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Become a Change Agent for Education

Strong leadership, coupled with a deep understanding of how research, policy, and practice inform and disrupt educational systems, is necessary to transform our nation's multifaceted learning environments.

The doctoral program in Educational Leadership and Administration (ELA) prepares and develops scholar-leaders to become catalysts for change in diverse educational settings and contexts .

The ELA doctoral curriculum captures the program’s underlying values: leadership for equity, social justice, and school improvement. Tackling the pressing matters that school leaders face, our doctoral students apply theoretical, conceptual, and empirical knowledge to real-world problems of practice. They critique research, employ critical thinking and reflective practices, collaborate with peers, problem-solve, and analyze multi-source data.

Under the tutelage of professors who are staunchly invested in their growth, ELA doctoral students produce valuable research that positively impacts PreK-12 education. Graduates from ELA’s doctoral program move into leadership positions across local, state, and federal settings, where they advocate for and facilitate necessary educational change.

Request Information      

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Work Together to Solve K-12 Challenges Our rigorous cohort-based course content combined with research methods will engage you in critical problem solving, with four critical goals: Leadership for Equity and Social Justice, Leadership for School Improvement, Leadership for Change, and Research-based Practice and Practice-informed Research.

Convenient Schedule Whether your cohort is fully online or meets in our off-campus classrooms, the EdD is designed to accommodate the schedule of working educators. Online cohorts attend both weekly synchronous meetings and engage in asynchronous connections. Off-campus classroom cohorts attend weekend classes on select Friday evenings/Saturdays.

Develop Your Skills Develop your leadership skills through coursework, seminars, research associations with faculty and self-directed activities.

Faculty Lead the Way Engage with faculty who not only excel at teaching and research, but also challenge students to ‘go beyond,' provide mentorship throughout the program, and provide support to maximize your learning.

The GW Advantage

Whether attending off-campus or online, a GW education is unlike any other. GSEHD students benefit from our unique location in the heart of our nation’s capital and the University’s extraordinary access to diverse school settings, leading national archives and libraries, research opportunities, international organizations, and faculty who are published researchers and hold extensive practitioner experience.

Our diverse student body comes together from across the country and around the globe, bringing a wide range of professional experience, skills, and enriching knowledge.

Jump to Section:   Curriculum   |  Admissions   |  Fees & Aid   |  Careers   |  Faculty   |  Events   |  Request Info

 Program at a Glance

Doctor of Education (EdD) in the Field of Educational Leadership and Administration

Department:

Educational Leadership

Course Delivery:

-Online -Alexandria Center -VSTC Campus (Ashburn)

Program Entry:

Cohorts are recruited for admission in Fall

The Educational Leadership and Administration program in K-12 Education develops educational leaders to thoughtfully lead schools and educational organizations in an ethically grounded manner and with a focus on equity. Our program develops graduates who understand how research and practice mutually inform each other and who apply those understandings in educational settings, in the context of an increasingly globalized system of schooling. Doctoral students will be challenged to think critically, collaborate, use reflective practice and communicate effectively in preparation to transform educational settings. By preparing our graduates to be scholar-leaders and school and system leaders, our graduates are ready to apply findings from educational research and to utilize local evidence to improve learning for students directly in K-12 settings.

The following requirements must be successfully fulfilled: A minimum of 48 credits, successful completion of a comprehensive examination, an approved dissertation proposal, and the defense of an original dissertation.

 

Course List

Code	Title
	Group Comparison Designs and Analyses
	Qualitative Research Methods
	Leading Organizations through Change: Systems Thinking and Theory
	Leading Ethically: Transformative, Adaptive, and Culturally-Responsive Leadership
	Policy Formation, Implementation, and Change for Educational Leaders
	Strategic Planning and Organizational Transformation in Education
	Seminar: Administration and Supervision
	Equity-Centered Advanced Instructional Leadership for School Improvement
	Critical Review of Educational Leadership Literature
3 credits of Level B Research Methods coursework in consultation with advisor.
(One 3-credit elective course selected from the following)
	Introduction to Educational Statistics
	Pre-Dissertation Seminar (taken in addition to the 3 credits required under Dissertation, below)
3 credits in Level B Research Methods coursework selected in consultation with advisor (taken in addition to the 3 credits required under Advanced Research, above)
One 8000-level course selected in consultation with advisor
	Pre-Dissertation Seminar*
	Dissertation Research (taken for a minimum of 12 credits)
An approved dissertation proposal is required.
Successful completion of a comprehensive examination is required.

* An additional 3 credits in EDUC 8998 can be taken as an elective.

 Apply Now

• Guide to Applying
• Admission Requirements
• Application Deadlines

GSEHD’s Office of Admissions invites you to apply for a spot in our program. Please review the following admission and financial information.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Review our step-by-step guide to applying to GSEHD >

To learn more about the program, admission process, and upcoming events, please connect with the GSEHD Admissions Team at [email protected] or 202-994-9283.

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the online application form as well as the following required supporting documents. There is no application fee.

• Prerequisite: Master's Degree
• Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
• Your rationale for seeking further qualification in the field of Educational Administration at GW.
• What knowledge, skills, dispositions, or experiences in leadership will you bring to the program? What has prepared you to assume an administrative role?
• Evidence of equity-focused teaching or leadership experiences in your own professional setting.
• Areas for growth you will seek to acquire during the program to prepare to be an effective educational leader.
• Scholarly writing sample , which includes (a) references and citations to peer-reviewed work or legal documents; (b) analysis of a problem related to educational leadership, administration, law, or policy; and (c) academic formatting and style, which includes but is not limited to APA
• Two Letters of Recommendation (one that speaks to the applicant’s writing and analysis capacity and another that speaks to the candidate’s contributions to teams)
• Interview may be required

*Additional application requirements may exist for international applicants .

View more details about requirements    

Applications are now being accepted for Fall 2025. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.

Priority Deadline	Nov 1
Round 1 Deadline	Dec 15
Round 2 Deadline	Jan 15
Round 3 Deadline	March 1
Round 4 Deadline	May 1
Round 5 Deadline	June 15

For more information or to inquire about the next admissions cycle, contact the GSEHD Admissions Team at [email protected] or 202-994-9283.

 Tuition & Financial Aid

• Tuition Overview

We know embarking upon graduate school is a big decision - due in part to the costs of attending. At GW, we understand the time and thought behind making graduate school work for you. Please take a moment to learn more about the options and opportunities available to help fund your graduate education.

Learn more about scholarships, grants & financial aid        

Graduate tuition is charged per credit hour, unless otherwise noted. This program requires a minimum of 48 credits.

Rates vary by program and designated location of admission. Current tuition rates may be updated during the year.

  The tuition rate* for the off-campus EdD in ELA program is $1,230 per credit hour .

  The tuition rate* for the online EdD in ELA program is $1,230 per credit hour .

Please note: Additional fees may apply for international students, late fees, etc. Current tuition rates may be updated during the year.

*Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025

Scholarships are available to eligible admitted students. Review eligibility requirements and learn more about funding your education >

Being part of the program has been a life-changing opportunity. I have grown and continue to develop professionally and socially due to the meaningful learning I experienced. I entered the program with limited clarity and focus on my professional goals. However, as a result of the time devoted to deeper learning, I now see where I can make a difference in my educational community. 

DR. NATASHA SAUNDERS (EdD '23) Coordinator for Secondary English Language Arts, Fairfax County Public Schools

 Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Services, top K-12 elementary leaders earned a median $98,980 annual salary in 2021, with jobs in the field expected to grow 6% by 2031. 1

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook , Top Executives, at bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm (visited May 25, 2023 ).

Our graduates are leading in schools and districts across the nation. They serve as:

• District Coordinators for Special Education
• Assistant Superintendents
• Superintendents
• University Professors
• Principals and Assistant Principals
• Senior Literacy Specialists
• Chief Human Resources
• Development Officers

• Public, private or charter PK-12 schools
• Higher education institutions
• Government departments or agencies
• Consulting organizations

As a student in this program, my knowledge and skills as a school leader grew tremendously and assisted me in ensuring the school communities I served positively moved the needle for student achievement. The faculty and staff were experienced and knowledgeable and helped prepare me for my prospective role as a K-12 school leader. I established meaningful relationships with peers and faculty who served as accountability partners and offered a wealth of feedback and support. 

DR. SHANTE ONIYIDE (EdD '22) Principal, Hampton City Schools

Educational Leadership and Administration (EdD) Faculty

Department Chair and Professor, Educational Leadership

Associate Professor, Educational Administration

Assistant Professor, Educational Administration

Associate Professor, Educational Leadership and Administration

Professor, Educational Administration

Assistant Professor of Practice, Educational Administration

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Doctor of Education : Doctorate Degree in Education

Johns Hopkins’ newly redesigned, global online Doctor of Education is at the forefront of education doctoral programs with the most innovative, challenging, and student-centered program of its kind.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the program continues to lead with the “EdD 2.0” offering, which is ideal for the busy education practitioner within any professional context. Our program recognizes that learning is both lifelong and occurs outside of formal schooling.

The vision of the Johns Hopkins EdD program is to prepare education-practitioners across the country and around the world to think critically about problems within their education environment and develop the insights and capacity to lead positive, sustained change.

Questions? Please reach out and we’ll be in touch soon.

Upcoming admissions events.

Have questions about our degree programs, the application, or financial aid and costs? Join us for an inside look at a graduate experience defined by innovation and driven by evidence-based research. Learn more about your area of interest or career path, meet some of our faculty, and connect to the Johns Hopkins School of Education community. Check out our admissions events and register for a virtual information session today.

Doctor of Education Info Session

Core Faculty

Yolanda abel, edd.

Associate Professor

Affiliation

Advanced Studies in Education

Administration, Organization & Leadership, Education Policy & Politics, Social Context of Education

Camille Bryant, PhD

Joshua travis brown, phd.

Assistant Professor

Administration, Organization & Leadership, Education Policy & Politics, Postsecondary Education, Social Context of Education

Marcia Davis, PhD

Associate Professor (Research) Co-Director, Center for Social Organization of Schools Director of Research, Baltimore Education Research Consortium

Center for Social Organization of Schools, SOE Leadership

Learning & Instruction, Research, Evaluation & Assessment

Christine Eith, PhD

Interim Department Chair, Advanced Studies in Education Assistant Professor

Keri M. Guilbault, EdD

Associate Professor Interim Director, Doctor of Education Program Faculty Lead, Gifted Education Programs

Counseling & Educational Studies

Gifted Education, Learning & Instruction

Ranjini Mahinda JohnBull, PhD

Learning & Instruction, Mind, Brain, & Teaching

Olivia Marcucci, PhD

Advanced Studies in Education, Center for Safe and Healthy Schools

Social Context of Education

James Diamond, PhD

Educational Technology, Learning & Instruction

E. Juliana Pare-Blagoev, EdD

Eric rice, phd.

Social Context of Education, Urban Education

Laura Flores Shaw, EdD

Assistant Professor Faculty Lead, Doctor of Education

Learning & Instruction

Henry M. Smith, EdD

Administration, Organization & Leadership, Education Policy & Politics

Program Overview

Exceptional education-practitioners will engage with an internationally renowned faculty to cultivate and practice curiosity, critical discourse, and perspective taking in a unique and rigorous course of study using the lenses of social justice, systems thinking, appropriate research methods, and empirical inquiry.

Coursework includes the latest research on the social determinants of education; mind, brain, and teaching; entrepreneurship; data and measurement; and technology. The redesigned program allows our doctoral students to customize their program by expanding their choice of electives so that they may focus more deeply on their professional interests that align with their problem of practice. Our online EdD prepares education practitioners to be transformational leaders within their professional settings.

The vision of the Johns Hopkins EdD program is to impact complex educational problems across the globe by preparing education practitioners to think critically and systemically about problems within their professional settings and develop deep understanding and insights to lead positive, sustained change within those settings.Our graduates create new areas of research, promote distribution and utilization of research findings in professional practice, and contribute to wider public discourse and policy.

Areas of Interest

The EdD program includes areas of interest. Applicants can indicate one or more areas of interest they think are related to a problem of practice and would like to explore. Current areas of interest are:

Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education

• Learning Design and Technology
• Neurodiversity and Neuroeducation

Urban Leadership

*Courses and course sequences are subject to change.

Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education offers a unique opportunity for school and other educational organization leaders in both public and private educational environments. Students develop their knowledge, skills, and dispositions as they engage in leading efforts to build new venture opportunities in varied educational organizations. Through multidisciplinary lenses, educational leaders promote innovation in the paradigms, strategies, values and culture in school systems, social entrepreneurial ventures, and education companies. Each of the courses offers an opportunity to explore leadership theoretical frameworks, identify a Problem of Practice, and create a plan of action, through analysis and synthesis of presentations, readings, and discussion of the current state of multiple educational environments and the visions and challenges for the future.

Available Courses:

• Entrepreneurship in Education
• Talent Management and Organizational Finance for Entrepreneurial Leaders
• Data Driven Decision Making
• Partnerships and Educational Organizations

Mind, Brain, and Teaching

Mind, Brain, and Teaching is designed for educators interested in exploring research from cognitive theories and neurosciences and its potential to inform the education field. Courses promote integration of diverse disciplines that investigate human learning and development. This area of interest builds upon basic and applied research from the fields of cognitive science, psychology and brain sciences, neurology, neuroscience, and education. It provides educators with knowledge of how emerging research in the learning sciences can inform teaching and learning. Students gain the knowledge and skills to interpret basic and applied research and apply relevant findings to educational practices and policies. This area of interest is designed to support the development of knowledge, insights, and competencies among students with two different levels of prior knowledge in the learning sciences: those who have had limited formal exposure to the learning sciences, and those who have a master’s degree or master’s certificate in the learning sciences.

• Fundamentals of Cognitive Development
• Neurobiology of Learning Differences
• Cognitive Processes of Literacy and Numeracy
• Special Topics in Brain Sciences

Cities are usually characterized by diverse populations with rich communities made up of many different races, classes, languages, and nationalities, and this dynamism is a chief strength of urban areas. However, urban schools typically serve populations characterized by high concentrations of poverty and therefore face difficult choices about how to allocate scarce resources. Urban Leadership is designed for educational professionals interested in exploring this dual nature of urban schools through a deep understanding of a Problem of Practice based in their unique context of professional practice. This area of interest prepares educational leaders to work in urban environments through a focus on topics such as building a strength-based understanding of the complexities of urban communities, engaging the latest research on urban educational programs, developing strategies for program improvement, and building partnerships with families, communities, and other organizations.

• Approaches to Urban Education
• Individuals in Urban Context
• Organizations and Institutions
• Partnerships and Community Organizing

Graduates from our EdD program work in diverse areas, including executive roles in educational organizations and start-ups, leadership in K-12 school districts and systems, consultancy in specialized education fields, and more.

• Administrator
• Superintendent
• Instructional Designer
• Chief Learning Officer

100% Online

Continue your full-time career and apply what you learn in real time as you earn your degree 100% online.

Legal Disclosure

State-specific information for online students.

Students should be aware of additional state-specific information for online programs . Johns Hopkins University is a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate , which is the knowledge forum on the EdD. It has a membership of over 100 schools of education in the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand working collaboratively to improve professional preparation in education at the highest level.

Earn Your NYU Doctorate in Leadership and Innovation.

Organizational change starts with an online doctorate in leadership and innovation from NYU. Leverage your knowledge and skills in transformational leadership roles to create new, sustainable solutions to systemic institutional challenges with your EdD.

The application for the January 2025 cohort is now open. Extended deadline is September 2.

Our online leadership and innovation doctorate at a glance

Blending academic theory and real-world practice, NYU Steinhardt’s EdD in Leadership and Innovation is more than an online degree. It’s a unique program that provides working professionals with the tools to harness transformative change in their organizations and beyond.

three-day immersive residency at a global NYU site

hours per week

Average time commitment, including classes, will vary

total credits at the doctoral level

per credit hour

Based on 2024–2025 tuition rates

Minimum time to degree completion 1

EdD program overview

NYU Steinhardt’s EdD in Leadership and Innovation is more than a doctorate program. It’s a cohort of professionals, faculty , and distinguished cross-sectoral leaders from spaces such as:

• For-profit companies
• Higher education
• Nonprofit and philanthropic organizations
• Public and governmental organizations

We examine the most important issues cross-sectoral leaders face today and discover solutions that make change possible for tomorrow. We apply an academic lens to myriad sectors so students graduate from the doctoral program with the core competencies for impactful director and executive-level career options.

The research, analysis, writing, and critical thinking involved in students’ strategic design and implementation of a change management project are assets that students will bring to current and future employers.

The Problem of Practice

While many doctoral programs require students to complete a dissertation, NYU Steinhardt challenges students to examine and create an academically informed solution to a persistent organizational problem throughout the EdD program. This unique project is called the Problem of Practice (POP) , and it enables students to create real value for their organizations.

“We want students to have a collaborative experience in which they ignite a transformation in education from across sectors.” DR. NOEL S. ANDERSON FOUNDING FACULTY

Explore the cohort model design

When students work together, they leverage their unique leadership skills and professional experiences to develop new ideas and effect sustainable change. That’s why the cohort model is a defining feature of NYU Steinhardt’s EdD in Leadership and Innovation program. Traveling the curriculum together, students develop a common problem-solving language and discover new solutions to old challenges. Best of all, since courses run continuously through Summer and January terms, students earn their degree in 24–28 months, a duration that’s among the shortest in the country relative to other education doctorates.

Great minds, thinking differently

Our program unites experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds who share their unique perspectives on real-world challenges. By giving them the space to question, explore, and take risks, we foster innovation, resulting in new solutions to persistent organizational problems.

A collaborative system of support

For the duration of the program, faculty serve as mentors, supporters, challengers, and advocates, bringing decades of leadership experience to their partnership with students.

Built for immediate action

Students can complete their degree in as few as 24 continuous months, preparing them to create sustainable and scalable change at their organizations in their leadership roles.

Who is this program for?

The NYU online Doctorate in Leadership and Innovation is different by design. More than an educational leadership program, it’s a global cohort of cross-sector professionals motivated to create real change in their fields. Diverse leaders from the worlds of business, government, nonprofits, healthcare, and education seek out our program to be challenged to think beyond their areas of expertise – and to create new solutions and catalyze change in their organizations.

Current and former students’ employers include:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• The World Bank
• NYC Department
of Education
• The Millennium School – Dubai

Current and former students’ job titles include:

• Chief executive officer
• Chief learning officer
• Senior director of global security
• Head of diversity, equity & inclusion
• Program manager, behavioral health
• Military officer
• Director, office of educational assessment
• Adjunct faculty

Students represent a global cohort whose diverse voices are informed not only by the work they do, but from lived experiences around the world. 

The NYU EdD addresses the needs of full-time working professionals with a rigorous online Doctorate in Leadership and Innovation program that can be completed in as few as 24 months.

Three-day immersive residency

At the beginning of the program, your cohort will convene at NYU to meet, discuss your professional experiences, and examine the persistent challenges you face in your organizations. The residency will deepen students’ connections with peers and faculty and help serve as a foundation for the EdD curriculum.

Designed as a cohort model, our 42-credit curriculum includes 17 consecutive courses that can be completed in as few as 24 months. Students continue working while earning their degree, examining and solving a persistent challenge in their organization throughout the program.

Problem of Practice (POP)

Rather than completing a traditional dissertation, you will identify a persistent problem in your organization and examine it through an academic lens throughout the program, emerging with a thoroughly researched, actionable solution that creates real value for your organization.

Frequently asked questions

Finding the right EdD program to expand and leverage your leadership skills is essential to your success. To aid in this decision-making process, we’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about eligibility, tuition, courses, and more.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for the EdD in Leadership and Innovation program, you must hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. You must also have seven years of work experience in a leadership role. The GRE is not required for admission.

Learn how to solve institutional challenges with NYU’s EdD

1 Total time to complete the program may vary based on the number of credits taken each semester.

Tell us about yourself.

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Mid-career doctoral program in educational leadership, doctor of education (ed.d.), you are here, our doctoral program prepares educational leaders to meet the demands of district and organizational leadership.  .

Senior and mid-career educational leaders from the United States and beyond look to our doctoral program in Educational and Organizational Leadership to deepen their understanding of educational organizations, instruction, and learning as they intersect with the rapidly changing demands of education leadership. We develop leaders to be stronger in their current organizations and prepared for future challenges. In collaboration with outstanding faculty and a robust alumni network, our program develops productive, generative means for leaders to amplify their impact on the wider educational landscape.

Designed for working professionals, including those at senior levels of districts and organizations, we meet on campus one weekend a month and one week every summer as well as online via collaborative, interactive platforms.  A typical student brings 15 to 20 years of experience to the seminar table, drawing on his or her own experiences from across urban, rural, suburban, private, and public sectors. 

What Sets Us Apart

About the program.

As part of an inquiry-based, cohort model, members of our professional learning community take 27 curricular units covering four key areas of educational leadership—instructional, organizational, public, and evidence-based leadership. Students begin planning for their dissertation from the first day of the program, and work closely with program faculty to develop a research project designed to identify, analyze, report on, and make recommendations about an actual problem of leadership practice—often their own practice and situated within their own educational organization.

Courses occur in modules delivered in an executive-style format

• Summer: 3 course units
• Fall: 3 course units
• Spring: 3 course units

Culminating experience Dissertation

• Executive-Style

Our program emphasizes collaboration and reflective practice. We model this in our learning community by forming cohorts of students, including small teams within those cohorts, and by placing a high value on problem solving through the creation and implementation of new educational approaches. 

Your studies and work should converge in various ways. We take seriously the intellectual challenges at the core of your work as leaders, and strive to integrate these complex problems into class work. Naming, reframing, and resolving these issues leverages the demands of your day job in building an enhanced inquiry stance in your practice.

We also recognize and tap the considerable experience in each cohort, a rich resource for each student outside of classes as well. Program participants meet during meals, before and after classes at the hotel, and during the Saturday Commons and Saturday Soirees for continued conversations.

Taking an inquiry-based perspective, our curriculum addresses the ongoing transformation of public and private educational organizations by focusing on leadership in four core areas: 

Instructional Leadership

Students explore such fundamental questions as: What does instructional leadership look like at the primary and secondary levels? Which practices do successful leaders use to improve teaching and learning in a variety of contexts? How should educational leaders, teachers, and facilitators be observed and evaluated? How should educational organizations and their staff be held accountable for their contributions to learning? And most importantly, how can everyone involved in schools promote student engagement and learning?

Organizational Leadership

Our program prepares students to create organizations that foster the continuous improvement of teaching and learning. We focus on developing the emotional intelligence of leaders so that they are equipped to manage small groups and teams and have a robust understanding of intergroup and systems dynamics. Students in the program learn about efficiently employing and creating resources to promote learning environments and manage change. 

Public Leadership

Educational leaders must perform as advocates, brokers, and catalysts in their communities in order to support educational success. They need to frame current educational challenges within wider philosophical, historical and sociological contexts, and then find ways to build stronger and more inclusive “publics” for their institutions. They need to model the public problem solving required to diagnose and engage the educational ecology affecting the educational development of those they serve.

Evidence-based Leadership 

School leaders are constantly faced with complex decisions that are best made by accumulating, synthesizing, and analyzing data from multiple sources and in a variety of forms. Those who are prepared to recognize and utilize the wealth of information around them will invariably produce more reasoned and better-informed decisions. This area prepares education leaders to identify and employ data sources and analytic methods to inform decision-making.

For information on courses and requirements, visit the  Educational & Organizational Leadership Ed.D. program in the University Catalog .

The program is designed for working professionals, including those at senior levels of districts and organizations, as an intensive, cohort-based program that brings together a professional learning community. Spanning over 36 months, the program meets on campus for one long weekend each month and one week each summer, as well as holding online interactions via collaborative, interactive platforms. With the dissertation process and significant support embedded in the schedule, our students are able to complete their coursework and dissertation within 3 years. 

Recognizing the time demands of our students as active leaders, we provide the support that frees you to focus on your coursework. A full-time program coordinator is partnered with each cohort, from recruitment through graduation, acting as a one-stop contact for all administrative guidance in the program. We provide meals and arrange hotel accommodations while also taking care of course registration, technology access, books, materials, and assistance with administrative processes.

Typical Weekend Schedule

Friday 2:45pm Announcements 3-6pm Class  6-7pm Dinner 7-9pm Class 

Saturday 8am Breakfast 9am-12pm Class 12-2pm Saturday Commons 2-5pm Class 5-6pm Dinner 6pm- Saturday Soiree/Independent/Group work

Sunday 8am Breakfast 8:30-11:30am Class 11:30am-12pm Lunch 12-3pm Class 3pm- Independent/Group work

Program Calendar, Academic Year 2023-2024, 2024-2025

(Please note these dates are subject to change. A finalized schedule will be given during orientation.) 

July 15-22, 2023 August-no meeting September 29, 30 and October 1, 2023 October 27-29, 2023 November 17-19, 2023 December 15-17, 2023 January 19-21, 2024 February 16-18, 2024 March 15-17, 2024 April 5-7, 2024 May 3-5, 2024 June 7-9, 2024 July 13-20, 2024

July 13-20, 2024 August-no meeting September 27-29 2024 October 25-27, 2024 November 15-17, 2024 December 13-15, 2024 January 17-19, 2025 February 21-23, 2025 March 21-23, 2025 April 11-13 2025 May 2-4, 2025 June 6-8, 2025 July 19-26, 2025

Funding Opportunities

Penn gse empowerment through education scholarship program.

This scholarship supports Penn GSE’s commitment to expanding access and ensuring that the Penn GSE community is inclusive in serving all people. The scholarship will provide financial aid for students in the Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership.

When completing the   GSE Application , students applying to the Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership will be asked if they would like to be considered for this scholarship and, if so, required to complete additional questions.  Students will be notified of the award receipt at the time of admission notification.  Note that consideration for this scholarship is independent of other merit-based awards and can be combined with other awards up to the cost of tuition.

A Program Like No Other

Alumni and faculty explain why the Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership is unique.

Our Faculty

Program Leadership & Staff

Bruce Campbell Senior Fellow and Director [email protected]

Kathy Rho Associate Director [email protected] (215) 746-3884

Joseph Jackson Program Coordinator [email protected] (215) 573-0588

Logan Jones Merrill Program Coordinator [email protected] (215) 746-6573

John D’Auria Professional Mentor, Career Development and Team Effectiveness [email protected]

Affiliated Faculty

Michele Mitchell Executive Director, Student Advancement, Newport News Public Schools Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania

Nicholas Morgan Executive Director, Strategic Data Project, Harvard University M.B.A., Dartmouth College

Marilyn Tinari Founding Team Leader – The Girls Academy Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania

“ I love our cohort model and the peers that grew to be near and dear friends. I appreciated the flexibility of our program to be able to work full-time, while simultaneously completing my degree, developing my nonprofit, and raising a young family.”

Tony Alleyne

Our graduates.

We are deeply committed to helping our alumni promote their ideas in the world, connecting them with others who can solve practical problems, and supporting them in advancing their careers.

Alumni Careers

• Chief Academic Officer, Literacy Design Collaborative
• Principal, Radnor Township School District
• Director of Technology, Lackland Independent School District
• Pennsylvania State Secretary of Education
• Principal, Bellwood-Antis School District
• Teacher Leader, Greater Latrobe School District
• Head of School, French American International School

  Alumni Member Portal

Admissions & Financial Aid

Please visit our Admissions and Financial Aid pages for specific information on the application requirements , as well as information on tuition, fees, financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships.

Contact us if you have any questions about the program.

Graduate School of Education University of Pennsylvania 3700 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 898-6415 [email protected] [email protected]

Joseph K. Jackson Program Coordinator (215) 573-0588 [email protected]

Please view information from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office for specific information on the cost of this program.

Most students in this program fund their degree through a combination of personal resources, employer benefits, and student loans.

Facing a problem in your school? Ask yourself these questions

Leadership is largely a skill based on decision making. This is especially true in schools, where leaders have to balance the needs of diverse groups while making hundreds of decisions each week. Like all skills, leadership can be improved with practice and self-examination. Mike Johanek, Director of Penn GSE’s Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, suggests that leaders start by reflecting on how they assess problems.

Related News & Research

The Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership is dedicated to sharing our learning in both innovative and traditional ways.  We actively support members of our network in contributing to practice and to the scholarship of leading in the wider field.

Math experts expanding Responsive Math Teaching Project to new areas

Innovative Learning Analytics online master’s program advances education

Penn GSE tutoring initiative makes “profound impact”

GSE Alum empowers communities with artisanal crafts and education

Shanta smith appointed associate professor of clinical education at usc rossier school of education.

Shanta Smith will be faculty in the Master of Arts in Teaching Program at USC Rossier. Prior to her appointment at USC Rossier, she served as a public school educator for over 21 years and a school administrator since 2010.

Stacy Bobo named Upper School Division Head at Fieldston School

Stacy Bobo joined the Ethical Culture Fieldston School community in July as Fieldston Upper Principal. Prior to joining ECFS, Stacey served as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Technology academy in Waipahu, Hawaii.

Khalid Mumin named Pennsylvania Secretary of Education

Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro named Khalid Mumin as the state’s Secretary of Education. Mumin will leave his role as superintendent of the Lower Merion School district as he heads to Harrisburg. He said to the Lower Merion Community, “ I will take the experiences I have gained here with me to Harrisburg with the hope of inspiring all children, scholars and academicians to infinite possibilities of success.”

Read More Mid-Career News

Carol kelley named superintendent of princeton public schools.

Kelley has been selected to lead Princeton Public Schools. She will be the second African American named to the top post in the district.

Brendan McGrail joins Portsmouth Abbey School

Following a national search, McGrail becomes the school’s first Director of Enrollment Management.

Tony Alleyne is a Black Voice for Black Justice awardee

Alleyne is the founder and executive director of the Delaware College Scholars program, a black-created nonprofit focused on ensuring that first-generation public high school students are prepared for and can succeed in competitive four-year colleges.

Raymond Yu selected as Head of School at Bertschi School

The trustees of Bertschi School announced the appointment of Raymond Yu, Ed.D., as their next head of school, effective July 1, 2022.

Mid-Career students, alumni present at NAIS Annual Conference

The Mid-Career Doctoral Program was well represented at the NAIS Annual conference: Melinda Bihn co-presented on “Soft Landings and Successful Launches: Effective Leadership Transitions in Turbulent Times;” Kate Windsor co-presented “Taking Steps to be an Anti-Racist Institution;” and Steve Brown, Marta Filip-Fouser, Carla Haith, Sara Johnson, Nima Rouhanifard, Clare Sisisky, and David Weiner presented “Making Sense of Meaningful Disruption-Driven Change: A New Framework for Independent School Leaders.”

Josephine Diemond New Head of Winston School in Short Hills, NJ

Prior to joining The Winston School in 2021, Dr. Diemond was the Head of the Upper School at McLean School for 15 years.

Cristina Meléndez named to NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ education transition team

Cristina Meléndez is among the leads to join NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ education transition team. A bilingual educational leader, she brings extensive experience in delivering transformational solutions to the local and district levels. Meléndez will advise the mayor on education

Delvin M. Dinkins appointed Head of School for Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

Delvin M. Dinkins has been named Head of School for Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, effective July 2022. A Mid-Career alum, he received unanimous endorsement from the Academy’s Board of Trustees for his appointment.

John W. Spencer to join Lincoln University as Adjunct Instructor

John W. Spencer has been appointed Adjunct Instructor at Lincoln University’s Master of Education degree program in Educational Leadership/Principal Certification Program. In his new role, Dr. Spencer will prepare K-12 school administrators and instructional leaders to effect positive change throughout their school communities based on research, assessment, and best practices.

Gary W. Abbamont develops PDE course for all newly hired principals

Gary W. Abbamont, facilitator for the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership Program, develops a new course in instructional leadership for the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Abington Heights School District appoints Christopher L. Shaffer as Superintendent

“Dr. Shaffer stood out from the group with his exceptional vision, relationship building skills, experience, energy, and leadership abilities…” stated board president Louise Brzuchalski.

William Thomas IV, accepts position as professional lecturer at American University School of Education.

Thomas will teach Antiracism, Equity, and Inclusion in Education, a course in the Ed.D. program in education policy and leadership.

Christine Mahady named Co-Director of Education Leadership

Mid-Career alum Christine Mahady has been named Co-Director of Education Leadership at Loyola University Maryland.

Khalid Mumin selected as the Lower Merion School District Superintendent

The Lower Merion School District selected Khalid Mumin, the 2021 Pennsylvania superintendent of the year, as its next superintendent. A Mid-Career alum, Dr. Mumin comes to Lower Merion from the Reading School District where he has served as Superintendent of Schools since 2014.

Denny Barr named founding director

Denny Barr was recently named the founding director of the Arlington and Arlene Seymour Center for Rural Education Advocacy, Policy, and Research, established at Western Illinois University. The new center is the first in the state of Illinois and one of only a few in the United States.

Wagner Marseille appointed Superintendent

Wagner Marseille has been appointed the Superintendent of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. The School Board Directors believe that Dr. Marseille’s strong skills, vision, energy, and wide breadth of experience are an excellent match for Wallingford-Swarthmore’s current goals and for the future success of the district.

Christina Grant appointed next State Superintendent of Education

Christina Grant has been appointed the next State Superintendent of Education in Washington, DC. In her new role, Dr. Grant will lead the office in charge of administering grants as well as overseeing standards, assessments, and accountability for D.C.’s elementary and secondary schools.

Marc Gosselin appointed Superintendent

Marc Gosselin has been appointed the Superintendent of the Lenox Public School District in Massachusetts. On Dr. Gosselin’s appointment, one committee member commented, “He’s very savvy and resourceful, with depth of thought, an active seeker of information on how we can grow and change. That’s a great quality for a superintendent.”

Tennant joins board of Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders

Noah Tennant has been named to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders. Dr. Tennant currently serves as an Assistant Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia.

Matthew Suzuki named to new position with NYSAIS

Matthew Suzuki has been named the Associate Director for Professional Learning and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives for the New York State Association of Independent Schools. The association represents, supports, and accredits 200 schools enrolling approximately 80,000 students.

Gene Batiste to serve as Assistant Head

Gene Batiste has been appointed the Assistant Head of School for Engagement at the Dwight-Englewood School, in Englewood, New Jersey.

Hannah Bahn to join Evergreen School

Mid-career’s Hannah Bahn has been named the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the Evergreen School. She previously served on the Social Sciences faculty and as the Director of Studies at Thaden School in Benton, Arkansas.

Ryan Kimmet named Head of School at Elmwood Franklin School

Ryan Kimmet was named Head of School at Elmwood Franklin School, and will begin his tenure July 1, 2021. Kimmet brings nearly 20 years of independent school experience as a teacher, division head, assistant director of admissions, and associate Head of School.

Jean-Marc Juhel elected President of NYSAIS Board of Trustees

Mid-Career alum Jean-Marc Juhel, Head of Buckley Country Day School, has been elected President of the Board of Trustees of the New York State Association of Independent Schools. NYSAIS represents, supports, and accredits 200 schools enrolling approximately 80,000 students.

Khalid Mumin selected as 2021 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year

Mid-Career alum Khalid Mumin is selected the 2021 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA).

John Tupponce is appointed the next Chief Operating Officer of City Year

City Year announced that Dr. John Tupponce will serve as the organization’s new chief operating officer. In this role, Dr. Tupponce will be a key leader in the implementation of systems, processes, and organizational design, and will work to align impact, fundraising, and district engagement operations with City Year’s vision and goals for the future.

Oxbridge Academy appoints Courtney Portlock as Assistant Head of School

Courtney Portlock is the new Assistant Head of School at Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, FL. Mrs. Portlock assumed her role July 1, 2020 and brings more than 10 years of administrative experience in independent schools. 

Courtney Portlock featured in the Palm Beach Illustrated

Courtney Portlock, Assistant Head of School at Oxbridge Academy, was featured in an interview in Palm Beach Illustrated, where she discussed diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the importance of understanding your own identity.

Cannon School names Regina Nixon next Head of Lower School

Cannon School named Regina Nixon the next Head of the Lower School effective July 1, 2020. Nixon is an experienced teacher and independent school administrator, with 13 years of experience working in a broad range of positions. Head of School, Christopher Jones, said, “Regina distinguished herself in the search not only for her leadership and independent school background, but also for her inviting personality, wide and rich expertise, and clear commitment to excellent educational experiences for children.”

Dr. John Barnhardt selected as the fourth President and CEO in Bishop McNamara High School

John Barnhardt, a May 2020 graduate of the Mid-Career program has been selected as the 4th president of Bishop McNamara High School effective June 1, 2020. Barnhardt’s leadership has been motivated by the relationships he has with students, parents, alumni, and faculty and staff communities.

Thu-Nga Morris named Lower School Director at Pingry School

Thu-Nga Morris, a May 2020 graduate of the program, was named Lower School Director at Pingry School in Short Hills and Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Head of School Matt Levinson remarked, "Thu-Nga has a proven track record of outstanding academic leadership, community building with a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion, and tireless dedication to faculty growth and development.

Phil McAdoo appointed Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for Earthjustice

Phil joins Earthjustice, a premier nonprofit public environmental law organization, where he will continue to share his perspective on equity and inclusion as developed in his book Independent Queers.

Jennifer Stimpson selected as an Albert Einstein Fellow by U.S. Department of Energy

Jennifer Stimpson is one of fifteen K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers from across the United States to be named a 2020-2021 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow. The fellows will spend 11 months serving in a federal agency or in U.S. Congressional offices in Washington, D.C., engaged in the national STEM education arena.

Nina Gilbert to head Morehouse College Center for Excellence in Education

Dr. Nina Gilbert has been appointed to lead Morehouse College’s new Center for Excellence in Education. A Mid-Career alum, Dr. Gilbert brings her experience in advocacy and innovation to the new role, having served as the Senior Advisor on Education Reform for the Morehouse Research Institute and as adjunct professor at Morehouse College.

Taryn Johnson appointed as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

Mid-Career alum Taryn Johnson has been appointed as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Sewanhaka Central High School District in Long Island, NY. Dr. Johnson previously served as principal of Merrick Avenue Middle School and assistant principal of Oyster Bay High School.

Jennifer Stimpson selected as AAAS IF/THEN® ambassador in STEM education

Mid-Career student Jennifer Stimpson was selected as one of 125 STEM innovators by the American Association for Advancement in Science to serve as a high-profile role model for girls. As an AAAS IF/THEN® ambassador, Ms. Stimpson is considered to be a top influencer in the field of STEM and will help to advance education and opportunities for girls in STEM.

Mid-Career Alum presented at the College Board - A Dream Deferred Conference in Los Angeles, CA

Monday, August 5, 2019

Mid-Career alum Marion Wilson was selected to present in the Administration, Advocacy and Policy, Instruction and Assessment track. Her workshop was titled Wise and Critical Feedback as a Stimulus for Achieving the College Dream. Her work was titled, Wise and Critical Feedback as a Stimulus for Achieving the College Dream. Workshop participants engaged in a critical analysis of key college and career readiness standards. Participants left with a toolkit of strategies to support positive academic behaviors that will impaction the instructional outcomes for African American students.

Mid-Career alum promoted to Deputy Superintendent in NYC

Marion Wilson is promoted to the Deputy Superintendent in Staten Island, District 31. Dr. Wilson’s 20 year career in education has been in both public and charter school systems in New York and New Jersey.

Dr. Wilson brings an extensive knowledge and expertise in curricula, pedagogical, and assessment designs, conducting PPOs, school reform practice, turnaround leadership, data analysis, and adult learning theories.

Congratulations to Dr. Wilson as she continues to serve and support school leaders, teachers parents and students in the Staten Island community.

Mid-Career Alum presents at Power School EDGE Conference

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Mid-Career alumni Stephen Bournés presented at the Power School EDGE Conference “Bringing Together the Brightest Minds in K-12 Education,” February 25–27, 2019, in Orlando, Florida. His presentation was entitled “Repurposing Central Office to Support School Turnaround,” and he also served on the conference’s Transformational Leadership panel.

Mid-Career Alumni Bihn, Brown, and Batiste present at the 2019 NAIS Annual Conference

Friday, March 8, 2019

The conference, "Reimagining Independent Schools; Tearing Down Wall, Building Capacity, and Designing our Future," was held February 27-March 1, 2019 in Long Beach, California.

Mid-Career Alumni present at AASA National Conference on Education

The conference, “Effective Leadership Creates Success," was held February 14-16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Mid-Career alumni Carol Kelley, Randy Ziegenfuss, and Bolgen Vargas were selected to present in the Focus Zone-Administration and Leadership with  Repositioning Educational Leadership: Inquiry-Based Approaches to District Leadership .

Mid-Career Alum named Superintendent of Jackson, MS Public Schools

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

The Jackson, MS School Board recently named Mid-Career alum Errick Greene as their next Superintendent.  WAPT News Jackson  reported: “Dr. Greene comes to Jackson Public School District with a wealth of experience providing leadership on some of the most challenging urban education reform assignments in the United States over the last decade” said Dr. Jeanne M. Hairston, President of the Jackson Public School Board of Trustees.

Mid-Career Alum presents at the National Association of Black School Educators (NABSE)

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Mid-Career alum Stephen Bournes presented his research at the 2018 National NABSE Conference in Baltimore, MD. Mr. Bournes’s topic was Transforming the Underperforming: Principal Perceptions of Support in Turnaround Schools.

Mid-Career Faculty & Alums Share Ideas in New Book

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Repositioning Educational Leadership encourages today’s educational leaders to reposition the way they think about leadership and its challenges. Experienced school and district leaders reveal how they conceptualize their roles; how they learn by posing and solving problems of practice; and how they cope with increasing expectations and complexity in their work.

Mid-Career Alum receives NDEO’s Outstanding Leadership Award

Friday, October 5, 2018

Dale Schmid will be honored at the 2018 National Dance Education Organization National Conference in San Diego, CAThis award is presented to individuals who have made vital contributions to the dance education field.

Storbeck/Pimentel selects Mid-Career Alum as Partner

Monday, September 24, 2018

Mid-Career Alum Sherry Coleman was selected as a partner for Storbeck/Pimentel.

Dr. Coleman will expand the independent focus at Storbeck/Pimentel.

Mid-Career Director Michael Johanek on Edcamps for School Leaders

Monday, June 11, 2018

Mid-Career Director Michael Johanek  spoke with  The New York Times about Edcamps, a form of teacher professional development that is run by the teachers themselves, in contrast to mandatory packaged professional development delivered by outside experts.

Mid-Career alum Dennis O’Hara receives AASA’s prestigious Dr. Effie Jones Humanitarian Award

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Mid-Career alum Dennis O’Hara was awarded the prestigious Dr. Effie Jones Humanitarian Award at the AASA’s National Conference on Education, Feb 15-17 in Nashville, TN. O’Hara is the superintendent of Hauppage Public Schools in Hauppauge, NY. 

Mid-Career alum Brandon Wiley presents at ASCD Empower 18 Conference in Boston, MA 

Mid-career alum Brandon Wiley presented two workshops at ASCD Empower 18: The Conference for Every Educator, held March 24-26 in Boston, MA.

Mid-Career alumni present at annual NAIS Conference in Atlanta, GA

Mid-Career alums Gene Batiste, Raymond Yu, Ira Brown, and T. J. Locke presented at the annual conference of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), March 7-9 in Atlanta, GA.

Mid-Career alum Sam Fragomeni appointed Head of School

Mid-Career alum Sam Fragomeni was appointed Head of School of Annunciation Orthodox School in Houston, TX. He brings experience as chief academic officer of Explore Schools in Brooklyn, NY.

Several Mid-Career students to present at 2018 NAIS Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Several Mid-Career students will present at the upcoming annual conference of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), March 7-9 in Atlanta, GA. The theme of this year’s conference is The Leadership Journey: Guides, Pathways, and Possibilities. 

Two Mid-Career alumni present at AASA National Conference on Education in Nashville, TN

Khalid Mumim, Superintendent of Reading School District (Reading, PA) and Carol Kelley, Superintendent of Oak Park Elementary District 97 (Oak Park, IL), both presented at the AASA’s National Conference on Education, held February 15-17 in Nashville. The theme of this year’s conference was Education in the Digital Age.

Mid-Career alum Cheryl Logan appointed Superintendent of Omaha Public Schools

Monday, February 5, 2018

By unanimous vote Omaha Public Schools’ Board of Education selected Dr. Cheryl Logan to lead the district.

Mid-Career doctoral student leads the comeback of Philadelphia's LINC High School

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Bridget Bujak, a third year Mid-Career doctoral student and principal at LINC High School in Philadelphia, is featured in the December 12 issue of the  Notebook  in an article entitled "Making a Comeback." 

Mid-Career Alumni present at UCEA 2017 Annual Convention

Friday, December 8, 2017

Several Mid-Career alumni presented at the 2017 University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) Annual Convention, held November 15-19 in Denver, Colorado.

New Appointments for Mid-Career Alums

Congratulations to Mid-Career alums Caryn Cooper, Theo Cramer, Brenda Champion, and Kimberly Field-Marvin on their recent appointments to leadership positions. 

Mid-Career alum Tony Alleyne named 2017 “40 Under 40” by Delaware Business Times

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Recent graduate Dr. Tony Alleyne has been honored by the Delaware Business Times. The “40 Under 40“ list recognizes “the region’s best and brightest young professionals…who are making a difference with their intelligence, initiative, and innovations.”

Mid-Career Alum Cristina Alvarez is appointed Executive Director of Norris Square Community Alliance

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Mid-Career Alum Noni Thomas Lopez appointed Head of School at Gordon School in Rhode Island

Mid-career alum ann derosa, principal of whitehouse elementary, celebrates her school’s national character award.

Monday, July 3, 2017

Principal Ann DeRosa is proud of her students and staff at Whitehouse School in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. Whitehouse School has officially been designated as a National School of Character by the nonprofit organization Character.org.

Mid-Career Alum Patricia Willis named Interim Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools

This May, Mid-Career alumna Patricia Willis was unanimously voted in as Interim Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools in Florida, becoming the first Black woman to lead the district. Willis had previously served as a deputy superintendent in the district.

Kim and Alvarez speak at the 2017 National Charter Schools Conference

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Two Mid-Career alums spoke at the National Charter Schools Conference, June 9-11 in Washington, D.C.

Mid-Career alum Barbara Russell appointed as superintendent of Perkiomen Valley School District

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Congratulations to Mid-Career alum Barbara Russell. Dr. Russell has been appointed superintendent of the Perkiomen Valley School District in Montgomery County, PA, where she has served as assistant superintendent since 2011. Her new position will begin July 1.

