Ed.D. Programs in California

Earning a Doctor of Education Degree in California

What Kind of California Ed.D. Programs Are Available?

The gods of education have blessed California. It’s a big state, with tons of Ed.D. programs—including CAEP-accredited options (look for the CAEP badge in our school listings)—and plenty of career-building opportunities for administrators who are moving up in the world. Many universities in California offer substantial doctoral education grants & scholarships and a number have developed online doctorates in education.

How Do I Choose a California Doctorate in Education?

Case Study #1: The California K-12 Educator on a Budget

Let’s say you live in Southern California and you’re aiming to earn a low-cost doctorate in education in K-12 leadership. You’ve evaluated your career goals and you’re ready to approach your employer for tuition assistance. But you want to prove that you’ve done your research on affordable programs in your area. Here are a few steps to help you achieve your goal:

1. Use our most affordable CA rankings or the tuition links in our listings to draw up a shortlist of degrees from schools that are close to home! The CSU system typically offers doctoral programs with reasonable prices and a range of Ed.D. awards & scholarships. However, there are plenty of other options out there. 
   
2. Consider distance learning. We’ve profiled California online doctorates below and flagged them in our listings. You’ll still have the name of a California university on your résumé, but you’ll cut the cost of commuting and save time. Talk to recent Ed.D. alumni to get a sense of the pros & cons of a distance learning program.
3. If you don’t like the feel of public university programs, seek out unique funding opportunities. Faith-based schools like APU often offer scholarships & discounts to Christian educators. Private universities like University of Redlands have developed tuition partnerships with K-12 school districts. You could also knock the price down by applying for continuing education scholarships from state & national associations (e.g. CTA).

Case Study #2: The Aspiring California Administrator

Thinking of earning your PASC or CASC? Start with our section on California’s Administrative Services Credential (ASC). We’ve provided links to CTC-approved programs and information about schools that offer concurrent training with Ed.D. offerings. You’ll be able to earn your doctorate in education and your credential at the same time!

If you’re looking for real-world wisdom and advice on this career path, reach out to credentialed administrators in our list of California educational leadership associations & professional groups. For instance:

• Latinx educators can find mentorship & training programs through CALSA.
• African American educators can connect through CAAASA and its professional development summit.
• And anyone can attend ASCA conferences & events.

Case Study #3: The Seasoned California Educational Leader

Let’s say you have 5-10 years of administrative experience under your belt and you’re looking for a high-level doctorate that will truly challenge your ideas of leadership. In this scenario, you may wish to narrow your search to executive-style Ed.D. programs from prestigious California universities.

In our listings, that applies to programs from schools like USC Rossier, UCLA, and UC Davis. These cohort-based doctorates will often include personalized attention from Ed.D. professors and plenty of high-level networking opportunities. As a consequence, tuition prices are often high and admissions can be competitive.

Top 10 Most Affordable Ed.D. Programs in California 2025

We dove into our program directory to find you the top 10 cheapest Ed.D. in Educational Leadership programs in California! You’ll discover a number of intriguing options in these rankings, including degrees that focus on equity & justice, Christian studies, and urban leadership. Here are a few insider tips to help you make a decision:

• California is Expensive: The baseline cost for an Ed.D. in California can be double that of doctorates in other states! If you’re on a tight budget, talk to the program coordinator about funding options, explore opportunities in our scholarships section, and/or check out our rankings of the Cheapest Online Ed.D. Programs in the country. You’ll need to balance the benefits of in-person learning & networking with price.
• For-Profit Schools in California Have Cheap Prices: We’ve limited our rankings to non-profit universities that are regionally accredited. However, we should point out that programs like Trident University International’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Alliant International University’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Management offer doctorates that are under $60,000.
• CSU Programs Share the Same DNA: You’ll notice that Ed.D. options at California State Universities look very similar—they’re 60 units; they focus on educational leadership; and they take around 3 years to complete. They also share the same baseline price! Any differences in tuition will be due to campus fees and semester estimates (some schools quote the price for 8 semesters). To keep things fair, we’ve used 9 semesters for our tuition research and included mandatory fees in our estimates. When you’re budgeting, remember that CSU tuition & fees will invariably increase each year.
• Prestigious Programs Can Be Pricey: For example, USC Rossier may offer some of the best online Ed.D. programs in the country, but it charges like a wounded bull for its doctoral programs. The Berkeley School of Education is another example with excellent national rankings and high prices. This isn’t a hard-and-fast rule—UCLA appears in our top 10 affordable rankings! However, you’ll have to decide how much you’re willing to pay for quality.
• It Pays to Ask for a Budget: We found that a number of schools were quoting outdated tuition prices on their program website; the true figures could be found within the university’s tuition & fees section for graduate students. To help you avoid this pothole, we’ve provided links to tuition pages under each school in our program directory. We also recommend asking for a sample budget from the Ed.D. program coordinator. This should include all mandatory and one-off fees, as well as estimated annual tuition increases.

Note: Keep in mind that all of the tuition quotes in our rankings are based on rates for California residents; out-of-state rates at public universities may be much higher.

Remaining Top 10 Most Affordable Ed.D. Programs in California

Online Doctor of Education Programs in California

Online Ed.D. Providers in California

• Alliant International University (For-Profit)
• California Baptist University
• California State University-Channel Islands
• California State University-Fresno
• Loyola Marymount University
• National University
• Trident University International (For-Profit)
• University of Southern California

What to Know About California Online Ed.D. Programs

Online Ed.D. programs in California are available, but it pays to shop wisely. In California, online doctoral programs in education fall into two broad categories:

• Ed.D. programs in leadership offered by established non-profit universities.
• Ed.D. programs offered by for-profit institutions like Trident and Alliant.

Keep in mind that California online Ed.D. programs can be just as challenging as on-campus doctorates. Dissertations are standard and hands-on work may be required. Even with for-profit options, candidates are expected to have a minimum 3.0 GPA and some experience under their belt.

Online Ed.D. Programs at California Non-Profit Universities

Each CA university will have its own quirky take on the doctorate in education. Generally speaking, non-profits tend to play to their School of Education strengths. For example:

• USC’s Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership is run by the USC Rossier School of Education. The Ed.D. combines online assignments with real-world applications, such as an annual immersion weekend. And there’s a capstone, which consists of a dissertation, a reflective self-assessment, and additional deliverables.
• In addition to exploring ideas around leadership and social justice advocacy, Loyola Marymount University’s 3-year Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice also includes practical administrative training in areas like educational policy, law, and the management of human & fiscal capital. Better yet, LMU is a CPED member.

These are just a couple of examples to give you a taste of what’s out there! You can also consider CSUCI and its focus on equity & justice; CBU and its work on organizational change; or Fresno State’s online doctorate in PreK-20 educational leadership. Explore our listings to uncover more distance learning opportunities from non-profit universities in California.

Note: In 2022, National merged with the for-profit Northcentral University and acquired its degrees. That’s why some of NU’s programs have an unusual feel. For instance, the all-purpose Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership is built on a one-to-one learning model (no classroom discussions) and there are—wait for it—52 weekly start dates.

Online Ed.D. Programs at California For-Profit Universities

For-profits tend to design their doctorate in education programs for working professionals with tight schedules. For example:

• Trident is known for being a) explicitly devoted to online learning; and b) a popular choice with the military. You can see that approach play out in its Online Doctor of Education in Leadership.
• Alliant also has small classes and multiple enrollment periods. But it has blended management into the education mix. In its Online Doctorate of Educational Leadership and Management, there are hands-on case studies and courses in areas such as finance & business.
  

Think long and hard about earning a doctorate in education from a California for-profit university. They do not have the same standing as non-profit institutions and they may hurt more than help when you start applying for high-level administrative jobs. Remember, too, that there are scores of strong online programs available throughout the country. You don’t have to limit yourself to California schools.

Doctoral Education Funding in California

Alliant International University (For-Profit)

Alliant is a for-profit university with a number of scholarships on offer for education students. Sort by “School: California School of Education” to see all the options.

