Ed.D. Degree Requirements and Course Pathways

Professional doctorate for educational leaders in complex, global environments

Total Degree Requirements: Minimum 54-57 Credit Hours
54
Advanced Leadership
54
Higher Ed Administration
57
Tier II

Professional Focus: The Ed.D. targets practicing educational leaders seeking advanced skills for senior administrative roles in schools, districts, and education agencies.

1. Advanced Leadership Concentration (54 Credit Hours)
54 Credit Hours Total
Transfer Credit Available

Transfer Credit Opportunity: Candidates with performance-based Ed.S. or performance-based add-on certificate may transfer up to 6 courses (18 hours) into the program.

Core Leadership Courses (45 Credit Hours)

  • EPEL 8000 - Research in Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8020 - Leadership for Change in a Diverse Society (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8330 - Advanced Law, Policy, and Governance (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8420 - Advanced Instructional Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8500 - Central Office Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8620 - Psychological Aspects of Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8930 - Leadership, Administration, and Management: Applying Theories and Developing Theoretical Frameworks (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 9000 - Concepts of Leadership and Research in Educational Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 9020 - Foundations for Inquiry in Educational Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 9970 - Advanced Seminar in Educational Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPRS 8500 - Qualitative/Interpretive Research in Education I (3 hrs)
  • EPRS 8530 - Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education I (3 hrs)
  • EPRS 8620 - Program Evaluation I (3 hrs)
  • EPSF 8440 - Curriculum Design and Analysis (3 hrs)
  • EPS 8360 - Educational Policy Making and Analysis (3 hrs)

Dissertation Research (9 Credit Hours)

EPS 9990 - Dissertation (9 hrs): Applied research project addressing practical problems in educational leadership practice.

2. Higher Education Administration Concentration (54 Credit Hours)
45 Required + 9 Electives
Higher Ed Focus

Required Courses (45 Credit Hours)

Core Leadership (15 Credit Hours)
  • EPEL 8000 - Research in Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8020 - Leadership for Change in a Diverse Society (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8930 - Leadership, Administration, and Management: Applying Theories and Developing Theoretical Frameworks (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 9000 - Concepts of Leadership and Research in Educational Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 9020 - Foundations for Inquiry in Educational Leadership (3 hrs)
Higher Education Specialization (12 Credit Hours)
  • EPHE 8100 - College and University Administration (3 hrs)
  • EPHE 8340 - History of Higher Education (3 hrs)
  • EPHE 8450 - Higher Education Finance (3 hrs)
  • EPHE 8470 - Student Affairs Administration (3 hrs)
Research Methods (9 Credit Hours)
  • EPRS 8500 - Qualitative/Interpretive Research in Education I (3 hrs)
  • EPRS 8530 - Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education I (3 hrs)
  • EPRS 9900 - Research Design (3 hrs)
Dissertation (9 Credit Hours)
  • EPS 9990 - Dissertation (9 hrs)

Electives (9 Credit Hours)

Flexible Specialization: Choose 9 hours from approved electives to customize preparation for specific higher education roles.

  • EPEL 8330 - Advanced Law, Policy, and Governance
  • EPEL 8620 - Psychological Aspects of Leadership
  • EPEL 9970 - Advanced Seminar in Educational Leadership
  • EPRS 8620 - Program Evaluation I
  • EPRS 8830 - Survey Research, Sampling Principles and Questionnaire Design
  • EPRS 8850 - Introduction to Mixed Methods Research
  • EPS 8360 - Educational Policy Making and Analysis
  • EPSF 8270 - Philosophy of Education
  • EPSF 8320 - Politics and Policy in Education
  • LAW 7186 - Education Law
  • PMAP 8221 - Fundraising for Voluntary Nonprofit Organizations
  • PMAP 8261 - Nonprofit Financial Management
3. Tier II Concentration (57 Credit Hours)
57 Credit Hours + Clinical
Employer Permission Required
750 Clinical Hours

Special Requirements: Must be full-time practicing educator in leadership role with written employer permission. Includes 750 clinical hours over three semesters.

Core Coursework (48 Credit Hours)

  • EPEL 8000 - Research in Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8020 - Leadership for Change in a Diverse Society (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8330 - Advanced Law, Policy, and Governance (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8420 - Advanced Instructional Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8500 - Central Office Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8620 - Psychological Aspects of Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 8930 - Leadership, Administration, and Management: Applying Theories and Developing Theoretical Frameworks (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 9000 - Concepts of Leadership and Research in Educational Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 9020 - Foundations for Inquiry in Educational Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPEL 9970 - Advanced Seminar in Educational Leadership (3 hrs)
  • EPRS 8500 - Qualitative/Interpretive Research in Education I (3 hrs)
  • EPRS 8530 - Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education I (3 hrs)
  • EPRS 8620 - Program Evaluation I (3 hrs)
  • EPSF 8440 - Curriculum Design and Analysis (3 hrs)
  • EPS 8360 - Educational Policy Making and Analysis (3 hrs)

Clinical Experience (3 Credit Hours)

EPEL 8970 - Advanced Leadership Residency (3 hrs): 750 clinical hours completed over three semesters under dual supervision (university supervisor and site-based mentor).

Dissertation Research (9 Credit Hours)

EPS 9990 - Dissertation (9 hrs): Applied research addressing practical leadership challenges.

Shared Core Foundation (All Concentrations)
EPEL 8000
Research in Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture
EPEL 8020
Leadership for Change in a Diverse Society
EPEL 8930
Leadership, Administration, and Management: Applying Theories and Developing Theoretical Frameworks
EPEL 9000
Concepts of Leadership and Research in Educational Leadership
EPEL 9020
Foundations for Inquiry in Educational Leadership
EPS 9990
Dissertation (9 hours)

Note: These courses provide the foundational research skills and leadership competencies essential for professional practice across all concentrations.

Key Differences from Ph.D. Program:
  • Dissertation emphasizes practical problem-solving in educational settings
  • Designed for current practitioners seeking senior leadership roles
  • Cohort-based learning model with flexible scheduling for working professionals

Important Notes for Ed.D. Students

  • Program Duration: Typically 3-4 years for working professionals
  • Transfer Credit: Advanced Leadership allows up to 18 hours transfer for Ed.S. graduates
  • Transcript Review: Required for all transfer credit from non-GSU institutions
  • Tier II Requirements: Must have employer support and be in partnering school system
  • Clinical Hours: Tier II concentration requires 750 supervised clinical hours
  • Dissertation Focus: Applied research addressing practical leadership challenges
  • Professional Development: Emphasis on real-world application and immediate implementation
  • Cohort Model: Students progress through program with same cohort for peer support