LET US HELP
Welcome to Capella
Select your program and we'll help guide you through important information as you prepare for the application process.
Leadership in Educational Administration
Doctor of Philosophy in Education
Prepare to take on a leadership role with an online PhD in Education, Leadership in Educational Administration from Capella University. The curriculum focuses on the research, leadership, management, and problem-solving skills needed for principals in today’s competitive K-12 environment. Upon completion of this program, you’ll be ready to pursue licensure as a K-12 principal.*
*It is important to understand all education and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. Not all programs are offered to residents of every state due to regulatory requirements. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.
Classes start January 6
Apply today with no application fee.
At a glance
- Online
- 4 Core courses
- 4 Specialization courses
- 2 Elective courses
- 7 Concentration courses
- 3 Virtual Residencies
- Comprehensive exam
- Dissertation
Reduce your tuition by $5,000
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
Explore leadership in educational administration courses
- This program requires a total of 92 quarter credits
- You’ll need to complete four core courses, four specialization courses, two elective courses, three virtual residencies, seven concentration courses, one comprehensive exam and one dissertation
Show all descriptions
ED6822
The Funding of Educational Institutions
4 quarter credits
Learners in this course examine a variety of public education funding issues. In particular, learners examine the effect of litigation and politics on present and future funding patterns and school finance reform. Learners also identify the ways politics have affected the allocation of resources at all levels of government. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. Prerequisite(s): ED5320 or ED7820. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.
4 quarter credits
ED7014
Leading Diverse Schools
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners evaluate approaches to creating an inclusive school environment that demonstrates respect and value for diverse staff and student populations. Learners assess communication and collaboration strategies that leverage the strengths of diversity to create an effective learning environment and examine the institutional, political, and legal factors that influence the ways schools address diversity issues. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
ED7541
Teacher Supervision and Evaluation
4 quarter credits
Learners assess current theories and best practices of teacher supervision and evaluation. Learners investigate instructional leadership and professional development as part of a systemic plan to improve student learning. This course requires access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. Prerequisite(s): ED7820. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
ED7820
Principles of Educational Administration
4 quarter credits
This course presents an overview of principles of P-12 education leadership theory and practice aligned with six National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) program standards. The course incorporates multimedia, including embedded simulations, to enhance presentation and understanding of concepts and issues in school or district leadership and administration. Learners also examine business and public administration models and explore theoretical constructs from various disciplines. This course requires interaction with practicing school or district administrators and access to a P-12 classroom and/or educational stakeholders in a P-12 school or district. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
What you'll learn
This degree is designed to help you develop and strengthen the knowledge, skills, attributes, and dispositions you need to successfully meet the challenges of an ever-changing educational system.
On successful completion of this degree program, you should be able to:
- Advance the field of education through influence
- Apply self-management skills including communication and completion of required paperwork, activities, clinical hours and alignments
- Facilitate the development of a shared vision of learning
- Promote the success of all persons
- Lead the development of a culture of learning
- Manage effective learning environments
- Effectively collaborate with multiple stakeholders
- Lead the field of education in an ethical manner
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career opportunities.
How much does the PhD in Education cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.
GuidedPath
A more structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–2 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$765 per credit, 77 coursework credits, 16 max transfer credits
Tuition breakdown
Program Phases
Comprehensive exam
$2,295 Per quarter
Comprehensive exam
$2,295
Per quarter
Dissertation
$2,295 Per quarter
Dissertation
$2,295
Per quarter
Internship
-
included in coursework costs; additional expenses such as site-required expenses not included. Minimum of 320 supervised internship hours.
Internship
-
included in coursework costs; additional expenses such as site-required expenses not included. Minimum of 320 supervised internship hours.
Fees
Resource kit fee
$175 Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Resource kit fee
$175
Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Application fee
$0 no application fee
Application fee
$0
no application fee
Tuition and program length are unique to you
Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:
- The program specialization you choose
- Scholarships and finances
- Prior coursework
- Transfer credits
- Employer and/or military benefits
- Number of quarters spent working on dissertation
- Complexity of your dissertation
- Academic performance
- School/work/life balance
- Unexpected life events
About cost scenarios
The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2024–25 Capella tuition rates and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing and pricing information is current as of Jan. 1, 2024. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price. You are responsible for paying your own travel costs related to residencies, including plane, hotel, and food expenses.
To discuss whether the specialization you’re interested in has additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.
Cost scenarios
Completes dissertation in 5 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the fastest 25% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $765/credit 12 quarters |
$53,015.00 |
| Comprehensive Exam 1 quarter |
$2,295.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,295/quarter 5 quarters |
$11,475.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$66,785.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-5,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$61,785.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 12 quarters |
$2,100.00 |
| Application fee: $0 no application fee |
$0 |
|
Est. Total with Scholarship Savings* 18 quarters |
$63,885.00 |
Completes dissertation in 7 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the median 50% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $765/credit 12 quarters |
$53,015.00 |
| Comprehensive Exam 1 quarter |
$2,295.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,295/quarter 7 quarters |
$16,065.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$71,375.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-5,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$66,375.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 12 quarters |
$2,100.00 |
| Application fee: $0 no application fee |
$0 |
|
Est. Total with Scholarship Savings* 20 quarters |
$68,475.00 |
Completes dissertation in 9 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the slowest 75% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $765/credit 12 quarters |
$53,015.00 |
| Comprehensive Exam 1 quarter |
$2,295.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,295/quarter 9 quarters |
$20,655.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$75,965.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-5,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$70,965.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 12 quarters |
$2,100.00 |
| Application fee: $0 no application fee |
$0 |
|
Est. Total with Scholarship Savings* 22 quarters |
$73,065.00 |
*Eligibility rules apply. Connect with us for details.
Get the details
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Are there scholarships available for doctoral degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future that’s within your reach. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. View our accreditations and recognitions.
Preparing for licensure
It is important to understand all education and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. Not all programs are offered to residents of every state due to regulatory requirements. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.
Capella University is not accepting applications into the PhD in Education, Leadership in Educational Administration program from residents of the states and/or territories listed below who intend to seek professional license or certification in the restricted state.
Current students who relocate to the following states or territories may not be able to complete site-based learning or other program requirements, fulfill residency requirements, or obtain professional licensure or certification in the state or territory: AL, AR, CT, GA, HI.
Get licensure details or contact an enrollment counselor for more information.
What are the PhD in Education admission requirements?
Applicants must provide the following information for admission to Capella programs and specializations:
- 3 years licensed teaching experience
- A master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International Student Requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
State enrollment restrictions
Capella University is not accepting applications into the PhD in Education, Leadership in Educational Administration program from residents of the states and/or territories listed below who intend to seek professional license or certification in the restricted state.
Current students who relocate to the following states or territories may not be able to complete site-based learning or other program requirements, fulfill residency requirements, or obtain professional licensure or certification in the state or territory: AL, AR, CT, GA, HI.
Get licensure details or contact an enrollment counselor for more information.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces that build on one another to help you earn your doctorate. You’ll have support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.
Articles and resources
Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.
10 ways to demonstrate leadership at work
Being a leader doesn’t always mean managing a team of people.
Doctoral Journey
What does it take to earn a doctoral degree? Learn more about the experience and explore each step of the journey.
What can you do with a PhD in Education degree?
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with a PhD in Education, Leadership in Educational Administration.
Related job titles to explore*
- Principal
- Assistant principal
- Director of instructional technology
- Director for student services
- Full-time faculty of education courses
- Director of instructional technology
- District program director
- Curriculum director
- Assessment and compliance coordinator
- Director for student services
Employment settings to explore
- K-12 public or private school
- K-12 virtual or charter school
- State education department
- School district office
- Land-based or online college or university
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.