Educational Leadership, Ph.D.

This Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership is designed to prepare students to be scholars, professors, and/or organizational leaders. Students enter the program with a M.A. in education, leadership, or related field. The curriculum is based on a selection of core courses in educational leadership and courses that complement students’ professional goals. The degree requires the completion of 24-33 credits of coursework, 12 credits of dissertation research, a comprehensive written examination, an oral examination/proposal defense, and a public defense of the dissertation.

Curriculum Overview

The degree requires a completion of 24-33 credits of coursework, an oral examination, and a content-focused theme paper.

Careers

The educational leadership degree programs prepare students to fill a variety of leadership roles, including: superintendent, principal, program director and curriculum/teacher leader. Additionally, some doctoral students design a special individualized program to prepare for a leadership role in a nonprofit, medical or business organization.

Admission Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Transcript(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• GRE or other applicable graduate entry exam scores
• 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.

Please note that application deadlines for this program differ for international students.

Application Deadlines

Domestic students should apply for the fall semester by July 1, 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, Oct. 1 for the spring semester and February 1 for the summer semester.

Review Process

A committee reviews each application wholly.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

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 the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).  NCATE and TEAC (Teacher Education Accreditation Council) consolidated to form CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) July 2013. To contact CAEP:

1140 19th St NW #400
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 223-0077

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 affects 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.

Research Courses

Students must complete master’s level graduate research coursework as prerequisites for advanced research courses. Students are required to successfully complete the following three research courses prior to enrolling in advanced research courses. 

Non-Course Requirements

• Students must pass comprehensive written examination,
• Students must pass an oral examination/proposal defense, and
• Students must complete a public presentation and defense of their dissertation.

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.