Credits: 63
CIP Code: 130401

Overview

Fundamental to the aims of the doctorate degree is the development of skills in educational research, program evaluation and policy studies. An appropriate master's degree is required for admission to this program. Applicants must be prepared to complete 750 clock hours of performance leadership in a local school district. Additionally, applicants seeking Tier II certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission must provide evidence of holding current certification in educational leadership and that she/he is employed in an approved leadership position in a school district. These program requirements are met by the co-construction of Tier II admission criteria with P-12 partners/employees.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership – P-12 Track must meet the General Admissions Requirements of the University as published in this Catalog including the following criteria:

1. Hold a Tier I Master's degree certification or hold a Tier II certificate that based on completion of an Educational leadership program that led to a Georgia L or PL certificate.
2. Applicants seeking to use the doctoral program for state licensure purposes must be employed in a leadership position in their school district as certified by their superintendent at the time of application.
3. Meet program admission criteria and admission criterial specified by the EPP and in the partnership agreements with employees of potential candidates
4. 3.0 GPA
5. A current resume.
6. Three letters of recommendations (two from present or former professors in the candidate's last degree program and one from a supervisor in the applicant's professional field.
7. A personal or group interview.

Program Objectives are aligned to the 2018 Georgia Educational Leadership Standards:

Standard 1: Education leaders build a collective vision of student success and well-being. 
Standard 2: Education leaders act ethically to promote each student's success and well-being.
Standard 3: Education leaders strive for equity and culturally responsive practices to promote each student's success and well-being. 
Standard 4: Education leaders develop and support rigorous, coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to promote each student's academic success and well-being. 
Standard 5: Education leaders cultivate an inclusive, caring and supportive school community that promotes the academic success and well-being of each student.
Standard 6: Education leaders develop the professional capacity and practice of school personnel to promote each student's academic success and wellbeing. 
Standard 7:  Education leaders foster a professional community of teachers and other professional staff to promote each student's academic success and well-being.
Standard 8: Education leaders engage families and the community in meaningful, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial ways to promote each student's academic success and well-being.
Standard 9: Education leaders manage school operations and resources to promote each student's academic success and well-being.
Standard 10: Education leaders act as agents of continuous improvement to promote each student's academic success and well-being.

Certification Requirements for Tier II Doctor of Education Leadership

1. Candidates completing a Tier II program shall be required to take the Georgia Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL)
2. Passing score on the Ethics for Educational Leadership Assessment
3. Completion of the Special Education Requirement:
4. Passing score on the GACE Educational content assessment if not previously met to qualify for the Tier I certificate; and
5. Employment by a Georgia LEA, with the following exceptions:
   1. An educator who already holds a valid Georgia certification in another field is not required to be employed to add the field to their certificate;
   2. An individual who has met all requirements for the Performance- Based Professional certificate except for employment may receive a Certificate of Eligibility upon application.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students pursuing the Tier II/ Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership will meet all

1. Use Performance Based leadership to documented knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to manage the educational program at the building and/or district level(s)
2. Apply theoretical concepts and functional knowledge of Strategic, Organizational, Instructional and Community/Political Leadership in addressing current issues and identifying advancement in school administration and supervision
3. Diagnose problems at the building or district level and devise appropriate solutions
4. Design and conduct valid research on instructional, administrative and/or school-community issues
5. Successfully pass the Departmental Comprehensive Examination with a grade of 80 or above.

Degree Requirements

Students pursuing the Tier II/ Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership – P-12 Track must complete General Degree Requirements as published in this Catalog. The program requires a minimum of sixty-three (63) credits beyond the Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership and emphasizes both theoretical studies and application. A minimum of forty-eight (48) graduate credits must be completed in residence.

¹

Only required for candidates without a degree or certification in educational leadership.

²

Students may need to take CEDA 990 Doctoral Advisement depending on progress toward dissertation research.

³

All SOE field experiences require that all SOE students are required to complete a background check prior to field placement in schools, human services/community agencies, and any government setting.

Qualifying Examination

Candidates must successfully pass a written Preliminary Examination (after completing 12 hours of study and a formal comprehensive written examination.

Dissertation Research Prospectus and Defense

Candidates must prepare and present a dissertation prospectus for faculty approval, and finally must develop and defend a scholarly dissertation.

Educational Leadership – P-12 Track