PHD Doctor of Philosophy in Education Leadership in Education Administration specialization

Courses

Total program credits needed for graduation: 120

Core Courses

16 course quarter credits.

Specialization Courses

16 course quarter credits.

In addition, choose one of following emphases:

For a School Leadership emphasis

24 course quarter credits.

For a District Leadership emphasis

24 course quarter credits.

Ten Elective Courses

40 quarter credits

Recommended elective courses:

OR

Choose any graduate course(s).

Comprehensive Examination and Dissertation Coursework

24 course quarter credits. Upon completion of required coursework:

Learners must enroll in ED9960 a minimum of four times to fulfill their specialization requirements.

*This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor or refer to the course descriptions for more information.

^† Learners in the School Leadership emphasis are required to take the Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA 6022) and submit their scores during ED7902. Learners are responsible for any costs associated with this assessment.

^‡ Learners in the District Leadership emphasis are required to take the Praxis School Superintendent Assessment (SSA 6021) and submit their scores during ED7904. Learners are responsible for any costs associated with this assessment.

Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure and salary benefits. It is the learner's responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for their states. Where applicable, teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether a program may qualify for salary advancement. For more information on licensure, visit our licensure page.

In Minnesota, learners who wish to add endorsements to existing administrative licenses must complete additional field work. To expand an elementary or secondary license to K-12, learners must complete a second 200-hour internship. To add a principal endorsement to a superintendent endorsement in Minnesota (or vice versa), the internship is 320 hours (MR, 3512.0200, Subp.3.).

Learners seeking licensure in Arizona must secure a Structured English Immersion endorsement (SEI). Capella University has an alliance with Rio Salado College regarding course work for the SEI endorsement. Learners needing this endorsement should contact Academic Advisement to discuss the necessary courses and the application process at Rio Salado College.

The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners requires graduates to first earn a Minnesota license and (if applicable) endorsement prior to applying for an Iowa license or endorsement. Capella assists learners seeking an Iowa license with understanding the Minnesota requirements and contacting state educator licensing offices. An Iowa resident seeking subsequent licensure from the Iowa Board of Education Examiners must contact that Board for licensure requirements in Iowa. See the education licensure page for contact information.

This specialization has not been reviewed or approved by Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania residents will have to apply and meet requirements for certification as out-of-state candidates.

North Carolina residents are currently not eligible to enroll in this program.

Residency Requirement

To support your academic and professional success, residential colloquia provide learning and community-building experiences in a stimulating scholarly environment. For this specialization, you must complete three four-day colloquia (ED-R8921, ED-R8922, ED-R8923).

To learn more, call 1.866.933.5981 or email an enrollment counselor.

Transfer Credits

There are many ways to reduce tuition costs, including transferring credits which can help save time and money. You can transfer up to 48 credits into this specialization.

Sign Up for a Free One-Week Mini Course

Learn more about our online learning experience with a free one-week mini course.

Take a Single Course

You can enroll in any of our online courses without committing to a degree program. Simply sign up for a single course today — whether you're interested in a specific topic or just want to see if online learning is right for you. We recommend speaking first with an enrollment counselor to discuss your goals and ensure the credits you earn now can be applied to a degree program later.

To learn more, call 1.866.933.5981 or email an enrollment counselor.