Educational Administration and Foundations - P-12 (CPED) Administration Doctoral Program 

The Department of Educational Administration and Foundations is a Phase III member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) which seeks to build sustainability and capacity in education leaders by integrating school improvement research into training for aspiring P-12 leaders. This concentration:

1. Is framed around questions of equity, ethics, and social justice to bring about solutions to complex problems of practice.
2. Prepares leaders who can construct and apply knowledge to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, organizations, and communities.
3. Provides opportunities for candidates to develop and demonstrate collaboration and communication skills to work with diverse communities and to build partnerships.
4. Provides field-based opportunities to analyze problems of practice and use multiple frames to develop meaningful solutions.
5. Is grounded in and develops a professional knowledge base that integrates both practical and research knowledge, that links theory with systemic and systematic inquiry.
6. Emphasizes the generation, transformation, and use of professional knowledge and practice.

Within the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations, the P-12 Administration Doctoral concentration is designed for educators who hold a master's degree, have Licensure or a Type 75 Certificate (General Administrative-Principal), and have some building or district leadership experience. Candidates should possess good academic and leadership credentials. Those with a Type 75 Certificate, at least two years administrative leadership experience, and seeking administrative positions work toward a Doctoral degree. In addition, students may also complete requirements for Superintendent or Chief School Business Official endorsement on a professional educator license.

Program Features

• Courses are taught by full-time tenure track faculty, some of whom have practical administrative experience and others who bring a theoretical perspective.
• 60 hours of coursework, a doctoral examination, 15 dissertation hours, and a residency requirement.
  • Overview of the CPED dissertation process for EAF students
• Applies knowledge that promotes the success of every student, aligning with the Educational Leadership Constituent Council's (ELCC) district-level standards.
• Connects theory to practice with emphasis on the department's Conceptual Framework.
• Two courses are delivered on-campus Wednesdays with the first course starting at 4 p.m. 
• Some blended/online options for select courses.
• Students have eight years to complete the degree.