columbia (ASBO-MD&DC) : ASBO-MD&DC is a professional organization which provides programs and services to Maryland school business officials.
• Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) : MABE is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to serving and supporting boards of education in Maryland. All 24 Maryland boards of education are members of MABE.
• Maryland Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (MACTE) : MACTE is a voluntary state association composed of higher education institutions and related organizations involved in educator preparation programs.
• Maryland Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development (Maryland ASCD) : Maryland ASCD is a state affiliate of ASCD. Members include school system administrators, teachers, college & university faculty, and others.
• Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP) : MAESP is a professional association that offers service, support, and advocacy for Maryland’s elementary school leaders. It has ~900 members and it’s a state affiliate of NAESP.
• Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) : MASSP is a state affiliate of NASSP. Membership is open to middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and other school administrators—building, district, and state.
• Maryland College Personnel Association (MCPA) : MCPA is a state division of the ACPA. It serves and represents student personnel professionals at colleges and universities across the state of Maryland.
• Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) : MSEA is the state’s teacher union and a state affiliate of the NEA. It has ~74,000 members, including teachers, administrators, higher education faculty, certificated specialists, and more.
• Public School Superintendent’s Association of Maryland (PSSAM) : PSSAM membership is made up of the 24 school superintendents representing each of the local agencies in the State of Maryland.​

Educational Leadership Professional Groups

• Council of Educational, Administrative and Supervisory Organizations of Maryland (CEASOM) : CEASOM is an umbrella organization comprised of seventeen organizations involved in the areas of educational administration and supervision, teacher preparation, facilities management and support, and professional development. Check out the Scholarships section.

Note: State and national educator organizations often have funds available for continuing education (e.g. Ed.D.). Check the website and ask about opportunities.

Educational Leadership Events in Maryland

Educational leadership conferences.

• ASBO-MD&DC Annual Fall Conference : This boutique one-day conference for school business officials typically focuses on a relevant theme. It’s held in November.
• ASBO-MD&DC Annual Spring Conference : This four-day event for Maryland school business officials usually takes place in May.
• Common Ground Maryland : This popular professional development event in May is the brainchild of CEASOM, in collaboration with professional organizations in Maryland and the MSDE. It attracts ~1,200 educational leaders.
• MABE Annual Conference : MABE’s flagship event in October attracts around 150 school board members and other educational leaders from across the state.
• MAESP Annual Conference : This three-day conference for elementary school administrators and school leaders usually occurs in March.
• MASSP Spring Conference : MASSP organizes a three-day event for middle & secondary school administrators in late March.
• MCPA Conferences : MCPA hosts two events—a Fall Conference, which happens in October, and an Administrative Professionals Conference, which occurs in April.

Educational Leadership Training

• ASBO MD&DC Professional Development : Maryland school business officials and staff can investigate ASBO’s Allen Gaddis Leadership Academy , foundations courses , certification program , webinars, and more.
• MABE Professional Development : MABE’s programs are designed for new & veteran board members, but programs like the Legal Services Seminars have wider applications.
• MSDE Office of Leadership Development & School Improvement : This Maryland Department of Education Office runs the Leading for School Improvement Institute , Promising Principals’ Academy , and Leadership Presentations .

School Listings

8 Schools Found

College of Education

Bowie, Maryland

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

• Curriculum Info
• How To Apply

Department of Educational Professions

Frostburg, Maryland

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Adult and Professional Learning Facilitation

Offered Online

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Educational Instructional Technology

Doctor of education in educational leadership - higher education leadership, doctor of education in educational leadership - pk12 leadership.

School of Education

Baltimore, Maryland

Online EdD in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education

Online edd in instructional design in online teaching and learning, online edd in mind, brain and teaching, online edd in technology integration in k-16 education, online edd in urban leadership, edd in community college leadership, edd in mathematics education, edd in science education, edd in urban educational leadership, online doctor of education in community college leadership.

Department of Graduate Studies and Research

Salisbury, Maryland

EdD (Ed.D.) Contemporary Curriculum Theory and Instruction: Literacy Program

Department of Educational Technology and Literacy

Towson, Maryland

Doctoral of Education in Instructional Technology - Digital Learning

Doctoral of education in instructional technology - distance education, doctoral of education in instructional technology - early childhood, doctoral of education in instructional technology - elementary education, doctoral of education in instructional technology - english language learning/multiculturalism, doctoral of education in instructional technology - instructional design, doctoral of education in instructional technology - leadership, doctoral of education in instructional technology - leadership, administrator 1 certification track, doctoral of education in instructional technology - reading, doctoral of education in instructional technology - secondary education, doctoral of education in instructional technology - special education.

Department of Graduate Studies

Princess Anne, Maryland

Doctorate in Education Leadership

University of maryland-college park.

College Park, Maryland

Doctor of Education in School System Leadership

Online Doctor of Education (EdD) Programs in Maryland

There are four schools in Maryland that offer Doctor of Education (EdD) programs online. Frostburg State University, Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, and Salisbury University all have EdD programs that students can complete through entirely online study, without any campus visit requirements. Through the programs at these schools, students can pursue EdD specializations such as Community College Leadership; Literacy Studies; Education Leadership with a focus in Adult and Professional Learning Facilitation; PK-12 Leadership; Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education; Urban Leadership; and Mind, Brain, and Teaching.

All four schools listed on this page are non-profit institutions regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Frostburg State University’s College of Education and Morgan State’s School of Education and Urban Studies are also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Preparation (CAEP).

Schools in Maryland with Online EdD Programs

Frostburg State University offers an online EdD in Educational Leadership with specialization options in Adult and Professional Learning Facilitation, Higher Education Leadership, and PK12 Leadership. This program is 100% online and requires no campus visits, and is comprised of 60 credit hours. All students, regardless of their chosen specialization, take the same Educational Leadership Core Courses, which include Introduction to Educational Leadership Doctoral Studies; Educational History, Politics, and Policy of American Education; Educational Assessment; Strategic Planning and Data-Driven Decision-Making; Educational Research I and II; Leading Diverse Educational Organizations; and Organizational Change and Leadership Theory. After their core classes, students take courses specific to their selected specialization. Students of the PK12 Leadership specialization take Human Resources, Educational Law and Ethics, and Educational Finance, while students of the Adult and Professional Learning Facilitation specialization take Principles and Theories of Adult Learning, Leading Others to Lead Adult Learning, and Problems of Practice in Leading Change Initiatives in Adult Learning. Finally, students of the Higher Education Leadership specialization take courses in Higher Education Structure and Governance, Higher Education Finance, and Current Issues in Higher Education Leadership and Law.

