Educational Leadership Ph.D. Program Information

Purpose of Program

The purpose of the program is to prepare scholarly professionals for leadership positions in a wide range of educational and public sector settings. The Educational Leadership Ph.D. is designed to provide students with strong backgrounds in three domains: leadership, policy, and research. The program prepares scholarly professionals who discover, integrate, and apply knowledge as transformational leaders.

Admission

Applicants for admission must satisfy the requirements of the Educational Leadership program and the Graduate College, which includes a residency requirement of two full-time (9 s.h. or more) registrations. Candidates will be selected on the basis of grade-point average, promise for scholarly and professional growth, GRE scores, and recommendations. Transcripts, three letters of recommendation, official GRE general test scores, and a statement of career goals are required for regular admission. Application to all graduate programs (degree or non-degree) in the College of Education requires official GRE general test scores. Complete application materials are reviewed as received for rolling admission.

Course Delivery

Educational leadership faculty teach courses for principal licensure and superintendent endorsement programs via distance delivery.  Interested students may count coursework in both programs toward the PhD.  Completion of the PhD requires attendance on campus for two semesters of residency (9 semester hours each), 18 semester hours of research courses, and other requirements as determined by academic advisors.

Course Requirements

Minimum total semester hours required: 90 s.h.  Worksheet for Educational Leadership Ph.D. Program

1. Common Courses (12 s.h.)

   07B:217 Theory and Practice of Leadership (3 s.h.)
   07B:224 Organizational Theory and Administrative Behavior (3 s.h.)
   07B:226 Educational Management (3 s.h.)
   07B:291 Administration of Educational Programs and Personnel (3 s.h.)

2. Cognates (9 s.h.)
   Students who specialize in leadership must complete a 9 s.h. cognate outside of the Educational Policy and Leadership Studies department.

3. Electives (29 s.h.)
   Each student will complete electives in a related field approved by their academic advisor. Students are encouraged to present their M.A. degree as the related field, where appropriate.

4. Specific Area of Concentration – Educational Leadership (12 s.h.)
   Courses applicable to building a strong background in leadership include coursework in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies (educational leadership, higher education, social foundations of education), public administration, business, and behavioral and social sciences, among others.
   Courses may include the following:

   07B:218 or 07B:299 Educational Law (3 s.h.)
   07B:225 Introduction to Public Policymaking (3 s.h.)
   07B:228 Policy Design and Implementation (3 s.h.)
   07B:265 Standards-based Education and Accountability (3 s.h.)
   07B:270 Politics and Policy of School Leadership (3 s.h.)
   07B:311 Seminar: Research in Leadership (3 s.h.)

5. Research
   Each student will complete no fewer than 18 semester hours of graduate courses in research design, quantitative, and qualitative required methods appropriate for doctoral-level research in Educational Leadership. The research component includes the required research course offered by the College of Education (7X:150). Students will consult with their advisors to select appropriate courses approved by the College of Education.  College of Ed. Research Requirements

6. Comprehensive Examinations
   The comprehensive exam is viewed as a culminating experience for doctoral students. Ph.D. students must satisfactorily complete a take-home comprehensive examinations consisting of three areas. The first is in the major area of study; the second is in the other two concentration areas; and the third is in the students’ chosen outside area of study and is prepared by faculty members outside the Educational Policy and Leadership Studies department. The written exams are followed by an oral examination.

7. Dissertation
   An original research project is to be developed in an area of Educational Leadership.

   07B:493 Ph.D. Thesis (10 s.h.)