Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
A 36-month program for educators to develop skills and strategies to become an effective educational leader.
- Fast Track 1 Year
- Online Study Mode
- EMI Option
- European Accredited
- Dual Certification
The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership is a 60-credit program designed for graduate level educators who are presently teachers or administrators in a school setting or have regular weekly access to a school and classrooms. The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program will provide opportunities for educators to learn and develop skills and strategies in the areas of school management, education law, education finance, and instructional supervision to be an effective leader.
The goal of the program is to develop scholars-practitioners who will learn and practice advanced skills in designing, implementing, and analysing effective research-based strategies in school/district leadership so they can provide active, positive, and effective leadership in the school environment. All students enrolled in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree program will demonstrate and apply knowledge and skills related to PSEL and NELP organisation standards.
Program Requirements
The Ed.D. requires the completion of a minimum of 60 credits – 51 credits of required courses and 9 credits of electives. (Note: courses are either three credits or six credits).
The Ed.D. prepares educators for advanced professional responsibility and leadership in effectively organizing, planning, implementing, and evaluating staff and programs, addressing diverse school environments, and building and fostering effective learning communities. This course will prepare educators to apply the PSEL and NELP standards in educational leadership practices.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The degree must be verified on original official transcripts sent by the undergraduate institution directly to Acacia University.
- Master’s degree with a minimum 3.25 grade point average (GPA) from an accredited university. The degree must be verified on original official transcripts sent by the awarding institution directly to Acacia University.
- Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate degrees from accredited universities. The degrees must be verified on official transcripts sent by the awarding institution directly to Acacia University. Mail or secure electronic delivery is accepted. International applicants: applicants submitting transcripts from non-US institutions must have their transcript evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agency. This requirement does not apply to international applicants who received a degree from a US college or university.
- At least three years teaching or administrative experience in education.
- Ongoing access to a K-12 school or educational institution.
- Essay – A personal statement, not to exceed five hundred (500) words that discusses: your reasons for pursuing the Ed.D., your career goals, how the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership would help you meet career goals, and prior experiences which relate to your interest in, and aptitude for this program.
- Applicants whose first language is not English and who do not have a master’s degree from a university in which instruction is conducted in English must provide evidence of English proficiency. The following are accepted exams and minimum scores required for admission:
- 65 on the paper-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language
- (TOEFL PBT), or 80 on the Internet Based Test (iBT)
- 6.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS)
- 58 on the Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report
- 105 on the Duolingo English Test
- 55 on the 4-skill Michigan English Test (MET)
- 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE)
- 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE)
- An online interview with the doctoral committee
Admission Eligibility and Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The degree must be verified on an original official transcript duly signed and certified by the Registrar or other responsible officer of the undergraduate institution.
- Master’s degree from an accredited university. There is no minimum GPA required for admission to Doctoral study, but superior academic performance in courses related to the intended field of study is highly desirable. Demonstrated improvement in academic performance over time is also desirable. The degree must be verified on an original transcript duly signed and certified by the Registrar or other responsible officer of the Master’s institution.
- Transcripts of undergraduate and graduate degrees from accredited universities. The degrees must be verified on official transcripts duly signed and certified by the Registrar or other responsible officer of the prior institution. Mail or secure electronic delivery is accepted. Applicants submitting transcripts from non-US institutions may be required to have their transcript evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agency.
- Applicants must currently hold or have held a professional position or be otherwise actively engaged in work that relates to the intended field of study.
- For the Doctor of Education, ongoing access to a K-12 school or educational institution.
- Essay – A personal statement, not to exceed five hundred (500) words that discusses: your reasons for pursuing the doctorate; your career goals; how the doctorate would help you meet career goals; and prior experiences which relate to your interest in, and aptitude for this program.
- Applicants whose first language is not English and who do not have a master’s degree from a university in which instruction is conducted in English must provide evidence of English proficiency. The following are accepted exams and minimum scores required for admission:
- 65 on the paper-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language
- (TOEFL PBT), or 80 on the Internet Based Test (iBT)
- 6.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS)
- 58 on the Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report
- 105 on the Duolingo English Test
- 55 on the 4-skill Michigan English Test (MET)
- 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE)
- 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE)
- An online interview with one or more representatives of the University.
