Earning a Doctor of Education (EdD) from William Woods University offers professionals a powerful pathway to advance their leadership capacity, research expertise, and career mobility in education and organizational settings. Designed for working educators and administrators, the university’s flexible 100% online formats and accelerated five-week courses make it possible to balance doctoral study with full-time responsibilities. Students gain advanced knowledge in areas such as curriculum, instructional leadership, and adult learning while applying research to real-world challenges, preparing them to drive meaningful change in schools, higher education, nonprofits, and corporate environments. Graduates benefit from rigorous, practitioner-focused coursework, opportunities to collaborate with experienced faculty, and a research-based dissertation that strengthens professional credibility and opens doors to higher-level leadership roles.
Our instruction is robust yet condensed for faster degree completion times.
Effective May 4, 2026, all in-state education graduate program rates will drop to the following:
Our application process is quick and easy with zero uneccesary requirements.
EdD in Curriculum and Instruction
The EdD in Curriculum and Instruction at William Woods University is designed for experienced educators seeking to advance their expertise in teaching, learning, and curriculum leadership. This 54-credit doctoral program blends rigorous coursework with applied research and a dissertation, preparing scholar-practitioners to address complex challenges in K-12 and postsecondary settings.
Time of Coursework
54 hours; $490/credit hour
100% Online Instruction
Work around your schedule
Fast-Track Admissions
No tests, interviews or essays
EdD in Leadership and Adult Learning in Organizations
The Ed.D. in Leadership and Adult Learning in Organizations at William Woods University is designed for professionals who want to lead, train, and develop adult learners across diverse workplace settings. This fully online doctoral program emphasizes adult learning theory, program development, and advanced leadership and management skills needed to respond to the evolving demands of today’s workforce. Students engage in a rigorous, real-world curriculum culminating in an applied dissertation project that connects research to organizational challenges.
Time of Coursework
48 hours; $490/credit hour
100% Online Instruction
Work around your schedule
Fast-Track Admissions
No tests, interviews or essays
EdD in Educational Leadership (EdD K-12)
The EdD in Educational Leadership (K-12) at William Woods University is designed for experienced educators ready to advance into high-impact leadership roles within school systems. This fully online doctoral program features flexible five-week courses and can be completed in as little as two years, making it ideal for working professionals. Students develop advanced skills in organizational leadership, curriculum and instructional improvement, and applied research, culminating in a traditional dissertation that addresses real educational challenges.
Time of Coursework
24 hours; $490/credit hour
100% Online Instruction
Work around your schedule
Fast-Track Admissions
No tests, interviews or essays
Woods Wednesdays is a weekly live Zoom class designed for students who want deeper learning and interactive online education. Led by expert instructors, each optional session offers in‑depth exploration of course content, real‑time discussions, and Q&A opportunities. Students can connect with classmates, collaborate on ideas, and enjoy a dynamic virtual classroom experience that enhances understanding and enriches the regular curriculum.
Angie Salmons
Administrative Assistant | School of Education
[email protected]
Frank Giuseffi, MA, MEd, EdD
Chair of Doctoral Studies
[email protected]
Mar 30 – May 1
Spring
Session C
May 4 – Jun 5
Summer
Session A
Jun 15 – Jul 17
Summer
Session B
Jul 20 – Aug 21
Summer
Session C
Aug 24 – Sep 25
Fall
Session A
Sep 28 – Oct 30
Fall
Session B
Nov 9 – Dec 11
Fall
Session C
Our educational mission began more than 140 years ago in the aftermath of the Civil War, in the year 1870. The Christian Church of Missouri, as a work of compassion, founded a school for girls who had been orphaned by the conflict. The Female Orphan School of the Christian Church of Missouri, as it was called, eventually moved to Fulton, our present home, and grew to include other young women in addition to war orphans. Finances were always a challenge for this labor of love. In 1900 the school was saved from insolvency by a successful Missouri entrepreneur named Dr. William Stone Woods. Together with his wife, Dr. Woods wrote a check that redeemed the school’s entire debt. In gratitude, the University has borne his name ever since.
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