The doctoral degree program in Educational Leadership is a practitioner-based, professional experience that focuses on the practices transformational leaders need to create educational systems that are grounded in research, are culturally responsive, strategic, and which ultimately improve student learning.  The 60-hour program of study reflects the visionary thinking needed for leadership in today’s 21st century educational organizations. It emphasizes effective leadership including strategic planning, using data to make instructional improvements, building a culture of trust and understanding how theory guides the educational leader to solve problems of practice. Graduate courses will be delivered using an Executive Cohort model which is designed to accommodate the working professional, emphasizes problem-based learning, action research, and field-based projects using authentic school district data and artifacts.

Coordinator of Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership is Dr. Jane Bowser. Dr. Bowser can be reached at jbowser@highpoint.edu or 336.841.9153; learn more about Dr. Bowser and the Education faculty here.  For more information check out the School of Education website or download an informational brochure today!

Ed.D cohort students have just created their 3rd edition of the Ed.D newsletter! Learn about program highlights and cohort members professional development here.

Lauren Saul is the Education graduate staff liaison. If you would like to tour campus or have general admission questions, you may call Lauren at 336.841.9145 or by email at lsaul@highpoint.edu.

Program Goals

The following program goals are directly aligned to the North Carolina Guiding Mission for Public P-12 Schools and to High Point University’s mission to “…deliver educational experiences that enlighten, challenge, and prepare students to lead lives of significance in complex global communities.”

1.   To train the prospective school executive in practices which are aligned to the guiding mission of N.C. public schools in creating Future-Ready and Globally Competitive students who are prepared for life in the 21st century.

2.   To assist the prospective school executive to understand the role of leadership as a collection of practices that must be embedded in all job roles and at all levels of the school district.

3.   To provide the prospective school executive with the skills needed to engage in transformational leadership so that large-scale sustainable improvements are consistently part of the basic modes of thinking and doing.

4.   To equip the prospective school executive with the tools needed to create systems and practices of distributed leadership which allows district-wide tasks to be accomplished proficiently.

5.   To assist the prospective school executive to skillfully align the various leadership systems of local boards of education, central office, schools, classrooms, etc. so that they are mutually supportive of each other.

6.   To assist the prospective school executive to understand the connection between the context of school district leadership with his/her own leadership character and practices.

Admission Terms: Fall (August) Only

Application Process: Application for Fall 2015 admission will open on October 1, 2014.

Deadlines for Application Materials: All application materials must be received by the final deadline of May 1, 2015.

2014 – 2015 Doctoral Tuition & Fees (June 1, 2014 – May 31, 2015)

$3,160 per semester – to include 6 credit hours, technology fee, parking permit, and GSA.

Application Materials:

High Point University has established rigorous admission requirements for the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.Applicants to the program would therefore be expected to submit the following:

1. A completed online application submitted through the Norcross Graduate School at High Point University;
2. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all college coursework excluding High Point University*, a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the earned Master’s degree is required; The earned Master’s degree must be in professional education (or related field) from a regionally accredited university.* (If you have attended High Point University you must include it on your application.  The Norcross Graduate School will request that transcript for you once application is submitted);
3. Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) taken within the last five years. The combined Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning GRE General Test Scores (for taken before August 1, 2011) on the prior 200-800 scales should be at least 1100. The combined Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning GRE General Test Scores (for tests taken after August 1, 2011) on the new 130-170 score scales should be at least 302.  Candidates who submit MAT are expected to have a minimum score of 410;
4. All professional School Administration/Teaching or other professional licenses (if applicable);
5. A current curriculum vita outlining significant leadership activities and involvement in professional organizations, professional presentations, or district-level initiatives;
6. Three professional letters of recommendation and accompanying Leadership Disposition Evaluations by individuals who are familiar with the candidate’s work and leadership potential (standardized forms will be available with online application);
7. Written responses to four essay prompts in Strategic Leadership, Data and Learning, Building Relationships, and Theory and Practice;
8. A minimum of three years experience as a principal or professional educator in a leadership or supervisory role.

Exceptions to any admission requirement may be considered under special circumstances.

Once Admitted: A signed Memorandum of Understanding by the district superintendent or designee endorsing the candidate’s pursuit of doctoral study and subsequent internship within that district or educational setting will be required.

Degree: Doctor of Education (Ed.D)
Prerequisite Work: Evidence of an earned master’s degree in professional education (or related field) from a regionally accredited university, minimum GPA of 3.0
Comprehensive Exams: Yes
Class Time: One weekend per month, Friday evening and Saturday

Transfer of Credit: Candidates who have earned the Ed.S. Degree with superintendent’s licensure from a regionally accredited university  may be eligible to transfer up to 12 semester hours of credit.  This transfer is not automatic and must be approved after review of the official Ed.S. Transcript by the program coordinator.  All other degree requirements remain in effect.  For more information about transfer of credit, contact Dr. Jane Bowser, program coordinator.

Educational Leadership (60 hours):

Course Descriptions