Educational Leadership, Ed.D.

Program Description

The Doctorate (EdD) in Educational Leadership is a 45+ hour post-master’s professional degree 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 for the twenty-first century. The EdD program is designed to build candidates’ critical understanding and expert use of transformational leadership skills. Our goal is to develop school leaders who integrate thoughtful, globally minded leadership practices with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of effective educational leaders.  

 This program is a part of the Clarice C. and Leland H. Bagwell College of Education .

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Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation Policies

Admission Requirements

This program will admit new students to start classes in Fall 2023 and again in Fall 2025.

The following are requirements beyond the general Admissions  requirements.

• Earned Educational Specialist in education or a related field 
• Clear Renewable Georgia Leadership Certificate - you MUST hold a PL6, L6, or Tier II Leadership certification or comparable certificate from another state PRIOR to admission consideration. To print a copy of your Georgia clear, renewable certificate, you may log onto www.gapsc.com.
• Employment:  Current full-time employment as a professional educator with at least five years of teaching and/or administrative experience in P-12 education
• Professional Reflections Statement - Can be uploaded into the online 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.
• Resume or Professional Vitae - Can be uploaded into the online application.
• Interview - An interview may be required. If so, you will be contacted by the program to set up an interview.

Admissions Criteria for Unique Cases

Currently there are no exceptions to the admissions requirements.

Transfer Credit

Ed.D. may accept up to 6 hours of approved credit.  

Transfer credit will not be accepted for the core course requirements that are central to the program’s distinctive focus. Consequently, transfer credit considerations will typically be restricted to courses in the concentration, guided electives, and the initial course in applied research methods. Decisions about the acceptability of transfer credit will be made on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the concentration advisor and Director of the Doctoral and Specialists Programs.

Graduation Requirements

Each candidate must petition to graduate. For more information, please view the corresponding section of Academic Policies: 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION  .

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Program Course Requirements