Educational Leadership, Ed.D.

The educational leadership program at Saint Louis University's School of Education is a long-standing, highly-respected graduate program preparing educational leaders through a professional educational doctorate.  This Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership is designed to prepare students to become executive-level educational leaders. Students enter the program with a master’s or specialist degree in educational leadership or related field. 

The concentration in Catholic education is designed to prepare students to become executive-level leaders in Catholic education. Coursework engages students with the unique aspects of Catholic educational leadership such as including spiritual leadership and the vocation of a Catholic school leader, and non-public school administration such as funding mechanisms and applicable laws.

Curriculum Overview

The degree requires the completion of 38-44 credits of coursework, a comprehensive written examination, an oral examination, and a doctoral project. Students entering with a specialist degree complete 28-34 credits of coursework. The course offerings are aligned with the state requirements for accreditation, as well as course requirements students must have to qualify for certification.  Those courses are set up over a three-year cycle so all entering students have access to the courses they need. The doctoral project is designed to address a problem of practice and is completed by a team. Additionally, each member prepares an individual report.

In the Catholic education concentration, the doctoral project is designed to address a problem of practice in Catholic educational leadership. The project is completed by a group of cohort members as a team. Additionally, each member prepares an individual report.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

The program includes site-based activities aligned with course work as well as the three-credit internship required for certification.

In the Catholic education concentration, students complete a practicum requiring involvement in school-site leadership activities at multiple schools. Catholic education students seeking Missouri certification as a superintendent must complete an additional site-based internship.

Careers

This Ed.D. prepares students to be executive leaders such as school district superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors,  teacher leaders, and/or organizational  leaders as well as strengthening the knowledge and skills of building-level leaders. It also prepares students for possible faculty positions in colleges and universities.  Additionally, some doctoral students design a special individualized program to prepare for the principalship or a leadership role in a nonprofit, medical, or business organization.

Possible career paths for someone pursuing the concentration in Catholic education include school president, (arch)diocesan superintendent, assistant superintendent, school director, curriculum director, or other central office positions, as well as strengthening the knowledge and skills of experienced building-level leaders.

Admission Requirements

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.

Application Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Transcript(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Résumé
• Professional goal statement

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Application Deadlines

Domestic students should apply for the fall semester by June 15, for the spring semester by November 1, and for the summer semester by April 1. International students should apply by May 1 for the fall semester, October 1 for the spring semester, and February 1 for the summer semester.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed by committee.

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, applicants should complete their applications by Feb. 1. 

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.  

Accreditation 

The Catholic education concentration offered through the Institute for Catholic Education meets the catechetical requirements for the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the standards from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Ed.D. Outcomes:

1. The candidate will explain how district-level leadership vision, mission, and goals promote student success.

2. The candidate will analyze district-level leadership implementation strategies.

3. The candidate will explain how district-level culture affects student learning.

4. The candidate will analyze the effectiveness of district-wide instructional practices.

5. The candidate will explain how district-wide professional learning affects student learning.

6. The candidate will explain district-level educational management and organizational theories.

7. The candidate will explain the district-level educator evaluation and management process.

8. The candidate will explain district-level effective resource strategies.

9. The candidate will explain how to build community relationships that promote student learning across the district.

10. The candidate will analyze district/community connection strategies.

11. The candidate explains how to identify community resources to support student learning across the district.

12. The candidate will explain principles of educational ethics.

13. The candidate will explain how political, economic, legal, and cultural issues affects the education system.

14. The candidate will explain how communication across various shareholders affects a district’s success.

15. The candidate will analyze how policy and advocacy affects the education system.

16. The candidate will explain how to support district employees with professional development.

Ed.D. students complete 38 credits, including leadership courses and field work.  If a student seeks a superintendent certificate upon graduation, specific coursework is required. 

Without Ed.S.

With Ed.S.

Catholic Education Concentration without Ed.S.

Catholic Education Concentration with Ed.S.

Research Courses

Students must complete master’s level graduate research courses prior to program completion.  If the student does not have some or all of these course, he or she may take the courses during the doctoral program. Students are required to successfully complete two of the following prerequisite research courses prior to program completion. 

Non-Course Requirements

• Students must pass a written comprehensive examination.
• Students must pass an oral examination/project defense of their doctoral project focused on a problem of practice.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Without Ed.S.

With Ed.S.

Catholic Education Concentration without Ed.S.

Catholic Education Concentration with Ed.S.

Program Notes

The Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership cohort program in Catholic school leadership includes outcomes aligned with national and state standards as well as those articulated by the Catholic Church. Courses are taught as part of a cohort program that is enhanced by problem-based learning, evidence-based content that connects theory and practice, and opportunities for practice. Students engage in professional learning by collaborating with peers using problem-oriented instructional strategies, studying a curriculum grounded in the literature on effective practice, and engaging in professionally-guided practice in schools. All courses are taught in a four-Saturday format (fall and spring), and in an eight-week period spanning mid-May to mid-July in the summer.

Coursework engages students with the unique aspects of Catholic educational leadership such as including spiritual leadership and the vocation of a Catholic school leader, and non-public school administration such as funding mechanisms and applicable laws. Coursework engages students with the unique aspects of Catholic educational leadership including spiritual leadership, the vocation of the Catholic school educator, and the evangelizing Catholic school, and non-public school administration such as recruitment, funding mechanisms, and laws applicable in religious schools, while preparing students to take the assessments for superintendent certification. Students seeking Missouri state certification as a superintendent may be required to take additional coursework.

The degree additionally requires the completion of a written comprehensive examination, a doctoral project, and an oral examination.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact:
Saint Louis University School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu