Doctor of Education: Educational Leadership (K-12)

The primary aim of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with a concentration in Educational Leadership is to prepare current district and school administrators, educational leaders, and classroom teachers to take on district leadership roles in K through 12th-grade settings. Specifically, this concentration promotes the development of leadership skills via hands-on practice, application, and research.. The prime focus of the program is on real-world problem solving and practical application. With these facets in place, the educational leadership program will stand to produce empowered leaders who are inclined to promote the success of all students and possess a dedication to serving their entire school community.

Doctor of Education – Education Leadership (K-12) Program Curriculum

Level One - (Foundation - 15 Credits)
GE-801Curriculum Development and Instruction3
GE-803School Policy Analysis3
GE-805Organizational Behavior& Educational Adm3
or GE-810 Leading Org Change in K-12 Edu: Dei Init
GE-807Statistics I3
GE-809Research Design and Methods3
Level Two - (Professional Concentration - 30 Credits)
GE-811Qualitative Research Design and Analysis 3
GE-824Innovative Strategies in Educ Leadership3
GE-825Ethical Found and Social Responsibility3
GE-826Analysis & Interpret of Assessment Data3
GE-829Using Tech to Improve Curriculum Design3
GE-831Account: Resource Alloc and Fin Chall3
GE-833Emerg Legal/Moral Issues Facing Sch Adm3
GE-835Personnel Adm/Publ Sec Bargaining3
GE-839Statistics II3
GE-841Selected Topics in Elem & Second Sch Adm3
or GE-812 Univ Design Org: Strategic Plan for DEI
Level Three (6 Credits)
GE-871Dissertation Seminar I3
GE-873Dissertation Seminar II3
Total Credits54

Advancement to Candidacy

Prior to receiving formal approval to work on their dissertations, doctoral students must advance to candidacy by successfully completing all course work and must receive Institutional Research Board (IRB) approval for their dissertation study.

Completion Requirements

In addition to holding a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, the requirements of the program include:

  1. Admission to the program.
  2. Matriculation accomplishment.
  3. Advancement to candidacy.
  4. Successful completion of 54 graduate credits at the doctorate level which consists of 15 foundation credits, 33 professional concentration credits, and 6 dissertation research credits.
  5. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the Ed.D. program.
  6. Successfully complete and defend a doctoral dissertation.
  7. Doctoral students must enroll in a dissertation advisement course each semester after completing all required courses and prior to successfully completing the dissertation.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of nine (9) graduate credits related to educational leadership in K-12, could be transferred from other accredited universities. A minimum grade of 3.0 (B) is required in such courses. Transfer credit is granted by petition to and approval by the Dean/Program Director. It is the student's responsibility to initiate the petition and justify the acceptance of the courses.  The Dean/Program Director will determine whether the courses are equivalent. Transfer credit is by permission only and not an obligation of the University.

Time Limitation

Students who do not successfully complete all degree requirements, including successful completion of the dissertation, for the Doctoral Program within eight calendar years from the date of acceptance may be withdrawn from the program.