- Developing skills in leadership and accountability for continuous improvement.
- Providing appropriate programs to meet diverse community, school, staff, and student learning needs.
- Building and maintaining effective professional learning communities where staff can address important issues and solve problems related to equity, opportunity and excellence.
- Implementing an aligned standards-based curriculum and performance-based assessments to promote the success of all learners.
- Building communication processes in the community and with parents that inform, inspire, and build confidence in working together to achieve school goals.
- Bringing the world into the classroom through a technology-infused and research-based curriculum that prepares all learners to work and live in a global society.
- Recommending supervisory practises based on leadership standards, leadership theories, and critical success factors.
- Identifying characteristics of effective schools and explaining opportunities and strategies for improving schools.
- Identifying and explaining appropriate research-based effective teaching strategies for special education, ESL, and struggling students.
- Outlining resources and processes for data-based decision making for strategic planning and school improvement.
- Developing a plan to implement a professional learning community via a focused culture, climate, and communication strategies in an established school.
- Creating a team leadership supervisory platform that implements your vision for education leadership in terms of duties and responsibilities.
- Determining appropriate approaches to developmental supervision and professional development.
- Explaining pertinent laws related to special needs, discrimination, discipline, and personnel.
- Creating a supervisory plan that implements both clinical supervision and differentiated supervision.
- Explaining the role of the principal in managing school facilities and fiscal management.
- Proposing strategies for community relations, parent involvement, and internal communication.
- Designing a plan for continuous school improvement.
- Planning for the implementation of federal, state, and district policies.
- Planning for the implementation of federal, state, and district policies.
- Implementing specific teacher supervision and evaluation strategies.
- Completing an administrative internship online and onsite in an educational setting that demonstrates PSEL and NELP standards.
- Completing an action research dissertation demonstrating research and analysis skills related to a pertinent educational topic.
$166.66
Per Credit
Doctor of Education in
Educational Leadership
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | COURSE TYPE | TOTAL COURSE CREDIT/CLOCK HOURS |
| EDA 549D | Principles of School Leadership and Management | Required | 3 |
| EDA 519D | Understanding Child and Adolescent Development | Elective | 3 |
| EDA 509D | Essential Instructional Skills for Administrators | Elective | 3 |
| Virtual Residency 1 | Required | 0.25 | |
| EDA 559D | Legal Issues in Education | Required | 3 |
| EDA 529D | Curriculum Design and Assessment Development | Elective | 3 |
| EDA 539D | Introduction to Special Needs | Elective | 3 |
| Virtual Residency 2 | Required | 0.25 | |
| EDA 569D | Understanding Education Finance | Required | 3 |
| EDA 589D | Human Resources Issues in Education | Elective | 3 |
| EDA 600D | International Virtual Leadership Residency | Required | 1 |
| Virtual Residency 3 | Required | 0.25 | |
| EDA 599D | Principles of Continuous Improvement | Elective | 3 |
| EDA 679D | Foundations of American Education | Required | 6 |
| EDA 649D | Advanced Leadership & Effective Decision Making | Required | 6 |
| EDA 709D | Online Internship for Educational Leaders * | Required | 3 |
| EDA 710D | Onsite Internship for Educational Leaders* | Required | 6 |
| EDA 718D | Advanced Research Methods | Required | 6 |
| EDA 605D | Comprehensive Exam | Required | 1 |
| EDA 719D | Action Research Proposal* | Capstone | 6 |
| Virtual Residency 4 | Required | 0.25 | |
| EDA 720D | Action Research Dissertation* | Capstone | 6 |
*Extension Courses for EDA709D, EDA710D, EDA719D, and EDA720D
EDA509D Essential Instructional Skills for Administrators
EDA519D Understanding Child and Adolescent Development
EDA529D Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
EDA539D Special Needs Students
EDA589D Personnel Management and Supervision
EDA599D Principles of Continuous Improvement
EDA549D Principles of School Leadership and Management
EDA559D Education Law
EDA569D Education Finance
EDA600D International Virtual Leadership Residency
EDA649D Advanced Leadership and Effective Decision Making
EDA679D Foundations of American Education
Comprehensive Exam - Proctored
EDA709D Online Internship for Educational Leaders
EDA710D Onsite Internship for Educational Leaders
EDA718D Advanced Research Methods
EDA719D Action Research Proposal
EDA720D Action Research Project/Dissertation
As needed in 8 blocks until completion:
EDA7091D Online Internship for Educational Leaders Continuation
EDA7101D Onsite Internship for Educational Leaders Continuation
EDA7191D Action Research Proposal Continuation
EDA7201D Action Research Dissertation Continuation
Tuition
All doctoral courses are $166.66 per credit
Example
The cost for a single 3-credit doctoral-level course is $574.98 ($166.66 x 3 + $75.00 one-time application fee)
*The program cost does not include possible continuation courses for the Comprehensive Exam, internships, Action Research Proposal, and Action Research Dissertation.
