Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: Pre-K to 12th Grade Track
The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at Saint Elizabeth University is designed to prepare globally conscious and morally purposeful servant leaders. The Ed.D. program offers two tracks: the Pre-K to 12th Grade Track and the Higher Education Track.
The Ed.D. track for Pre-K to 12th grade school leaders combines theoretical knowledge and practical application in authentic school settings using the student's professional experience in school leadership. It is a sequenced, 50-credit program to be completed during a three-year time frame.
Unique Elements of This Program
- Students will complete all courses together as a cohort and will progress through the program by taking all of their classes together.
- Students will function as members of teams and work collaboratively on the study, collection, and analysis of data and the development of research-based solutions to educational problems. Research teams will extend beyond the University to the larger community.
- The foundation of the program is aligned with the New Jersey Professional Standards for School Leaders (NJPSSL).
- Students will receive personal attention and service from University departments at times that are convenient for working adults.
- Flexible hours for advisement, registration, and career counseling are available to fit in with students' busy schedules.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the doctoral program, the students will be able to:
- Commit to and act upon the principles of servant leadership.
- Demonstrate their role to prepare both themselves and the learning community to build a just society.
- Identify, promote, and sustain high performance learning communities.
- Apply research methodologies for systemic improvement of schools and other educational communities and institutions.
- Analyze and articulate the individual and social purposes of education.
- Evaluate the role of servant leaders as stewards of both human and fiscal resources.
Program Requirements
- 3.25 grade point average
- Two research projects related to the development of the action research dissertation
- Action research dissertation and oral dissertation defense
Admission Requirements
Students applying for admission must present the documentation listed below to a selection committee comprised of Department of Education faculty. This committee will assess the documentation based upon the New Jersey Professional Standards for School Leaders (NJPSSL).
- An M.A. in Educational Leadership or related field.
- Evidence of leadership experience including Certification as Principal and/or Supervisor.
- Outstanding academic success in prior graduate work including an official transcript from all undergraduate and graduate colleges/universities attended. Courses taken at colleges in countries outside the United States must be evaluated by WES (World Education Services) for a course-by-course evaluation. For additional information on certified university record translations, students should contact WES at 800-937-3895 or by email at info@wes.org.
- Evidence of scholarly work (Master's thesis, Action Research, publication) and an on-site writing sample as required by faculty.
- One letter of recommendation from a college/university professor attesting to the candidate's ability to perform a high level of academic work in the program.
- Two letters of recommendation attesting to professional competency (in addition to the one letter from college/university professor).
The final step in the admission process will be a successful interview with a faculty committee.
Course Sequence
Year One
Fall Semester
| EDAS701 | Essential Competencies for Doctoral Studies | 2 |
| EDAS705 | Servant Leadership: Ethical and Moral Leadership | 3 |
| EDAS715 | Emerging Perspective District Level Leadership | 3 |
Winter Intersession
| EDAS709 | Leadership Management of K-12 Schools and Systems | 3 |
Spring Semester
| EDAS718 | Leadership/School Improvement | 3 |
| EDAS722 | Dissertation Research & Scholarly Writing | 2 |
| EDAS725 | Education Public Policy Development & Advocacy | 3 |
Summer Semester
Year Two
Fall Semester
| EDAS730 | Educational Leadership in a Global & Multicultural Society | 3 |
| EDAS745 | Educational Finance & Strategic Thinking | 3 |
| EDAS750 | Action Research Dissertation | 2 |
Spring Semester
| EDAS757 | Ethical Leadership in School Law & Labor Relations | 3 |
| EDAS765 | Governance and Community Relations | 3 |
| EDAS775 | Dissertation Proposal Seminar | 2 |
Year Three
Fall Semester
| EDAS783 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 3 |
| EDAS785 | Dissertation Advisement I | 3 |
Spring Semester