All students of the EdD in Educational Leadership at Frostburg State University are required to complete a Doctoral Practicum, through which they apply the skills, strategies, and concepts they have learned in their classes to a real-world role in education leadership. Students’ culminating experience in the program is their dissertation, which provides them with the opportunity to study a problem of practice in education leadership within their place of work. Students receive guidance from their dissertation chair, as well as a faculty committee that reviews their dissertation proposal, dissertation drafts, and final defense.

At Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, students can pursue a Doctor of Education online in one of three specializations: Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education; Urban Leadership; or Mind, Brain, and Teaching. Offered by their School of Education, the cohort-based program requires the completion of between 48 and 54 doctoral-level credits (a total of 90 graduate credits are needed to earn the EdD; however, students must enter with a minimum of 36 credits from either their master’s degree or other graduate-level work to apply toward the doctorate). Students typically finish the required coursework and dissertation in three years, but can opt for a longer completion schedule, if needed. Courses are delivered entirely online, using a mix of asynchronous and synchronous instruction. There is a three-day summer residency held on campus each year of the program, which students are strongly encouraged to attend. However, for those who cannot, the information sessions are recorded and available for viewing online.

All students can expect to take a 12-credit Foundations of Education curriculum, consisting of courses in Multicultural Education, Multiple Perspectives on Learning and Teaching, Contemporary Approaches to Educational Problems, and Disciplinary Approaches to Education. There are also nine credit hours of Applied Research and Evaluation courses and nine credit hours associated with dissertation development. The remaining curriculum is made up of electives, as well as coursework in students’ specialization area.

The Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education track focuses on knowledge and skills that will help students lead innovation and forge new opportunities in school systems, social entrepreneurial ventures, and education companies. It includes courses in Entrepreneurship in Education, Talent Management and Organizational Finance for Entrepreneurial Leaders, Strategic Systems Change and Action Planning, and Building Strategic School, Educational Organization, and Community Partnerships. Students who choose to specialize in Urban Leadership study the unique challenges that come with working in urban communities and teaching diverse populations, taking courses in Approaches to Urban Leadership, Individuals in Urban Context, Organizations and Institutions, and Partnerships and Community Organizing. Finally, the Mind, Brain, and Teaching specialization is designed for educators interested in exploring the connection between cognitive theories, neuroscience, and human learning. This track features courses in Fundamentals of Cognitive Development, Neurobiology of Learning Differences, Cognitive Processes of Literacy and Numeracy, and Special Topics in Brain Sciences.

Also located in Baltimore, Morgan State University offers a Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership online through its School of Education and Urban Studies (SEUS). The 60-credit program is designed to help prepare students in the seven core competency areas designated by the American Association of Community Colleges as essential to effective community college leadership: Community College Advocacy, Organizational Strategy, Leadership Development, Resource Management, Communication, Collaboration, and Professionalism. Coursework can be completed entirely online using the Blackboard learning management system, and there are no campus residency requirements. However, students must take part in a specialized internship or practicum in a community college setting toward the end of their studies.

Morgan State’s online EdD in Community College Leadership can be completed in three years, depending on how long it takes students to finish their dissertation. In their first year, students take courses in areas such as Leadership and Administration of Community Colleges, Educational Research, Social Justice and Equity, Community College Planning and Management, Finance and Budgeting, Qualitative Research Methods, and Technology in Contemporary Community Colleges. The second year features courses in Student Development in Community College, Legal Aspects of Education, Community College Trustees and Governing Boards, The Community College Presidency, Quantitative Research Methods, and Politics of Higher Education. During their third year, students primarily focus on developing and writing their dissertation, receiving guidance from program faculty as needed. This is also when they typically take part in their field internships.

Salisbury University located in Salisbury has an online EdD in Literacy Studies that prepares education practitioners with the research, theory, and strategic skills and insight to develop and improve literacy learning programs across different environments. This 57-credit program is offered fully online, and follows a cohort model with synchronous classes. Students can complete the program in approximately four years–three years of content coursework and one year of dissertation research and writing. The curriculum for the program consists of courses such as Foundations of Research; Strategies for Inquiry; Perspectives in Theory: Lenses for Critical Understandings of Education; Oral Discourse, Cognition and Diversity; Literacy Policy and Practice Analysis; Comprehension and Strategic Learning: Theory, Research and Practice; and Social Context of Curriculum.

Students must pass several milestones during their enrollment as a way to ensure their preparedness for their dissertation work. The first milestone is a Preliminary Exam, which students must pass in order to qualify to take their Comprehensive Exam. Passing the Comprehensive Exam is necessary for students to advance to Candidacy and commence work on their dissertation. For their dissertation work, students receive mentorship, feedback, and guidance from faculty advisors, as well as structured support from courses such as Research Seminar I: Writing the Literature Review and Research Seminar II: Conducting a Pilot Project. Students’ dissertation culminates in a dissertation defense and submission of their dissertation to ProQuest for publishing.

Students interested in pursuing their EdD in a different specialization, such as Early Childhood Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Organizational Leadership, or Special Education may want to consider an online program offered by a school out of state. Many institutions across the country have online EdD programs that accept students from Maryland. To learn more about additional concentration options and browse available programs, check out our Online EdD Program Specializations page.

Online EdD Programs in Maryland

The following a list of online Doctor of Education programs offered by schools in Maryland. To learn more about either of the EdDs discussed on this page, click the corresponding link below to visit the program’s website.

Frostburg State University

Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (with Specializations in Adult and Professional Learning Facilitation, Higher Education Leadership, and PK12 Leadership) (Masters to Doctorate)

Johns Hopkins University

Online Doctor of Education (EdD) (with Specializations in Creativity, Advanced Learning, and Twice Exceptionality; Digital Age Learning and Educational Technology; Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education; Urban Leadership; and Mind, Brain & Teaching) (Masters to Doctorate)

Morgan State University

Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Community College Leadership (Masters to Doctorate)

Salisbury University

Online Doctor of Education in Literacy Studies (Masters to Doctorate)

• Graduate School
• COLLEGE PARK, MD
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Doctorate in Education Degrees in Maryland

If you are dedicated to expanding your leadership knowledge and making a difference in the transformation of education, the Doctorate of Education or Ed.D provides the advanced skills and knowledge required to solve the complex issues that affect education in real-world applications. Education reform requires a high level of sophistication that needs an in-depth understanding of research, policy and finance. Your exceptional knowledge will enable you to manage highly intricate organizational systems, publish research in your field and provide the insight and resources to other teachers and students.

The Ed.D preparation can present lucrative and rewarding opportunities in education. If you want to reach the next level in your career consider earning your doctorate in education at one of the many accredited colleges or universities featured here. Make sure you contact multiple schools to compare the benefits of each program that interests you. That’s the best way to be confident that you made the right decision for your education.

Earning Your Ed.D in Maryland

Your program of study may be comprised of your personal design and selection of an area of mastery. Many specialties are available in Ed.D curriculum and you may define your interest and focus in specialties such as:

• Organizational Leadership: Behavioral health
• Curriculum and Design Specialist
• Administration and Organizational Management
• Educational Leadership: Higher Education

The curriculum is carefully planned to meet the needs of your specialty or strengthen your area of certification. Courses that pertain to your personalized area in your Ed.D may include some of the following:

• Urban Politics and Education Policy
• Critical Pedagogy: Theory and Research
• Theoretical Perspectives on Learning

Outlook for Graduates in Maryland

Numerous opportunities are offered to the Ed.D graduate by public, private and nontraditional areas of employment. Maryland continues to maintain the best public schools in the country. As reported in the Washington Post , the state has succeeded to produce the best school system for students and teachers for the 5th year in a row. Maryland supports teachers and values their dedication to education and provides incentives for advanced degrees.

For those who are interested in higher education, Maryland supports professors and their assistants with excellent resources and access to educational provisions. Professors that work in universities enjoy a salary that is far above the median of the country as is reported by the Chronicle of higher Education at approximately $142,300.

Educators may find lucrative positions and employment in the private areas of education. Private corporations such as PCI Strategic Management, Fortune 500 companies and Millennial Media are only a few of the opportunities that are available in the industrial areas of education. Advanced scholarly practitioners can also find excellent positions with Pearson Publishing, private life coaching and educational consulting.

The Benefits of Achieving an Ed.D

Scholarly practitioners are needed to address critical issues that affect all forms of education on a fundamental and in real-world situations. An Ed.D can provide you with the tools, skills and knowledge to resolve the problems of education reform, the failings of enacted legislation and improve the policy to regain the autonomy of institutes of learning. The challenges of education reform define complex problems that require a high level of sophistication and knowledge. Your Ed.D may provide you with the many rewards and challenges of contributing to education as an agent of change that impacts global communities.

Start moving ahead in the field of education with your EdD from one of the accredited college listed below. We make it simple for you to connect with schools. With EducationDegree.com you have a direct connection to the schools that can help you accomplish your goals!

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2024 guide to best ed.d. & education doctoral degrees near hagerstown, maryland.

Are you near Hagerstown, Maryland looking for a school where you can earn an Ed.D. or doctorate in education? Start your search for the best colleges and universities offering Education doctorates near you.

The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide makes it easy to find information about schools offering education-related doctoral degree programs near Hagerstown, Maryland. Get detailed information about colleges and universities near Hagerstown, Maryland with these programs, including the number of distance-offered degree completions and more. In the end, you'll have an understanding of which school may be right for you. Click here to learn more about the guide.

Hagerstown, Maryland Education Doctoral Schools by the Numbers

Doctoral degree completions in Education at institutions near Hagerstown, Maryland have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2022, students completed 132 Education-related doctoral degree programs that were offered by colleges and universities near Hagerstown. That was a decrease of 37% from completions reported in 2018.

Schools with Doctoral Completions in Ed.D. & Education

Est. total doctoral completions in 2022, est. doctoral completions (last 5 years), top education doctoral degree for working adults near hagerstown, maryland.

Franklin University's 100% online doctoral programs are a top-choice for ambitious adults driven to do more. The transfer-friendly programs feature a No-Fear Dissertation™, and can be completed in as few as three years. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin is nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440).

Dissertation

Doctoral completions for 2022, est. doctoral degree availability, private colleges & universities offering education doctoral degrees near hagerstown, maryland.

There are at least 7 private schools serving Hagerstown, Maryland, where students completed 87 education doctorate programs. Browse through the listing below to learn more about these private colleges offering education doctoral programs near Hagerstown, Maryland.

Avg. GR Tuition & Fees

School type.

Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit school that offers education doctoral degree programs near Hagerstown, Maryland. Most students are adults and all education programs completed were offered online. In 2022, 4 education doctoral degrees were completed.

Doctoral Degree Completions for 2022

Est. online doctoral degree availability.

George Washington University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit school that offers education doctoral degree programs near Hagerstown, Maryland. Most students are of traditional age and all education programs completed were offered online. In 2022, 28 education doctoral degrees were completed.

Howard University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit school that offers education doctoral degree programs near Hagerstown, Maryland. Most students are of traditional age and no education programs completed were offered online. In 2022, 8 education doctoral degrees were completed.

Hood College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit school that offers education doctoral degree programs near Hagerstown, Maryland. Most students are of traditional age and no education programs completed were offered online. In 2022, 20 education doctoral degrees were completed.

Notre Dame of Maryland University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit school that offers education doctoral degree programs near Hagerstown, Maryland. Most students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all education programs completed were offered online. In 2022, 1 education doctoral degree was completed.

American University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit school that offers education doctoral degree programs near Hagerstown, Maryland. Most students are of traditional age and all education programs completed were offered online. In 2022, 13 education doctoral degrees were completed.

Shenandoah University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit school that offers education doctoral degree programs near Hagerstown, Maryland. Most students are of traditional age and no education programs completed were offered online. In 2022, 13 education doctoral degrees were completed.

