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.

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—You may take classes at Upper Dublin School District or Milton Area School District. If you are interested in starting a cohort near you, please contact us at mparris@immaculata.edu.
  • Dissertation support—Three research courses throughout the program prepare you to choose a topic, conduct research and write your dissertation.

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.

Cohort Locations

  • Milton Area School District
  • Upper Dublin School District
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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

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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)

 

Alumni Spotlight: George Fiore, ’14 Ed.D.

Alumni Spotlight: George Fiore, ’14 Ed.D.

George Fiore, ’14 Ed.D., executive director of the Chester County Intermediate Unit, is just one of hundreds of graduates of Immaculata’s Ed.D. program.

It’s often you will hear Immaculata’s credentials attached to administrators throughout the region. In fact, Fiore’s predecessor at the CCIU, Joseph O’Brien, also earned his Ed.D. at Immaculata in 2001 and taught Fiore in class. With seasoned professionals teaching in the Ed.D. program, Fiore appreciated that they understood real-world situations. He says that his professors continually stressed that there are multiple perspectives and multiple stakeholders on every issue and that they need to be taken into account when making decisions.

The State of Education

The State of Education

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

50+

superintendents and assistant superintendents

90+

public school principals

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