Ziegenfuss, Austin, and Kelley present at 2017 National Conference on Education

Three Mid-Career alums spoke at the National Conference on Education, presented by the AASA March 2-4 in New Orleans. Leah Austin, vice-president and director of the Racial Equity Leadership Network, Southern Education Foundation in Atlanta, presented “Build a Culture of Equity in Your District.” Randy Ziegenfuss,superintendent of Salisbury Township School District (PA), delivered the presentations “Using Social Media to Effectively Engage Your Community” and "Using Social Media to Track Goal Progress." Carol Kelley, superintendent of Oak Park Elementary School District (IL), discussed “Social Media: Telling Your District's Story.”

Penn GSE Educator of the Year Award goes to Mid-Career alum Noah Tennant

This spring, Mid-Career alum Noah Tennant received the 2017  Penn GSE Educator of the Year Award , an award that recognizes an outstanding graduate who demonstrates unusual involvement in and commitment to identifying and helping to resolve school problems and current issues in education. The recipient of this award must be a dedicated educator who is an inspiration, risk-taker, innovator, and role model and who demonstrates a commitment to the betterment of GSE.

Mid-Career Alum Jan Pullen announces a Global Initiative at the St. Stephens Episcopal School

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Click here to read the article and watch the video. 

Mid-Career Alum Wagner Marseille Superintendent of the Cheltenham School District Receives $350,000 grant from Avalon Foundation For project based learning.

Monday, March 6, 2017

Read the article on Philly.com

Mid-Career alum appointed to Philadelphia School Reform Commission

Monday, January 23, 2017

Chris McGinley has been appointed by Mayor Jim Kenney to serve on the SRC. Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement. "Dr. McGinley's passion for public education and reducing the achievement gap, coupled with his background as an administrator for various school districts, will also help the district prepare for a smooth transition to greater local control."

Mid-Career Alum Wins XQ Super School Project Funding

Friday, January 20, 2017

Cristina Alvarez, co-founder and CEO of Design-Lab Schools was awarded a $10 million grant. View a description of their success at Penn GSE's newsroom and WHYY's NewsWorks .

Mid-Career Alum Published in Peabody Journal of Education

Thursday, January 19, 2017

We are happy to announce that four Mid-Career alum, Jean-Marc Juhel, Ara Carlos Brown, Joan Hill, and Kai Bynum have articles published in the Peabody Journal of Education, Volume 91, 2016, Issue 5 .

Dr. Sharon Ravitch: The Transformative Power an Inquiry Stance on Practice

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

A core program faculty member in the Mid-Career Doctoral Program explains the transformative power of practitioner research for educational professionals. See her essay in Penn GSE’s journal, Perspectives in Urban Education .

Mid-Career alum shares success with community

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Recent graduate Dr. Brandon Cooley, Principal at Penn Wood High School, shares his thinking about the school’s success and culture of determination in a recent TV profile. Click here to watch the video .

Bynum to Head Hopkins School

Monday, December 14, 2015

Congratulations to Kai Bynum (Cohort 10), who was just named the Head of School at Hopkins School in New Haven, CT. He currently serves as the Director of Studies and Director of Academic and Strategic Initiatives at the Roxbury Latin School in Massachusetts, and will begin at Hopkins July 1, 2016.

Marseille Appointed Cheltenham Supt

Friday, December 11, 2015

Wagner Marseille (Cohort 5) was appointed as the new Superintendent of
 Cheltenham Township Schools, 
just outside of Philadelphia. Wagner came to Cheltenham after eight years in Lower Merion, where he had served as Director of Secondary Education, Assistant Superintendent and Acting Superintendent.

Ross Research Impact Spreads

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

This summer’s Jesuit Magazine featured recent graduate and Loyola School’s first female principal Kristin Ross (Cohort 10). She shares her research and work on the role of women in women in Jesuit education leadership. 

Catch Podcast Series in Second Season

Sunday, December 6, 2015

The second season of the popular BackchannelEDU podcast series has now begun. These scenario-based leadership podcasts, modeled on This American’s Life’s Serial , can be found via iTunes, Sticher or SoundCloud, as well as directly on the MC Innovations Lab.

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• Best Online Doctorate In Educational Leadership Programs

Best Online Doctorate In Educational Leadership Programs Of 2024

Updated: Nov 16, 2023, 9:36am

The educational ecosystem involves many moving parts. To ensure students, instructors, schools and districts receive the resources they need, leadership is key.

Doctoral programs—the highest degrees in educational leadership—prepare students to make a profound impact on the education field through direct action or research. If you want to make a difference in education, consider earning an online doctorate in educational leadership .

To find your ideal degree type, consider which career in educational leadership you plan to pursue. A Ph.D. focuses on research and academia to advance educational leadership policy, while an Ed.D. more commonly leads to hands-on administrative roles in education.

This in-depth guide explores online doctorates in educational leadership and ranks the top 10 U.S. schools offering these degrees. Find information about tuition costs, accreditation, common classes and course delivery methods for a doctorate in educational leadership.

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Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

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• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

Our Methodology

We scored 182 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online doctorate in educational leadership programs in the U.S. using 15 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes and student experience. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites. Data is accurate as of June 2023.

We scored schools based on the following categories:

Student Outcomes:

• Overall graduation rate
• Median earnings 10 years after graduation

Affordability:

• In-state graduate student tuition
• In-state graduate student fees
• Alternative tuition plans offered
• Median federal student loan debt
• Percentage of students in federal student loan deferment

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Availability of online coursework
• Total number of graduate assistants
• More than 50% of graduate students enrolled in at least some distance education

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Programmatic accreditation status
• Nonprofit status

We chose the 10 best schools to display based on those receiving a curved final score of 89% or higher.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

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Best Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs

Should you enroll in an online doctorate in educational leadership program, accreditation for online doctorates in educational leadership, how to find the right online doctorate in educational leadership for you, frequently asked questions (faqs) about educational leadership doctoral programs, fairfield university, loyola marymount university, drexel university, immaculata university, florida state university, indiana wesleyan university-national & global, northwest nazarene university, alverno college, william woods university, minnesota state university moorhead.

Graduate Tuition

$1,085/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

Overall Graduation Rate

At Connecticut’s Fairfield University , students can pursue an online doctor of education in educational leadership with available concentrations in higher education administration and teacher leadership. Fairfield opts for asynchronous coursework delivery, allowing working professionals and people with familial obligations to complete assignments amid their busy schedules.

The university divides its curriculum into three categories: foundational core, inquiry in action and concentration classes. Coursework is available entirely online, but each student must complete two one-week residencies over two summers.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: $65
• Degree Credit Requirements: 57 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part time, full time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Creating a culture for continuous improvement, moving from strategy to action
• Concentrations Available: Teacher leader, higher education administration
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, two residencies

$1,922/credit

Loyola Marymount University (LMU), located in Los Angeles, California, features an educational leadership doctoral program with online delivery. To qualify for this Ed.D. program, each candidate must have two years of full-time educational leadership experience. LMU combines asynchronous and synchronous coursework for flexibility and networking purposes.

The curriculum approaches education from sociocultural, legal and political viewpoints to foster advocacy among its graduates. Students explore the intersection of theoretical coursework and evidence-based outcomes to become inclusive leaders in equitable education settings.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
• Application Fee: $50
• Degree Credit Requirements: 46 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Situated inquiry in education, leadership for social justice in education
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: No

$1,438/credit

The online Ed.D. in educational leadership from Philadelphia’s Drexel University features primarily asynchronous coursework with no in-person requirements. Students can choose from 10 concentrations to focus on a subset of the field that aligns with their professional goals.

Learners advance through the program as a cohort to collaborate with peers and make lasting network connections. Drexel’s Ed.D. in educational leadership and management holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, signaling high quality for its rigorous curriculum.

• Degree Credit Requirements: 61 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Educational research design, creative strategies for educational leaders
• Concentrations Available: Creativity and innovation; educational administration; education policy; global and international education; higher education leadership; human resource development; learning technologies; nursing education; special education leadership

$955/credit

At Immaculata University , located in East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania, learners can pursue an online educational leadership and administration Ed.D. with live virtual classes on weekday evenings. Immaculata uses accelerated delivery, allowing full-time professionals to complete the program in three years.

The curriculum focuses on professional and ethical standards through classes like personnel management and labor relations; communication theory and practice; and school leadership in teaching and learning. Before completing and defending a dissertation, each student completes three research courses.

• Application Fee: $75
• Degree Credit Requirements: 54 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated, part time, full time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Staff development, curriculum management

$444/credit (in state)

Tallahassee’s Florida State University (FSU) offers students an online doctorate in educational leadership focused on policy and practice. Coursework does not require regular login times, but each student must complete a three-day summer institute experience in person each year. Graduates can pursue administrative roles in higher education or at the K-12 levels to craft effective, inclusive policies.

The program’s award-winning and experienced faculty members hold positions within various advisory boards and diversity networks. Each FSU student can receive assistance from targeted writing support services and student advisors.

• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: $30
• Degree Credit Requirements: 69 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Data use in educational settings, public policy in higher education
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for summer institute experiences

$650/credit

The online Ed.D. in educational leadership at Marion-based Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is fully online with no residency requirements, extending the program’s reach to learners across the country. Coursework uses asynchronous delivery, but IWU encourages students to engage in synchronous communication through its virtual platform.

Students make incremental progress on their dissertations as they complete the program. IWU’s Ed.D. culminates with each student presenting their research to a panel of university reviewers.

• Application Fee: Free
• Degree Credit Requirements: 60 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Statistics for education, ethical leadership in education

$625/credit

At Northwest Nazarene University (NNU), located in Nampa, Idaho, students can pursue an online Ed.D. in education leadership that holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. For admission, each student must have completed an Ed.S. degree or other relevant doctoral credits. NNU also offers several online Ed.S. programs.

Along with online coursework, the curriculum includes a two-week residency that takes place on campus. The university charges a $150 fee per semester for online learning.

• Degree Credit Requirements: 36 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Introduction to educational research, effective leadership for change management
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for a two-week residency

$1,043/credit

Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Alverno College offers students an online Ed.D. in educational leadership with three concentration options: teaching and learning in higher education, higher education leadership and K-12 leadership. Alverno administers most coursework through asynchronous online delivery, but each student must complete two weekend residencies on campus.

Instructors act as mentors, guiding learners through the dissertation process and integrating their experiences into class assignments. Students can also opt for an “all but dissertation” pathway, which functions as a doctoral-completion program for learners with past graduate credits.

• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Equity in diverse educational settings, scholarly communication
• Concentrations Available: K-12 leadership; higher education leadership; teaching and learning in higher education
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for weekend residencies

$750/credit

The online Ed.D. in educational leadership at Fulton, Missouri’s William Woods University (WWU) blends evidence-based coursework and theoretical assignments to prepare graduates to become ethical problem-solvers in the workforce. Two weekend dissertation workshop courses take place on campus, but WWU delivers all other coursework online.

Students receive assistance from instructors throughout the dissertation process. Along with education credentials, each candidate must possess two years of experience as an educator to qualify.

• Degree Credit Requirements: 31 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Aspects of leadership, effective educational systems
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for dissertation workshops

$717/credit

At Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSU Moorhead), students can pursue an educational leadership Ed.D. program with online classwork. MSU Moorhead uses synchronous delivery to mirror the classroom environment and foster close interactions between peers and faculty. The curriculum includes two summer residency experiences at the school’s campus in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Students can opt for a healthcare concentration if they aim to work in nursing education or a similar sector. MSU Moorhead features flat-rate tuition, allowing out-of-state learners to pay the same per-credit rate as their in-state classmates.

• Application Fee: $35
• Degree Credit Requirements: 72 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated, full time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Quantitative methods in educational research, building a compassionate community of scholars
• Concentrations Available: Healthcare
• In-Person Requirements: Yes

Though the flexibility of distance learning can offer some distinct benefits over an in-person education, online programs require strong motivation, organization and time management skills to stay on top of assignments.

Before applying to an online doctorate in educational leadership, consider your availability and personal learning style. Research whether a school delivers its coursework through asynchronous, synchronous or hybrid delivery, as each method involves a different level of flexibility and interaction.

For example, if your program uses hybrid delivery, you must be able to travel to campus for your in-person requirements. Even programs with fully online coursework may mandate occasional on-campus residencies.

Synchronous coursework requires you log on at specific times to engage with peers and instructors in real time. Are you able to commit to a set schedule? Asynchronous delivery allows you to complete assignments on your own schedule, but it requires more careful management of your time and energy.

As you research online doctorates in educational leadership, keep these factors in mind, along with the following considerations.

Accreditation is a voluntary process through which schools—along with their programs and departments—undergo rigorous evaluation for their curricula, resources and student outcomes.

Institutional Accreditation

You should attend only institutionally accredited schools. Otherwise, you may be ineligible for federal financial aid, struggle to transfer credits to accredited schools and not qualify for professional credentials. The following agencies are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to deliver accreditation at the institutional level:

• WASC Senior College and University Commission
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Higher Learning Commission
• New England Commission of Higher Education
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

CHEA and ED approve other institutional accreditors, as well, but those listed above are the most common and reputable.

CHEA maintains a searchable directory of accredited schools . Use this tool to check any school’s or program’s accreditation status.

Programmatic Accreditation

Degrees, programs and departments within schools can receive program-specific accreditation. The primary accreditor for educational leadership programs is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP-accredited credentialing is typically not required for employment but demonstrates high quality preparation for the workforce.

Like institutional accreditors, CAEP’s provider search tool allows you to look up the accreditation status of any prospective program.

Ready to start narrowing down online programs? Here’s where to start.

Consider Your Future Goals

Consider your professional and personal aspirations to find the right online doctorate in educational leadership for your needs. For example, if you want to work as a professor or conduct research to grow the educational leadership field, a Ph.D. could be your best choice. Look for programs with research opportunities that align with your intended academic field.

On the other hand, if you plan to pursue administrative roles in education, government or nonprofit settings, an Ed.D. in educational leadership may be the best option. As you research schools, prioritize programs with experiential learning, like fieldwork, internships or residencies, in your preferred sector.

To work in a public school administrative position as a superintendent, principal or vice principal, you will likely need a state administrator license. Choose a doctoral program that prepares you for this credential.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

Higher education doesn’t come cheap. As a potential doctoral student, you’re likely familiar with financial aid and paying for your education. However, when it comes to financial aid, doctorates function a bit differently from bachelor’s and master’s degrees in educational leadership .

Some doctoral programs are “fully funded,” meaning the school covers your tuition and may provide a stipend in exchange for adjunct professor work or assistantships. It’s more common for Ph.D. programs to be fully funded than Ed.D. programs.

Among the programs ranked on this page, the average total tuition for a doctorate comes out to about $55,470, with program costs ranging from about $31,000 on the lower end to nearly $90,000 for the most expensive.

Whether your program is fully funded or not, you can seek financial aid from several sources. Start by submitting a FAFSA, which will provide information on whether you qualify for government-sponsored aid such as grad PLUS loans and direct unsubsidized loans.

Federal loans require repayment with interest, so you should also research grants and scholarships. These sources do not require repayment, making them an ideal form of aid. Grants and scholarships often come from independent organizations and higher learning institutions, which may distribute gift aid based on financial need, academic merit or identity.

Is a doctorate in educational leadership hard?

Yes, many students find educational leadership doctoral programs challenging. As the terminal degree in the field, a doctorate in educational leadership entails a rigorous curriculum of in-depth coursework, a dissertation and fieldwork.

What does a doctorate in educational leadership do?

A doctorate in educational leadership qualifies you for administrative roles in education, such as dean of students, principal, chief academic officer and academic department chair. Depending on your degree type, you can also pursue employment as a professor or researcher.

What is the difference between an Ed.D. and a Ph.D. in educational leadership?

The primary difference between an Ed.D. and a Ph.D. in educational leadership relates to typical career outcomes. People with Ed.D. degrees typically work in practical, administrative roles in education, while those with Ph.D. degrees find employment in academia or research.

Matt Whittle has experience writing and editing accessible education-related content in health, technology, nursing and business subjects. His work has been featured on Sleep.org, Psychology.org and NurseJournal.org.

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Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (online)

This program is designed for working professionals with leadership experience who desire to lead K-12 schools, universities, community colleges or other educational settings.

To address the existing gaps in education, the EDL online program empowers students to lead change through an equity and social justice lens. The program will prepare students to improve academic opportunities and outcomes.

Program Overview

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership online (EDL online) program prepares you to be a critically conscious leader equipped with strategic thinking, evidence-based research skills, and the ability to create equity and foster continuous organizational improvement. The online program offers four concentrations: K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings, Leading Instructional Change, Higher Education Administration, and Educational Psychology.

Through this program, you will:

• Earn a doctorate recognized by employers in the field of education.
• Be able to maintain a full-time work schedule while taking two courses one night a week.
• Learn alongside a cohort of experienced educational professionals nationwide.
• Become equipped to address critical issues in historically marginalized communities and make a lasting impact.

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EDL) program will equip you with knowledge and skills in six core competencies:

• Accountability
• Critical reflection
• Diversity and equity
• Learning organizations
• Research and data

In the first year of the program, you will complete core courses that reflect USC Rossier’s mission and the program’s purpose. Explore the dynamics of power and privilege in education, leadership, and addressing inequities in learning opportunities. Subsequent coursework will build on this foundation and prepare you to become a leader in schools, colleges and universities or educational settings.

Core Courses	6	Acquire broad knowledge of the USC Rossier mission, program purpose and program competencies.
Concentration Courses	4	Develop an understanding of how to create high-performing K-12 schools that address the diverse needs of all students.
Research Methods Courses	2	Understand how quantitative and qualitative research tools are used in educational research and learn to critique and design research studies.
Dissertation In Practice	3	Conduct action-oriented research to solve a problem of practice.

Online Concentration

Each concentration path includes four courses and a concentration-specific format for the dissertation in practice. A faculty member in your chosen concentration will provide guidance throughout your dissertation completion. Relevant career experience is a requirement for the concentration you select.

The K-12 leadership concentration will prepare you to become a leader in classrooms, schools or school districts. The courses help develop an understanding of how to create high-performing schools that address the diverse needs of all students regardless of school setting. The course sequence culminates in either EDUC 720: Leadership for Principals or EDUC 721: Leadership for Superintendents, an integrated composite of effective leadership practices that result in more effective organizational outcomes, including increased student achievement.

Recommended career background for this concentration:

Teacher, administrator or education professional in PK-12 education at the local, state and federal levels.

Dissertation in practice: Study an existing problem of practice and complete a traditional five-chapter dissertation.

Career Outcomes: The K-12 leadership concentration prepares you for employment as an educational leader in the K-12 field. This includes school site leadership, district leadership and systems leadership. Roles include teacher leaders, district office leaders, superintendents and CEOs of independent schools and charter schools.

Alumni have held positions such as:

• Superintendent, Covina-Valley Unified School District
• Director of community partnerships, Long Beach Unified School District
• Chief innovation officer, National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
• Superintendent, Garden Grove Unified School District

The higher education administration concentration focuses on administrative theory and best practices for leading higher education institutions. Courses in the concentration address policy, economic issues, assessment, student learning and the history and major philosophical assumptions that undergird the system of higher education.

Recommended career background for this concentration: Professional in higher education administration at a two- or four-year college or university (including student, academic and administrative affairs) or secondary and postsecondary college advising.

Career outcomes: The higher education administration concentration prepares you for employment in senior administration in two- and four-year colleges, academic executive positions, key leadership roles in education-related organizations, and more.

• Associate dean of students and director, Stanford University
• Executive director, undergraduate advising and programs, School of Business, George Washington University
• Director of intercollegiate athletics, California State University, Northridge
• Vice president for student affairs and dean of students, University of Texas, Austin

The leading instructional change concentration focuses on theories, practices and policies supporting curriculum and instruction that foster equitable educational opportunities for students from historically marginalized groups in urban PK-12 and higher education settings. This concentration is designed for individuals interested in leading and teaching teachers (pre- and in-service) and faculty (higher ed) so that they are prepared to provide their students with high-quality instruction that is anti-racist, culturally relevant and LGBTQ+ inclusive.

Recommended career background for this concentration: Teacher or administrator in PK-12 or higher education, instructional leader or designer, curriculum developer or professional in non-traditional educational settings.

Dissertation in practice: Conduct action or participatory action research addressing the relationship between leadership and instructional improvement in PK-20 educational settings and complete a non-traditional written product (not a five-chapter dissertation) and public presentation.   Career outcomes: The leading instructional change program prepares you for positions such as university faculty member, professional development specialist, curriculum developer/administrator and more.   Alumni have held positions such as:

• Director, metrics and LCAP, Azusa Unified School District
• Director, student support and intervention, Antelope Valley Union High School District
• Senior director of teaching and learning, Los Angeles Education Partnership

The educational psychology concentration* focuses on research and practice in the areas of learning, motivation and development in diverse social contexts. Courses in the concentration explore how people learn, what motivates them, which instructional and motivational strategies are most effective within varied cultural systems and how the social context of instruction affects learning.

*The educational psychology concentration does not meet the requirements for licensure as an educational psychologist.

Recommended career background for this concentration: Professional in K-12, higher education, or counseling, special education, social services, instructional technology, non-profit organizations, or other non-traditional educational settings.

Dissertation in practice: Study an existing problem of practice and complete a five-chapter dissertation or design curriculum to address an existing problem of practice.

Career outcomes: The educational psychology concentration prepares you for employment in areas such as instructional design, human performance personnel, school/community counseling and more.

• Innovation program manager, Applied Materials
• Managing director, school performance accountability and research, California Charter Schools Association
• Dean of innovation, The Derryfield School
• Vice president of education, Fusion Education Group

Dissertation in Practice

The dissertation in practice prioritizes real-world application, using relevant research methods to address practical issues in equitable education. It equips you with skills to tackle workplace challenges. Format options for the dissertation will vary based on concentration.

Scholarships

Applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships of up to $10,000, without needing a separate application. However, scholarship availability may be limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, commitment to the USC Rossier mission, and other factors. All scholarships are awarded upon admission.

For additional scholarship opportunities, consult the Scholarship Finder . Please note, separate applications and deadlines may apply.

Financial Aid

The USC Office of Student Financial Services provides information regarding student accounts, tuition payment plans, campus-based loans, payment options and tax credits.

To be considered for financial aid, you must apply by filing the FAFSA. After you apply, the financial aid office will determine your financial need and inform you of the federal or private loans that are available to you.

Program Details

Degree awarded, estimated length, program cost.

$2,354 per unit (estimated)

Estimated cost of attendance

Next Deadline

December 1, 2024

See all deadlines

August 25, 2025

Class Times

Prior to the dissertation phase, students are assigned to one evening of classes per week on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 5:00 to 9:50 p.m. in the Pacific Time Zone.

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Program Outcomes

Sitting superintendent alumni , of edl alumni said their usc rossier education prepared them to be more effective in their career, of edl alumni said their studies at usc rossier prepared them well for future employment, of edl alumni said their studies at usc rossier prepared them to understand research, from our alumni.

As a change agent for underrepresented students, my time at USC sharpened my mind and equipped me with the tools necessary for success. As I was taught by the USC Rossier world class instructors and surrounded by top-tier educational professionals, there was never a wasted moment or opportunity.