Public Colleges & Universities Offering Education Doctoral Degrees Near Hagerstown, Maryland

There are 4 public colleges located near Hagerstown, Maryland. About 13,324 students were enrolled in graduate programs, and about 49 education doctoral degrees were completed at public colleges near Hagerstown, Maryland. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is an institutionally accredited public school that offers education doctoral degree programs near Hagerstown, Maryland. Most students are of traditional age and no education programs completed were offered online. In 2022, 3 education doctoral degrees were completed.

Morgan State University is an institutionally accredited public school that offers education doctoral degree programs near Hagerstown, Maryland. Most students are of traditional age and no education programs completed were offered online. In 2022, 6 education doctoral degrees were completed.

Frostburg State University is an institutionally accredited public school that offers education doctoral degree programs near Hagerstown, Maryland. Most students are of traditional age and no education programs completed were offered online. In 2022, 10 education doctoral degrees were completed.

University of Maryland-College Park is an institutionally accredited public school that offers education doctoral degree programs near Hagerstown, Maryland. Most students are of traditional age and no education programs completed were offered online. In 2022, 30 education doctoral degrees were completed.

Affordable Education Doctorate Programs Near Hagerstown, Maryland

Wondering what you can expect to pay for a doctorate degree in education near Hagerstown, Maryland? According to graduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Hagerstown-area nonprofit graduate schools offering Ed.D. or education-related programs is $20,118. The average tuition at similar for-profit schools near Hagerstown is N/A.

Nonprofit Doctoral School

For-profit doctoral school, accredited colleges offering education doctoral degrees near hagerstown, maryland.

Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning an Ed.D. or education doctorate from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.

Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs near Hagerstown is institutionally accredited? View a list of education doctorate programs at institutionally accredited colleges and universities near Hagerstown, Maryland here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.

• Franklin University
• American University
• George Washington University
• Howard University
• Shenandoah University
• Frostburg State University
• Hood College
• University of Maryland-College Park
• Morgan State University
• Notre Dame of Maryland University
• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Find More Colleges with Doctoral Degree Programs Near Hagerstown, Maryland

Interested in another degree? Find other programs near Hagerstown, Maryland by selecting a category below.

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Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership for Changing Populations

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Program Description

The world is changing, with dramatic demographic shifts in not only the population of the United States as a whole, but also in the world of higher education.

Now, become the most effective leader possible for these new populations with the online Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership for Changing Populations from Notre Dame of Maryland University. You’ll gain hands-on experience with education practice and policy as you enhance your management and organizational experience. And when you graduate, you’ll be prepared to address the needs of colleges and universities with increasingly diverse populations.

• 100% online coursework with no residency requirement
• Affordable tuition and values-based curriculum
• Rolling admission and multiple start dates
• One weekend on campus for comprehensive exams

Potential Careers

• University administration
• Education researcher
• College professor
• Nonprofit director
• Chief academic officer/Chief learning officer
• EDU-697 Language and Intercultural Communication for Changing Populations (3)
• EDU-715 Educator as a Change Leader (3)
• EDU-772 Changing Populations in Historical Perspective (3)
• EDU-775 Democracy and Education: Three Philosophical Perspectives (3)
• EDU-722 Education and Policy Analysis (3)
• EDU-802 Organization and Governance in Higher Education (3)
• EDU-805 Curriculum Development for Changing Populations (3)
• EDU-695 Research Design (3)
• EDU-701 Methods of Quantitative Research (3)
• EDU-703 Methods of Qualitative Research (3)

Any 2 Higher Education 500 or 600 level courses, as approved by advisor, including:

• EDU-803 Assessment, Evaluation, and Accreditation (3)
• EDU-804 Finance, Philanthropy, Budget and the Strategic Planning Process in Higher Ed (3)
• EDU-705 Dissertation Seminar (3)
• EDU-706 Dissertation Methodology (3)
• EDU-800 Dissertation Continuation (1.5 credits per semester up to 6 credits total)

*Students requiring EDU 800 beyond three semesters must request extension through their advisor.

Introductory Course (must be taken in the first or second semester of the program) EDU- Research Writing for Doctoral Students

Comprehensive Examinations

Students complete written and oral comprehensive examinations demonstrating knowledge of the broad conceptual and procedural aspects of instruction for changing populations. The written portion of the exam requires students to write essay answers demonstrating proficiency in writing, critical thinking, and holistic perspectives, and to demonstrate the ability to articulate perceived role as agents of change in education.

Written and oral examinations must be passed in the following areas:

• Higher education theory
• Philosophical perspectives of education
• Changing populations

Written comprehensive examinations are administered in August and January. If a student fails any section of the examination, the student will have one opportunity to rewrite the failed section. Written examinations are read by two faculty members. In the event of divided scoring, a third faculty member will be asked to review the examination. After two failures of any section, the candidate may not continue in the Ph.D. program.

Written examinations are not returned to students.

Grades assigned to comprehensive examinations are:

Students are officially notified of the results by the Assistant Dean, School of Education. Students must complete the comprehensive examination requirement within two years of completing course work.

Dissertation

The dissertation is the culmination of the student’s doctoral studies. In this scholarly work of original and independent research, the student addresses a problem or issue relevant to education, conducts research that is quantitative, qualitative, or historical/philosophical (depending on the chosen subject), and develops a dissertation that adds knowledge to the field.

During the dissertation courses (705 and 706), the student confers with the Dean, School of Education, to select a Dissertation Committee (a Chair and two readers) who are subsequently appointed by the Ph.D. Committee.

After completing the Dissertation Seminar(s), students must enroll in EDU-800 Dissertation Continuation for each academic semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer) until they graduate.

When the student completes the dissertation proposal and the Chair and two readers approve it, the student submits the proposal to the School of Education Ph.D. Committee to approve. Students are expected to submit a proposal to the School of Education Ph.D. Committee within two years of passing comprehensive examinations. If a student fails to submit a proposal within this timeline, the student must appeal to the Dean, School of Education, for an extension of time.

Advancement to Candidacy

Once the School of Education Ph.D. Committee approves the dissertation proposal, the student is considered a Ph.D. Candidate. The student then applies to the University IRB for approval of the research. This approval must be granted before the candidate can conduct the research.

Submission of the Dissertation

The candidate submits drafts of the dissertation to the dissertation Chair and readers for suggestions and review throughout the process of reading and writing. When the candidate, advisors, and readers agree that the dissertation is ready for final review by the School of Education Ph.D. Committee, the candidate submits required copies to the Dean, School of Education. The School of Education Ph.D. Committee reviews the full dissertation and if the Committee finds the dissertation to be satisfactory, the Committee schedules the defense. Manuscripts must follow the format expectations set forth in the Dissertation Handbook or will not be accepted by the Committee.

Dissertation Defense

The candidate defends the dissertation before the Ph.D. Committee in consultation with the advisor and readers. The defense must be successfully completed by April 1 for May graduation or by November 1 for December graduation. These are firm deadlines.

Candidates are expected to defend their dissertation within two years of being admitted to candidacy. If a candidate fails to defend a dissertation within this timeline, the candidate must appeal to the Dean, School of Education, for an extension of time.

Admissions Requirements

• Completed Ph.D. application
• Official transcript(s) – Please provide all official transcripts from undergraduate, graduate and/or community college course work. Students with degrees from universities outside of the United States should submit an official translated transcript. For information about a World Education Services (WES) course by course evaluation, please visit  wes.org .
• Two letters of recommendation ( see recommendation forms )
• Personal statement
• GRE or Miller Analogy Test Scores (if needed – please consult with your enrollment manager)

Tuition And Financial Aid

• Tuition: $635 per credit
• Registration/Technology Fee (nonrefundable): $195 per term

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Tuesday, April 09, 2024

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UMD Graduate Programs Earn High Marks in Latest U.S. News Rankings

Many Specialties Place in Top 25 Nationwide

By Maryland Today Staff Apr 09, 2024

Highlights of the new U.S. News & World Report graduate program rankings for UMD include No. 3 nationwide for student counseling, No. 4 for education psychology and No. 3 for homeland security.

Photo by Dylan Singleton

Dozens of University of Maryland programs earned high rankings in U.S. News & World Report’ s 2024-25 Best Graduate Schools lists released Tuesday, with many achieving top-25 placements in overall and specialty categories.

Among UMD’s highlights, the College of Education and the School of Public Health both climbed into the top 25, and the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) earned four top-25 accolades, including No. 15 in artificial intelligence.

“The University of Maryland is proud of its world-class graduate and professional programs in a broad range of disciplines—with dozens of rankings from education to public health to public policy,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. “We’re committed to creating the leaders and the experts that our state, nation and world need to take on the toughest challenges.”

Each year, U.S. News ranks graduate programs in education, engineering, business (MBA), law, medicine and nursing, along with a rotating selection of specialty schools and programs. The publication this year on Monday announced a delay of its engineering school rankings; this article will be updated when the numbers are available.

The rankings are based on reputational surveys; business, education and engineering rankings also incorporate quantitative data. The influential lists are widely used by prospective students when considering where to apply.

Overall, the School of Public Health and the College of Education each ranked No. 25, both up from last year. The School of Public Policy was No. 26.

Highlights among UMD’s specific programs this year include:

• CMNS ranked No. 17 for computer science, No. 23 for programming language and No. 22 for theory, which was not ranked last year.
• Robert H. Smith School of Business’ information systems program ranked No. 9, and its part-time MBA program was No. 10, an 11-place jump from last year.
• The College of Education’s ranked programs all earned top-25 accolades, including student counseling at No. 3, education psychology at No. 4, higher education administration and curriculum and instruction at No. 11, special education at No. 12, education policy and elementary teacher education at No. 16, secondary teacher education at No. 18, and educational administration at No. 21.
• The School of Public Policy’s homeland security program moved up one notch to No. 3; it also ranked No. 13 in public finance and cracked the top 25 in public policy analysis (No. 21), urban policy (No. 22) and nonprofit management (No. 23).
• The School of Public Health ranked No. 25 in epidemiology.
• The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences ranked No. 12 in audiology and No. 14 in speech language pathology.

Since U.S. News doesn’t rank all graduate programs annually, other current honors for UMD from previous editions include:

• The Smith School was ranked No. 11 overall for its online MBA program earlier this year, as well as No. 5 for its online marketing MBA and online general management MBA programs, No. 9 among online MBA programs for veterans, and No. 14 for its online master’s in business (excluding MBA).
• The A. James Clark School of Engineering also ranked highly in this year’s online graduate rankings, including a No. 6 overall placement and No. 10 for electrical engineering, No. 13 among programs for veterans and No. 14 for engineering management.
• The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ veterinary medicine program ranked No. 19 in 2024.
• The College of Information Studies was ranked overall No. 4 in 2022, in addition to services for children and youth at No. 2, information systems at No. 5, school library media at No. 5, archives and preservation at No. 6 and digital librarianship at No. 8.
• CMNS’ math program ranked No. 20 overall in 2024, with a No. 15 placement for applied math and No. 24 for math analysis. Its physics program was ranked No. 17 overall that year, with atomic, molecular and optical physics ranking No. 6, quantum physics ranking No. 9 and condensed matter and solid state physics ranking No. 17.
• The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ criminology program ranked No. 1 in 2022, and its sociology program ranked No. 24 the same year, with a No. 14 placement in sociology of population. Economics ranked No. 22 in 2023.
• The College of Arts and Humanities’ English program in American literature before 1865 ranked No. 12 in 2022.

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College of Behavioral and Social Sciences College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences College of Education Robert H. Smith School of Business School of Public Health School of Public Policy

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University of South Florida

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USF College of Education continues to rise in rankings for top graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report

• April 9, 2024
• College of Education News

The University of South Florida (USF) College of Education is once again recognized for its graduate education programs and has climbed five spots to no. 38 for public universities in the 2024 rankings released today by U.S. News and World Report. Several factors are evaluated in ranking the 255 education institutions including faculty credentials, admissions and graduation rates and research activity.

Dr. R. Anthony Rolle, Dean of the College of Education remarked, “The faculty, staff, and students in the USF College of Education – along with its vibrant and innovative instructional, research, and community partners – are quite excited to learn that when U.S. News & World Report compared us to our outstanding peer public colleges of education across the U.S. that USF is ranked #38! And, among all peer colleges of education nationally, we are ranked #48. As dean of this college, I must say that I am extremely proud of the work efforts conducted by all involved. This college is an example for what can happen when a college is mission-focused on creating academic, economic, and social justice service opportunities for all its professional communities.”

