EdD in Educational Leadership

Gain knowledge and skills in improving school systems with the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

Our performance-based program works in partnership with Georgia school districts to develop outstanding scholar-practitioners. Our degree prepares you to lead schools and school districts by focusing on every level, from talent management to organizational challenges.

Highlights

3 year Cohort Model with action research dissertation
Designed for practicing school and district leaders
Courses offered at Gwinnett campus in blended format
Tier I or other leadership certification is required for program admission
Advanced leadership residency (750 hrs.)

Curriculum

This degree combines classroom instruction with faculty-guided research into the concerns of schools and districts. As a doctoral student, you will have the opportunity to study topics such as:

Education law and ethics
School- and district-level leadership
Managing and using data in the school improvement process
Leading in a diverse society
Analyzing relationships among school boards, superintendents, and school leaders

You will earn your doctorate by completing 55 hours of coursework and an action-research dissertation. The curriculum helps you to:

Develop tools to diagnose problems
Create solutions
Evaluate the success of changes
Analyze data within districts and systems

Along the way, our faculty bring their research interests into the classroom so you can benefit from their work. Our faculty are nationally recognized for their research, teaching, and practice in the areas of educational leadership, policy, and school law. Areas of focus include school and district leadership, education law and policy, and federal education policy.

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal .

Documents

How to Apply

Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia

The Graduate School handles admission for all graduate programs at the University of Georgia, including those in the College of Education. The Graduate School website contains important details about the application process, orientation, and many other useful links to guide you through the process of attending UGA at the graduate level.

Start A Graduate School Application

Part 2: Apply to the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership only admits students in the Fall.

While completing the application, be sure to attach the following documents:

Resume/CV
Statement of purpose
Unofficial transcripts
3 letters of recommendation

Deadline to Apply

Fall deadline: May 15
Spring deadline: November 15

Log Into Existing Application

Student Spotlights

Emily Nord

Degree and year: M.Ed., Spring 2021
Current position: I am currently a full-time graduate student. I also work part-time at the University of Georgia’s Rankin Smith Center as an assistant learning specialist.

Why UGA? I completed my undergraduate program in middle grades education in May 2020. I am continuing my education through the Double Dawgs pathway that UGA offers. To me, UGA has been an amazing institution at which to receive my education and degrees. I have received over 800 hours of in-field experience and have had the opportunity to study courses that have a direct focus on specific issues and topics surrounding the field of education.

Roderick Langston

Degree and year: Ed.D., Spring 2022
Current position: Assistant principal

Reflect on your UGA experience and what it has meant to you? My experience at UGA has been extraordinary. I have connected with the most phenomenal researchers this world has ever seen throughout my program matriculation. Coupled with this, I have built life-changing relationships with cohort members who are breathtaking in every capacity. My proudest moment is knowing that my pursuit to change lives is not done in isolation, but rather collectively by those from all backgrounds.

Nadira Singh

Degree and year: Ed.D., Spring 2023
Current position: District administrator

Reflect on your UGA experience and what it has meant to you? My UGA journey has been a return home for me. After completing my Tier I certification in educational leadership through UGA, I realized there was still so much for me to learn. UGA has been a place where the relevance of today’s leadership challenges are addressed through coursework and class discussions. I feel well supported and challenged to be a thinker outside the box to solve problems.

Additional Resources

Please use our online form if you have any questions for the department. Please be as specific as possible so that we may quickly assist you.

Faculty and Advisors

The College’s programs are taught by dedicated faculty who are experts in a range of areas and are passionate about helping students succeed both in their programs and professionally.

Meet the Faculty

Most graduate students at UGA are not assigned to a faculty advisor until after admittance. A close working relationship with your advisor is paramount to progressing through your program of study.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.

Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.

Tuition Rates Browse Financial Aid

Student Life

The doctoral program uses the cohort format, which helps create a sense of community among students.

As you take part in courses and research for your dissertation, you can build on your classroom studies as well as the insights of your classmates, who come from varied backgrounds and experiences.

See for yourself how much UGA College of Education has to offer! Schedule a tour of campus to learn more about the UGA student experience.

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