EdD in Educational Leadership - The University of Alabama

Program Overview

The University of Alabama offers students and busy professionals the ability to earn a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in a fully online format. Upon completion, our graduates are equipped with an expanded skill set to lead their schools and organizations to promote effective and inclusive learning environments.

Online Program Format

69 Credit Hours

$480 Tuition Per Hour

Equip Yourself for the Highest Level of Educational Leadership

Designed by expert faculty members, this program will provide you the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills needed to function as scholarly, ethical and reflective decision-maker in the areas of executive management, educational leadership and policy. This program is tailored to accommodate your schedule as a full-time working professional.

Our alumni are in leadership positions as assistant principals, principals, supervisors, assistant superintendents, superintendents and state-level personnel as well as serving in district offices, community centers and policy organizations. The degree program is offered in an online format with some synchronous virtual class meetings, which are facilitated by faculty for all to participate in engaging and collaborative discussions.

Application Deadline	March 1
Application Priority Deadline	Priority deadline: Nov 3; Final deadline: March 1
Fees	$10 College of Education graduate fee (per credit hour)
Required For Entrance	Master's Degree
Scholarships and Grants Available	Discover a range of scholarships and grants to support your educational journey

Curriculum

Prerequisites

Prior to admission, applicants must provide evidence that they have completed a course in the following areas:

Special Education Course – Applicants must have taken a special education with a grade of B or better.
Graduate Level Statistics Research Course – If students have not taken BER 540 Quantitative Methods I (Introduction to Statistical Methods) or an acceptable preapproved master’s level equivalent within the last four years with a grade of B or better, then students are required to complete this course before beginning the 12-hour research requirement.

Courses for the program are offered in an online format that includes required, synchronous weekend or evening meetings and asynchronous learning activities. Students can anticipate completing two courses together with their cohort members each semester, with a commitment of four weekend virtual meetings that include instructional time for each course. Class meeting dates and times will be designated on myBama.

A minimum of 69 credit hours beyond the master’s degree is required for completion of the EdD program. Please note that courses are subject to change.

Depending on coursework prior to admission to the EdD program, prerequisites for more advanced study in educational leadership may be required.

Required Courses

Educational Leadership (AEL) Core (15 hours)

AEL 619 Politics of Education
AEL 650 Organizational Theory
AEL 671 Survey of Instructional Supervision
AEL 675 Advanced Organizational Theory
AEL 682 Leadership and Organizations

Educational Leadership (AEL) Courses (21 hours)

AEL 608 Educational Finance Theory and Practice
AEL 611 Superintendency and the Leadership Team
AEL 618 Advanced Educational Law
AEL 630 School Partnerships
AEL 661 Major Issues and Trends in Educational Leadership
AEL 664 Educational Policy and the Dynamics of Change
AEL 697 Seminar in Educational Leadership
Advisor-approved AEL Electives

Foundations Courses (9 hours)

BEF 681 Ethics and Education
BEF 642 Studies Philosophy Education
BEF 695 Seminar in Curriculum Leadership

Research Courses (12 hours)

BER 630 Qualitative Case Study Research Methods
BER 631 Inquiry as Interpretation: Qualitative I
BER 660 Evaluation I: Evaluation Theory and Practice
BER 661 Evaluation 2: Improvement Science Methodologies

Dissertation (12 hours)

AEL 699 Dissertation Research
- Students are eligible to register after passing the Doctoral Comprehensive Exam.
- Students must complete a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation research.

These charts highlight the key differences in purpose, career paths and focus between the PhD and EdD in Educational Leadership.

Degree and Program Features

Category	PhD in Educational Leadership	EdD in Educational Leadership
Degree Type	Researcher degree	Practitioner degree
Primary Career Path	Faculty/researcher, policy analyst, consultant or policymaker	School administration (principals, superintendents) or educational leadership
Career Enhancement	Prepare to be a professor, researcher, educational leader, consultant, agency executive or policy analyst	Can qualify for higher education positions, though focused on leadership and administrative roles in K-12
Focus of Degree	Creation and publication of new knowledge; emphasis on producing knowledge	Utilization of existing knowledge; emphasis on consuming and applying knowledge
Program Purpose	Prepare students for careers in academia, policy analysis, or research; emphasizes theoretical thinking and knowledge creation in leadership	Equip students with the skills to improve their knowledge as educational leaders, focusing on decision-making and problem-solving in practice
Student Development Orientation	Results-oriented and forward-looking mindset in examining cutting-edge research on school improvement and effective and innovative change	Become a highly competent scholar-leader at the school, district, or state level with a forward-thinking mindset.
Learning Orientation	Learn about research-informed leadership, organization capacity-building, strategic planning, political dynamics for social justice, transforming teaching and learning, innovative system improvement in equitable and progressive academic growth for all students	Acquire and apply knowledge of cutting-edge research-based and data-informed leadership for improving student learning and success
Format	Research team, project involvement, learning community; publication apprenticeship; weekday-night synchronized virtual class and asynchronized online learning	Cohort; network with school, district and state leaders; weekend, synchronized virtual class and asynchronized online learning