The College of Education offers more than 45 masters and doctoral degree programs across numerous areas of study, such as curriculum and instruction, instructional technology, educational leadership, exercise science and school psychology. USF’s graduate education programs prepare students for careers in various settings, including PK-12 teaching, school administration, higher education, educational policy, research and curriculum development. 

Home to seven research institutions, our master’s and doctoral students turn their research into innovation that benefits students, educators, businesses, and the community – both locally and globally.

For more information about the U.S. News and World Report's Best Graduate Education Programs rankings, visit the U.S. News and World Report website . 

About the USF College of Education: Home to more than 2,600 students and 130 faculty members, the University of South Florida College of Education values high-quality education and excellence in research, teaching and learning. The College of Education is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and its educator preparation programs are fully approved by the Florida Department of Education.

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About the USF College of Education:

As the home for more than 2,200 students and 130 faculty members across three campuses, the University of South Florida College of Education offers state-of-the-art teacher training and collegial graduate studies designed to empower educational leaders. Our college is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and our educator preparation programs are fully approved by the Florida Department of Education.

Update to 2024 Best Graduate Schools Launch

Best Medical Schools, Best Engineering Schools and Best Clinical Psychology Programs launch delayed.

Update for 2024 Best Grad Schools Launch

During our regular rankings pre-publication process, U.S. News received and is currently reviewing queries from some graduate schools, including whether and to what extent affiliated institutions were considered in the bibliometric data used in the 2024 Best Medical Schools and 2024 Best Engineering Schools rankings, and which accrediting body was used as a source of reference for the 2024 Best Clinical Psychology Programs rankings. We take our role as a journalism enterprise very seriously and we will not publish information without full confidence in what we publish.

As a result, we have made the decision to delay the publication of the 2024 Best Medical Schools, Best Engineering Schools and Best Clinical Psychology Program rankings until such time that we can appropriately address these questions. All other graduate school rankings – across 82 professional fields – will be released as planned on April 9.

Our focus remains on providing the best information for prospective students.

We will provide updates with more information as to the timing of these rankings as soon as we are able.

About Morse Code: Inside the College Rankings

Robert Morse is chief data strategist for U.S. News & World Report and has worked at the company since 1976. He develops the methodologies and surveys for the Best Colleges and Best Graduate Schools annual rankings, keeping an eye on higher-education trends to make sure the rankings offer prospective students the best analysis available. Morse Code provides deeper insights into the methodologies and is a forum for commentary and analysis of college, grad and other rankings.

2024 Best Colleges

Search for your perfect fit with the U.S. News rankings of colleges and universities.

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NC State’s College of Education Ranked #30 in U.S. News’ 2024 Best Graduate Schools

The NC State College of Education is tied at No. 30 in the U.S. News & World Report ’s 2025 Best Graduate Schools rankings released April 9, 2024, placing the College of Education among the top 7% in the nation among both public and private universities. That’s an improvement of one spot from last year and an improvement of 29 spots over the past decade.

Among just public colleges of education, NC State’s College of Education tied at No. 12 in the nation. 

For its 2025 edition, U.S. News surveyed 456 schools and ranked them based on research activity (research expenditures and average expenditures per faculty member); quality assessment (peer and educational professional assessments); faculty resources (doctoral degrees granted, faculty-student ratio, faculty with education-related awards or editorships, and doctorates granted-faculty ratio); and acceptance rate. 

As reported by U.S. News , the total research expenditures of the College of Education’s faculty and researchers averaged $31.93 million over fiscal years 2023 and 2022—the most of any college of education in North Carolina and the 24th most in the nation among both public and private universities. The college also awarded more doctoral degrees than any college of education in North Carolina in 2022-2023, and saw improvement in both its peer and educational professional assessments. 

Additionally, in U.S. News ’ education specialty category, the college’s educational administration program, or principal preparation program , tied at No. 25 in the nation.

Earlier this year, the College of Education ranked No. 27 in the nation in U.S. News’ 2024 Best Online Master’s in Education Programs rankings announced Feb. 7, 2024. In those same rankings, the College of Education also ranked No. 1 in North Carolina and No. 11 in the nation for online education programs for veterans. 

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More From College of Education News

Assistant Professor of Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis Lam Pham Receives Early Career Scholar Award from AERA School Effectiveness and School Improvement SIG 

Educational Game Developed by Associate Professor of Mathematics Education and Special Education Jessica Hunt Named Finalist in EdTech Digest Awards 

Diverse Issues in Higher Education: Report: Black Female Student-Athletes Face Lack of Diverse Support 

How D.C.-area schools are handling the solar eclipse

Thousands of D.C.-area students will be in school Monday while a total solar eclipse sweeps across the nation, a phenomenon that will not be viewable in the United States for another 20 years.

Some schools in the region are holding viewing parties. Some are dismissing students from class during the peak of the solar eclipse and providing special glasses . Others plan to keep students inside during the event to protect children’s eyesight. One elementary school in Montgomery County told parents it would close some classroom blinds as a safety precaution.

The D.C. region is not in the path of totality , but the sun is expected to be 87 percent obscured . During this time, it’s dangerous to look at the sun with the naked eye.

Here are some ways schools are preparing.

D.C. Public Schools will not dismiss early, but some schools plan to host watch parties for students.

Northern Virginia

In Northern Virginia, most school districts have not made any operational changes. Dismissal in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun will proceed as normal with safety precautions in place.

Alexandria City Public Schools, Arlington Public Schools and Loudoun County Public Schools purchased special glasses for all of their students and some schools have planned viewing events. A Loudoun spokeswoman said the district has provided families with safety information and plans to use the event as a learning opportunity.

The state’s largest school system, Fairfax County Public Schools, doesn’t have a districtwide plan in place. It is not handing out eclipse glasses but has shared safety information and resources with families.

The state’s two largest school systems — Montgomery County Public Schools and Prince George’s County Public Schools — do not have a districtwide plan in place for students to view the eclipse.

