| 60 | Credit Hours | 10 Classes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | Years to Complete | |
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Modular Learn more
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The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) is a 60-hour degree that has been carefully designed for the context of coordinated learning communities. This design has been structured around a “signature pedagogy” that sets the Ed.D. apart from other doctoral degrees at Southern Seminary.
Modular format – relocation to Louisville not required.
Students will complete this program with one trip to campus each year for doctoral seminars in July*. Each seminar session will last one week.
The Ed.D at Southern Seminary is focused on preparing leaders for faithfulness in churches, Christian schools and ministry organizations. Our trusted faculty have designed this degree to facilitate your leadership development.
The accelerated, research-based, and practical curriculum of Southern Seminary’s Ed.D program balances focused research and practical application. This 2.5 year program accelerates your growth as a scholar-practitioner.
Students in the Doctor of Education participate in a cohort along with fellow students. The cohort model nurtures community, facilitates deeper learning, and provides the setting for the formation of deep friendships and lasting ministry partnerships.
| Course Number | Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 81020 | Graduate Research Seminar | 2 |
| 8 EdD Seminars | 48 | |
| Thesis Research and Writing (RDS) | 6 | |
| Thesis Defense | 4 | |
| Total | 60 | |
Total Doctor of Education: 60
This concentration is designed for those serving in Christian schools. This concertation serves both teachers focused on effective teaching and learning as well as school administrators charged with faithfully leading faculty and academic institutions.
For those serving in the educational and discipleship ministries of the church, this concentration equips church leaders with a philosophy Christian formation and resources for faithful leadership of discipleship ministries.
In an effort to develop and educate those with significant leadership responsibilities, this concentration helps leaders of a church or ministry organization to understand and apply effective and faithful approaches to Christian leadership.
The Doctor of Education is a terminal degree that will equip men and women to serve as leaders in church-affiliated educational institutions or educational ministries of the church.
No. The Doctor of Education is available in a modular format, requiring one trip each academic year to Louisville for doctoral seminars during the second week in July.
Refer to the academic calendar for current year seminar dates.
*Note that winter seminars occur in January but are conducted online. International students must attend winter seminars in-person to maintain their F-1 status.
In-person winter seminars are also open to domestic students who wish to attend.
If you lack the required hours of masters-level credit, you may submit a doctoral equivalency evaluation to the admissions office to find out if you qualify for SBTS EdD programs.*
A minimum master’s level cumulative grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale is expected.
For a complete listing of doctoral admissions requirements, see the “Admissions & Cost” tab.
*International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES approved organization for both admissions consideration and for equivalency requests.
Admissions for the Ed.D. program consists of:
Initial Application Submission
Entrance Essay and Interview
The Ed.D. program is structured for 36 months (3 years). Students who take longer than three years will be assessed an additional $2,000 fee for each semester of extension beyond the four-year limit.
Admissions Prerequisites
To be considered for admission in our Ed.D. program we require the following for applications:
*For more information about our equivalency standards, leveling options, or to request an equivalency review based on your master’s level work, please email admissions@sbts.edu.
Application Requirements
Application Deadlines
All application materials must be received by:
January 15 – Summer matriculation
Entrance Exams and Interviews
Entrance Exams are exams designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their comprehension of the subject area in which they are applying and sometimes in related fields. Students will be notified soon after submitting all application components as to whether they are invited to participate in the entrance exam and interview.
Exams and interviews are held on one Friday each month and are administered remotely (travel to campus not required). Click here to learn more.
$1,000 down payment, and remaining balance due equally over 30 months.*
| Total Cost | Monthly Payment | |
| Total cost for SBC students | $20,363 | $645.43 |
| Total cost for non-SBC students | $34,005 | $1,100.17 |
*Program tuition shown is for the 2025-2026 academic year. Additional fees are subject to the current fee schedule.
Financial Aid
Southern Seminary does not offer fully-funded scholarships or grants for the EdD program.
In their own words
“I have found the Ed.D. program at Southern to be an environment of encouragement and collaboration while maintaining the high standards of professionalism, academic rigor, and decidedly confessional Christian curriculum. It has helped me develop as a leader and serve well in Christian higher education. ”
In their own words
“The Ed.D. program was exactly what I needed to finalize my educational goals. The program was a biblically based educational leadership track that was perfectly calibrated for the practitioner on the field. The curriculum was challenging, the professors were relevant, and the cohort members are now some of my lifelong friends. As a busy pastor with a growing church and school, I can’t think of a better educational path for those who want to lead with excellence while connecting with other like-minded leaders in their field.”
$1,000 down payment, and remaining balance due equally over 36 months.*
| Total Cost | Monthly Payment | |
| Total cost for SBC students | $20,363 | $537.86 |
| Total cost for non-SBC students | $34,005 | $916.80 |
*Program tuition shown is for the 2023-2024 academic year. Additional fees are subject to the current fee schedule.
Financial Aid
Southern Seminary does not offer fully-funded scholarships or grants for the EdD program.
*Winter seminars are held in an online format with no travel to campus required.
When you choose a seminary, you choose a faculty.
Learn how the professors at Southern Seminary can equip you for a Lifetime of Faithfulness through one of our upcoming virtual Q&As or doctoral events.
