Educational Leadership Ed.D.

Virginia Montero-Hernandez, Ed.D., Program Director

Office: Demergasso-Bava Hall - DBH 351
Phone: (209) 664-6564

The College of Education offers a cohort-driven program in educational leadership, which leads to the Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) degree.  Students interested in the Ed.D. degree program may obtain general information from the program office at (209) 664-6564 (DBH 351) or the Graduate School (209) 667-3129 (MSR 120).

The doctorate has specializations in PreK-12 and Community College Leadership that focus specifically on the educational needs in the six counties served by the university. The mission of the program is to prepare visionary leaders and faculty who serve all students, families, and community members within the Central Valley and Sierra Foothills by:

• Leading complex educational organizations ethically and effectively, utilizing comprehensive leadership skills to create coherent systems that are socially responsive;
• Engaging in collaborative inquiry, using equity frameworks to research and understand problems of practice that perpetuate structural inequities;
• Transforming educational organizations through creative, informed, inclusive, and multi-disciplinary solutions that promote community empowerment and revitalization;
• Practicing critical self-reflection that contributes to the refinement of an equity-minded leadership philosophy that advocates for social justice;
• Developing awareness of psychological well-being and self-care practices in professional and personal roles.

Specializations within the Ed.D. Program

1.  PreK-12 Leadership (PreK-12)

2.  Community College Leadership (CC)

Examples of Career Opportunities

PreK-12

• mentor and professional development teachers
• principals
• coordinators
• directors
• assistant superintendents
• associate superintendents
• deputy superintendents
• superintendents

Community College

• instructors
• professors
• coordinators
• directors
• assistant deans
• associate deans
• deans
• assistant vice presidents
• associate vice presidents
• presidents
• assistant chancellors
• associate chancellors
• chancellors

Admission Requirements

The doctoral program requires the following of all applicants for admission to the doctoral program:

1. The applicant holds an earned baccalaureate degree and earned master’s degree from accredited institution(s) of higher education.
2. The applicant has attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 in graduate courses completed.
3. The applicant was in good standing at the last institution of higher education attended.
4. The applicant has to submit a problem of practice statement.
5. The applicant has demonstrated sufficient preparation for, experiences in, and potential for educational leadership to benefit from the program including:

• successful experience in school, postsecondary, community, and/or policy leadership;
• problem-solving ability, technology proficiency, excellent writing skills;
• interest in critically assessing and improving current educational policies and practices.

Evidence considered in the admission process shall include the following:

1. University Application: Applicants must complete the university application. The university application is also available online at: Cal State Edu
2. Official Transcripts: Copies of all official graduate and undergraduate transcripts must be submitted. Stanislaus State graduates need not submit Stanislaus State transcripts.
3. Program Application: To apply to the Doctorate Program in Educational Leadership, you must first apply to the Stanislaus State Graduate School. There is a separate application that must be turned in to the program office.
4. Resume: A detailed professional resume, including academic degrees earned, professional experience, and personal accomplishments.
5. Three letters of recommendation attesting to the leadership ability and scholarship of the candidate;

6. Problem of Practice Statement:Provide an effectively written essay (typed, double-spaced 1,000 word limit) describing an educational problem (i.e., problem of practice) that you are interested in examining as part of your experience in this program. The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate states that a problem of practice is “a persistent, contextualized, and specific issue embedded in the work of a professional practitioner the addressing of which has the potential to result in the improved understanding, experience, and outcomes” (CPED, n.d.-c, para. 1). Your essay must have four clearly identifiable sections. These four sections must respond to the following prompts: 1) What is the problem of practice that you want to examine as part of your journey as a doctoral student? 2) Why are you passionate about that problem of practice? 3) How does your personal story and talents help you both examine and address that problem? 4) Why would it be enjoyable studying that problem of practice? This essay will be important to help us identify your research interests and help you narrow down your dissertation focus.

7. A statement of support from the applicant’s employer, indicating support for the candidate’s doctoral studies.
8. A personal interview (required of those applicants who have been identified as semi-finalists).

Program Requirements

The program of study is comprised of 60 semester units.  It is designed for working professionals and includes 48 units of core and specialization courses, and 12 units of dissertation credits.  Additional requirements include a written qualifying examination prior to the student’s advancement to candidacy; oral dissertation proposal examination to evaluate the candidate’s readiness to proceed to dissertation research; a dissertation that is a product of systematic, rigorous research on a significant educational issue; and final examination that is an oral defense of the candidate’s dissertation.  Students must earn a grade point average of 3.0 or better in the coursework taken to satisfy the requirements for the degree.