Doctorate in K-12 Education Leadership

For those who are interested in becoming a K-12 school leader, principal, superintendent of schools or K-12 educational researcher, the EdD in K-12 Education Leadership (EdD K-12) program might be the right choice. Candidates may also use this program specialization to apply for initial principal/administrator licensure in most states if you already have initial teacher licensure.

The EdD in K‑12 Education Leadership program requires each student to demonstrate his/her mastery of program content which includes the role of law, governance, public education, or the political, cultural, or economic context as supported by educational research. Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) Standards will also be mastered through the course curriculum. Thus, students graduating will have developed as critical thinkers, leaders, and researchers. As with any doctoral degree, graduates will master the English language and applied research methodologies.

EdD K-12 Program Mission

The EdD in K-12 Education Leadership degree program’s mission is to graduate successful and influential K-12 leaders who are critical thinkers—with exceptional knowledge, skills, and integrity—who are able to apply theory to the creative and innovative solutions of practical education problems. The EdD is designed to be of service to both students and the learning organizations and communities that graduates serve.

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT IN CONTENT AND DISSERTATION ADVISING (DOC) COURSES IS MANDATORY.

Required Program Disclosures

Program Learning Outcomes:

  • Demonstrate knowledge, skills and professional dispositions of the National Council for Accreditation or Teacher Education (NCATE); the Education Leadership Constituency Council (ELCC); and the Colorado Performance-Based Principal Licensure Standards.
  • Analyze and evaluate current K-12 pedagogy and practice as well as synthesize and apply critical thinking to the student’s academic deliverables and professional lives.
  • Examine, select and integrate solutions to practical problems in leading K-12 institutions.
  • Assess and select current research that is practical, relevant and appropriate to the students’ chosen K-12 Leadership research topic and methodology, and integrate this information into course synthesizing projects, the dissertation and other academic deliverables.
  • Perform research and recommend practical solutions to a problem, question or issue relevant to the student’s area of research interest specific to K-12 Education.  
Who Should Enroll: 

The Doctorate of Education (EdD) in K 12 Education Leadership degree program prepares key K 12 education leaders who serve as teachers, academic department chairpersons, and professional development personnel; administrators, principals, and superintendents; education faculty at institutions of higher education; researchers within organizations that create, implement and/or evaluate education policy; and entrepreneurs who work with schools and other learning organizations.

Certification and Licensure:

Jones International University provides programs that are acceptable for educator or educational administrator certificates in most states. The completion of a JIU degree program does not guarantee certification or licensure in any state – students must often complete applications or complete similar administrative requirements before they may obtain licensure. A small number of states currently require students to graduate from an educator/administrator program specifically approved by the state or accredited by a certain accreditor. All State licensure requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the student’s ultimate responsibility to determine the requirements for the state in which they intend to seek licensure, including any state where the student may relocate or intends to relocate. JIU performs periodic reviews of state requirements no more frequently than annually. As of November 15, 2011, JIU has determined based upon its independent research that Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee do not accept certain licensure applications from JIU students.

HOW TO APPLY:

Your course sequence will be determined in cooperation with your Student Support Counselor.

CURRICULUM
1 Orientation Course - no costNo Credit
7 Core Content Courses21 Credits
3 Research Courses9 Credits
2 Electives6 Credits
1 Comprehensive Written Examination Course3 Credits
1 Formal Proposal Course4 Credits
4 Dissertation Courses16 Credits
13 Dissertation Writing Courses13 Credits
TOTAL Required for Graduation
72 Credit Hours
1 Orientation Course - no costNo Credit
DOC900 Doctoral and Specialist Programs: Year 1 Colloquium
7 Core Content Courses21 Credits
EDI791 Facilitating a Shared Vision of Learning
EDI796 Ethical Leadership
EDI798 Leading K-12 Organizations that Foster Learning
EDI800 Collaboration and Learning in Diverse Communities
EDI802 Understanding and Influencing Society
EDI803 Managing Learning Organization Resources
EDU790 Current K-12 Education Theories
3 Research Courses9 Credits
RES700 Foundations of Doctoral Research Methods
RES701 Qualitative Doctoral Research Methods
RES702 Quantitative Doctoral Research Methods
2 Electives6 Credits
EDU795 Public Knowledge and Public Responsibility
EDU799 The Future of K-12 Education and Democracy
EDU801 K-12 Education Policy Analysis for School Leaders
RES703 Advanced Quantitative Doctoral Research Methods
RES704 Trend Forecasting
RES705 Leading Change
1 Comprehensive Written Examination Course3 Credits
EDU850 Comprehensive Examination, School of Education
1 Formal Proposal Course4 Credits
EDU851 Formal Proposal, School of Education
4 Dissertation Courses16 Credits
DISS820 Dissertation Data Gathering
DISS821 Dissertation Analysis
DISS822 Dissertation Results
DISS823 Dissertation Final Defense
13 Dissertation Writing Courses13 Credits
DOC910 Foundations of Doctoral Writing
DOC911 Foundations of Doctoral Research
DOC912 Structure of the Literature Review
DOC913 Developing the Research Question
DOC914 Structure of the Research Methodology
DOC915 Structure of the Introduction and the Prospectus
DOC916 Initial Drafts of the Literature Review
DOC917 Initial Drafts of the Research Methodology
DOC918 Final Draft of the Literature Review
DOC919 Final Draft of the Research Methodology
DOC920 Initial Drafts of the Introduction
DOC921 Final Draft of the Introduction and IRB Application
DOC922 Proposal and IRB Approval

Transfer credit is available for applicable courses.