Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Introduction

 

The University of California, San Diego and California State University, San Marcos are offering a new Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership. This cohort-based three-year (including summers) doctor of education degree is designed to enable education leaders to participate in a research-based program while working in an educational setting. Please select the About tab above for more information.

The Joint Doctorate in Educational Leadership, functions on a cohort based learning system. The cohorts accepted for 2005-2009 represent groups of great depth in diversity and professional experience. The students represented in the Joint Ed.D. program includes Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Principals and Assistant Principals, Program Directors at the Pre-K to University program level, Learning Specialists and School Counselors.

The foundation of this program rests on the belief that the work of school leaders must always attend to the common objective of increasing student achievement. Learning to apply the effective tools of leadership requires the acquisition of flexible communication skills, creative decision-making capabilities, a collaborative approach to problem solving, and the confidence to take calculated risks. At its core, effective leadership depends on one's ability to advance the skills and dispositions of the adults involved in the instruction of students.

Admission to the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

What Are the Admission Requirements?

Candidates must meet the general admissions requirements and be accepted by the Graduate Divisions of Cal State San Marcos and UCSD. In addition, students must be recommended for admission by the Joint Ed.D. program's Graduate Admissions Committee.

All candidates must submit the following application materials:

  1. A. Professional résumé

  3. B. A statement of purpose that describes each of the following:
      - Demonstrated leadership experience. (Examples include completion of work for the   Administrative Services Credential for P-12   candidates; Program director at a school,   district or regional institution; community college project director; postsecondary   administration; in-region professional education experience)
    2. - Knowledge of educational research and application to practice
    4. - Plan for how participation in program will shape candidate's future in leadership   practice
    5. - Areas of interest for dissertation research

  4. C. A total of three letters of support, two of which speak to leadership skills, and one of which speaks to candidate's ability to do doctoral-level work

  6. D. Applicants are to submit a 5-7 page paper, which demonstrates their analytical skills in thinking and writing on a topic of the applicant's choice. Appropriate citations and references should be included. Alternatively, student may submit an individually authored masters academic paper that has been completed in the last three years.

  8. E. Transcripts of previous academic coursework taken during completion of baccalaureate and master's degree work, in addition to other postbaccalaureate work

  11. F. Results from all three sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) aptitude test. Tests scores are valid for 5 years. The GRE web site (www.gre.org) provides updated information, or you may call 1-800-473-2255. This test must be taken before the admission deadline. When you take the exam, request that the official score report to be sent electronically to UCSD (the code for UCSD is R4836).

  15. G. Completion of an online application for the Ed.D. program

Items "a" through "e" should be mailed to:

Jeff James

Education Studies
University of California, San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, California 92093-0070
Phone number: 858-822-2350

Important Note: Tuition Fee discounts for UC and CSU employees are not available for this program.

What Are the Criteria for Selection?

The Committee will look for the following evidence in selecting top candidates:
  1. a distinguished academic record, including completion of Masters
  2. outstanding letters of recommendation
  3. appropriate standardized test results, given area of expertise, and
  4. a track-record of successful leadership experience

Courses in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

What courses will I take?

The required work during the program provides: (1) a series of core courses that address fundamental subject areas in educational leadership, such as leadership in curriculum design and delivery, instructional leadership and research, equity and diversity, change theory and human motivation, and current issues and policy analysis and (2) broad training in research methods appropriate to topics in education. The core course work and other program experiences will contribute to the preparation of doctoral dissertation research. The Ed.D. program is scheduled using the UCSD quarter system.

2009-2010 tentative schedule Schedule of Classes

Faculty and staff in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Faculty members from both institutions will serve as instructors for all courses, as well as dissertation advisors. Where appropriate, practitioner-scholars will join faculty members in delivering instruction. Instructors bring an extensive background in leadership practice and theory. Students will experience a dynamic blend of scholarly inquiry and practical application from instructors who are actively engaged in understanding the nature of leadership.

Students in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

We have admitted doctoral students who began in each January since 2005.

Graduation ceremony for joint Ed.D. students in Educational Leadership

About the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

The Joint Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is offered through a partnership of Cal State San Marcos and UCSD. It is designed as a professional degree for P-12 school and postsecondary leaders who will develop advanced leadership and research skills related to the advancement of the P-12 educational community. Fifteen to twenty new graduate students will be admitted each year. The program is designed for the working professional educator who will attend classes on weeknights and weekends. The program is designed to be completed in 36 months. This program views the students' workplace as a powerful laboratory for their own study. Students will conduct research on professional practice within their own institutions, addressing specific local problems that have national implications for teaching and learning, school reform, and professional development. Students completing the program will receive a joint degree from UCSD and California State University San Marcos.

What is the Program Focus?

The program is grounded in a desire to attain diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in educational institutions. Ensuring the success of all learners will be a common element in all course work. Students will take courses designed to develop four specific leadership capacities that form the foundation of the program. They are: (1) Leadership for Learning; (2) Leadership for a Diverse Society; (3) Leadership for Organizational Change and; (4) Leadership for Organizational Development. The program prepares leaders for culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse educational settings.

Four Leadership Capacities

Leadership for Learning: The foundation of this Joint Ed.D. rests on the belief that the work of school leaders must always attend to the common objective of increasing student achievement. Learning to apply the effective tools of leadership requires the acquisition of flexible communication skills, creative decision-making capabilities, a collaborative approach to problem solving, and the confidence to take calculated risks. At its core, effective leadership depends on one's ability to advance the skills and dispositions of the adults involved in the instruction of students.

Leadership for a Diverse Society: Leadership for a diverse society requires diversity of designs, practices, and solutions. Candidates in the Joint Ed.D. program will learn to implement inclusive practices, not only as a matter of policy, but as a matter of personal commitment and understanding of how institutions are historically transformed as a result.

Leadership for Organizational Change: Developing leaders who are prepared for and understand the importance of organizational change is a program priority. Meeting the needs of an evolving educational system will require leaders who support a myriad of strategic innovations that will lead to positive changes in their organizations. Candidates will focus on developing critical habits of action to support effective problem solving, build leadership capacity within institutions, and alter institutions in ways that significantly improve the learning condition for their students.

Leadership for Organizational Development: The program will help individuals design personal professional growth plans and encourage them to actively support each other as they work to implement their plans. This experience will help graduates understand the importance of building leadership capacity within their educational organizations. One of the essential features of the program is the development of a community of learners who have experience creating safe, reflective environments for academic study, risk taking, and the practice of academic leadership.