Azusa Pacific University

APU offers a number of School of Education Scholarships that apply to graduate students, including the Lillian B. Wehmeyer Scholarship and the Simmerok Family Encouragement Scholarship.

For the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, check out the Ed.D. Program Scholarship, which is awarded to candidates who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential in K–12 education and who are committed to serving under-resourced schools and districts.

Biola University

The Talbot School of Theology offers Biola’s Ed.D, so be sure to check out the section on Talbot Graduate Financial Aid. There’s a Graduate Grant, an International Student Aid Grant, and a variety of faith-centered scholarships.

California Baptist University

CBU offers a 20% tuition scholarship to employees of partner institutions.

California Lutheran University

Cal Lutheran has an assortment of modest Graduate Scholarships & Grants on offer, including a Graduate Academic Scholarship (based on need and GPA) and a Congregational Partners in Education (CPE) Award.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

We didn’t spot any doctoral awards in the Scholarships section of Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Education and Integrative Studies, but low-income Ed.D. students are eligible for the LOGRAR/PPOHA Scholarship.

California State University System

Any doctoral student in a CSU System school (see below) is eligible to apply for awards such as the California State University Foundation – CSU Trustees Award.

California State University-Bakersfield (CSU System)

CSUB maintains a CSU Bakersfield Scholarship database where you can search for relevant funds.

California State University-Channel Islands (CSU System)

CSUCI’s section on Funding for Graduate School contains links to external scholarships & fellowships.

California State University-Easy Bay (CSU System)

Ed.D. students at CSUEB who fill in the FAFSA may be eligible for student loans and a doctoral grant. You can also explore Graduate Opportunities & Financial Resources.

California State University-Fresno (CSU System)

CSU-Fresno’s Kremen School of Education & Human Development offers a number of General Scholarships, but it’s always best to ask if Ed.D. candidates qualify.

California State University-Fullerton (CSU System)

CSUF’s College of Education has an application for Scholarship & Grants. Modest funds like the Dr. Olivia Veloz Scholarship, the Founders Scholarship, and the Teacher Trust Scholarship are open to doctoral students.

California State University-Long Beach (CSU System)

CSULB’s College of Education (CED) has a solid Overview of Scholarships & Financial Aid, including details on plenty of annual & endowed CED Scholarships.

California State University-Los Angeles (CSU System)

Start with the section on Scholarships & Financial Aid from Cal State LA’s Charter College of Education (CCOE) and the university’s Scholarship database. There are some funds available for CCOE graduate students.

California State University-Northridge (CSU System)

CSUN’s Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies in the Michael D. Eisner College of Education offers the Deborah Leidner Educational Leadership Award. Students enrolled in MDECOE courses also receive an email describing available scholarships in late September.

California State University-Sacramento (CSU System)

Sacramento State has a couple of dedicated Ed.D. Awards—the EdD Pay-It-Forward Scholarship and the SchoolsFirst Credit Union Scholarship in Education Leadership. You can also look into College of Education Scholarships for graduate students.

California State University-San Bernardino (CSU System)

CSUSB’s Office of Graduate Studies can provide Financial Support such as doctoral loans for aspiring faculty members. The Office of Student Research also supplies Funding Opportunities, including grants for research projects and dissertation support.

California State University-Stanislaus (CSU System)

For the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Stanislaus State offers some Financial Aid, including an Ed Doctoral Grant (based on financial need).

Fielding Graduate University

Fielding is aimed at adult learners, so it has an established Monthly Payment Plan in place. There are also Scholarships like the Provost Achievement Scholarship for incoming students who exhibit strong competency or potential in their field, as well as demonstrated financial need.

La Sierra University

La Sierre’s School of Education offers a number of Scholarships, some of which are open to graduate students. Institutional Awards may also be available, but most are intended for undergraduates.

Loyola Marymount University

In the section on LMU’s School of Education Scholarship & Aid Opportunities, you’ll find a School of Education Graduate Scholarship and a City Year Alumni Scholarship at the forefront. However, the SOE also has a large number of Donor Scholarships on tap.

