Announcement: CU Denver is Celebrating 50 Years
Whether you’re an alumnus, current student, member of the faculty and staff, donor, or neighbor, you’re a valuable part of the CU Denver community. Help us celebrate the last 50 years and a future that works for all.
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Explore CU Denver Programs
Use the search tool below to discover degree and certificate programs offered by CU Denver. If you are unable to find a program that is right for you, please contact Admissions or a school or college for more information.
Program Overview
Enables leaders in higher education to continue their work while completing doctoral degrees. Graduates are effective leaders, passionate about educational access, equity, and social justice in diverse settings in higher education worldwide.
Empowering you for a rewarding career
Through this program, students are empowered to join leadership discussions at the highest level in colleges and universities. Amid an ever-changing sociopolitical climate and a growing diverse student population, there is a dire need of futuristic thinkers. Colleges and universities require leaders prepared to effectively advance institutions of higher education.
Students in this concentration have a strong passion for educational access, equity, and social justice. They want to be empowered with tools for positive change to impact student success.
Graduates of CU Denver’s Doctor of Education (EdD) concentration in higher education will be effective leaders who are passionate about educational access, equity, and social justice in colleges and universities worldwide.
The 54-credit program begins each summer.
Topics of study include the following elements:
- Leadership and equity
- Finance and strategic resource allocation
- Policy, governance, law, and ethics
- Power and privilege
- Organizational culture and performance
- Predictive analytics
- Research methods
- Decision-making and conflict resolution
- Strategic enrollment management
Mode of study
The 54-credit, three-year cohort-based program includes online courses and in-residence intensive courses. Two campus visits are required each year. The semester breakdown is as follows:
- July - one-week intensive course including pre- and post-session online activities
- Fall semester - consecutive eight-week online courses
- January - one-week intensive course including pre- and post-session online activities
- Spring semester - consecutive eight-week online courses.
Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development
Students trust CU Denver to provide an education that will prepare them for excellence in their career as a higher education leader. CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) is recognized for preparing leaders of distinction who value educational excellence and social justice. Additionally, SEHD is counted among U.S. News & World Report's “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.
Why the Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity, Higher Education program at CU Denver?
Program designed for working professionals in higher education or closely related field
The program is designed to support students balancing many professional and personal responsibilities. Most are working full-time in higher education, contributing critical leadership expertise to the community. The cohort-based program combines asynchronous online instruction with face-to-face intensive coursework. The case-based curriculum allows for collaborative learning and applied problem-solving. This 54-credit-hour plan of study is completed through eight-week online courses, and two one-week sessions per year. Faculty provide on-going personal advisement and support for career development.
Dissertation-in-practice
EdD students culminate the program with an equity-focused dissertation-in-practice. During this final phase, you’ll partner with faculty and aligned organizations on problems of practice and policy. This provides opportunities to learn and engage with the support of higher education leaders and faculty as you work with real data and conduct authentic inquiry. We prepare you to problem-solve, innovate, and improve practices and outcomes for higher education environments.
Commitment to diversity and social justice
CU Denver resides in the center of a thriving urban setting, creating a diverse university community. Our EdD students are prepared for the real world. This program partners with a multitude of diverse partners and community organizations. This knowledge and skills enhance our students’ ability to serve and champion culturally diverse and historically excluded individuals and communities.
Executive coaching
Our alumni receive executive coaching services for up to one year after graduation for a reasonable fee delivered by executive-level practitioners focused on your success after program completion
Program Description
Empowering you for a rewarding career
Through this program, students are empowered to join leadership discussions at the highest level in colleges and universities. Amid an ever-changing sociopolitical climate and a growing diverse student population, there is a dire need of futuristic thinkers. Colleges and universities require leaders prepared to effectively advance institutions of higher education.
Students in this concentration have a strong passion for educational access, equity, and social justice. They want to be empowered with tools for positive change to impact student success.
Graduates of CU Denver’s Doctor of Education (EdD) concentration in higher education will be effective leaders who are passionate about educational access, equity, and social justice in colleges and universities worldwide.
The 54-credit program begins each summer.
Topics of study include the following elements:
- Leadership and equity
- Finance and strategic resource allocation
- Policy, governance, law, and ethics
- Power and privilege
- Organizational culture and performance
- Predictive analytics
- Research methods
- Decision-making and conflict resolution
- Strategic enrollment management
Mode of study
The 54-credit, three-year cohort-based program includes online courses and in-residence intensive courses. Two campus visits are required each year. The semester breakdown is as follows:
- July - one-week intensive course including pre- and post-session online activities
- Fall semester - consecutive eight-week online courses
- January - one-week intensive course including pre- and post-session online activities
- Spring semester - consecutive eight-week online courses.
Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development
Students trust CU Denver to provide an education that will prepare them for excellence in their career as a higher education leader. CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) is recognized for preparing leaders of distinction who value educational excellence and social justice. Additionally, SEHD is counted among U.S. News & World Report's “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.
Why the Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity, Higher Education program at CU Denver?
Program designed for working professionals in higher education or closely related field
The program is designed to support students balancing many professional and personal responsibilities. Most are working full-time in higher education, contributing critical leadership expertise to the community. The cohort-based program combines asynchronous online instruction with face-to-face intensive coursework. The case-based curriculum allows for collaborative learning and applied problem-solving. This 54-credit-hour plan of study is completed through eight-week online courses, and two one-week sessions per year. Faculty provide on-going personal advisement and support for career development.
Dissertation-in-practice
EdD students culminate the program with an equity-focused dissertation-in-practice. During this final phase, you’ll partner with faculty and aligned organizations on problems of practice and policy. This provides opportunities to learn and engage with the support of higher education leaders and faculty as you work with real data and conduct authentic inquiry. We prepare you to problem-solve, innovate, and improve practices and outcomes for higher education environments.
Commitment to diversity and social justice
CU Denver resides in the center of a thriving urban setting, creating a diverse university community. Our EdD students are prepared for the real world. This program partners with a multitude of diverse partners and community organizations. This knowledge and skills enhance our students’ ability to serve and champion culturally diverse and historically excluded individuals and communities.
Executive coaching
Our alumni receive executive coaching services for up to one year after graduation for a reasonable fee delivered by executive-level practitioners focused on your success after program completion
Program Features
Apply by December 1
Application deadline
Summer
Starting semester
3 years
Time to complete
The 54-credit program begins each summer.
Credit Hours
Student Testimonials
Despite all of my current responsibilities, so far classes have been manageable, professors are knowledgeable, and everyone in our cohort supports each other. It's a great community of teaching and learning.
Mirna Mattjik
Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity, Higher Education (May 2025)Alumni Success Stories
An excellent experience and as I reflect, I realize how fortunate I am to walk away from an intense academic experience with gratitude and being grateful to have chosen this program over the others I explored. The pace and coursework were challenging, both on a professional and personal level, but did not consume every aspect of my life. I was able to successfully focus on my career and my doctoral studies while maintaining a balance within my personal life. An amazing journey with a fantastic faculty and outstanding colleagues.
Oberlander-Haefs Janell
Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity, Higher Education
(May 2022)
President, Gillette Community College District
CU Denver graduates earn more, build community, and make connections. Take the first step toward your future and join an inclusive community of learners while gaining the skills of tomorrow, today.