Doctorate in Educational Leadership K-12 ProgramHenry Predolin School of Nursing, Business, Education, and Health Sciences

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The K-12 Educational Leadership Ed.D. program prepares students for a licensed position as a principal, superintendent, or other school site district administrator. Students explore their roles as leaders and build upon and extend their competence in the following areas, as they relate to educational leadership: organizational analysis, educational change and reform, school law, public school finance, curriculum design and evaluation for administrators, school personnel administration, and educational policy. Students participate in field-based experiences as part of the license sequence courses.

The K-12 concentration prepares you for a position as a superintendent or school leadership position. In the PK-12 Educational Leadership concentration, you will:

Grow your competence as a school leader
Participate in field-based experiences
Engage in research to inform your work and dissertation
Learn how to lead ethically, justly, and with compassion

The Doctor of Education program is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for PK-12 administration licenses. Students who have successfully completed the 30 credits in the Superintendent/ District Leadership Licensure Program are automatically accepted into the 30 credit Doctoral Completion Program to complete the K-12 Educational Leadership, Ed.D.

Locations
Madison, WI

Formats
Hybrid

Number of Credits
60

Careers with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership

Most senior positions in education and educational administration require an Ed.D. Having an Ed.D. allows you to advance within your current organization or to acquire a new job.

$165,419

median salary for a Superintendent in Wisconsin

Featured Courses in K-12 Educational Leadership

ED803 Practicum Development

The practicum is a three-semester placement with a mentor where the candidate can obtain real-time information, examples, and experiences relating directly to the Seven Wisconsin Administrative Standards. In this course, students will work with the instructor to consider licensing options and review the content guidelines for desired licenses. During the development phase of the practicum, qualified mentors will be identified, and the mentor/mentee relationship will be formally established.

ED 804 Political and Policy Leadership

The relationship between politics, educational policy, and educational practice is explored in its broadest sense. Particular emphasis is given to political and leadership theories, their practical application and the role of leadership in developing and implementing policy in the political environment within and outside of educational organizations. Politics and policy are discussed within an ethical framework of social justice and equity. Content will be applied in a variety of class experiences, mentoring activities, and related field assignments.

ED806 School District Human Resource Management

This course examines how to manage human resources effectively in the dynamic political, legal, social, and economic environment currently impacting schools. Among the topics included are: recruitment and retention; training and development; workforce diversity; organizational structure and job design; performance evaluation; and, compensation models. Students will gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals of human resource management and its strategic relevance in K-12 education. By providing a practical perspective on the development of human capital in intensely “people-oriented” organization, students will develop a conceptual framework of how to create a system of attracting, retaining and developing talent that creates and supports the vision and values of the school district.

Explore All Courses For This Program

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Frequently Asked Questions About K-12 Educational Leadership

What are the admission requirements for this program?

Fall application deadline: The priority application deadline for the K 12 Doctoral program is August 1 each year. Applications after August 1 will be reviewed and accepted on a space-available basis.

Complete and submit the Ed.D. application
Official transcripts reflecting completion of a baccalaureate or more advanced degree from a United States accredited or equivalent post-secondary institution with a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for regular admission status. The cumulative grade point average is computed on the highest degree held at the time of application to the Edgewood College graduate program.
To qualify for the superintendent license, you must supply evidence of eligibility to hold a teacher or pupil services license in Wisconsin and demonstrate appropriate experience.
Request that official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate academic credits received from any post-secondary institutions be sent directly to Edgewood College.
Submit a letter of intent describing the reason for pursuing the advanced educational leadership licensing, and about how the program can help the applicant reach personal and professional goals.
Provide a resume or curriculum vitae that includes: but it not limited to the areas listed below:
- Education: Major(s), schools attended, degrees obtained and dates of attendance
- Professional positions held

Applicants may also include:

Presentations made to organizations, groups and professional associations
Honors/ awards received
Memberships in professional and other organizations
Community Service: Name(s) of organizations, description of activities and positions held
International Students may have additional admission requirements.