National University

NU has a list of Scholarships & Grants Funded by National University. We didn’t see any that were specific to doctoral students, but you may wish to ask if Ed.D. students are eligible for any of the military scholarships or the Collegiate Honor Award.

Pepperdine University

Pepperdine’s Graduate School of Education & Psychology (GSEP) offers a healthy number of Scholarships for doctoral students, especially those in the Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership program!

Saint Mary’s College of California

The Kalmanovitz School of Education awards KSOE Admissions Scholarships to newly admitted students, including those enrolled in doctorate programs. If you’re in the San Francisco area, there’s also a super-generous, tuition-free Lasallian Educator Fellowship Program that prepares educators—including administrators—to work in Lasallian schools for three years.

San Diego State University (CSU System)

SDSU’s Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships has general info on aid options. However, doctoral students in SDSU’s College of Education can also apply for a number of unique Education Scholarships.

San Francisco State University (CSU System)

SFSU’s section on Financial Aid & Scholarships highlights three major College of Education scholarships open to Ed.D. students. In addition, SFSU has a special Graduate Equity Fellowship, which is a diversity initiative that awards up to $5,000 to graduate students in doctoral programs. Graduate assistantships and travel awards for conferences are also available!

San Jose State University (CSU System)

Visit the Lurie College of Education’s section on Financial Aid Opportunities and the Spartan Scholarships database to learn more about opportunities for doctoral students. You only have to submit a single application to be considered for all awards.

Trident University International (For-Profit)

TUI is a for-profit university, but it is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). That means you can apply for federal financial aid. Military members, alumni, and employees of certain companies may also be eligible for Scholarships & Grants.

University of California-Berkeley

UC Berkeley states that the LEAD program does have some funding that can help Ed.D. students offset costs. We also recommend a visit to the Berkeley School of Education’s section on Fees & Fellowships and the university’s info on Graduate Fellowships, Grants and Awards.

University of California-Davis

Financial Aid for the CANDEL program (i.e. the Ed.D.) comes from a variety of sources. UC-Davis has a professional fee that gets funneled back into grants for CANDEL students with financial need. It receives funds from the University Student Aid Program (USAP) for a similar purpose. And it offers a UC Employee Tuition Discount.

University of California-Los Angeles

UCLA’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is a self-supporting program, but you’re welcome to ask the program coordinator about Division of Graduate Education Fellowships and Programs.

University of La Verne

A limited number of Ed.D. Scholarships are available to new first-year students in ULV’s hybrid program. The university also offers general Graduate Scholarships & Assistantships.

University of Redlands

UR’s School of Education has a section on Financial Aid for Graduate Students. Be sure to visit the section on Employer Partnership Discounts.

University of San Francisco

USF’s School of Education has a section devoted to Financial Resources, with details on general scholarships (open to doctoral students), graduate assistantships, and conference stipends. Be sure to investigate the Social Justice Scholarship, which rewards students who are interested in community service and engagement.

University of Southern California

USC Rossier’s School of Education grants Rossier Scholarships to incoming students. A separate application is not required. The distance learning arm of USC Rossier also has a useful list of External Scholarships, including funds for doctoral students.

University of the Pacific

In its section on Scholarships, Pacific states that graduate students in the Benerd School of Education automatically receive a 31% tuition discount. In addition to the list of Competitive Endowed Scholarships, take a look at the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Match.

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

School Administration License and Credential Requirements in California

Administrative Services Credential

Credentialing for teachers & educators in California is handled by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CDC). Education administrators aiming for jobs in the CA school system usually complete the Administrative Services Credential (ASC). The ASC will provide you with opportunities to:

• Serve as a school leader (e.g. principal) or district leader (e.g. superintendent)
• Develop, coordinate & assess instructional programs
• Supervise & evaluate staff and faculty
• Recruit & train education personnel
• Manage school operations & fiscal services
• Create student support services

According to the CTC, California school administrators must have the ASC in order to provide the following services at the school site level to preschool, K-12, and adults:

• Evaluate the quality & effectiveness of instructional services
• Evaluate certificated personnel, with the exception of the site administrator
• Administer student & certificated personnel employee discipline services

Note: On its Administrative Services Credential (ASC) page, the CTC has specific guidelines for Out-of-State teachers.

