Includes Preparation for Superintendent Certification
The Ed.D. in educational leadership (pre-K to grade 12) is designed to prepare mid-career professionals for a variety of leadership roles in school districts, independent schools, charter management organizations, public agencies and nonprofit organizations. Students are engaged with program faculty members and their cohort in all course content, which includes the individual development and execution of a problem-based dissertation. Program activities benefit the students in their roles as system-level leaders or policy professionals, as well as the organizations they serve. The program is designed to allow individuals to continue working as they complete this three-year doctoral program.
Program Structure. The Ed.D. curriculum is delivered in a three-year executive-style format in which students meet 10 weekends each year in addition to summer intensive sessions. The schedule is designed for midcareer professionals to further their education while continuing to work. Students remain together in a cohort as they progress through the program. Some online assignments are given between weekend sessions. Five cross-cutting themes infuse courses and other learning opportunities:
- Academic leadership.
- Strategic and organizational leadership.
- Policy and political leadership.
- Evidence-based leadership.
- Personal and ethical leadership.
An applied dissertation that serves as a capstone experience is designed for students to build upon and demonstrate leadership competencies through engaging in a multifaceted inquiry project based on a problem of practice.