Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership

Program Overview

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership program prepares senior-level leadership positions in K-12 education, including the superintendency. Effective school leaders need the skills and theoretical framework to critically analyze issues of importance to educators in the 21st century. In this challenging program, you'll develop the skills to make data-driven decisions about issues at the school, district, state, and national level.

The 61-hour Ed.D. in Educational Leadership emphasizes practical application and enables students to make meaningful connections to their administrative practice. Courses are scheduled thematically to encourage students to engage in rich exploration of important issues, topics, and considerations for educators working in both public and private school settings.

The program is delivered in a weekend academy format. Courses meet three weekends (Saturdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.). Some courses are delivered in a hybrid model. Generally, there are one or two weekends between course meetings. Students take two courses each semester. Coursework is offered during the fall, spring and summer semesters.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students demonstrate foundational and practical knowledge to incorporate ethical, legal, and professional behaviors to increase equitable educational opportunities and academic achievement for all students.
• Students demonstrate the ability to advocate for all stakeholders, utilizing the knowledge and tools necessary, to create and sustain vibrant educational environments.
• Students demonstrate the ability to select, interpret, and apply theory and research to address a variety of compelling problems in urban education.
• Students demonstrate the knowledge and skills to apply organizational theory, management skills, leadership strategies, and data to transform organizations.
• Students demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct research and evaluation studies with a clear purpose to improve educational lives of others and based on findings make recommendations to improve future educational practices.

Career Opportunities

Educational leaders, who complete their Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership degrees, have a wide range of career opportunities to serve at all levels of education. Graduates are in demand as researchers, in state and federal departments of education, private consulting firms, educational service agencies, colleges and universities and school districts

Program Opportunities and Core Values

1. Opportunities:

This Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership program offers the unique opportunity to develop collaborative relationships with other candidates in a group model; investigate topics and issues of interest and benefit to institutions in which they are employed; work with a highly qualified statistician; and have classroom and faculty support throughout the dissertation process.

The dissertation experience is facilitated by a chairperson and a minimum of two other committee members drawn from the Educational Leadership Program and one additional member from the IIU College of Education.

2. Core Values

The Educational Leadership Program prepares:

• Administrators who are responsible, efficient, and strategic in their stewardship of schools and districts.
• Professionals with high levels of who are committed to the ideals of inclusive and equitable education for all.
• Colleagues who are confident, ethical, collaborative, compassionate, healthy, and balanced.
• Innovators who design powerful and equitable teaching and learning for every student.
• Scholars are who are inquiry-minded and evidence-oriented in their practice, thinking, and stance to persistent educational problems.
• Leaders who prioritize continuous improvement at the classroom, school, district, state, and policy level.

Admission Requirements

The Graduate Studies Office will accept unofficial transcripts and self-reported test scores for admission reviews. Any admission made with these documents would be conditioned on receipt of official documents, which should be provided as soon as possible.

If you are currently enrolled or have applied in the past year, you are eligible for a reduced application fee of $50.

• Apply for admission to the Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership program simultaneously with admission to the IIU School of Graduate Studies. Applications for admission should be obtained directly from the Educational Leadership Program online at www.iiu-edu.us
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Master’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 out of 4.00
• Completed online application that includes:
• Personal statement
• Complete a writing sample. 6. Submit a complete résumé to the Educational Leadership Program.
• Request three references, using the reference form, from two individuals who are familiar with the applicant’s professional work.
• Minimum 79 TOEFL score or minimum 6.5 IELTS score or minimum 115 Duolingo score (international students only)

Master's Degree Used for Admission

For the 61-credit hour program, a master's degree is a prerequisite for admission. Master's coursework may not be counted toward the 61 required credit hours, but graduate coursework beyond the master's degree may be, as long as it meets requirements and is approved by the committee.

Degree Requirements

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Courses required in the Ed.D. program are provided by the IIU Department of Educational Leadership: