Educational Leadership, Ed.D.

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Graduate Faculty: Byung-In Seo, Crystal Laura, Chandra Cabraal

Content Designations: EDDL

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership degree is designed to develop excellent educational leaders who are well rounded in research and theory in the organizational, sociological, legal, economic, political, philosophical, and historical foundations of education.

This program has been designed to prepare leaders for service in a variety of organizational settings. Components of the degree program include: the cohort model (wherein all candidates in the cohort begin and complete their core courses at the same time); application of theory to practice; action research; group presentations; theme-based and program-based seminars; frequent colloquia; and many other experiences deemed current and appropriate for doctoral students. Our expectations are that candidates completing the program will be prepared as knowledgeable and skilled practitioners fully equipped for success in a dynamic and changing world.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate acumen in writing, problem solving, data analysis, and the use of educational technology. Further, applicants are expected to demonstrate understanding of the principles, modes of inquiry, and content of educational administration and supervision.

Application Procedures

To apply for admission to this program, candidates should go to: https://www.csu.edu/graduateschool/ and then follow the instructions provided on this homepage in submitting their application online. Official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, (except CSU), are required. Questions about the application process should be directed to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies at Chicago State University, (773) 995-2404 or grad-admissions@csu.edu

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral program, applicants must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and present a record of prior academic performance that indicates potential for success in a doctoral program. Applicants with a grade point average of 3.5 or better (on a 4.00 scale) in all graduate work, and who satisfy other specific program requirements including personal interviews, are generally recommended for Full admission. There is no conditional admission for Ed.D. program.

In addition to meeting the university’s general admission requirements, the applicant must:

Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
Have successfully taken and completed, (from an accredited institution), at least one 3-semester-hour graduate-level course (with a grade of B or better), in each of the following areas:
- Educational Law.
- Curriculum Development and Learning Theories.
- Foundations of Finance; and
- Organizational Dynamics or Administration.
Submit three letters of recommendation, (which need to be uploaded directly by the referees into the online application system), from professors and/or administrators addressing the applicant’s potential for success in a doctoral program.
Submit (in the online application portal) a typed double-spaced goal statement, which describes the applicant’s reasons for pursuing an advanced degree in educational leadership.

Additional Required Documents for International Applicants Only:

Refer to Admission of International Student in the General Section of the catalog.

General Requirements

Admission to the program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department.

Students are responsible for meeting the program and College requirements in effect at the time they officially register in the program regardless of when they were admitted to the university.

Students are required to make satisfactory progress toward completion of the program. The department chair must approve any courses taken outside of the prescribed curriculum.

NOTE: Candidates must abide by all College policies, unless exceptions or adherence to higher expectations are noted in program documentation.

Ed.D. Educational Requirements

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program requires 54 semester hours of coursework, which include 42 credit hours of core courses and a minimum of 12 credit hours of dissertation writing. In addition to the required coursework, the doctoral program in Educational Leadership includes a qualifying examination (administered after the core coursework is completed), the dissertation and the dissertation defense.

Specific Course Requirements (54 credit hours)

*NOTE: Following admission to candidacy, a doctoral student must enroll for 1 to 6 dissertation hours every fall, spring, and summer term for a minimum of 12 semester hours until completion of dissertation. Candidates have seven (7) years from the date of admission to complete the program. May repeat for credit.

EDDL 6000 - Seminar in Doctoral Studies Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6001 - Research and Statistics I Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6002 - Curriculum and Instructional Theory Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6003 - Research and Statistics II Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6004 - Philosophical Foundations of Educational Leadership Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6005 - Public Policy and Politics of Education Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6006 - Introduction to Qualitative Research Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6007 - Advanced Qualitative Research Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6008 - Adult Learning and Distributed Leadership Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6009 - Educational Change and School Improvement Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6010 - Organizational Theory and Educational Leadership Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6011 - Program Evaluation and Student Assessment Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6012 - Critical Issues in Urban Educational Leadership Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6013 - Seminar in Research and Dissertation Development Credit Hours: 3
EDDL 6990 - Dissertation Credit Hours: 1 to 6 *