Instead, in both school systems, plans vary on a school-by-school basis, and in some cases, plans are specific to a grade level or class.

In Montgomery County, for example, Northwood High School in Silver Spring is hosting an after-school viewing, said district spokesman Chris Cram. But at Takoma Park Elementary School, the principal announced in a newsletter that students would not be permitted to view the eclipse, though parents could sign their kids out of class.

Cram said that it is “more operationally difficult” for elementary schools to host events, because school dismissal occurs while the eclipse is ongoing. “Transportation and after-school day care programs must continue,” he said.

In Prince George’s County, Fairmont Heights High School leadership bought special glasses for students to safely view the eclipse. Students will watch the event from the football field. Other schools have specific grade levels or classes hosting eclipse-related activities and watch parties. And some schools are making pinhole projectors as a class activity.

Physician Assistant, Master's

The University of Maryland Baltimore Graduate School (UMB) promotes excellence in education to foster the development of competent, ethical and compassionate primary care providers. We value diversity, lifelong learning, research, and scholarship. To accomplish this mission, emphasis is placed on both academics and professionalism. Our students are expected to exemplify the virtues of integrity, honesty, respect, and ethical behavior. The University of Maryland Baltimore Graduate School Physician Assistant Licensure Disclosure can be found below.

• Licensure Disclosure

Details, Dates & Deadlines

Program details, class format, program location.

University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus

Program Length

Credits to complete, cost/credit hour.

In State: $764 Out of State: $996

Bachelor's degree or higher

Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of B:

• General Microbiology
• Anatomy and Physiology 1
• Anatomy and Physiology 2

Dates & Deadlines

Applications Open: April 27, 2024

Application Deadline: September 1, 2024

Program Start Date: Summer, 2025

Career Outlook

Health care is poised to experience the greatest employment growth of any sector in the U.S. over the next few years. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics is predicting the field will experience 19% growth across the nation by 2024. Additionally, the demand for physician assistants is projected to grow 30% from 2014 to 2024. The knowledge and training you'll receive in the   M.S. Health Science with Physician Assistant Concentration will prepare you to capitalize on this growth in a number of fields, including:

• Primary Care
• Emergency Medicine
• Medical Specialties
• Public Health
• Health Research
• Healthcare Planning
• Healthcare Administration
• Academic Research Institutions
• Public Policy

Program Structure

For students who are currently enrolled, the Physician Assistant Program is a 25-month, 116-credit program offered by the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB).

Beginning with the Class of 2025 (matriculating May, 2023) and beyond, the Physician Assistant Program is a 24-month, 116-credit program offered by the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB)

Current Program Curriculum

Learning Outcomes

Students will become competent, ethical and compassionate health care providers who are ready to fulfill the roles and duties of the primary care physician assistant, recognize and promote the value of diversity and who are committed to lifelong learning. Students who complete all course work from University of Maryland Baltimore Physician Assistant Program will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam for Physician Assistants.

In addition, at the conclusion of their study, students in the Physician Assistant Program will be prepared to:

• Search, interpret and evaluate the medical and public health literature; including qualitative and quantitative studies.
• Examine and critically appraise healthcare delivery systems and health policy at the local and global level.
• Discuss and inform health care system care delivery, patient safety, quality and risk management.
• Apply knowledge to improve prevention of disease, maintenance of public health and participate in disease surveillance, reporting and intervention.
• Articulate and explain principles and practice of medical and public health ethics.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I have to apply through CASPA? YES, all applicants must apply through CASPA and the application must be completed and received by UMB by September 1 for consideration.  UMB will send notification via e-mail when the application is received and instructions regarding how to proceed with the admission process Applicants are encouraged to submit their CASPA applications by July 1, 2022 to ensure the application is completed by the September 1, 2022 deadline.  Only applications that reflect all of the completed program requirements will be reviewed . Applications that do not reflect all of the listed program requirements will be considered incomplete; applicants still working on the listed program requirements are encouraged to wait until the next admissions cycle to apply. Please review the applicant’s checklist prior to clicking “submit” on your CASPA application to be sure it is a complete application.
• Do my prerequisites need to be completed by the application deadline? All prerequisites must be posted with grades on official transcripts submitted to CASPA.
• Does my degree need to be completed by the application deadline? Conferred degree and date must be posted on official transcripts submitted to CASPA.
• Does the type of bachelor’s degree matter? No, any bachelor’s degree or higher from a nationally recognized institution is acceptable.
• If I retake a course, which grade will count for my GPA? For cumulative GPA and science GPA (as calculated by CASPA) ALL courses will be counted in the GPA. UMB uses the GPA calculated by CASPA.
• Do I need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)? No, starting with the 2024 - 2025 application cycle, we will no longer require the GRE.
• Can I work while I am in the UMB Physician Assistant program? The program is very challenging and students need a time commitment for studying and clinical education. For your success in the program, we do not recommend that you work while matriculating in this program.
• Can I get credit for previous academic work or work experience? No, the UMB PA Program does not grant credit for prior academic or work experience. Prerequisite requirements and work experience are factored into the ranking system used to evaluate applicants. Work experience is verified as needed through the admission and CASPA application process.
• How often do you admit students? Once a year. Since the CASPA cycle opens mid-April, we recommend submitting a CASPA application by July 1 so that a completed CASPA application is received by UMB by the deadline date of September 1. Interviews are held in the fall for competitive applicants and selections are made for the new class that begins in the following May of each year.
• Do you offer a part-time PA program? No, our program is a 25-month, full-time program.
• I am a foreign educated applicant; will you accept my foreign transcript? After completing the CASPA application, UMB may request official evaluations for all foreign transcripts (for all higher-level institutions attended), evaluated   (course by course evaluation)   by one of the following organizations: World Education Services (WES) at  wes.org , Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) at  www.ece.org   or SpanTran at   https://spantran.com/web/services/evaluations . No other evaluation services will be accepted. University of Maryland, Baltimore  will not  evaluate these documents prior to going through this process. 
• I am foreign educated; do I have to take the TOEFL? All foreign educated students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) prior to submitting their CASPA application. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score (reflected on the CASPA application) for admission is 250 for the computer-based test and 100 for the internet-based test. Please note that TOEFL scores are only valid for two years from the date the CASPA application is submitted.
• If I send letters of recommendation to CASPA, do I need to submit them to UMB as well? No, UMB obtains letters of recommendation from CASPA. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that CASPA receives all three letters of recommendation.
• I do not have a background in the health care field. How can I obtain patient contact experience? Patient contact experience is recommended; however, it is not required. A student who does not have patient contact experience can take a one-semester course and possibly earn a professional certificate in just four months and begin to accrue patient contact experience hours as a paid health professional (or nationally certified professional such as an EMT). Volunteer and student hours are not considered under the program’s current definition for patient contact experience.
• What are the PANCE first-time pass rates? Please review the  5 Year Pance Report .
• How many seats are available in the PA program? Starting with the Class of 2025 there are 60 seats available.
• How many applications does your program typically receive? The typical number of applications received is more than 800.
• If I am offered a seat in the program, how do I apply for financial aid? Financial aid for the program is completed through the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) Office of Student Financial Assistance. The school code is  002104  and you can contact them directly at 410-706-7347 or email:  [email protected]  or visit the   Financial Assistance page here .
• I am a graduate from the program.   How do I obtain degree and transcript verifications? If you graduated in 2019 or before, please refer to the Anne Arundel Community College   Office of Records and Registration . Individuals who graduate in 2020 and after, please refer to the   University of Maryland Office of the Registrar .