If the Comprehensive Exam is not completed and passed in the term in which the student initially enrolled, the student must re-enroll in a subsequent term. The Comprehensive Exam Extension Fee of $150 will be charged.
If the Online Internship is not completed and passed in the term in which the student initially enrolled, the doctoral student must enroll in the continuation course each eight-week term until completed. The Online Internship Continuation is .5 credit at the doctoral tuition rate.
If the Onsite Internship is not completed and passed in the term in which the student initially enrolled, the doctoral student must enroll in the continuation course each eight-week term until completed. The Onsite Internship Continuation is 1 credit at the doctoral tuition rate.
If the Action Research Proposal is not completed and passed in the term in which the student initially enrolled, the doctoral student must enroll in the continuation course each eight-week term until completed. The Action Research Proposal Continuation is 1 credit at the doctoral tuition rate.
If the Action Research Dissertation is not completed and passed in the term in which the student initially enrolled, the doctoral student must enroll in the continuation course each eight-week term until completed. The Action Research Dissertation Continuation is 1 credit at the doctoral tuition rate.
Fees
Acacia University recognizes the prior learning of admitted students by awarding credit for courses at the graduate level, completed at an accredited institution, and documented through official transcript when the credit is applicable to the student’s degree program at Acacia University. As many as Nine(9) credits may be transferred. Courses accepted for transfer credit must be relevant to the program of study, equivalent in both content and degree level, and not more than ten years old.
Most Acacia courses require no textbook. For those courses that do require a textbook, it is the responsibility of the student to purchase or rent the textbook prior to the start of the course. Acacia does not sell or lease textbooks. Students may purchase or rent in any format (hardback, e-textbook, new, used, etc.) but must use the assigned edition. Prices at the time of the current student handbook publication are listed here, but are subject to change. Prices listed are from the publisher, however, students may purchase from any source.
Tuition and fees are payable at the time of registration for each course. Students will not receive official grade reports, transcripts, or be awarded a degree until all financial obligations have been met. Students who have outstanding financial obligations to Acacia University will not be permitted to register for future courses unless special arrangements have been approved through the Finance Office.
Students may pay by check, money order, wire transfer, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover). International students must pay with U.S. currency. Students whose employers will be invoiced for tuition shall submit a billing authorization form prior to the second week of class in lieu of course payment.
Military tuition assistance (TA) students may be eligible for a deferral of tuition once their DA 2171 Form has been completed, authorized, and received by Acacia University.
Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), Acacia University adopts the following additional provisions for any students using the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. Acacia University will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment;
- Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
- Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional resources) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
- Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
- Provide a written request to be certified;
- Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Acacia University offers graduate degrees for educators to achieve their professional goals. Completion of a degree program in itself does not constitute having a professional credential. Professional certifications and licenses are governed by boards empowered via State laws and/or professional organizations and commissions. Therefore, Acacia programs are NOT a pathway to teacher licensures in the US.
This information is provided per U.S. Federal Regulations, 34 CFR § 668.50 (2016 Rules), 34 CFR § 668.43 (2019 Rules), and in compliance with the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) Manual version 19.2.
Acacia University is an approved institution of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) which allows the university to provide distance learning programs and coursework to students located in states other than Arizona. NC-SARA approval does not grant reciprocity or exemption from state professional licensing requirements.
