Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

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.

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.

Educational Leadership (60 hours)

• EDU 7171 – Leadership Theory: Human Dynamics, Ethics, and Organizational Effectiveness
• EDU 7172 – Leading in an Age of Accountability: Roles, Responsibilities & Functions
• EDU 7173 – Meeting the Challenge: Strategic Planning for 21st Century Schools
• EDU 7174 – Exemplary Teaching and Learning Practices for Extraordinary Schools
• EDU 7175 – Using Data to Inform Learning, Teaching, and Leadership
• EDU 7176 – The Nature of Organizational Cultures & Shared Leadership
• EDU 7271 – Political Systems: Effects on Governance and Operations
• EDU 7272 – Community and Public Relations
• EDU 7273 – Intercultural Communication Skills for Contemporary School Leaders
• COM 6610 – Applied Strategic Communication Practices
• EDU 7274 – Budgeting and Finance of Public School Operations
• EDU 7275 – Human Resources: Approaches to Enhance School Effectiveness
• EDU 7371 – Education Reform in the US: Innovative Practices to Change America’s Schools
• EDU 7372 – Law and Policy: Governance of 21st Century Schools
• EDU 7373 – Research Analysis in Education
• EDU 7374 – Applications of Research for Solving Problems of Practice

Internship Experience

• EDU 7300 – Practices in Executive Leadership I: Organizing for Problem Solution
• EDU 7400 – Practices in Executive Leadership II: Collaborating for Problem Solution

Capstone Experience

• EDU 8300 – Capstone Project: Implementation of Problem Solution
• EDU 8400 – Capstone Project: Evaluation of Problem Solution