Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
This program is designed to prepare individuals to serve in school and school district leadership roles in the areas of administration and supervision. By combining coursework and internship experiences, the program integrates theory, research and practice into a cohesive plan of study for educational leaders.
While the coursework for both of the below options is the same, applicants must specify which is appropriate for their needs.
The Educational Leadership Superintendent option is for students who are seeking the Superintendent Endorsement in addition to earning the doctoral degree. Students choosing this option must hold an Illinois Type 75, Wisconsin Type 51 or other state-approved principal’s certification upon admission. Students admitted to this option must complete all 60 SH of the program, including EDL 690 Educational Leadership Internship, and are then eligible to apply for the Illinois or Wisconsin Superintendent Endorsement.
The Educational Leadership option is for students not seeking the Superintendent Endorsement. Students choosing this option may be admitted without an Illinois Type 75, Wisconsin Type 51 or other state-approved principal’s certification. This option, however, does not lead to certification or endorsement, either principal or superintendent, upon completion of the doctoral program. Students admitted to this option must complete all 60 SH of the program, including EDL 690 Educational Leadership Internship, but are not eligible to apply for principal certification or the Superintendent Endorsement.
Students taking this option may, in the future, complete the Administration and Supervision, Ed.S. leading to the Type 75 certificate in Illinois, or Type 51 in Wisconsin and then the superintendent endorsement (subsequent certification).
In addition to National College of Education Doctoral Admissions Requirements, applicants must:
- Present documented evidence of at least two years of leadership in the educational field
- Submit a resume
- Submit official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
This degree requires:
- 60 SH
- An internship
- A dissertation
- Candidates may transfer in up to 12 SH of coursework from another doctoral program if approved by faculty and not part of a completed degree program. Applicants who have completed the Administration and Supervision, Ed.S. degree at NLU may transfer a maximum of 6 SH of internship credit toward the doctoral degree upon the approval of the director of the Educational Leadership doctoral program or designee.
Research and Dissertation - 21 SH
| EDL628 | Organizational Inquiry | |
| EDL630 | Understanding and Using Educational Research | |
| or | |
| ESR630 | Understanding and Using Educational Research | |
| and | |
| EDL632 | Data-driven Decision Making | |
| or | |
| ESR632 | Data-driven Decision Making | |
| CCD699B | Dissertation: Educational Leadership | |
Educational Leadership Core - 39 SH
| EDL601 | School Financial Management | |
| EDL604 | Administrative Issues for Pluralistic Schools | |
| EDL605 | Leading Change | |
| EDL606 | Principles and Fundamentals of School Leadership | |
| EDL608 | Community Engagement | |
| EDL620 | School Leadership: Policy and Politics | |
| EDL622 | Curriculum Planning and Organization and Evaluation | |
| EDL624 | Professional Development and School Change | |
| EDL626 | Instructional Leadership | |
| EDL690 | Educational Leadership Internship | |