Educational Leadership, EdD
- Azusa, USA
- San Diego, USA
Doctor of Education
DURATION
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
Program at a Glance
The School of Education equips educators to lead and champion students in diverse educational settings.
Program Information
- Program Units: 55
- Location: Azusa (Main Campus)
Gain Hands-on Experience
- Gain innovative, real-world leadership skills from our superintendents-in-residence.
- Develop robust research expertise to shape effective learning environments.
- Explore relevant issues in education alongside a closely knit cohort.
- Complete original research around your passions in education, with faculty support.
- Learn to integrate a Christ-centered perspective into your professional practice.
Program Details
Azusa Pacific University’s EdD in Educational Leadership is a practitioner-based program that places emphasis on applied research that results in direct, positive change in K-12 settings. The program prepares scholar-practitioners who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to make a transformative impact on schools and districts and the lives of students in them.
EdD Program Scholarship
Azusa Pacific University offers competitive scholarship support to newly admitted doctoral students who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities or leadership potential in K-12 education and who are committed to serving under-resourced schools and districts. Priority is given to current practitioners who are leading their schools and districts toward improved performance. Admitted applicants are considered for these awards based on an overall assessment of their admission application. No separate application is required. This scholarship is renewable and may be received for a total of three years. Continuous enrollment, good academic standing (minimum 3.5 GPA), and employment in K-12 education are required for annual award renewal.
Financial Aid
Lillian B. Wehmeyer Scholarship Endowment - This scholarship is in memory of the late Lillian B. Wehmeyer, PhD, a former faculty in the School of Education doctoral program, who lived with a passion for assisting doctoral students in successful research. The Lillian B. Wehmeyer Scholarship assists doctoral program students in the School of Education who demonstrate satisfactory academic progress, commitment to service, and financial need.
Coursework Requirements
Required Courses
Orientation
- Proseminar in Educational Leadership
Leadership Content
- Developing the Leader Within
- Leading Change in Education: Theory to Practice
- Diversity and Equity in Education
- Educational Policy: Analysis, Praxis, and Reform
- Group Dynamics and Conflict
- Special Topics in Educational Leadership
- Strategic Planning for Educational Systems
- Legal Issues and Crisis Management in Schools
- Ethical Leadership in Education
Research Methodology and Design
- Introduction to Educational Research
- Quantitative Inquiry in Education
- Qualitative Inquiry in Education
- Methods of Data Collection and Analysis
- Program Evaluation in Education: Assessment for Decision Making
Dissertation Milestones
- Dissertation Milestone: Proposal A - Nature of Inquiry and Chapter 1
- Dissertation Milestone: Proposal B
- Dissertation Milestone: Proposal C
- Dissertation Milestone: Finalizing the Proposal
- Dissertation Milestone: Data Collection
- Dissertation Milestone: Data Analysis
- Dissertation Milestone: Results, Discussion, and Conclusion
- Dissertation
Total Units 55
Program Learning Outcomes
- Values-Driven Leaders: Embody leadership traits and practices in line with Christian values; Exemplify a commitment to social justice and equity; and maintain a cycle of deep reflection and self-development.
- Strategic Facilitators of Change: Lead impactful change across all levels of educational systems; Apply sound practices of organizational management and system development; Read and assess organizational culture; Develop masterful facilitation skills; Engage in coaching and developing others.
- Dynamic Communicators: Craft messages that are adapted to intended purposes and audiences; Exhibit high executive skills; Demonstrate facility with a variety of communicative tools and modalities.
- Creative, Adaptive, and Intuitive Thinkers: Demonstrate political awareness and emotional intelligence; Utilize introspection, critical thinking, and an ethical lens in problem solving; Exhibit curiosity, humility, and resilience.
- Scholarly Practitioners: Utilize evidence-based practices; Design and complete significant research; Apply theory and empirical data to decision-making in appropriate, contextualized ways.
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary - Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary - Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare - Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.