Ed.D. Career & Technical Education Leadership Online

Become the leader in workforce education that today's classrooms, companies and communities demand.
Degree Type Doctor of Education
CAREERS & SALARIES Graduate Degree Outcomes
Delivery Online

UW-Stout’s Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Career & Technical Education Leadership prepares you for a leadership role in secondary and postsecondary education. Our program builds upon your professional experiences to help you develop the vision, strategy and administrative qualities essential to managing and leading institutions of workforce education, including secondary divisions of career and technical education and vocational education.

UW-Stout's fully online Doctorate of Education degree program has a few select openings for well-qualified individuals interested in pursuing leadership roles in career, technical, and workforce education. We encourage you to request a ZOOM or MS Teams Webinar meeting with Dr. Urs Haltinner, Professor & Program Director, Ed.D. In CTE-Leadership.

The University of Wisconsin-Stout is steeped within a history of career, technical, work and human resource education and training. / UW-Stout

Program Highlights

  • Course delivery includes online and scheduled synchronous webinar-seminars
  • Earn a degree in three years while working full time
  • Financial support available, including student loans, scholarships, and graduate assistantships
  • Applications accepted and reviewed each spring
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Degree Requirements & Courses

View program plans, credit requirements and course descriptions.

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Applied Research Focus

As opposed to the more theoretical and philosophical focus of the Ph.D., the Ed.D. doctoral program has an applied research focus. Through applied academics, you will learn to shape the current and future systems, affect their vision, purpose and design. You will accomplish this through applied research, strategic planning and mindful leadership.

Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Career & Technical Education Leadership Graduates

  • Effectively lead educational institutions with continual improvement processes
  • Engage with business and industry entities and establish key relationships
  • Use, analyze, and synthesize data for program planning and decision making
  • Develop faculty and staff to be leaders in their respective fields
Photo of Andrea Hulshult
Dr. Andrea Hulshult teaching at Miami University. / Contributed

“This program leveraged my industry experience and inspired me to apply it to career and technical education leadership. I earned my doctorate in three-and-a-half years, and had a tenure-track faculty position before I graduated. This program and its outstanding faculty changed my life.”

Dr. Andrea Hulshult ('18)

Educational Cohorts

Once enrolled in the Ed.D. Career & Technical Education Leadership program, you will progress through the educational experience as part of an executive cohort. Cohorts range in size from 12-18 students, with an average student age of approximately 39 years.

Our program design has proven to be a collaborative community that works. Evidence of this is a high retention rate, student collegiality via a solid peer support system, and knowing program faculty in a face to face and online way. Together, the cohort supports you in making consistent progress through to your dissertation defense.

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Dean E.J. Daigle in the Robotics & Manufacturing lab at Dunwoody College of Technology / Contributed Photo
"The Doctorate of Education in Career & Technical Education Leadership program at UW Stout allows students to bring their professional expertise to classroom discussions and activities. Our cohort group continues to benchmark after graduation with several of us contacting each other for advice on professional matters."
Dr. E.J. Daigle ('18)
Dean, Robotics & Manufacturing
Dunwoody College of Technology

Program Design and Delivery

The Cohort Model: (Cohort: Program students collectively onboard their doctoral journey, progress through an intentional sequence of courses, advance through their prelim, dissertation research, dissertation defense, and graduate together) yields exceptional doctoral degree completion. 

Program Course Delivery: Within the Ed.D. in CTEL program, online coursework is blended with webinar-seminars (online synchronous seminars) in key courses (19 Credits) while 21 credits are asynchronous online. Eight credits of electives may be taken via the delivery method of the student’s choice, and 12 Credits of dissertation research are completed independently, away from campus, and mentored by the dissertation advisor.  All seminars are designed on the premise that synchronous online experiences foster deeper learning and connection across cohort members; thereby, supporting the collective and individual cohort members personally and professionally along the learning journey.

The Webinar-Seminar Experience: The CTE-L Doctoral program leverages online learning with three synchronous online Webinar-Seminars each semester along with two synchronous Webinar-Seminar in the summer session. The program's cohort design has proven to be a collaborative community that works. Evidence of this is a high retention rate and student collegiality via a solid peer support system. Together, we support you in making consistent progress through your dissertation defense.

Summer Seminars 2024Online with…Seminar 1  
CTE 912Education Policy and Leadership: 1PM - 5PMSynchronous WebinarsJune 14 
CTE 916Research Seminar II (Prospectus Development) 4PM - 8PMJune 21
Fall Seminars 2024: 4PM - 8PMOnline with...Seminar 1Seminar 2Seminar 3
CTE 911Comparative Systems in CTESynchronous WebinarsSept 6Oct 4Nov 8
WINTERM Seminar 2025: 4PM - 8PM Seminar 1Seminar
2
Scheduled on a Friday from 1 PM to 5 PM
CTE913Program, Planning, DevelopmenSynchronous WebinarsJan 10Jan 17With added synchronous meetings dates agreed on between the instructor and students
Spring Seminar 2025: 4PM - 8PM Seminar 1Seminar 2Seminar 3
CTE 922Strategic Planning and Administration in CTESynchronous WebinarsFeb 7March 7April 4
Summer Seminars 2025 Seminar 1Scheduled on a Friday from 1 PM to 5 PM
CTE 921Qualitative and Mixed Research MethodsSynchronous WebinarsJune 13With added synchronous meetings dates agreed on between the instructor and students
CTE 917Research Seminar III. (Literature Writing Focus)June 20

*Seminars are part of select courses, 2 per semester and 1 per summer term.

**Dates are selected in a manner to accommodate common professional conferences and holidays 

Schedule and Courses Associated with Webinar-Seminars >> 

For more information on course sequence, program goals and student expectations, download the Ed.D. CTEL Student Handbook

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Tuition & Fees

Customized Instruction at UW Stout can be described as programs that are designed with the adult learner in mind. If you're comparing UW-Stout's customized instruction tuition to our competitors, keep in mind:

  • Customized instruction tuition rate includes the textbook rental fee.
  • There are no additional university-based semester or technology fees.
  • Students in customized instruction programs pay the same rate of tuition regardless if Wisconsin residents, out-of-state or international participants.

Value for Your Money

There’s more to value than just tuition. UW Stout also provides:

  • Program Director – faculty with discipline expertise.
  • Student Services adviser – one point of contact, providing support to students for each program.
  • Course sequences and matrices – know what courses are offered when so you can plan ahead.
  • Courses and programs may be stackable for use in another program.
  • Courses are flexible and convenient for working professionals.

Other universities will present costs and value differently - make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

Why an Ed.D vs. Ph.D. in CTEL

The EdD (Doctor of Education) is focused on education practitioners and leaders aiming to identify and solve complex problems in education.  In comparison, a Ph.D (Doctor of Philosophy) aims to prepare scholars and professional researchers contributing to new knowledge. The pragmatic Ed.D focuses on developing thoughtful and responsive leaders through advanced knowledge and practice contribution. 

The Ed.D is the terminal degree for those seeking to lead, administer, and manage educational institutions and programs. Its courses are thematic, reflective, and applicable to the field of practice in Career and Technical Education Leadership. Research spans the breadth of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Research outcome embrace theory to drive knowledge and practice in the Career and Technical Education Leadership. The dissertation results in data-informed findings, discussion, and recommendations intent on decision-making and advancement for influencing practice in the field. 

Admission Requirements

General UW-Stout Graduate School Application

All prospective graduate students at UW-Stout must follow a standard application process through UW-Stout Graduate Studies. Beyond that, each graduate program has specific requirements that must be met to be successfully admitted to the program:

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Eligibility

The Ideal Candidate: Students enrolling in this program should have experience as instructors, faculty, staff or leaders within CTE and/or workforce education, including public and private training, human resource development and support services.

