The doctoral program in Educational Leadership engages adult learners in a rigorous, creative and relevant educational experience. A doctorate serves as the terminal qualification required to unlock tenure-track professorships and senior administrative leadership roles in higher education. The program is offered fully online through the completion of stackable certificates that may be used as stand-alone certificates or applied towards the completion of the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree. When completed in conjunction with state licensure requirements, the degree may also yield a principal and/or superintendent license for the state of North Carolina.
Doctorate in Education Leadership
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Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Completion of individual certificates will position educators for employment in specialized roles. A variable credit hour program is available to students. Those seeking the doctoral degree without principal or superintendent licensure will engage in a 54-hour program of study. Those seeking the degree plus superintendent licensure will engage in a 57-hour program, and those seeking the degree plus principal or plus principal and superintendent licensure will engage in a 60-hour program of study. Superintendent licensure requires a semester-long internship experience, while principal licensure requires a year-long internship experience.
Certificate Tracks
Two of the certificate tracks (24 credits) are required: Education Leadership and Organizational Development, and Education Research. Along your journey, you can earn a certificate in the following:
- The Principalship
- Higher Education Administration
- Supervision and Administration of Instructional Programs
- Instructional Design and Facilitation in Education Organization
- The Superintendency
The 30 credits of electives can be taken in any of the areas. Add-on licensure tracks are available for principal and superintendent licensure for those who meet the requirements.
Program of Study
Educational Leadership offers variable credit hour options. Total credits depend on the licensure path.
| Path | Total Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree only | 54 |
| Degree + Superintendent Licensure | 57 |
| Degree + Principal Licensure, or Degree + Principal and Superintendent Licensure | 60 |
- Delivered fully online via an Executive Cohort model
- Comprehensive examinations required (Year 3, Summer)
- Program runs four years, structured by Fall, Spring and Summer terms each year
Year-by-Year Structure
- Fall: Certificate Course, Certificate Course
- Spring: Certificate Course, Certificate Course
- Summer: Certificate Course, Certificate Course
- Fall: Certificate Course, Research Course 1
- Spring: Certificate Course, Research Course 2
- Summer: Certificate Course
- Fall: Certificate Course, Research Course 3
- Spring: Certificate Course, plus an Elective Course (Principal candidates and Degree only) or the Superintendent Internship (Superintendent candidates)
- Summer: Certificate Course, Comprehensive Exams
- Fall: EDU 8300: Dissertation Proposal and Defense, plus Principal Internship I (Principal candidates) or an Elective* (Superintendent candidates and Degree only)
- Spring: EDU 8400: Dissertation Research and Defense, plus Principal Internship II (Principal candidates) or an Elective* (Superintendent candidates and Degree only)
- Summer: EDU 8400a, if needed
*The Year 4 elective is only required for students who need full-time status to qualify for federal aid.
Certificate Courses: 24 of the credit hours are drawn from two stacked graduate certificates: Education Leadership and Research.
Transfer of Credit: Candidates may request up to 12 credits toward the Ed.D. if post-master’s or professional credit is compatible with program standards. Transfer credit is not automatic and is subject to program coordinator review of official transcripts.
Prerequisite Work: An earned master’s degree in professional education (or a related field) from a regionally accredited university, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Admissions Criteria
Applicants to the Doctor of Educational Leadership program must meet the following admissions criteria. All requirements must be fulfilled prior to enrollment.
- Application
- 3.0 or higher GPA
- CV or resume
- Three professional references
- Official transcripts for bachelor’s and master’s degrees
Application Deadlines and Program Start Dates
Doctor of Educational Leadership
Program Start Date: August 16, 2027
Applications Open: Currently open
Applications Close: August 2, 2027
$200K
Average large-district superintendent salary, U.S. (AASA)
200+
Projected principal job openings in NC each year (NC DPI)
$104K
Median salary, U.S. K-12 principals, May 2024 (BLS)
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Doctoral Student Resources