David D. Smith, EdD ‘’

Chief Technology Officer, Tustin Unified School District

Is an EdD worth it? Leaders share insights and experiences

Those wondering if an EdD is worth it often want to make a positive impact while advancing their career. A doctoral degree in education can be an effective way to land leadership positions in K–12 schools, higher education and other industries as well. Because doctoral programs require rigorous study and professional experience, an EdD represents the highest level of preparation for many roles in education and related fields. 

PhD vs. EdD in education: nine expert tips to help you choose

If you want to elevate your career in education, an advanced degree can open the door to more job opportunities. Many schools offer graduate programs in education, but before you go down a rabbit hole of research, first decide if you want to get a PhD or EdD degree.

News and Insights

August 22, 2024

Jessica DeCuir-Gunby named president of the APA’s Educational Psychology Division

In the new role, DeCuir-Gunby aims to expand the group’s membership, improve the integration of DEI into the field and better connect research to practice.

Featured Faculty

• Jessica T. DeCuir-Gunby

August 20, 2024

New USC study sheds light on adolescent mental health crisis in the United States

Results emphasize the interconnectedness of mental health, attendance and school grades—a necessary reality for schools to grapple with.

• Morgan Polikoff

August 14, 2024

Roger Rossier MA ’63, EdD ’72, lifelong educator known for his significant contributions to educational research and policy, passed away at 92

The namesake of the USC Rossier School of Education passed away on Aug. 11, 2024.

• Pedro Noguera

August 1, 2024

Copur-Gencturk receives $6.7 million in federal funding to continue work to improve elementary math instruction by improving teacher knowledge

Largest ever USC Rossier NSF grant will create content-focused professional development programs that focus on the key knowledge and skills that matter in quality teaching and student learning.

• Yasemin Copur-Gencturk

July 31, 2024

New research shows that transcendent thinking can increase teens’ sense of purpose

In a study of an intergenerational community program, CANDLE researchers found that adolescents who engaged in transcendent thinking increased their sense of purpose.

• Mary Helen Immordino-Yang
• Xiao-Fei Yang

Research Centers

Center for education, identity and social justice.

Established in 2017, the Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice has a compelling interest in eradicating all forms of discrimination based on the intersection of an individual’s identities that include religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and disability. Using rigorous research and legal analysis, we empower educators to utilize laws and policies in order to identify and extricate bias and unequal distributions of power within educational institutions.

Website  |  Brochure

The University of Southern California Race and Equity Center

Established in 2017, the Race and Equity Center is the epicenter for interdisciplinary scholarship, resources and meaningful activities on racial equity that significantly benefit the University, other institutions of higher education and the broader society.

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Callah Darmali

Associate Director, Office of Admission and Scholarships

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• (213) 205-0609

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A Practical Overview of Leadership

Lead from Anywhere

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The social scientific study of leadership has advanced substantially in the past 30 years and is accelerating. During this 60-minute presentation, Nathan Hiller, PhD, provides an overview of what effective leadership entails, common misunderstandings about leadership, and the role psychologists and psychology can play in the future. This session is designed for anyone–whether you’re in a formal position managing/leading others, find yourself informally leading, are working professionally with leaders, or just curious about the topic.

This program does not offer CE credit.

Presented in collaboration with

Division 14 (society for industrial and organizational psychology).

Nathan J. Hiller, PhD

Executive director of the Center for Leadership at Florida International University and professor in the College of Business, where he holds the Ingersoll-Rand Professorship. His research in leadership crosses perspectives and domains—from psychology to strategic management, and has appeared in many of the leading journals in the field. He is coeditor of a forthcoming Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Division 14) Frontiers Series book on senior leaders and organizational agility. In his applied work, he regularly works with leaders and organizations across industries—from technology, healthcare, premium retail, and manufacturing, to K-12 education and various federal agencies. He received his PhD in psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Calgary.

Sara Weiner

Industrial and organizational psychologist and a member of APA Division 14, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP).

More in this series

Provides valuable insights, especially useful for first-generation professionals and those new to leadership, shedding light on the transition into private practice leadership.

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Admission Steps

Higher education - phd, admission requirements.

Terms and Deadlines

Degree and GPA Requirements

Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers

Additional standards for international applicants.

For the 2025-2026 academic year

See 2024-2025 requirements instead

Fall 2025 quarter (beginning in September)

Priority deadline: December 2, 2024

Final submission deadline: June 16, 2025

International submission deadline: May 5, 2025

Priority deadline: Applications will be considered after the Priority deadline provided space is available.

Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.

Degrees and GPA Requirements

Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.

Masters degree: This program requires a masters degree as well as the baccalaureate.

University GPA requirement: The minimum grade point average for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet one of the following criteria:

A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree.

A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.

An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the recognized equivalent from an international institution supersedes the minimum GPA requirement for the baccalaureate.

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework completed for applicants who have not earned a master’s degree or higher.

Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), C1 Advanced or Duolingo English Test are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years from the test date.

The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:

Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80

Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5

Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176

Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115

Additional Information:

Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.

Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.

Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.

Application Materials

Transcripts, letters of recommendation.

Required Essays and Statements

Other Required Materials

We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.

Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.  Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.

Essays and Statements

Personal statement instructions.

The Higher Education Department understands equity, diversity, and social justice as essential and fundamental concerns in the study, practice, and leadership of post-secondary education.  Please provide a personal statement of academic and professional goals (1-2 pages, double-spaced).  Include in your statement: (1) Research interests and professional objectives in the study of higher education. (2) Any personal, educational, and employment experiences that have shaped your research and professional interests in the study of higher education. (3) Expectations for how the PhD in Higher Education at the University of Denver specifically will support your research interests and professional objectives.  Note: if there is a specific faculty member with whom you would like to work, based on your research interests, please mention and discuss in this statement.

Diversity Statement Instructions

Please provide a statement of equity, diversity, and social justice (1-2 pages, double-spaced). Include in your statement: (1) Your thoughts on the roles and opportunities for equity, diversity, and social justice in postsecondary institutions and/or higher education policy. (2) Any personal, academic, and/or professional experiences that have shaped your understanding and commitment to equity, diversity, and social justice in higher education.

Résumé Instructions

The résumé (or C.V.) should include work experience, research, and/or volunteer work.

Additional requirements for this program:

Virtual interview may be required.

Start the Application

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Financial Aid Information

Start your application.

Your submitted materials will be reviewed once all materials and application fees have been received.

Our program can only consider your application for admission if our Office of Graduate Education has received all your online materials and supplemental materials by our application deadline.

Application Fee: $65.00 Application Fee

International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50.00 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor's or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.

Applicants should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.

2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Doctor of philosophy in organizational leadership.

This 60-credit advanced research degree is offered to leadership scholars and practitioners with or without a concentration offered in three areas: business management, educational administration, and nonprofit and public administration. Students from diverse leadership backgrounds take core curriculum together to benefit from the program’s interdisciplinary approach to leadership. Students who do not wish to pursue a particular concentration will take four elective courses, while those who pursue a concentration complete at least 3 courses within their selected concentration. Adding a second concentration by completing additional courses is possible. Through concentration and elective courses, along with independent dissertation research, students develop their focused expertise. Online instruction, blended with face-to-face residencies, maximizes learning benefits while accommodating the schedule of working adults. The cohort-based learning environment provides students with opportunities to build meaningful relationships with their leadership colleagues and faculty.

The Ph.D. curriculum includes courses in organizational leadership, research methodology, concentration disciplines, and dissertation. Successful completion of comprehensive examinations is necessary for progression to Ph.D. candidacy in the program. Comprehensives include two parts: written exams and submission of a portfolio. The written exams are administered after successful completion of two years (36 credits) with a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0. The portfolio is submitted after the successful completion of three years (51 credits) with a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0. A faculty committee shall assess the content of the written exams and portfolios. The culmination of the program is the dissertation, which demonstrates the student’s ability to conduct scholarly research.

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Leadership Studies (CAGS)

Once Ph.D. students successfully complete 36 credits, the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Leadership Studies will be designated on the student’s transcript, without additional coursework or tuition. To receive a hard copy certificate, students must apply and submit a fee.

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Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Lead the Charge: Empower Your Team

Credit Hours

View Courses

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Lead Your Business to Success with Our Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Program

If you are a leader in business, you know that building a strong team starts with you. You have the experience, the skills, and the work ethic to help your team push through barriers to success. However, with business changing every day, you need new tools, skills, and strategies to make sure you stay ahead of the curve.

Our 100% online Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree is designed to give you both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in leadership. Our Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) program focuses on a variety of leadership principles essential to effective business management, with courses culminating in an applied doctoral research project. In our doctorate of strategic leadership degree program, you can learn the skills you need to excel in the top tiers of the corporate world.

Our online Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree can equip you to lead as a business management professional. Through our doctorate in strategic leadership, you can learn how to direct organizational change, become an effective servant leader, and implement principles of executive management theory. With Liberty’s mission to Train Champions for Christ , you will also learn new strategies for integrating a Christian worldview into your business practices.

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty’s Doctorate in Strategy?

Your success matters to us. That’s why we’ve designed our Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree to meet your needs as a professional, a student, and an individual. Our doctorate of strategic leadership degree is offered in a 100% online flexible program format and has no set login times. This format means you can complete your DSL online classes without having to travel to a campus.

Our online format gives you the freedom you need to complete your coursework when and where you want – without disrupting your current lifestyle and responsibilities. With our 8-week courses and summer semester, you will have the ability to maximize your time and finish your online doctor of leadership degree sooner than you would in a traditional, on-campus program.

When you choose to pursue your online Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree with us, you are choosing a program from a school that constantly pushes for quality. Liberty University is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ). This accreditation means that Liberty University’s doctoral programs meet high standards for academic rigor and quality that can help you stand out in the field.

What Will You Study in Our Online Leadership Doctorate?

When you choose our Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree program, you will be provided with a challenging and rewarding curriculum that seeks to hone your leadership skills. In our DSL program, you can learn how to apply biblical servant leadership principles to business management. You will also develop skills in the analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of both the social and technical systems of business organizations. Here at Liberty, we can give you the education you need to be a Champion for Christ as you lead in the business world.

Liberty’s online doctorate in leadership and management is designed to give you new skills and strategies to use with your experience and knowledge to solve real-world problems in the field. As such, your final doctoral project will focus on applying what you’ve learned to a specific problem in your industry that you can approach with your new skills.

Potential Career Opportunities

• Company executive
• Management analyst
• Management consultant
• Training and development specialist

Featured Courses

• BMAL 702 – Leadership Theory
• BMAL 714 – Risk Management Process and Practice
• BMAL 720 – Leveraging Data for Decision Making
• BMAL 727 – Leading Effective Teams

Degree Information

• The DSL program falls under our School of Business .
• View the Graduate Business Course Guides (login required) .
• Review the Doctor of Strategic Leadership Handbook for details on the DSL degree program’s mission and foundational values.

Degree Completion Plan

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Doctoral Full Time
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Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information Our Online Doctoral Degree in Leadership

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

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Lynchburg, VA 24515

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

While researching doctorate degrees in strategic leadership, you may have questions about how this program can help meet your goals. Here are some common questions about Liberty’s DSL program.

What is a Doctor of Strategic Leadership? What is a DSL degree?

Liberty University’s Doctor of Strategic Leadership or DSL degree is a practical doctorate focused on applying effective leadership skills to solve business problems. Unlike many PhD programs, a DSL degree is a professional doctorate focused on applying your experience to real-world problems in business leadership. If you want to retool with new skills and strategies to apply your experience in new and effective ways, then Liberty University’s leadership program will help you get the training you need.

Is a doctorate worth it?

With a masters degree alone, you may run into limitations of where your skills and education can take you. You have the experience and the knowledge from years in the field, but you may struggle to demonstrate your expertise in a way that helps you stand out. With a doctorate, you can develop those skills further into a more effective toolset that can help you tackle even more difficult and important business problems, all while demonstrating that you are a top expert in your field.

