Educational Leadership (Educational Administration), Ed.D.

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program in educational leadership with a specialization in educational administration prepares graduates for a variety of leadership roles in the community, pre-K-12 system, nonprofit or government. Program graduates typically continue to advance in their careers as directors, superintendents and other related executive level administrative roles.

Our program focuses on the preparation of scholar-practitioners in the field of education administration. The program provides an in-depth study of the organization, administration, staffing, funding and leadership experience at public/private PreK-12 levels of education.

Features of the program include an intellectually challenging curriculum, award-winning faculty members and applied learning experiences, including a unique internship opportunity in London, England, to learn about executive leadership in the UK.

The Ed.D. in educational leadership specialization in educational administration requires 60 credits of coursework and successful completion of the comprehensive examination and dissertation requirements.

The program of study includes leadership core courses, which provide a foundation in leadership and organizational theory and practice. Other courses in the leadership core will help you develop skills and knowledge in research methodology.

Additionally, you will complete concentration core courses, which prepare you for advanced study of and work in education administration. The curriculum is designed to connect theory and practice and help you become more effective scholar-practitioners and leaders in educational settings.

You will be required to complete an internship and take a corresponding internship course (three credits). you may participate in an international study abroad internship or may select from two other options that include a focus on government institutions or educational organizations.

The program delivery format is hybrid, with a combination of synchronous face-to-face instruction and asynchronous online instruction. This typically means that students meet for bi-weekly face-to-face class sessions via Zoom.

During asynchronous online weeks, students are responsible for completing readings, engaging in discussions with peers, and other activities related to course content. Consistent with our commitment to applied and experiential learning, our faculty strive for a high level of social presence during online weeks.

Graduates of the educational leadership doctoral program will be able to:

• Integrate social justice principles into practice;
• Engage in research, evaluation, and data-driven decision making to contribute to education practice, policy, and theory;
• Lead systemic organizational change to facilitate educational reform;
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in order to be successful in rapidly changing, complex environments (e.g., technology, problem-solving);
• Critically examine and imagine ways to change how our work as educational leaders is situated in economic, political and cultural systems;
• Develop a raised consciousness of global education policies and practices.

Successful program applicants

• have a master's degree in a teaching, administration, curriculum or related field
• are able to demonstrate strong academic performance (3.0 GPA minimum) in undergraduate and graduate coursework
• and have three or more years of leadership experience in education.

We welcome applicants working in the nonprofit sector, policy organizations and in instructional positions related to curriculum and instruction.

You have the opportunity to define leadership and explain how your position is reflective of that leadership experience.

Lastly, you will explain how a doctoral degree fits in your career trajectory and how the educational and professional experiences have prepared you for this rigorous academic program.