Administrative Services Credential Process

The ASC credential process is split into two tiers of training and preparation. You’ll need to go through the first tier before you can advance to the second. Many California universities offer ASC credential preparation programs; some will allow you to earn an Ed.D. at the same time (i.e. concurrently).

Use the CTC’s Commission-Approved Educator Preparation Programs database to find your match!

Tier 1: Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC)

To apply for the preliminary credential, you must have 5 years of experience as a credentialed professional (i.e. teacher, counselor, librarian, and/or health & rehabilitation services professional). Teachers who wish to apply must also have a Clear Teaching Credential.

The preliminary program is a combination of coursework, fieldwork, and performance demonstrations. You can earn the prelim credential by doing one of the following:

1. Complete a CTC-approved Preparation Program in Administrative Services, including the California Administrators Performance Assessment (CalAPA)
2. Complete a CTC-approved Intern Program, which consists of supervised, in-service training conducted in a program run by a California college or university
3. Achieve a passing score on the California Preliminary Administrative Credential Examination Program (CPACE)

You will also need to satisfy a basic skills requirement and verify your employment in an administrative position. If you don’t have an offer of employment for this position, you can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility instead.

Tier 2: Clear Administrative Services Credential (CASC)

Once you’ve earned your preliminary credential, you can start thinking about the Clear Administrative Services Credential (CASC). Candidates for this second tier must have:

1. A valid Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC)
2. Two years of verifiable work experience in a full-time administrative position in a California school

You will also need to complete a CTC-approved Clear Induction Program in Administrative Services. This is a 2-year, job-embedded individualized program focused on your employment position. These programs are offered by California universities, Offices of Education, and school districts.

Keep in mind that the CTC expects you to enroll in a Clear Induction Program no later than one year from the activation of your preliminary credential.

Ed.D. Programs and Administrative Services Credential (ASC) Training

As we mentioned, a number of California universities offer CTC-approved credentialing programs that are incorporated into Ed.D. studies or offered concurrently. For example:

• CSU Fullerton has embedded studies for the Clear Administrative Services Credential (CASC) into its Ed.D. in PreK-12 Leadership.
• The University of San Francisco allows students to combine the Transformative School Leadership Program (Preliminary Services Credential) with its Doctor of Education in Organization and Leadership.

This isn’t the case for all California universities. Some still like to keep their credentialing programs and their doctorate completely separate. However, if you are looking at applying for an ASC credentialing program, it’s worth asking if any of your course credits will transfer to an Ed.D. in the future.

Educational Leadership Jobs in California

Educational Leadership Career Outlook

California doctoral education programs are often the first pick for professionals who aspire to jobs where education and leadership go hand-in-hand. Think of:

• Higher Education (e.g. College President, Dean, Vice President for Student Affairs, etc.)
• PreK-12 Schools (e.g. Superintendent, District Administrator, Principal, etc.)
• Private Firms (e.g. Corporate Trainer, Director of Corporate Development, HR Director, etc.)
• Non-Profits (e.g. Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, Education Consultant, etc.)
• Government Organizations (e.g. Museum Director, Educational Coordinator, etc.)

Fortunately, California is awash with these kinds of opportunities. According to the the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)’s Occupational Employment Statistics, in 2023, California was second only to Texas in the employment of elementary & secondary school education administrators (e.g. principals).

Educational Leadership Salaries

California is also one of the top-paying states for administrators.

• Every year, BLS posts useful wage data for Education Administrators, Postsecondary and Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School. If you look at the wage maps, you’ll notice that CA administrators can command great salaries in either category.
• You can compare these stats with the AASA’s Superintendents Salary and Benefits Survey. This is published annually, with a summary of major findings, in the AASA’s Research Papers section.
• You may also want to check out Payscale’s cumulative data for all holders of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Degree. For example, you can see how the salary of an Executive Director compares to a School Superintendent (the Super always wins).

