Become the Type of Educational Leader the World Needs
Graduates of the Doctor of Education program will develop educational visions and skills in leading K-12 educational institutions of the 21st century. They will refine their understanding of and leadership skills in relation to diversity, inclusiveness, globalism in education, social responsiveness, and data-based decision making. They will become knowledgeable of the most recent developments in the field of education, personnel development, and leadership, broadly defined; will learn how to assess and alter their organization’s practices; and will have the capacity to initiate and implement research-based policies and best practice programs to benefit students, schools and communities.
What to Expect
Our Doctor of Education degree is earned by engaging in intensive study of research design and content knowledge, culminating in the development, implementation, and completion of an approved doctoral dissertation. The program is designed to increase the student’s level of professional expertise in the fields of school and district/regional leadership and to develop the skills necessary to initiate and implement sound educational policy and research-based programs through supervisory, curricular, and/or administrative roles.
Program Philosophy
The guiding philosophy of the program is composed of several key components integrated into the program through expectations, coursework and mentorship. Students are challenged to work toward integrating the following into their academic performance and professional lives:
- Openness to new ideas
- Structured and strategic inquiry
- Research-based practice
- Intellectual and instructional leadership
- Critical thinking
- Systemic critique and reform
- Social justice and ethical practice
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Critical self-reflection
- Personal, program, system and community interconnectivity
- Embracing community inclusion and diversity
- Ongoing professional development and lifelong learning
Admission Requirements
- A graduate application, including personal statements.
- A master’s degree in education from an accredited institution with a recommended GPA of 3.5 or better.
- One official transcript from each college, university or professional school attended.Transfer credits included on a transcript must include grades earned; if not, an official transcript from the original school must be submitted. Transcripts must be sent from the issuing school in a sealed envelope and contain the appropriate signatures and seals to be considered official.
- Successful completion of courses in the following four areas (at the master's level, unless otherwise approved by the program coordinator): Curriculum Development and Design, Educational Research, Inclusive Education, and Instructional Technology.
- A minimum of three letters of recommendation from individuals in a position to evaluate the applicant’s qualifications for graduate study and/or field-related work experience, including at least one from a professor familiar with the student’s writing skills and level of critical thinking.
- A minimum of five years of experience working as an educational leader (e.g., school/district-level administrator, mentor, teacher, educational organization leader).
- A current résumé.
- An interview with the Admissions Committee, if deemed necessary/beneficial by the Admissions Committee after the initial review of the application.
- In exceptional cases, after reviewing an applicant's academic record, the Director may request GRE or MAT scores if needed.
- International applicants should visit www.arcadia.edu/international for detailed information on admissions requirements and application procedures. Official results from the TOEFL or IELTS are required for all students for whom English is a second language except for non-native speakers of English who hold degrees or diplomas from post-secondary institutions in English-speaking countries (e.g., the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.) A course-by-course evaluation of all transcripts by an independent evaluation service based in the United States also is required.
Application Deadline
Because of the doctoral program’s cohort model, all students who enter in a given year begin the program together in the fall semester. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the cohort for that fall reaches capacity.
Deferred Admission
An accepted student who wants to defer his or her admission for one year must submit a request to do so in writing to the Dean of Graduate Studies and the Program Coordinator. Deferments will be granted by the Department on an individual basis. Once a deferral is granted, the student must submit the required deposit to reserve his or her position in the cohort. This deposit will be credited toward tuition. A student who is granted a deferment must understand that he or she will be subject to the prevailing tuition at the time of matriculation to the program.
Academic Policies and Procedures
Continuous Enrollment: Students must be enrolled continuously in the Ed. D. program. In case of a personal emergency, a student may petition the Dean of Graduate Studies for a leave of absence; however, this is not guaranteed.
Readmission: A student who has withdrawn from a graduate program for personal reasons, (that is, other than a dismissal for academic or ethical reasons) may reapply within one year of that withdrawal by sending a letter requesting reinstatement to the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Dean forwards that request to the appropriate departmental admissions committee, which will communicate its decision to the student. In some cases, a student may be asked to submit materials updating the original application. If the withdrawal was granted contingent upon some action(s) on the part of the student, the student also will be required to demonstrate that the recommended steps have been taken. If more than one year has elapsed, a completely new application must be submitted to the Office of Enrollment Management.
