Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Educational Leadership – ED6272

Department of Educational Studies
McCracken Hall
100 East Union Street
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
education.graduate@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus/Hybrid

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring, Summer

Program Overview

The doctoral program, which pertains to educational leadership and related topics, combines conceptual and research-based studies at an advanced level, preparing students for intellectual and practical leadership positions in academia and in research. Students whose interest is limited to the study educational administration, as well as students who have related interests, such as the leadership aspects of other disciplines, tend to fit well in and are encouraged to join the doctoral program. The flexibility and broadness of studies is often perceived as one of the most appealing aspects of the program for students. They are encouraged to find and develop their own niche of study within the framework of the program. The program strengthens the students’ use of both formal and informal methods of inquiry, as the basis for confronting issues of educational policy and practice, and undertaking initiatives to benefit schools and their communities. The students are expected to develop a particularly strong capacity regarding organizational leadership, community-based leadership, and research methodology. This focus is complemented by a comprehensive examination, which contains complementary questions. Finally, the students are expected to engage in a rigorous study leading to the development of a strong dissertation. An attempt is made throughout the program to develop leader scholars who are locally engaged and globally minded. This is a full-time program. Normative time to completion is five academic years.

This program offers rich and engaging classroom instruction and learning, accompanied by occasional blended or hybrid online delivery. Many courses are offered on Saturdays to accommodate working professionals.

Doctoral Specialization in Comparative and International Educational Leadership 

The doctoral specialization in Comparative and International Educational Leadership (CIEL) is designed to relate a firm grounding in the theories and methods of international and comparative education for the analysis of education’s role in the processes of economic growth, political development, and social change. The CIEL requires the completion of 18-24 credits related to Transnational, Global, International, and Comparative Education (TGICE). The specialization includes coverage of (a) educational policy issues in a global context, (b) educational planning from a comparative perspective, (c) the dynamic relationships between school and community, equity and education, and (d) the political economy of educational development. Students are expected to achieve substantial research competence to enable them to carry out large-scale database research, qualitative/action research, quantitative research, and/or mixed method research and evaluation. Candidates for the doctoral degree in CIEL must exhibit high research competence, including the ability to identify, conceptualize, and execute a significant research project that clearly adds to the body of knowledge in the field. Students will also be required to undertake both practical- and research-oriented professional internships.

Program Learning Outcomes

• To obtain a rich conceptual and application-based understanding of educational administration, particularly as it pertains to leadership, organizations, and human behavior.
• To become effective researchers with the use of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches.
• To develop and exhibit a strong aptitude for writing, speaking, and listening.
• To become contributors to the academic discipline of educational leadership.

Opportunities for Graduates

The Educational Leadership Doctoral Program provides an opportunity for educators and educational leaders to build and enhance capacities in educational leadership, policy analysis, and research for service in local, regional, state, national, and international arenas. The program is committed to prepare locally engaged and globally minded agents of change graduates who can effect positive change in strategic leadership positions as teacher leaders, curriculum directors, school principals, district superintendents, education leaders, organizational leaders, policy analysts and advocates, and scholars of education, educational leadership, and comparative and international educational leadership.

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/education/ed-studies/ed-admin-doctorate

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission must submit an application form. Application is for the Educational Studies Department. The code is ED6272. Applicants are evaluated on the bases of the following:

• Academic Potential – Evidence of potential for academic work at the doctoral level includes: 
  • Master’s GPA of 3.6;
  • Commentary from former professors, who provide letters of recommendation;
  • GRE composite verbal/quantitative score of 1050 (recommended); and
  • For international applicants who are non-native speakers of English, a minimum TOEFL or IELTS is expected, as indicated on the website of the Graduate College.
• Writing Ability – Writing ability sufficient to handle the requirements of doctoral course work is judged through an analysis of the autobiography submitted by the applicant.
• Oral Communication – Competence in oral communication is evaluated through an interview conducted by at least two faculty members in the Educational Leadership Program.
• Commitment – Evidence of commitment to advanced graduate study is obtained from the letters of recommendation submitted by employers, supervisors, and former professors and from the applicant’s answers to questions posed in the interview.

International Students

This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

Complete a minimum of 68 credit hours beyond the master’s degree as follows: