Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
The educational leadership program 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 such as 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 building-level leaders. 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 credits of coursework, a comprehensive written examination, an oral examination, and a doctoral project. Students entering with a specialist degree complete 28 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. 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. Students should possess above-average GPA and sufficient TOEFL scores (for international applicants).
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
Applications are considered on a rolling basis.
Review Process
The program has a year-round, rolling application 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 February 1.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.
Accreditation
The School of Education at Saint Louis University is accredited by Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). To contact CAEP:
1140 19th St NW #400
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 223-0077
Additionally, the Catholic education concentration offered through the Institute for Catholic Education meets the catechetical requirements for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis and the standards from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
1. Graduates will be able to explain how district-level leadership vision, mission, and goals promote student success
2. Graduates will be able to analyze district level leadership implementation strategies
3. Graduates will be able to explain how district-level culture affects student learning
4. Graduates will be able to analyze the effectiveness of district-wide instructional practices
5. Graduates will be able to explain how district-wide professional learning affects student learning
6. Graduates will be able to explain district level educational management and organizational theories
7. Graduates will be able to explain the district-level educator evaluation and management process
8. Graduates will be able to explain district level effective resource strategies
9. Graduates will be able to explain how to build community relationships that promote student learning across the district
10. Graduates will be able to analyze district/community connection strategies
11. Graduates will be able to explain how to identify community resources to support student learning across the district
12. Graduates will be able to explain principles of educational ethics
13. Graduates will be able to explain how political, economic, legal, and cultural issues affect the education system
14. Graduates will be able to explain how communication across various shareholders affects a district’s success
15. Graduates will be able to analyze how policy and advocacy affects the education system
16. Graduates will be able to explain how to support district employees with professional development
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDL 6390 | Gateway Leadership Institute | 2 |
| EDL 6950 | Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams | 0 |
| EDR 6971 | Research Topics EdD | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Students select 33-credits from the following: | 33 | |
| Internship: Educational Administration-Superintendent | ||
| School District Administration | ||
| The Politics of Education | ||
| Ethics of Ed Leadership | ||
| Advanced School Law | ||
| Sem: Human Resources Admin | ||
| Managing the District Level Curriculum | ||
| School Facilities | ||
| School Business Administration | ||
| District Level Professional Development and Teacher Evaluation | ||
| Project Guidance | ||
| Special Educ Administration | ||
| Research Courses | 0-6 | |
| Total Credits | 38-44 | |
Without Ed.S.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDL 6390 | Gateway Leadership Institute | 2 |
| EDL 6950 | Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams | 0 |
| EDR 6971 | Research Topics EdD | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Students select 33-credits from the following: | 33 | |
| Internship: Educational Administration-Superintendent | ||
| School District Administration | ||
| The Politics of Education | ||
| Ethics of Ed Leadership | ||
| Advanced School Law | ||
| Sem: Human Resources Admin | ||
| Managing the District Level Curriculum | ||
| School Facilities | ||
| School Business Administration | ||
| District Level Professional Development and Teacher Evaluation | ||
| Project Guidance | ||
| Special Educ Administration | ||
| Research Courses | 0-6 | |
| Total Credits | 38-44 | |
With Ed.S.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDL 6390 | Gateway Leadership Institute | 2 |
| EDL 6950 | Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams | 0 |
| EDR 6971 | Research Topics EdD | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Students select 23-credits from the following: | 23 | |
| Internship: Educational Administration-Superintendent | ||
| School District Administration | ||
| The Politics of Education | ||
| Ethics of Ed Leadership | ||
| Advanced School Law | ||
| Sem: Human Resources Admin | ||
| Managing the District Level Curriculum | ||
| School Facilities | ||
| School Business Administration | ||
| District Level Professional Development and Teacher Evaluation | ||
| Project Guidance | ||
| Special Educ Administration | ||
| Research Courses | 0-6 | |
| Total Credits | 28-34 | |
Catholic Education Concentration without Ed.S.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDL 6390 | Gateway Leadership Institute | 2 |
| EDR 6971 | Research Topics EdD | 3 |
| EDL 6950 | Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams | 0 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Students select 33 credits from the following: | 33 | |
| Studies in Catholic Education | ||
| Seminar: Catholic Education | ||
| School-Community Relations | ||
| School District Administration | ||
| Ethics of Ed Leadership | ||
| Advanced School Law | ||
| Managing the District Level Curriculum | ||
| School Facilities | ||
| School Business Administration | ||
| District Level Professional Development and Teacher Evaluation | ||
| Project Guidance | ||
| Research Courses | 0-6 | |
| Total Credits | 38-44 | |
Catholic Education Concentration with Ed.S.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDL 6390 | Gateway Leadership Institute | 2 |
| EDR 6971 | Research Topics EdD | 3 |
| EDL 6950 | Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams | 0 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Students select 23 credits from the following: | 23 | |
| Studies in Catholic Education | ||
| Seminar: Catholic Education | ||
| School-Community Relations | ||
| School District Administration | ||
| Ethics of Ed Leadership | ||
| Advanced School Law | ||
| Managing the District Level Curriculum | ||
| School Facilities | ||
| School Business Administration | ||
| District Level Professional Development and Teacher Evaluation | ||
| Project Guidance | ||
| Research Courses | 0-6 | |
| Total Credits | 28-34 | |
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 five prerequisite research courses prior to program completion.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDR 5000 | General Research Methods for Education | 3 |
| EDR 5100 | Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed | 3 |
| EDR 5400 | Qual Research in Education | 3 |
| EDR 5500 | Evaluation of Education Programs | 3 |
| EDR 6070 | Evidence Based Decision Making | 3 |
Non-Course Requirements
- Students must pass a written comprehensive examination.
- Students must complete a doctoral project focused on a problem of practice.
- Students must pass an oral examination regarding their doctoral project.
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.
Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EDR 6971 | Research Topics EdD | 3 |
| EDL 6110 | School District Administration | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDL 6400 | Sem: Human Resources Admin | 3 |
| EDL 6470 | School Facilities | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDL 5913 or EDL 5914 |
Internship: Building Principal or Internship: Educational Administration-Superintendent |
3 |
| EDL 6390 | Gateway Leadership Institute | 2 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDL 6450 | Managing the District Level Curriculum | 3 |
| EDL 6140 | The Politics of Education | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDL 6300 | Advanced School Law | 2 |
| EDL 6730 | District Level Professional Development and Teacher Evaluation | 3 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDL 6490 | Administration and Leadership of Special Education | 2 |
| EDL 6690 | School Business Administration | 2 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDL 6950 | Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams | 0 |
| EDL 6200 | Ethics of Ed Leadership | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDR 6960 | Project Guidance (Students may take as many of the 3 required hours of Project Guidance as desired per semester. Please register in your advisor’s section number.) | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
Catholic Education, Ed.D.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EDR 5100 | Intro to Inferential Stats: Ed | 0-3 |
| EDR 5500 | Evaluation of Education Programs | 0-3 |
| Credits | 0-6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDR 6971 | Research Topics EdD | 3 |
| EDL 6300 | Advanced School Law | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDF 6310 | Seminar: Catholic Education | 3 |
| EDL 6390 | Gateway Leadership Institute | 2 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDL 6470 | School Facilities | 3 |
| EDL 6730 | District Level Professional Development and Teacher Evaluation | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDF 6300 | Studies in Catholic Education | 3 |
| EDL 5200 | School-Community Relations | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDL 6450 | Managing the District Level Curriculum | 3 |
| EDL 6690 | School Business Administration | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Completion of the Written Comprehensive Examination | ||
| EDL 6950 | Special Study for Written Comprehensive Exams | 0 |
| EDL 6200 | Ethics of Ed Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 6110 | School District Administration | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Completion of the Doctoral Project and Oral Examination | ||
| EDR 6960 | Project Guidance (Please register in your advisor’s section number.) | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 38-44 | |
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, evidenced-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 apring), and in an eight-week period spanning mid-May to mid-July in the summer.
This program is designed to prepare students to become executive-level leaders in Catholic education such as 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 building-level leaders.
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.
For additional admission questions, please contact:
SLU School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu