The cohort beginning Summer 2013 will exclusively be held at the UVA Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church, VA.
The Doctorate of Educational Leadership Program prepares individuals who recognize that America’s future depends on imagination, creativity, disciplined inquiry, and team work. The program was redesigned in 2011. It is unique in its approach, deeply engaging a cohort of school leaders in a community of practice, similar to what they will create, in turn, for professionals in their own workplaces. This approach will integrate knowledge and skills from a variety of relevant disciplines into a set of carefully designed learning experiences to transform individuals into evidence–based leaders.
Program Life
Executive Studies in Educational Leadership (ExSEL)
We understand that it takes extraordinary knowledge, commitment and skill to become effective leaders in education. Our classes are places where educators can reflect on educational institutions as they are and envision what they could become. It is our collective goal to pursue the creation of solutions to these challenges through our research, teaching and service to the field. As our students graduate and become educational leaders performing at the highest level, and as our research results in new thinking about leadership, the work of the faculty and students in the Executive Studies in Educational Leadership program at the Curry School is creating positive change in school districts and educational organizations around the country.
Prerequisites and Admission Requirements
Admissions for the newly designed Ed.D. program will be accepted in the late fall of 2010 for the inaugural cohort which will begin in Summer 2011. Admissions will be on a competitive basis with the following requirements for consideration.
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online application for admission;
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official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work;
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outstanding record as an educator with evidence of 1) innovation in current leadership role, 2) demonstrated ability to mobilize others to improve education, 3) interest in reflection and inquiry, and 4) commitment to improving educational delivery for students;
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official score reports for the Graduate Record Examination (scores must be less than five years old);
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two strong references for doctoral work;
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evidence of strong writing ability - submission of a writing sample describing an example of your leadership in 2000 words;
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statement of professional goals;and
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interview in person or by phone.
Application Due Date
The application due date is January 15th with acceptances to be determined by late February.
Degree Requirements
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Completion of a program of studies that includes 72 credits, including at least 60 credits for courses other than the capstone dissertation project. A maximum of 18 credits from the master’s program may be applied to the program with the approval of the doctoral committee. A minimum of 36 credits (not including dissertation credit) must be earned from the University of Virginia;
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Successful completion of twelve credits of the research sequence;
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Successful completion of written comprehensive examinations as determined by the doctoral committee. The comprehensives must be completed before taking the capstone seminar and drafting the capstone proposal;
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Completion of all capstone dissertation requirements, including defending a capstone proposal as determined by the student’s doctoral committee; gaining approval from the University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the protection of human subjects; planning and carrying out a research study (capstone dissertation) appropriate to the field of specialization; and passing an oral final examination on the capstone dissertation. All other requirements must be completed before this defense;
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All additional requirements as specified by the student’s doctoral committee and/or advisor;
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Department or area of specialization requirements; and
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Six core leadership courses will be organized in a sequence that arcs from a reflective consideration of leadership theory, to problem framing, to designing learning environments for students and educators, and then planning and implementing the distributed leadership practices necessary to transform learning environments. In addition a four-course sequence in Disciplined Inquiry will be focused on the development of a Practitioner-Scholar who is able to critique and consume traditional research, and is skilled in disciplined inquiry to address problems of practice. Electives will allow leaders to customize their program with an area of specialization, such as educational entrepreneurship, policy, technology, and innovation in curriculum and instruction.
Typical Length of Study
The Doctorate of Educational Leadership is a three-year, structured program offered in a cohort format to provide maximum support for a timely completion of the program.
Full or Part Time:
Course delivery will be tailored around the needs of working professionals with weekend classes and summer residencies. Program coherence and continuity will be sustained through online interaction in combination with the face to face contact on a monthly basis. The blended course delivery will permit ongoing communication among peers and instructors while maximizing the utility of face to face class meetings.
Course Overview
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Evidence Centered Leadership/Disciplined Inquiry
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Cohort Classes
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SUMMER - Year 1
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Fundamentals of Leadership Theory (3 cr.)
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Cognitive Dimensions of Leadership (3 cr.)
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FALL - Year 1
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Foundations of Applied Research (3 cr.)
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Envisioning the Possibilities (3 cr.)
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SPRING - Year 1
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Needs Assessment and Program Design (3 cr.)
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Designing Learning Environments (3 cr.)
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SUMMER - Year 2
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Electives
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Electives
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FALL - Year 2
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Process Analysis with Practicum Project (3 cr.)
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Optimizing Human Capital in an Organization (3 cr.)
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SPRING - Year 2
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Impact Benefit and Cost Analysis (3 cr.)
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Developing Organizational Capacity (3 cr.)
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SUMMER - Year 3
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Capstone (3 cr.)
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Electives
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FALL - Year 3
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Capstone (3 cr.)
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SPRING - Year 3
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Capstone (6 cr.)
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Sample Jobs After Graduation
Graduates of this program are expected to assume positions in a variety of school leadership venues including public and private schools, state and federal education agencies, and other organizations serving the professional needs of educators.
Contacts
