Educational Leadership & Administration, Ed.D. (Non-Endorsement Track, IL)

The Ed.D. degree in the Educational Leadership Program at the 600-level with a major in Educational Leadership & Administration prepares candidates for instructional, operational, organizational, and ethical leadership roles in school districts and other complex educational systems. In Illinois, candidates in this major are not seeking the superintendent endorsement.

For more details, visit Licensure and Endorsements at NLU.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

At the completion of the program, students will be able to:

PLO1. Candidates will demonstrate skills in all aspects of school/district leaders and administration including processes of planning, organization, communication, decision making, influence/politics and evaluation stemming from a shared vision, mission, and core values.

PLO2. Candidates will develop relationship and collaborate among internal and external stakeholders to develop and promote a community of academic success, development of personal potential and well-being of all students.

PLO3. Candidates will lead adult learning and build capacity among school personnel, staff, and teachers to improve student achievement.

PLO4. Candidates will support the intellectually rigorous and coherent systems of curriculum, instruction and assessment for continuous improvement to promote each students’ academic success and well-being.

PLO5. Candidates will pursue educational equity through cultural proficiency and opportunity to advance the overall well-being of students.

PLO6. Candidates will act professionally, ethically, and demonstrate emotional intelligence in a compassionate, caring manner promoting each student’s success.

PLO7. Candidates will strive for school improvement by diagnosing challenges, working collaboratively, and using evidence to initiate change that promotes students’ academic success.

In addition to meeting the National College of Education Doctoral Admission Requirements, applicants must:

  • Submit a professional resume or curriculum vitae
  • Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Please note that only credit from a school with institutional accreditation will be considered for transfer credit. Completion of baccalaureate and master’s degrees from a school with institutional accreditation must be verified. A grade point average of 3.00 or better in master’s level courses is required of all applicants.
  • Submit three letters of recommendation. Letters should originate from people supervising the applicant's professional work or people associated with the applicant's graduate work.
  • Provide written responses to substantive questions that directly speak to the applicant’s intellectual interests, professional goals, compatibility with program and commitments to the values of the program
  • Present documented evidence of at least two years of leadership in an educational setting
  • Sit for an interview
  • Applicants to the Educational Leadership & Administration major do not need to present a prior earned teacher license, certification, or administration credential.

Program Details:

  • Requires 60 SH for completion
  • Requires an internship
  • Credit by Portfolio may be accepted for the following courses: EDL 601, EDL 605, EDL 622, and EDL 628.
  • All the hours earned in the Ed.S. Educational Leadership (Educational Leadership & Administration major) program may be applied toward the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with the Educational Leadership & Administration major within 8 years. Applicants for each degree must be admitted to that degree.
  • Up to 12 semester hours of graduate level coursework post the first master’s degree can be applied the Ed.D. with approval from the chairs of the doctoral program, 44SH from the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, Educational Leadership & Administration major can be applied to the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Educational Leadership & Administration major

Required Courses

Major Requirements - 60

EDL 601Analyzing Resource Allocation and Equity in Educational Financial Management

3

EDL 604Fostering Cultural Proficiency, Opportunity and Equity

3

EDL 605Leading Change

3

EDL 606Utilizing Effective Leadership Principles and Processes

3

EDL 608Communicating and Engaging with Staff, Families, and Communities

3

EDL 620Understanding the Dynamics of Political, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Education

3

EDL 622Developing Curriculum and Evaluating Programs

3

EDL 624Improving Instruction through Professional Development and Evaluation

3

EDL 625Scholarly Writing for Practitioners

1 TO 4

EDL 626Leading Instruction to Advance Student Learning

3

EDL 628Analyzing and Using Data for Systemic Improvement

3

EDL 630Understanding and Using Educational Research

3

EDL 632Utilizing Data to Inform Decision Making

3

EDL 690Educational Leadership Internship

1 TO 8

CCD 699BDissertation: Educational Leadership

1 TO 12

Note: EDL 625 must be taken for a total of 4 SH. EDL 690 must be taken for a total of 8 SH. CCD 699B must be taken for a total of 12 SH.