Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

Program Chairperson: Shana Matamala

Regular Faculty: Shelley Mendez, Candace Singh

Program Length: 2 Years

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Program (Ed.D.) is designed for the PK-12 professional who wishes to pursue a doctoral degree while continuing his or her career. Through their coursework, candidates will acquire essential skills in leading educational organizations, encompassing strategic planning, decision-making, and resource distribution.  The capstone Problem of Practice (POP) engages candidates in comprehensive research and data collection not only within their own organization but also outside it, drawing insights from both practical experiences and academic theories.   

All new students are only admitted to the Ed.D. program once per academic year.  The program begins in the summer with an in-person summer intensive in La Verne, CA.   The courses offered in the Fall and Spring semesters will be held online.

Program Dismissal

Students may be dismissed from the program  under several circumstances, including but not limited to: academic dishonesty, academic disqualification, failure to maintain minimum academic standards, failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress, removal from a fieldwork placement, unethical or unprofessional conduct, failure of program activities measuring student competencies/or dispositions, circumstance interfering with training or well-being of others, and/or felony conviction.  Students dismissed from the program may not apply for readmission.

Admission Requirements

Applicants will be evaluated by the department admissions committee using the following measures:

1. A completed application with application fee.
2. Official transcripts from all institutions attended.
3. An earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum of 2.75 GPA.
4. Personal statement up to 1,500 words maximum addressing the following:
   1. Why are you interested in pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership?
   2. How do you see your own leadership potential with regard to  being a scholar/practitioner?
   3. Explain where you have the opportunity to apply theory to leadership practice in an organization.
5. Two letters of recommendation addressing the candidate's academic capability to complete a doctoral program.
6. A curriculum vitae or resume.
7. Applicants must have five years of work experience post baccalaureate; one year of management/leadership experience is preferred.
8. Currently employed in a PK - 12th grade setting.
9. Documentation of one of the following:
   1. An earned Master's degree in Educational Leadership from a regionally accredited university, or
   2. Preliminary Administrative Services Credential with documentation of program completion, or
   3. Equivalent as determined by the program chair.

Total Program: 36 semester hours

The Ed.D program is delivered primarily online with an in-person summer intensive. The program requires a time commitment of two years and the successful completion of the Problem of Practice.

The first and second year sequence is 12 courses over two years that may be taken for credit/no credit or for a grade. Each course integrates leadership theory, skill development, and practice in the field. Examples of content include leadership strategies, politics and conflict in educational settings, change, ethical leadership and advocacy in education and educational policy and reform. The research sequence is 6 courses over two years. Three courses provide students with a foundation in qualitative and quantitative research, and the final three will allow students to begin working on their Problem of Practice.   

Students who do not complete the dissertation within the two years of coursework must continuously enroll in the Dissertation in Educational Leadership course (continuous enrollment) each semester up to the eight-year time limit for the completion of the degree.

Core Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
EDLD 611	Leadership in Educational Organizations	3
EDLD 615	Foundations of Educational Research	3
EDLD 621	Navigating Conflict & Politics in Educational Systems	3
EDLD 625	Qualitative Research Methods for Organizational Change in Education	3
EDLD 631	Transformative Leadership: Dynamics of Change in Education	3
EDLD 635	Quantitative Research Methods for Organizational Change in Education	3
EDLD 641	Ethical Leadership & Advocacy in Education: Fostering Equity & Excellence	3
EDLD 645	Advanced Research Methods in Educational Administration	3
EDLD 651	Strategic Leadership in Curriculum Development & Instruction	3
EDLD 655	Enhancing Practice through Action Research in Education	3
EDLD 671	Educational Policy & Reform	3
EDLD 695	Capstone Research Course	3
Total Semester Hours		36