Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Human Development, Leadership for Educational Organizations
School of Education & Human Development
Overview
Degree: PhD
Classroom Type: Online and on campus classes
Prepares candidates for research and teaching positions in higher education or research-based organizations. Candidates contribute to the growing evidence that school leadership makes a difference in how schools succeed in improving learning outcomes.
Application deadlines
We are not currently accepting applications.
Program Details
Interest Categories: Education & Counseling
Campus: CU Denver
What Students Learn
This program prepares candidates to contribute to the understanding of education leadership in-depth. Research and scholarship on school leadership are beginning to understand when leadership is successful, what the relationship is between effective leadership and effective teaching, and how best to lead the collective impact of leadership on organizational and student-learning outcomes at all levels.
Students in this concentration will:
- Learn how to navigate existing research and literature that supports effective leadership for educational organizations.
- Understand the theories that underpin this research. Students delve into the rationale for the application of this work in understanding how organizations operate.
- Develop a working knowledge of the interrelatedness of people, systems, culture and organizational outcomes.
- Build on past research and design new research efforts. These efforts should lead to more equitable outcomes and new understandings of complex organizational problems of practice.
- Engage with student colleagues, faculty, and organizational partners in collaborative research studies. Studies investigate promising strategies for resolving vexing organizational issues.
- Become data savvy in using research findings to produce equitable and productive results from these investigations.
- Culminate the program with a dissertation that contributes to the knowledge base in the field of leadership for educational organizations.
Curriculum
The 75-credit program begins each fall and includes a combination of on-campus, hybrid, remote, and online courses.
The curriculum includes the following elements:
- 12 hours in EdD core courses within equity, leadership, and learning core areas (four 3-credit courses)
- Nine hours in the research core (three 3-credit courses)
- 12 hours in the concentration area (four 3-credit courses)
- Six hours of elective courses (two 3-credit courses) selected by the cohort
- 15 hours in seminars and the completion of a doctoral research project
- State licensure requirements of the READ Act as well as educator effectiveness and culturally and linguistically diverse education standards
Every student must be available to attend on-campus courses each semester.
Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development
Students trust CU Denver to provide an education that will prepare them for excellence in their career as faculty members or researchers. The program prepares leaders who value educational excellence and social justice. Additionally, the School of Education and Human Development is counted among U.S. News & World Report's “Best Graduate Schools,” making CU Denver one of the top education schools in the country.
Program Courses
Course CatalogRecommended Completion Time:4 to 8 years
Required Credits for Completion:75
Admission Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Human Development, Leadership for Educational Organizations, is not admitting students at this time.
Application Requirements
- Minimum requirements:
- Master's degree or equivalent
- 3.5 GPA in graduate-level course work recommended
- 3 recommendation letters: two letters should come from faculty in a university program in which you were previously enrolled
- Official Transcripts from all institutions attended
- If applying for a license, a copy of your teaching license is required
- Resume/CV: Applicants must have and show evidence of relevant professional and/or academic experience.
- Written Statement: In 2-4 pages (double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 point font or larger). This should be a brief biographical description of your educational experiences and preparedness for doctoral studies and your research goals or a problem of practical or theoretical importance that could lead to a research study. Be sure to address how your career goals would fit into the concentration area.
- Recommended: Master's thesis and/or published materials — Examples of published materials include articles, book chapters, newsletters and technical reports.
- $50.00 application fee
- Admissions Interview: An interview may be required as part of the admissions process. If so, applicants will be contacted with more details.
Additional Information
Pre-Application Consultation: We require potential applicants to meet with a faculty advisor in a specified concentration area, who conducts research in an applicant’s area of interest, prior to submitting an application. This ensures applicants have an opportunity to discuss their research areas of interest, as well as an opportunity to introduce themselves to faculty and learn about faculty research areas. Additionally, you will be asked to write the faculty member’s name in the application. The program lead for Leadership of Educational Organizations can be reached at scott.mcleod@ucdenver.edu.
International Applicants only: Proof of English Language Proficiency (International applicants should review the following information regarding English language proficiency). This program does not meet the visa requirements for students planning to use either a F-1 or J-1 visa. For more questions regarding visa requirements please contact intladmissions@ucdenver.edu.
For more information, email education@ucdenver.edu or call 303.315.6300.