Program Contacts

Karen Frank Assistant Director of Admissions  [email protected]   410-706-5242

General Inquiries

[email protected]   410-706-5242

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• CENTERS & INSTITUTES

UNC School of Social Work ranked No. 4 best graduate school for social work in the nation 

Posted on April 9, 2024

Tied for No. 2 public, No. 4 overall, UNC School of Social Work is recognized alongside a score of Carolina programs ranked Top 10 in the nation in their respective categories by the magazine.  

Months after being ranked fourth in national research and development (R&D) expenditures among R1 higher education institutions, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work earned another No. 4 ranking today.  

The School of Social Work moved up three spots in the latest U.S. News & World Report “Best Graduate Schools” rankings , rising to a tie for fourth in the nation among the 319 surveyed social work schools accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education.  

The School ranked No. 1 among schools of social work across the Southeast and tied for second nationally among public universities. 

Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson said being ranked second among all public university social work programs was especially meaningful due to the school’s responsibility to serve local, national and global communities. 

“Our new national ranking is exciting news,” Denby-Brinson said. “Among many measures of success, the ranking recognizes the tremendous contributions of our faculty and staff. Our MSW (Master of Social Work) program is preparing practitioners, researchers and advocates who improve life for thousands of people each day. We are honored to be recognized by our peers for the excellence displayed by our faculty in all they do.” 

Executive Vice Provost Amy Locklear Hertel, a clinical assistant professor at the School, said “The UNC School of Social Work is a true asset on campus, to our state, and the globe. By drawing our attention to pressing issues of our most vulnerable populations, to developing strong communities and systems, to informing policy as well as practice, the UNC School of Social Work is preparing social service practitioners and researchers to fully ‘advance equity, transform systems, and improves lives’ — just as the School’s mission states.” 

She went on to say, “It is an honor to be a clinical faculty member in the School.” 

Since arriving at the School as dean in August 2021, Denby-Brinson worked closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners to establish a strategic plan that helped to elevate the graduate programs, modernize the curriculum, and increase student enrollment by providing access and flexible degree offerings while using advanced learning modalities and proven pedagogical tools.  

“Our graduates are prepared to work with individuals, families and communities to solve complex problems,” Denby-Brinson said. “The practice approaches that we teach derive from the impactful research produced by our faculty. We have a strong faculty, and they are tackling entrenched issues and devising real world solutions.” 

The latest rankings were compiled based on peer assessments from administrators, deans and faculty of accredited degree programs and are compiled on a scale of one (marginal) to five (outstanding). The surveys were sent in fall 2023 and early 2024. 

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UMD College of Education Ranked Among Top 25 U.S. Graduate Education Schools

The University of Maryland College of Education placed among the top 25 graduate education schools in the nation, according to the annual U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings , released today. The college ranked No. 25, rising from No. 27 last year. Among public graduate schools of education in the nation, the college ranked No. 16, advancing two spots from last year. The college also remains the No. 1 ranked public graduate school of education in Maryland.

“I am deeply proud of the work EdTerps do, and I am pleased that the College of Education has been recognized as one of the top U.S. graduate schools of education in the nation,” said Dean Kimberly Griffin. “This distinction reflects our commitment to pursuing bold, impactful research and to creating a supportive community where we cultivate transformational leaders and practitioners.”

In addition, U.S. News highly rated all nine of the UMD College of Education’s ranked specialty programs, placing them in the top 25 among all institutions and the top 20 among public institutions, with five in the top 10.

Top 10 Graduate Programs:

Curriculum and Instruction: No. 8 public, No. 11 overall Education Policy: No. 9 public, No. 16 overall Educational Psychology: No. 3 public, No. 4 overall Higher Education Administration: No. 8 public, No. 11 overall Student Counseling and Personnel Services: No. 3 public, No. 3 overall

Top 20 Graduate Programs:

Educational Administration and Supervision: No. 16 public, No. 21 overall Elementary Teacher Education: No. 13 public, No. 16 overall Secondary Teacher Education: No. 15 public, No. 18 overall Special Education: No. 11 public, No. 12 overall

Each year, U.S. News ranks graduate schools in education, engineering, business (MBA), law, medicine and nursing, along with a rotating selection of specialty schools and programs. U.S. News rankings are based on statistical surveys of more than 2,200 programs, as well as reputation surveys sent to nearly 17,000 academics and professionals, conducted in fall 2023 and early 2024.

U.S. News evaluated more than 250 education schools this year using measures including research activity, student-faculty ratio, graduate degrees granted, faculty awards, academic excellence of entering students, and opinions on program quality from deans at education schools and school superintendents and hiring professionals.

U.S. News ranks specialty education programs in nine categories. Education program rankings are based on nominations from deans at education schools. Deans may nominate up to 15 exemplary programs for this recognition, and programs that receive at least seven nominations are included in the rankings. Programs are ranked by the number of nominations they receive.

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