Time Limits: All coursework must be completed within five years of admission to study. Dissertation must be completed within five years of successful defense of the dissertation proposal (i.e., admission to candidacy).
Program Continuation: Students who are not making appropriate progress will be counseled out of the program at the end of a given year of coursework. Students who engage in any other activity that would support a reason for dismissal (cheating, plagiarism) may be asked to leave immediately or at the end of the semester. Continuance in the program for those with under a 3.0 GPA will be conditional for the next semester provided their grade point average improves to at least that level during that time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the program only for teachers and educational administrators?
The doctoral program in Educational Leadership is open to applicants from a variety of backgrounds and professional roles who envision themselves as leaders in public and private education organizations serving diverse school-aged populations. For example, students in the doctoral program have been teacher-leaders in their schools, supervisors of organizations dedicated to working with children, educational consultants, school- and district-level administrators, and university-level teacher educators.
How long does it take to complete the program?
Courses are taken sequentially for three years. A few students opt to complete their dissertation during that three-year period; however, most work on developing their dissertation proposal while taking courses and then implement their study during the fourth year, after their coursework is completed.
When are classes held?
Students take two courses each semester—during the fall, spring, and first summer sessions (there are not any classes during July or August). Classes are held on Thursdays from 4:30 - 10 p.m.; the first course runs from 4:30 - 7:10 p.m. and the second from 7:20 - 10 p.m. Because some classes utilize a hybrid in-person/online format, there are some Thursdays when students do not need to be on campus for the full-time block (such schedule details are provided at the beginning of each semester).
What does it mean that the doctoral program uses a “modified cohort model?”
To optimize students’ learning experiences and outcomes, a cohort of students enters the doctoral program each fall and remains together throughout their coursework. This approach has many benefits, such as facilitating professional collaboration and networking, providing a cohesive support system, and promoting continuity with learning goals. Although the goal is to have students progress through the program as a group, there are times when flexibility is necessitated, based on special and individual circumstances. For example, in response to a significant life event (e.g., birth of a child, change of job), a student might decide to take only one course during a particular semester, or take a short-term leave of absence (e.g., one semester or year). Because we allow for this type of schedule adjustment in certain situations, we call our approach a modified cohort model.
Can I transfer credits from other doctoral programs?
Up to six credits of relevant doctoral-level coursework from an accredited institution can potentially be applied towards Arcadia’s Ed.D. degree. Decisions about transfer credits are made by the Program Coordinator, on an individual student basis. Masters’-level coursework is not transferrable.
Do most students who enter the doctoral program successfully complete it?
Our doctoral program completion rate is very high, compared to the national average—approximately 85% vs. 45%, respectively. The cohort model and supportiveness of our program faculty are two of the factors we believe contribute to our high rate of success in this area.
Does completing the doctoral program result in administrative certification?
The doctoral program, itself, does not result in administrative certification. However, many of the competencies required for a variety of administrative certificates are embedded in the doctoral courses, so earning certification is streamlined. Students interested in certification meet individually with the coordinator of the Master’s Program in Educational Leadership to discuss options and develop a plan of study.
Do I need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
Students who earned a graduate degree from Arcadia within the last five years, with a cumulative GPA of ≥3.5, are not required to take the GRE. All other applicants must submit GRE scores (taken within the last five years). Although the GRE is preferred, the Miller Analogies Test is also accepted.
When can I apply?
Because of the doctoral program’s cohort model, all students who enter in a given year begin the program together in the fall semester. The Priority Application Deadline is March 1 and the Priority Deposit Deadline is June 1. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the cohort for that fall reaches capacity.
How do I apply?
View graduate application and instructions. Supporting credentials should be mailed to: The Office of Enrollment Management, Arcadia University, 450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038 or emailed to Graduate Programs Assistant, Andrea Soo at sooa@arcadia.edu.
Is financial aid available?
Although the federal and state governments do not offer grants or scholarship aid at the graduate level, listed below are the other types of assistance available to part-time graduate students. Visit Financial Aid Options and How to Apply for more information.
