Educational Leadership, Ed.D.

The Educational Leadership doctoral program requires a minimum of 90 graduate credits beyond the undergraduate degree, and 9-12 credits of dissertation work. Masters and CAS courses can count toward this 90-credit doctoral requirement, requiring 33-credit cohort sequence for most students. The program is designed for students to continue to work while studying, as the program typically requires only one night on campus per week.

Students typically complete this doctoral program in three years. Each semester (including summers) is made up of one graduate course, as well as a hybrid Seminar in Educational Leadership that is conducted both online and face-to-face. Coursework areas include:

  • Year 1: Qualitative and quantitative research, understanding research questions & literature reviews, developing your research focus, and examining increasingly diverse schools.
  • Year 2: Developing your own research questions, advanced research methods, completing your research practicum and qualitative exams, and centering equity in schools and districts.
  • Year 3: Completing your dissertation proposal, engaging in data collection, and writing your dissertation.

More information on academic requirements available in the Syracuse University Course Catalog.

Educational leadership students in a discussion circle in a classroom