Curriculum

Category	PhD in Educational Leadership	EdD in Educational Leadership
Instructional Approach	Immersion in university research and teaching culture, focus on theoretical applications in educational leadership	Professional inquiry, reflection and application of leadership knowledge to address challenges in education
Key Areas of Study	Organizational theory, politics, policy analysis, school improvement, leadership development, dynamic change, research methods, technology, multicultural leadership, curriculum leadership	School and district leadership, school improvement, organizational theory, finance, policy evaluation, curriculum leadership, data-informed decision-making, public accountability, developing leaders and people, transforming teaching and learning, successful whole-system change, accountability, law and ethics of education, diversity and culture, action research, improvement science
Research and Publication Mentorship	Emphasized	Not emphasized
Local School Engagement	Not emphasized	Emphasized

Program Requirement

Category	PhD in Educational Leadership	EdD in Educational Leadership
Program Length	66 credit hours	69 credit hours
Research Coursework	15 credit hours	12 credit hours
Dissertation Coursework	18 credit hours	12 credit hours
Transfer Credit Allowance	Up to 21 hours from a UA-awarded EdS in Educational Leadership; review process available for non-UA EdS	Up to 27 hours from a UA-awarded EdS in Educational Leadership; review process available for non-UA EdS
Program Catalog Description	Prepares for a career in academia, policy analysis or consulting. Emphasizes theoretical thinking and developing knowledge in educational leadership.	Designed to meet the needs of educational leaders facing challenges like accountability, globalization, diversity and technology. Focused on leadership practice.
Dissertation Goal	Focus on the production of original research	Focus on addressing real-world problems in practice through inquiry and reflection
Dissertation Format	Typical dissertation formats (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, meta-analysis); three-article format	A variety of formats through which students address practical problems faced by educational leaders (e.g., policy analysis, policy evaluation, systematic review, case study, improvement science-guided)

Admission

Category	PhD in Educational Leadership	EdD in Educational Leadership
Target Audience	Those seeking to contribute to academia or influence education policy through rigorous research	Educational practitioners aiming for higher leadership roles such as K-12 principals or superintendents, or those focused on solving practical issues
Ideal Candidate Experience	Education-related backgrounds (e.g., teaching, counseling, information science, research)	EdS degree in educational leadership and extensive school leadership experience

Does the PhD sound like a better fit? Explore the PhD in Educational Leadership.

Admission

Admission to the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program is highly selective and requires the following:

A master’s degree from an accredited institution
Approved, completed coursework in Special Education and graduate-level Statistics (Quantitative) Research course
Current résumé
Documented professional experience in teaching and/or leadership
Transcripts from all institutions attended
Three letters of professional and academic recommendation, including one from a current supervisor
An academic or professional writing sample written by the applicant within the last year that provides evidence of the student’s writing ability
Statement of purpose that addresses the following:
- The student’s rationale for applying to the program
- A statement regarding career/professional goals
- A statement of how the student’s rationale and career goals are consistent with the purpose of degree program as articulated by the department and program
Completed UA Graduate School application

Applicants may be considered for regular admission to a graduate program when they meet the minimum GPA requirement set by the Graduate School: an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or a 3.0 average GPA for the last 60 credit hours in a degree program, or a 3.0 or higher GPA in a completed graduate degree program.

This program does not lead to certification or licensure.

EdD Educational Leadership Application:

Begin your graduate application through the UA Graduate School
- For “Program Type” select Distance (Online/Blended/Gadsden)
- For “Select degree type” use the drop-down menu to select Doctoral
- For “Select course of study” use the drop-down menu to select Educational Leadership EDD
  - Note: Please ensure that you select the appropriate program name and degree type from the list.
- For the “Enter your area of focus, if applicable” text box, leave blank or type “None”
- For “Campus” select Distance Learning
- For “Entry Term” select Fall