Educational Leadership Job Boards

Along with the usual job boards (e.g. Indeed, HigherEdJobs, SchoolSpring, etc.), there are a few CA-specific job sites worth investigating:

• The Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) has an excellent Career Center, with plenty of job listings in senior positions.
• California Community Colleges allows you to search for faculty & management jobs in the CCC system.
• The University of California Jobs section includes positions posted at all UC campuses and medical centers.
• CSU Careers lists job opportunities in the California State University system.

Educational Leadership Organizations in California

Educational Leadership Associations

• Association of California School Administrators (ACSA): This is the big one! The ACSA bills itself as the largest umbrella organization for school leaders in the United States, serving 17,000+ California educators. It’s an important advocacy group for public school students in K-12, as well as adult learners.
• California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA): CAAASA is a group of California educational leaders who tackle critical issues in education through public policy relative to the status and performance of African-American students.
• California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA): CALSA is a community of educational leaders focused on addressing the needs of Latino/a students and dedicated to increasing the number of highly effective Latino/a administrators.
• California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO): Founded in 1928, CASBO is the oldest statewide school administrator organization in California. Members work in areas such as finance, accounting, payroll, HR, risk management, transportation, school nutrition, maintenance and operations, IT, purchasing, school safety, and school facilities.
• California Association of Urban School Administrators (CAUSA): CAUSA is a union that represents 6,000+ front-line managers (both certificated and classified) from numerous school district union/associations in California.
• California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA): CCSESA is an advocacy group that helps the 58 County Superintendents of Schools in California design and implement statewide programs that promote high-quality, cost-effective educational practices and services. It also provide supports to school districts in the areas of student services, curriculum and instructional services, fiscal accountability and business services, personnel services, and technology and telecommunications.
• California School Boards Association (CSBA): CSBA is a non-profit educational association representing elected officials who govern public school districts and county offices of education. It represents statewide interests of public education in legal proceedings with state and federal courts and state agencies through the Education Legal Alliance.
• California Teachers Association (CTA): CTA is the designated union for certified school employees like teachers, counselors, psychologists, librarians, and education support professionals in most school districts in California.

Educational Leadership Professional Groups

• California Institute for School Improvement (CISI): Housed in UC Davis, CISI is a membership organization created to support district and county instructional leaders. 140+ school districts and county offices of education are currently CISI members.
• California League of Schools (CLS): CLS is a non-profit K-12 organization that serves the needs of teachers and administrators via professional development, school-community ties, and local educator networks.
• Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS): CGCS is an organization of the nation’s largest urban school systems, including a number in California (e.g. Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, etc.).
• EdVoice: EdVoice is a non-profit organization & advocacy group that aims to increase student achievement in California and eliminate inequality of educational opportunity in public schools.
• Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE): PACE is an independent, non-partisan research center led by faculty directors at Stanford University, the University of Southern California, UC Davis, the UCLA, and UC Berkeley.
• Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC): PPIC is a non-profit, nonpartisan think tank that provides independent, objective, nonpartisan research on public policy challenges.

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

Educational Leadership Events in California

Educational Leadership Conferences

• ACSA Conferences: ACSA organizes multiple events throughout the year, including the ACSA Superintendents’ Symposium, the Women in School Leadership Forum, the Principals’ Summer Institute, and much more!
• CAAASA Professional Development Summit: CAAASA’s vibrant educational & networking summit takes place in spring each year.
• CASBO Annual Conference & California School Business Expo: CASBO’s annual conference is open to all educational leaders, newbies and pros alike. CASBO also hosts an invitation-only CBO Symposium. Check out CASBO Events for more info.
• CGCS Conferences: CGCS hosts an annual fall conference, as well as multiple meetings aimed at senior-level educational administrators (e.g. Bilingual Directors Meeting, Curriculum & Research Directors Meeting, Chief Information Officers Meeting, etc.).