Can you teach with a professional doctorate?

As a practical, results-based doctorate, Liberty University’s online Doctor of Strategic Leadership program is designed to help you show that you are an expert in the field of business leadership. While this degree is a practical, professionally focused program, it still provides the opportunity to teach at the college level.

Most universities require that you have a doctorate in order to teach masters or even some bachelors courses. This requirement means that earning your doctorate in leadership and management online can help you take advantage of teaching opportunities as well as increase your potential in the field. You may also be eligible for educational leadership roles with your specialized skills and doctorate.

What resources will be available to me in this program?

You will be granted access to a wide variety of online resources through Liberty University’s library portal.

How do I choose between a Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Strategic Leadership?

A Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) is a professional degree that provides you with the opportunity to develop practical skills. Regardless of career field, these skills may be applicable in leadership roles. If your goal is to advance your career and develop valuable skills, this program may be the right next step.

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Strategic Leadership program may focus more on original research and less on practical skills. This program may be useful if your career aspirations lay in the world of academia.

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Marquette.edu  //  College of Education  //  Graduate Studies  //  Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology  // 

Master's Degrees Admission Process and Requirements

The Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology offers a Master of Arts degree program in school counseling or a Master of Science degree program in clinical mental health counseling, with the option to specialize in addictions counseling or child and adolescent counseling.

Prerequisites for admission

Applicants to all graduate programs in the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology should have graduated with, or be about to graduate with, a bachelor's or a master's degree from an accredited institution appropriate to their chosen field of graduate study. Experience in human service (field work, or service learning, or volunteer or employment) is helpful.

Admission Process

For more information on the application and admission process for the online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, please visit that program's How to Apply page.

Admission applications that are incomplete or received after the deadline will not be reviewed. To ensure your file is complete and on time, please contact the Graduate School at 414-288-7137 or email at [email protected] .

• Master's admission applications due to the Graduate School: Wednesday, February 1, 2024
• Master's virtual interviews (approximately 8am-4pm CST): Friday, March 3, 2024

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Materials to be submitted for application

All of the following materials must be submitted to the Graduate School by the appropriate deadline.

• Graduate School application form and application fee
• If coursework was completed within the United States, submit copies of all current and previous college/universities except Marquette.
• If coursework was completed outside of the United States, a transcript evaluation is required. A copy of a course-by-course evaluation is approved for the application process.
• Test scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test are normally required, not the GRE subject test (psychology). Please see the GRE website for score reporting schedules. NOTE: The GRE is optional for 2024-2025.
• A statement of purpose. Please use the guidelines listed on the Marquette Graduate School webpage on drafting a SOP .
• Resume or Vita.
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can address one's academic and professional potential.
• International applicants only must submit a TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency.

For further application information, please contact the Graduate School at 414-288-7137, find Marquette's admissions materials online or email Coreen Bukowski , academic coordinator.

Virtual Interviews

After all applications are reviewed, the highest-ranking applicants will be contacted for an interview, which is required for admission. International applicants and others for whom the timeline/CST wouldn't be conducive can request to interview over the phone on a mutually agreed date/time prior to the listed interview date. Master's interviews will be periodically all day (8am-4pm CST) on Friday, March 8, 2024 .

Applicant evaluation by departmental faculty

Department faculty comprehensively review applicant files, emphasizing all aspects of applicants' backgrounds. Our assessments of potential for graduate study and success in the field are based on all components of the application, and we do not use cutoff scores with regard to previous grades or test scores. The previous median GRE combined test score of our recent master's in counseling students was 303, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.5. The median score on the GRE writing assessment for master's students was 4.5. The faculty admits students with lower test scores or grades when there are significant compensating factors that are important for determining success in the field. If relevant, applicants should highlight these factors in their Statement of Purpose.

Those applicants who are judged to show good potential for graduate study in our department are then invited for an interview with the departmental faculty and a group of current graduate students. After the interviews have been completed, faculty review each application and make a decision about admission to the program.

Tuition and financial aid information

Tuition for a graduate education student can be found on the Graduate School tuition page . This level of tuition is fairly competitive with other institutions.

Most of the scholarships and assistantships that we offer go to doctoral students, but occasionally there are assistantships given to master’s students. Master’s students who are primary and secondary school teachers in southeastern Wisconsin are eligible for two scholarship opportunities: the Milwaukee Area Teachers Scholarship, which provides scholarships for K-12 teachers from the greater Milwaukee area, and the Catholic Schools Scholarship, which covers part of the tuition for students employed by Archdiocese of Milwaukee schools. These scholarships are available only to students enrolled at Marquette. More information is available at the Graduate School's financial aid page.

We will not know the number of assistantships available to next year's students until our admissions offers are sent out during the middle of the spring semester.

Visiting the department

You are welcome to visit the department to find out more about our programs. We are located in room 146 of the Walter Schroeder Health and Education Complex, 560 N. 16th Street. See our campus map we are building number 29. Please contact Coreen via email or 414-288-5730 to let us know you are interested in visiting or would like someone to contact you. Contact the Graduate School to schedule a campus visit/tour .

Marquette's Graduate School also holds a fall open house. Stay tuned for more information.

We look forward to meeting you!

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Program Overview

This master’s degree program is designed for teachers with NYS certification in Early Childhood, Childhood, Middle Childhood, and Adolescent Education to become teachers of literacy across all grades (from birth to grade 12).  This program leads to certification in Literacy (All Grades).

Program Values

Self-reflection and transformation.

• Reflect on their own identities and communities and how those impact their students, instruction, leadership, and school communities.
• Reflect critically and continually for transformation and action.
• Acknowledge and integrate current sociopolitical and sociocultural contexts into their curriculum and instruction.

Awareness and Application of Humanizing and Equity-Based Literacy Instruction

• Engage in and use literacy research, theory, and evidence-based practices.
• Create culturally-affirming and inclusive literacy environments.
• Center students’ linguistic and cultural diversities and various ability levels.
• Integrate culturally-affirming and healing-centered social-emotional learning (Ginwright; Simmons)
• Apply differentiated and culturally sustaining instruction (Ladson-Billings; Paris & Alim) that includes a range of reading methods and approaches (i.e., phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension).
• Apply differentiated and culturally sustaining writing instruction (Johnson; Tatum; Winn & Johnson)
• Engage in justice-based linguistic instruction that centers and honors students’ language diversities (Baker-Bell).
• Understand the connections between literacies and equity.
• Understand literacies as socially constructed, infusing meaningful collaborations into their classrooms.
• Use innovative, arts-based instruction to enliven and promote critical and socially engaged literacy teaching and learning (Eisner; Greene).
• Select and use diverse children’s and young adult literature that offers students windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors (Bishop).
• Develop and use rich literacy assessments that consider students’ cultural diversities, languages, and abilities.
• Develop and use culturally sustaining interventions that align with differentiated assessments.
• Use critical pedagogies to empower their students to engage in social justice, agency, and advocacy efforts (Friere; Janks; Morrell).
• Focus on equity-, asset- and justice-based learning that centers hope, joy, and love (Duncan-Andrade; Love).
• Develop and sustain relationships with students’ families and communities.

Advocacy and Leadership

• Work to decenter whiteness in literacy curriculum and instruction.
• Aim to dismantle and disrupt inequities within school communities.
• Become equity-based literacy coaches and leaders who center transformative practices (Aguilar).

Coursework and Clinical Experiences

Courses are offered in the afternoon and evening. Some courses may be available in an online or hybrid format. Select courses have required hours of classroom experience (fieldwork) in a New York City public school.

Certification

Literacy All Grades

Eligibility and Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 or master’s degree with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.5
• New York State (NYS) Initial, professional, or permanent certification in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Education, TESOL, Special Education, Speech-Language Pathology, Middle Childhood Education (5-9), or Adolescent Education (7-12)
• Two letters of recommendation including one from a supervisor
• A statement of purpose

Applications are accepted each Fall and Spring semester.

To start your application, visit the  Hunter College Online Application.

Application Deadlines

• March 15 (Priority Deadline)

Spring Start

• October 15 (Priority Deadline)
• November 1 (Extended Deadline)

Visit  How to Apply  for information about deadline extensions.

Contact an Admissions Advisor

[email protected]

Program Leader

Nadine Bryce [email protected]

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BS-DNP Program

The BS-DNP program appeals to baccalaureate​​​​ate-prepared nurses who are interested in earning a master's degree and practice doctorate in one continuous program. DNP graduates will be prepared as advanced practice leaders, who will design models of healthcare delivery, evaluate clinical outcomes, identify and manage the healthcare needs of populations, and use technology and information to transform healthcare systems.

Looking for a Master of Public Health and Doctor of Nursing Practice ? Visit the DNP/MPH dual degree page.

Graduates of our program are eligible to apply for certification by examination. Upon successful completion of the board examination, DNPs are eligible for licensure in all 50 states, including Colorado (visit the Colorado Board of Nursing APRN application forms page), where licensure is granted as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

Available Specialty Programs

Students select from 11 different specialties. Past coursework to be applied toward the degree will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The specific courses required for each specialty option are on the specialty pages.

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
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• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Adult-Gerontology
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• i-LEAD Nursing Leadership and Health Care Systems
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• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Veteran and Military Health Care Leadership
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Air Force Made Career in Nursing and Midwifery Possible

During the 36-month program from BSN to DNP earning her MS, Post-Graduate Certificate and DNP along the way, CU College of Nursing graduate Caroline Hill also found time to give birth to her first child!

Caroline's Journey

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Education Leadership (online)

Graduate Program

The Master’s in Education (Ed.M.) prepares students with the skills needed to change the world through education. The online Master’s in Education Leadership is a part-time, two-year Ed.M. program from the Harvard Graduate School of Education with Higher Education and PreK-12 pathways. The program is specifically designed for mid-career working education professionals and is career-embedded—so students can immediately apply what they are learning. Through this program, students will strengthen the invaluable skills they’ve already developed and develop the tools to propel themselves to new leadership opportunities and to even greater impact.

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• search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => lodgingContextDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).join('&')].reduce((x, y) => y ? x + y : '')">Pet Friendly Hotels
• search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => lodgingContextDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).join('&')].reduce((x, y) => y ? x + y : '')" [text]="search.type ? (typeOptions.filter(type => type.slug == search.type)[0].lbl || '') : tagDetails[search.tag].lbl || ''">
• search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => lodgingContextDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).join('&')].reduce((x, y) => y ? x + y : '')" [text]="location.kind == 'region' ? location.name : location.region.name || ''">Europe
• search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => lodgingContextDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).join('&')].reduce((x, y) => y ? x + y : '')" [text]="location.kind == 'country' ? location.name : location.country.name || ''">Russia
• search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => lodgingContextDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).join('&')].reduce((x, y) => y ? x + y : '')" [text]="location.kind == 'state' ? location.name : location.state.name || ''">
• search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => lodgingContextDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).join('&')].reduce((x, y) => y ? x + y : '')" [text]="location.name || ''">Vladimir

type.slug == search.type)[0].locationTitle : ctg.locationTitle) + ' in ' + location.phraseName ) : ( (search.type ? typeOptions.filter(type => type.slug == search.type)[0].baseTitle : ctg.baseTitle) + ' Worldwide' )"> Pet Friendly Hotels in Vladimir, Vladimir Oblast, RU

There are 9 pet friendly hotels in Vladimir. Need help to decide where to stay with your dog? You can browse the results below and filter by amenities to find the perfect spot. All pet policy information is guaranteed and there are no booking fees!

Samovar hostel

Nice hostel 33, vladimir airbnb rentals, the monomakh hotel, vrbo vladimir, russkaya derevnya, pobeda - hostel, amaks golden ring, zastava hotel, zolotoy vek, mirros hotel suzdal, svetliy terem, sokol hotel suzdal, suzdal airbnb rentals.

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