Educational Leadership, Ed.D.

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program is designed for novice and experienced leaders across different fields with a focus on preparing leaders for PreK-12 educational systems. It consists of 54 credits, with courses sequenced such that students can complete the program, including dissertation, in three years by taking six credits in each fall, spring and summer. The courses fall into three categories: leadership development (12 credits), educational management (24 credits), and research and dissertation (18 credits).

Students completing the program will have learned to:

1) Formulate strategic pathways for educational organizations

2) Assess and choose ethical courses of action.

3) Collect, analyze and convert raw data into actionable information.

4) Address challenges via evidence-based practices.

5) Practice servanthood leadership in transforming organizations to better serve ALL constituents.

Transfer of Graduate Credits

Students can transfer up to 6 graduate credits towards the program. Course credits accepted in transfer should be from doctoral level courses comparable in content to those of GCU's program, and completed with a grade of B or higher within three years prior to enrolling in GCU's program. Decisions on acceptability of transfer credit will be made by program faculty via evaluation of course syllabi. Students may be required to submit additional work samples and/or documentation. Transfer credit must be approved by the program director.

The five objectives of the program listed above are aligned with the National Policy Board for Educational Administration's Professional Standards for Educational Leaders: Leader Learners will:

1. effectively develop and implement a shared mission, vision, and core values to ensure a high-quality education that meets the unique needs of each student.

2. demonstrate ethics and professional conduct that promotes integrity, fairness, transparency, trust, collaboration, perseverance, learning, and continuous improvement.

3. act with culture competence and responsiveness in ensuring equitable learning opportunities, academic and social support for each student, regardless of race, class, culture and language, gender and sexual orientation, and disability or special status.

4. support the alignment and focus of systems of equitable curriculum, instruction, and assessment within and across grade levels to promote student academic success consistent with knowledge of child, adolescent, and adult learning and development, effective pedagogy, and the needs of each student.

5. create and sustain coherent systems of equitable academic and social supports, services, extracurricular activities, and accommodations to meet the range of learning needs of each student.

6. demonstrate leadership in recruiting, hiring, supporting, developing, and retaining effective educators and other professional staff, while planning for differentiated opportunities for learning and growth to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

7. support the development and nurturing of a professional community of teachers and other professional staff to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

8. demonstrate leadership in engaging families and other stakeholders in the community in meaningful ways to promote each student’s academic success and wellbeing.

9. effectively steward the management of school operations and resources to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

10. demonstrate leadership in using innovative methods of continuous improvement to achieve the vision, fulfill the mission, and promote the core values of the school.

Requirements for Admission for the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

To be admitted to the Doctorate of Education program in Educational Leadership, an applicant must submit a complete, self-managed application packet including:

Completed application for admission;
A check or money order for $40 (nonrefundable) payable to Georgian Court University;
Official transcript showing GPA of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale) in graduate studies (master’s degree) from an accredited institution;
Relevant organizational or educational leadership experience. It is recommended that candidates have a minimum of 3 years of full-time professional experience prior to the start of the program;
Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on the applicant’s potential for success in a doctoral program. At least two letters should be from faculty who have taught or advised the applicant. At least one letter should address the applicant’s leadership experience/potential; and
Personal interview (applicants eligible for admission following review of the materials submitted above will be invited to interview).

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall Semester		Credits
EDD7001	Org Theory & Trans Practice	3.0
EDD8000	DissAdvI:StatePrblm	3.0
	Credits	6.0
Spring Semester
EDD7002	LeadrshpChallenges:Crisis&ConflictMgt	3.0
EDD7008	Qualitative & Quantitative Research	3.0
	Credits	6.0
Summer Semester
EDD7004	Ethics Equity Equality in Educ Ldrship	3.0
EDD8001	DissertAdvisory II: Literature Review	3.0
	Credits	6.0
Second Year
Fall Semester
EDD7003	Dev & Admn Humn & Socl Capl	3.0
EDD7014	Community Engagement	3.0
	Credits	6.0
Spring Semester
EDD7006	Global Education Policy & Practice	3.0
EDD7007	Data-Driven Prog & Pol Eval	3.0
	Credits	6.0
Summer Semester
EDD7009	Advanced Statistics and Data Analysis	3.0
EDD8002	DissertAdvisory III: Methodology	3.0
	Credits	6.0
Third Year
Fall Semester
EDD7010	Educational Assessment and Evaluation	3.0
EDD7011	CultRelevantPedagogy&CurricK12&AdultLrn	3.0
	Credits	6.0
Spring Semester
EDD7012	EmergingTrends & TechK-12	3.0
EDD8003	DissertAdvisory IV:Analy,Findings,Concl	3.0
	Credits	6.0
Summer Semester
EDD7005	Cross Cult Perspect & Educ Ldrship	3.0
EDD7013	Finance and Facilities Leadership	3.0
If needed:
EDD8004	Dissertation Continuation (1 credit)
	Credits	6.0
	Total Credits	54.0