Program-Specific Application Requirements

To successfully apply for the program, first complete the UW System Application and receive your Application ID. Then, use this ID to fill out the UW-Stout Graduate Studies Collection Form, where you will provide the following:

  1. Curriculum Vita/Resume
  2. Letter of Application
  3. Fit and Personal Commitment
    • State your personal and professional goals, how you align with The Ideal Candidate Statement (see above). Why/how is this degree is a good fit for you?
    • Address commitment to the cohort: How will you adjust your schedule to allow for three years of cohort doctoral program study?
    • Address your ability to work collaboratively and contribute positively in a cohort environment. Describe what positive collaboration means to you; illustrate through evidence of past experiences.
  4. 800-1,000 Word Essay Writing Sample
    • Identify and discuss a problem, opportunity, idea, trend or practice within the scope of Career & Technical Education/Workforce Development. Articulate a point of view and support it with evidence.
    • Conform to current APA format.
  5. Two Letters of Reference
    • One letter should be from a current or former supervisor.
Access Collection Form Site*
*The Collection Form Site requires an Application ID provided upon completion of the UW-System Application

Application Deadlines

Ed.D. CTEL cohorts begin every fall semester. Applications are accepted starting on August 1 and remain open until the cohort is full.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

Applicants who desire to begin doctoral coursework in a spring semester may elect to take courses that apply to the Ed.D. CTEL elective curriculum (700 level or above) portion of the program. Applicants choosing this path will enter as a non-degree seeking Ed.D. CTEL students; meaning they are taking coursework, but are not officially admitted to the program. In March of the spring semester, the non-degree seeking students will need to apply to the Ed.D. CTEL program with the intent, if program admission is granted, for those credits to transfer into their program plan.

History of Comprehensive Career and Technical Education Lead

History of Career, Technical, Workforce and Human Resource Education

The University of Wisconsin-Stout is steeped within a history of career, technical, work and human resource education and training. UW-Stout is home to the most comprehensive array of Career and Technical Education Leadership (CTEL) baccalaureate through doctoral degree programs in the country.

In addition to the Doctorate in Career, Technical Education and Training, our other CTEL programs include the B.S. in Career, Technical Education and Training (CTET) and the Masters of Science in Career, Technical Education and Training with a focus on professional advancement in practice and leadership.

UW-Stout also offers distinct secondary-level CTEL subject area teacher licenser programs at the baccalaureate level in Marketing and Business Education, Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Technology Education.

Program Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee Members

RoseCibulkaAssociate Dean, New Richmond RegionWITC
JulieFurst-BoweVice PresidentCVTC
JoshGamerDean of Integrated TechnologiesWestern Technical College
Amy GullixsonStudent Services AdviserUW-Stout Online
JenniferHendryxCurriculum CoordinatorMoraine Park
RoxaneHerricksVice President of HRAuthenticom, Inc.
Urs HaltinnerProgram DirectorUW-Stout
RichardJoergerEmeriti Faculty University of MN 
BradonNapoliEdD Student Rep 
MeridithWentzAssistant Chancellor of Planning, Assessment & ResearchUW-Stout
JohnWillPresidentWITC
AletheaCookAssociate DeanNorthwood Technical College

Marketing and business education faculty, alum recognized for achievements in teaching profession Featured Image

Marketing and business education faculty, alum recognized for achievements in teaching profession

Otten, a third-year student, also awarded for potential as emerging marketing educator
Career and technical education graduate overcomes cancer, obstacles of COVID-19 to earn doctorate Featured Image

Career and technical education graduate overcomes cancer, obstacles of COVID-19 to earn doctorate

Krueger achieves life goal in face of life-changing circumstances
CTE Summit focused on challenges, opportunities in ‘tacit knowledge’ Featured Image

CTE Summit focused on challenges, opportunities in ‘tacit knowledge’

Keynote speaker sees UW-Stout’s polytechnic tradition as asset to faculty, graduates, potential employers