Educational Leadership and Administration, Ed.D.
Graduate Studies
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Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration

Become an educator who is better prepared to serve as a leader in the classroom, school, and community. Your studies will enhance your skills, expand your knowledge, and strengthen your ethical and professional standards.

An Ed.D. in Educational Leadership focuses on preparation of educational leaders in the K-12 environment, such as superintendents, principals, administrators and teacher leadership, who are prepared for the complex and ever-changing life of the school setting.

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Program Highlights

  • Extensive alumni network—Enter a professional network of hundreds of Ed.D. alumni, many of whom hold high-ranking positions as superintendents, principals and intermediate unit directors.
  • Flexible program delivery—Take accelerated, seven-week evening classes on Immaculata’s campus starting in fall, spring, or summer and finish in as few as three years, even while working full-time.
  • Experienced faculty—Learn from faculty with over 400 years of combined experience in education and administration.
  • Cohorts—If you are interested in starting a cohort near you, please contact us at mhammons@immaculata.edu.
  • Dissertation support—Three research courses throughout the program prepare you to choose a topic, conduct research and write your dissertation.

New Online Format

In addition to our on campus format, the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration will be offered in a remote synchronous option, providing the tradition you can trust coupled with the convenience today’s professionals require. Applications are being accepted now.

Interested candidates should contact us at gradadmission@immaculata.edu, 484-323-3005, or by scheduling a personal consultation with Kristen Lebresco, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions. Admissions interviews will be scheduled upon submission and review of application materials.

Administrative Certifications

You can earn optional certifications along with your degree:

Admission Requirements

All students entering the Ed.D. program must hold a master’s degree. Learn about the application process and admission requirements.

Program Availability

  • On Campus
  • NEW Online

Cohort Locations

  • Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
  • Chester Upland School District
  • New Hope-Solebury School District
  • North Penn School District
  • Warwick School District

NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

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Real-Time

Attend classes online with live instruction from our distinguished faculty. 

Interactive

Collaborate with your cohort peers

Z

Expertise

Engage in a supervised dissertation research experience designed for practitioners

Weekly Schedule

Login the same night each week for convenient and consistent scheduling – Thursday evenings from 5-9pm 

Course Preview

School Leadership in Teaching and Learning

Study of administrators’ roles in decision making, evaluation, performance appraisal, school organization and operation, problem identification and resolution, goal setting, planning, as well as management team concepts. Examination of various experiences that affect both teacher and learner.

EDL 721

Staff Development

Focus on the process of growth and change in the adult and various ways of enabling individuals to gain professional competence. Includes skills needed in designing, implementing and evaluating staff development programs.

EDL 732

Curriculum Theory and Evaluation

Analysis of various approaches to curriculum theory. Examination of the educational strengths and weaknesses of these theories as they are implemented in different school environments. Evaluation of the effectiveness of school curriculum programs. (Prerequisite: EDL 622)

EDL 728

Orientation to Doctoral Research

Guidance of student efforts to translate theoretical constructions and research ideas into useful plans to be incorporated into the research proposal. Focus will be placed on developing effective APA writing skills as well as methods of defense of written plans. Course includes preparation for all aspects of the dissertation process. Grading is Pass or Fail. (Prerequisite: successful completion of required course work and comprehensive examination.)

EDL 734

View Full Curriculum

Curriculum—54 Credits

  • EDL 702 Methods of Doctoral Research (3)
  • EDL 720 Orientation to Doctoral Research (3)
  • EDL 721 School Leadership in Teaching & Learning (3)
  • EDL 722 Personnel Management & Labor Relations (3)
  • EDL 723 School Business Management (3)
  • EDL 724 Organization Development & Change Theory (3)
  • EDL 725 Communication Theory & Practice (3)
  • EDL 726 Political, Economic & Social Structures (3)
  • EDL 727 PA School Code & School Board Policies (3)
  • EDL 728 Curriculum Theory & Evaluation (3)
  • EDL 729 Curriculum Management (3)
  • EDL 730 Pupil Personnel Services (3)
  • EDL 731 Advanced Supervision (3)
  • EDL 732 Staff Development (3)
  • EDL 734 Dissertation Research Seminar (3)
  • EDL 797 Comprehensive Examination (0)
  • EDL 798-799-800 Dissertation (3-9)
  • EDL 000 Dissertation Continuation (0)

Prerequisites—12 credits or the equivalent experience

  • GEN 502 Methods of Research (3)
  • EDL 622 Curriculum and Instruction (3)
  • EDL 623 Supervision (3)
  • EDL 625 School Law & the Legal Process (3)

 

The State of Education

William Penn believed education was essential to the development of individual conscience and enlightened citizenship. Today, those ideals have shaped the educational landscape of the state, from rural towns to Center City Philadelphia, to the state capitol, and even the Noble Hill.

Immaculata’s curriculum prepares students to master the business side of education, as well as adjust to the changing needs of their students.

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Student Spotlight

Stephen Brandt
Principal, Garnet Valley High School

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Being able to collaborate with like-minded individuals has been rewarding, and I really appreciate the professors and their practical experience and expertise that they bring, along with the small, personalized learning community at Immaculata.

Just the facts

750+

Ed.D. alumni

65+

superintendents and assistant superintendents

130+

public school principals

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Grounded in IHM tradition and charism since 1920.

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