Doctor of Education
EdD in Educational & Professional Practice, Waldorf Education
A Doctorate for Practitioners Committed to Social Action
Our doctoral program is designed to prepare professionals who use educational practice in the service of more just and inclusive schools, organizations, and communities. Through a transdisciplinary curriculum that includes shared seminars in diverse learning community, and individualized work within the Waldorf Education specialization, you will engage in scholarly inquiry into the theoretical foundations of Waldorf Education and anthroposophy. This degree is offered in an online, low-residency format.
Program Overview
The Doctor of Education in Educational and Professional Practice is intended for professionals who use educational practices in the service of social, economic and environmental justice, in schools and beyond. The program is designed with working adults in mind. Classes are offered online, with a four-day, face-to-face residency each July on one of our campuses. A new cohort will enter the program each summer term and, if you take two courses each term, you should be able to complete the degree in three-years. You will study with an accomplished, diverse, and caring faculty who will guide you through a transdisciplinary curriculum that integrates scholarship and practice. Your culminating project will be a dissertation that establishes your place among scholar-practitioners who seek workable solutions to complex issues in schools, communities, and national and global settings.
Waldorf Education Specialization
Waldorf education is one of the fastest growing independent school movements in the world, with more than 1,000 Waldorf Schools in 60 countries. By placing an emphasis on imagination, teachers who leverage this approach are better equipped to encourage students to think creatively, critically, and empathetically. It allows students to develop important artistic and social skills, while also promoting free thinking and moral responsibility. The Waldorf Teacher Education Program at Antioch University New England has been at the forefront of Waldorf teacher education in the United States for more than 30 years. We are pleased that the addition of a doctoral-level specialization will provide a unique opportunity for experienced educators to engage in scholarly inquiry into the theoretical foundations of Waldorf Education and anthroposophy and matters of professional practice that arise in the classroom pertaining to a host of issues such as arts in education, children’s cognitive development, parental choice, play in education, technology, student performance, comparative Waldorf education, and curricular issues in math, science, and other subjects. The specialization may be composed of seminars and individualized study. You may also choose to take courses in other Antioch programs and to transfer in credits from previous graduate work. Each student’s dissertation topic will fall within their chosen specialization.
Click here for Curriculum Info and Course Descriptions
Residency Information
Residencies for the EdD program are held on the first Saturday of each term.
| In-Person Residencies | Dates | Location | ||||
| July 10-13, 2025 | Westerville, OH | |||||
| July 9-12, 2026 | TBA | |||||
| Virtual Residencies | ||||||
| Residency Term | ||||||
| Spring 2025 | January 5, 2025 | Virtual | ||||
| Summer 2025 | May 4, 2025 | Virtual | ||||
| Semester | Application Deadlines | Start Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | December 15 | 1/5/25 |
| Summer | April 16 | 5/4/25 |
Admissions
Admissions Criteria
Antioch’s student population is richly diverse, which creates a learning climate unique to the degree. To be successful in this program, you will have a minimum of five years’ professional experience, either before or after your Master’s work. Regardless of your formal position, you must be able to envision yourself as an education change agent in whatever setting you work. Although you must hold a Master’s degree, your degree does not need to be in Education. You should have an interest in using your EdD to advance study about educational practice in your field and should be able to identify a specialty focus for your doctoral work. You may be able to transfer in up to 12 credits of prior Master’s or post-Master’s graduate study in that specialization, either from Antioch or another accredited university.*
How to Apply
- Complete the online admissions Portfolio, which is comprised of the following elements:
- Online Application which provides the most recent information about your education, professional experience, references, and other personal data.
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities where you earned a degree or certificate. Both undergraduate and graduate school transcripts must arrive at the Office of Admissions in a sealed envelope or sent via secure transcripts email service.
- Two letters of reference. These references should be from persons who are or have been in a position to evaluate your work. At least one must be an academic reference such as an instructor or program administrator who can speak to your academic promise as a doctoral student. Your recommenders can submit their letter electronically using the online application or send a signed, sealed copy directly to Admissions.
- Resumé/CV
- Personal statement. Your statement of about 1000 words should describe (a) how your education and experiences to date have prepared you to pursue for this Ed.D., (b) what you want to accomplish professionally through this degree, and (c) how the degree will help you achieve their long-term professional goals. Please also indicate which specialization you would like to pursue, understanding that this choice may change during the program.
- Work sample. This should be one piece of professional or academic work that you think is representative of your finest efforts. It might be a published essay or a chapter of a book, a curriculum, a grant proposal, a business plan, a strategic plan, a newsletter, or other types of documents. The submitted document should not exceed fifteen pages in length. If your document is longer, please excerpt the most relevant section.
- Submit a non-refundable $50 application fee.
- If selected, interview with an EdD faculty member or director via phone or Skype.
The EdD does not require the GRE or any other standardized test for admissions. *Pursuant to Ohio Department of Higher Education regulations, only graduate credits in excess of 30 applied toward the master’s degree may be eligible for transfer. Please submit all materials to: Antioch University Admissions Office 900 Dayton Street Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387 –OR– [email protected] All application materials submitted become part of an applicant’s file and cannot be returned.
Deadlines
Semester Application Deadlines Start Dates
Spring December 15 1/5/25
Summer April 16 5/4/25
Technology Requirements
Students in this program participate in online learning activities organized within small- and large-group learning communities. Antioch University Online is a 100% online learning environment, and therefore, in addition to having the traditional learning skills, students are expected to have basic technological skills, compatible computer hardware, operating system, and internet connectivity upon entrance into the program. LEARN MORE
Cost
Graduate Degree Tuition
| Program | Cost |
|---|---|
| EdD in Educational & Professional Practice | $1064 per semester hour |
| View the Cost of Attendance Components | |
Financial Aid
Many AU students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public, and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants – are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program at AU. LEARN MORE
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