EdD in Out-of-School Learning

Become a senior leader who helps children and youth through impactful out-of-school learning experiences.

The EdD in Out-of-School Learning major is for experienced informal learning and out-of-school learning professionals who seek advanced training for leadership, consultant, or policymaker positions. The major is part of the school’s Doctor of Education (EdD) program, which has a variety of different majors to serve professionals from various fields.

Our students and graduates work in museums, after-school learning programs, intermediary organizations, media, digital design, university outreach/extension, youth development, and other areas where designed learning environments exist.

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Program Facts

Degree Type

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Credits

76 credits
(24 credits transfer from your previous graduate credits)

Format

Hybrid

Time Commitment

Part-Time

Duration

3 years on average

Term of Enrollment

Summer

Application Deadline

February 1

Admissions Requirements

No GRE Exam is required

Upcoming Info Sessions

EdD Info Session

September 17, 2025 | 6 - 7 p.m. ET

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EdD Info Session

October 4, 2025 | 10 - 11 a.m. ET

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EdD Info Session

October 15, 2025 | 6-7 p.m. ET

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Program Overview

Champion for Change

The EdD in Out-of-School Learning major is part of the Doctor of Education (EdD) degree program at the University of Pittsburgh Pitt School of Education. The program aligns with School of Education’s mission to prepare students to be scholars, leaders, and change-makers in education and health, with a particular focus on equity and justice.

Earn Your Degree While Working

The program accommodates the schedules of working professionals and combines an online learning environment with monthly Saturday in-person sessions.

The Best of Online and Face-to-Face

There is a hybrid course delivery model, including a one-day welcome and information event, a week-long intensive on-ramp experience in the first summer, cross-disciplinary practitioner inquiry and foundations courses, and an internship.

Built for Professionals

The EdD helps graduates advance within their professional areas of practice. This is in contrast to our PhD, which is a full-time program that helps to prepare graduates for research-oriented careers and/or working as faculty within research and doctoral granting universities.

"The School of Education has been instrumental in my development as an educator and improvement scientist. Serving as a Student Ambassador, I've had an opportunity to better connect with students and professionals in the Pitt community and learn about ways to engage in campus activities."
Audrey Sykes - Pitt EdD alumni

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Prerequisites

The EdD program at the Pitt School of Education requires applicants to have 24 credits of relevant graduate work to transfer from a source institution with a B (3.0) or higher according to University policy.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must complete the School of Education online admissions application that will include:

Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
Goal statement
Contact information for three professional references
Academic transcript

View all EdD Admissions requirements

Curriculum

The EdD program is a three-year program that consists of 76 credits. Students will complete 52 new credits in the program and transfer 24 credits from relevant graduate work.

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Learning Experiences

The EdD curriculum is delivered in several stages, through a variety methods:

The EdD cohort participates in a full-day, on-campus, orientation in the spring before the summer start of the program.

The day includes opportunities to meet program faculty, EdD program information, and cohort-building activities as well as an introductory session with other students in your academic major.

Orientation typically takes place in March or April.

The EdD cohort will participate in a full-week, on-campus, experience that includes intense work focused on understanding enduring problems of practice in education, health, and human development.

This one-week experience typically takes place in June, and is a component of the first summer courses (Foundations 1 and Practitioner Inquiry 1).

You will experience a hybrid model of education through online course experiences and in-person, once per month (typically on Saturdays) sessions on the Pittsburgh campus.

Attendance at in-person, on campus sessions is required.

Program Faculty

Program Coordinator