Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity, Early Childhood Education
School of Education & Human Development
Overview
Degree: EdD
Classroom Type: Fully Online
Designed to prepare professionals to become leaders and advocates for all children and their families. Graduates lead system and policy development in inclusive, culturally, and linguistically diverse early childhood settings. These settings encompass a range of childcare, school, and community program environments.
Program Details
Interest Categories: Education & Counseling
Campus: CU Denver
The Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity with a concentration in early childhood education (ECE) is designed for those who are passionate about the quality of life of young children—infants to age eight and their families. They advocate for better work lives for early childhood education teachers. Those in the program aim to join leadership discussions and act at the highest level possible.
The EdD concentration will prepare you to:
- Understand complex and contemporary issues and practices in inclusive ECE
- Advocate for all children and their families, providing leadership to improve outcomes
- Act as district administrators, agency directors, and advocates for policy equity and change
- Become data savvy for strategic planning and decision-making
- Culminate the program with a doctoral research project dissertation.
- Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development
Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development
This program provides an environment and curriculum that prepares students for a career as an ECE leader. The School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) is recognized for preparing leaders of distinction who value educational excellence and social justice. Additionally, SEHD is counted among U.S. News & World Report's “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.
Sample Courses
- EDFN 7410 - Power and Privilege: The Social Construction of Difference 3 credits
- EDUC 7100 - Leadership in Education 3 credits
- EDUC 7230 - Organizational Performance In Educational Contexts 3 credits
Recommended Completion Time:3 or 5 Years
Required Credits for Completion:54
Admission Requirements
The Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity, Early Childhood Education will not be admitting for summer 2025 but will resume for summer 2026.
If you are interested in an Early Childhood focused doctoral program please see the PhD in Early Childhood Policy or the PhD in Inclusive Early Childhood Education.
The EdD in Leadership for Educational Equity, Early Childhood Education concentration, is a three or five-year program, designed for working professionals, with the following application requirements:
- Minimum requirements for ECE concentration:
- Master's degree in education or related field from a regionally accredited University. Students without appropriate master's level course work in P-20 or community-based education fields may be required to complete additional course work.
- 3.2 GPA in graduate-level course work recommended.
- Written Statement of Purpose that includes the following information:
- A brief summary of your educational and leadership experiences, including your values related to leadership and equity.
- A brief summary of your current professional role and responsibilities and how you use research and data to inform planning and decision making.
- Your purpose in pursuing the EdD, intentions for applying the skills and knowledge gained from the EdD degree, and future career goals.
- Resume/CV: Applicants for this concentration must have a minimum of five years of experience in an educational P-20 or community-based context.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can best speak to your leadership, professional accomplishments, academic skills, and career goals.
- Official Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
- After the initial review of application materials, faculty will contact applicants to schedule individual interviews.
- At the discretion of the faculty, applicants may also be asked to complete an academic writing task as part of the admissions process.
Register for an application support session
For more information, email education@ucdenver.edu or call 303.315.6300.