Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
Program Description
The Kean University Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program is dedicated to developing the next generation of educational leaders. With a focus on K-12 administration in public and charter schools, the doctoral program prepares future administrators with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively lead school districts and educational organizations and is designed to create an advanced and diverse learning environment which supports personal and professional growth. Further, this program trains the school leaders to be effective consumers of research.
The curriculum, based on an innovative, interdisciplinary, professional oriented model, integrates coursework and practical experiences which allows the students to seek state certification as a school/district administrator.
Important features of the program include:
- Collaboration between leaders in schools, school districts and leaders in other educational and community agencies;
- Evening, week-end, and summer classes to accommodate working professionals’ schedules;
- Study of current research, theories and practices in education, leadership, policy, curriculum, and instruction;
- Opportunity to engage in applied (action) research, resulting in a doctoral dissertation;
- An extensive internship in a school district or other educational setting.
Prerequisites
The Doctor of Educational (Ed.D.) Leadership requires the completion of 90 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree. Only candidates who already possess a master’s degree in Educational Administration will be eligible for full admission. Candidates will enter the program with a master’s degree that includes work comparable to that listed below. Up to 36 graduate credits are eligible for transfer into the doctoral program if they meet the requirements similar to the following master’s level coursework at Kean. The program coordinator/director will analyze candidates’ transcripts and decide which courses will be accepted. Students without an approved Master’s degree may be provisionally accepted into the Ed.D. program, but they will be required to complete Master's level courses in Educational Leadership, as a pre-requisite, prior to enrolling in doctoral level courses. The pre-requisite requirements are clearly articulated in the acceptance letter for all provisionally accepted students.
Required Coursework at the Master’s level
Foundations and Fundamentals of Administration 6
- Public School Administration I
- Public School Administration II
Policy, Procedure, and Practice 9
- Basic School Law and Policy
- Computer Applications in Education Administration
- Management of Educational Finance
Supervision, Curriculum, and Instruction 12
- School Supervision And Organizational Theory
- Supervision and Evaluation of Instruction
- Curriculum Development and Evaluation: Theory and Practice
- Learning, Instruction, Evaluation and Curriculum Development
Research, Synthesis and Application 9
- Educational Research
- Field Study in Administration and Supervision I
- Field Study in Administration and Supervision II
Degree Requirements
The Ed.D. curriculum is comprised of 18 courses (3 credits each) for a total of 54-credits. Upon successful completion of 54-credits, students must maintain their status as matriculated students until they successfully complete and defend their dissertation. To maintain their matriculation status, students must register for a 2-credit course, Dissertation Continuation EDD 7103, while they work on their dissertation.
The course sequence applies to students who enter with an equivalent master’s degree totaling 36 credits. The course sequence that is offered may be subject to change. Students will be notified should this occur. In addition, upon completion of the 54 credits listed below, students must maintain their status as matriculated students by registering for EDD 7103, Dissertation Continuation, a 2 credit course for the Fall, Spring and Summer 1 semesters until they successfully defend their dissertation.
Doctoral Courses
Foundations 18
| EDD 6001 | POLITICAL POLICY ANALYSIS | 3 |
| EDD 6002 | LEGAL AND POLICY ISSUES IN EDUCATION | 3 |
| EDD 6005 | ORGANIZATIONAL THRY & CHANGE | 3 |
| EDD 6101 | PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION&NEGOTIATIONS | 3 |
| EDD 6102 | EDUCATIONAL FINANCE&RESOURCE ALLOCATION | 3 |
| EDD 6103 | PROGRAM ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION | 3 |
Leadership 12
| EDD 6004 | EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP&DECISION MAKING MAKING | 3 |
| EDD 6104 | INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP | 3 |
| EDD 6105 | LEADERSHIP & DIVERSITY ISSUES | 3 |
| EDD 6003 | SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS | 3 |
Research Methods 9-12
Administrative Practice 6-9
| EDD 6201 | CLINICAL PRACTICUM IN SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION I | 3 |
| EDD 6202 | CLINICAL PRACTICUM IN SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION II | 3 |
| EDD 6203 | CLINICAL PRACTICUM IN SCHOOL DISRTICT ADMINISTRATION III | 3 |
*Students must take either EDD 6331 or EDD 6203 to attain 54 credits for program completion
Dissertation 6-8
EDD 7103: Upon Completion of the 54 credits, students are required to register for EDD 7103 (Matriculation Continued) every semester until they successfully defend their dissertation
Total Credit Hours: 54