Program Overview

100% Online | 15 Courses | 45 Credit Hours

The Doctorate (EdD) in Educational Leadership is a post-master’s professional degree program for qualified candidates who wish to pursue the terminal degree in Educational Leadership. The program is designed to further develop experienced leaders in the areas of school improvement, strategic planning and institutional development, and other areas of critical need in education. The EdD program is designed to build candidates’ critical understanding and expert use of transformational leadership skills as a means to develop integrated professionals who are prepared to actively and knowledgeably engage within institutional contexts of constant challenge and innovation. Candidates critically review and robustly construct knowledge in educational policy, data analysis, educational planning in conjunction with leadership theories, through discourse-rich coursework and field-centered projects. The knowledge and application of research demonstrated through dissertation work are integral components of the doctoral program experience. Candidates are prepared to lead change and develop organizations to effectively succeed in local and global educational contexts. This degree is not designed to meet the requirements for GaPSC certification. Candidates who have an Ed.S. will be allowed to transfer up to 9 hours into the program upon approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Currently, entrance into the program requires a specialist in Educational Leadership with an L-6 certificate
    • 5 years in teaching and/or 3 or more years in leadership
    • Masters and Educational Specialist transcripts
    • Copy of Tier II certification
    • The GRE is currently not a requirement
    • A Personal Statement or Educational Philosophy
    • 45 + hours (36 hours coursework and 9+ hours dissertation work)
  • The program is 100% Online.
    • The typical program of study consists of twelve courses and takes two years by taking two courses each semester.
    •  The dissertation work begins after students take their comprehensive examinations and must be a minimum of nine hours. The average time to complete a dissertation is ten-eleven hours.
  • For six credit hours, the cost is $1,776.00 + $993.00, totaling $2,769.00 for 5 hours or more.
     
    Cost of Attendance
  • Kennesaw State is an approved Education Preparation Provider. Once the program has been completed, students may apply to the GAPSC for a certificate upgrade to their Tier II certification.
  • This program admits students during the fall semester.

Admission Requirements

Must possess the following beyond the general KSU Graduate College Admission Requirements: 

  • Degree – Educational Specialist degree in education or a closely related field.
  • Certificate – Uploaded to graduate application. MUST hold a Level 6 current clear, renewable Georgia Tier II Leadership Certificate, i.e., PRL or SRL, or comparable certificate from another state, PRIOR to admission consideration.  To print a copy of your clear, renewable Georgia Tier II Leadership certificate, you may log into your MyPSC account.
  • Employment – Current full-time employment as a professional educator or administrator with at least five years of teaching and/or administrative experience in P-12 education.
  • Résumé or Professional Vitae – Uploaded to graduate application.
  • Professional Reflections Statement – Uploaded to graduate application. Should be 1-2 pages and address your professional leadership training and interest, educational beliefs, professional goals, and why you seek to pursue your degree at KSU.
  • Interview – An interview may be required. If so, you will be contacted by the program to set up an interview. 

Tuition & Fees

Expenses include in-state tuition, out of state tuition, mandatory student fees and other special fees.

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Deadline

Enrollment for Fall - Deadline - July 1

Contact Us

For more information on graduate admissions, please email DegreeUp@kennesaw.edu.

For more information please call (470) 578-6888 or email edldepartment@kennesaw.edu.