The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Leadership engages students in connecting theory to practice while applying criticality and scholarship in areas of educational leadership involving equity and social justice. The Educational Leadership PhD program offers an emphasis on educational leadership and research that addresses complex issues of social justice, equity, and innovative change. The course work and research are designed to give students a comprehensive knowledge of the field and of research design and methods with an emphasis on a particular area of interest. Students are guided to think critically and to do independent research.
Graduates of the program may assume faculty or researcher positions in K-12 education, higher education, or assume leadership positions in local and state education agencies. They may enter a new career or strengthen their current position in schools, universities or community organizations.
The Doctor of Philosophy of Education (PhD) in Educational leadership consists of two concentrations: General and Higher Education. In addition, the degree program offers licensure and endorsement opportunities: Superintendent Endorsement, Teacher Leader Endorsement, and Principal Licensure.
Concentrations
Educational Leadership General
The Educational Leadership General Concentration provides a rich knowledge base from which to research and analyze administrative practices and promote socially just leadership of schools and organizations with an educational purpose, with focuses on PK-12 education or related fields. This program is uniquely designed to link theory with practice and is not based on traditional assumptions about the relationships of theory with practice or on conventional notions about the status of practitioners and theorists.
The program's schedule allows students to attend full-time or part-time. Graduates of the program may wish to enter into a new career or strengthen their knowledge-base for their current position. Career options may include leadership positions in PK-12 or related fields in local and state education agencies, faculty positions in higher education, and leaders in educational policy and advocacy in related organizations and institutions.
Higher Education
The Higher Education Concentration in the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program provides a rich knowledge base to analyze administrative practices and promote socially just leadership of colleges, universities, and other related organizations with an educational purpose. This program is uniquely designed to link theory with practice and is not based on traditional assumptions about the relationships of theory with practice or on conventional notions about the status of practitioners and theorists.
The program's schedule allows students to attend full-time or part-time. Graduates of the program may wish to enter into a new career or strengthen their knowledge-base for their current position. Career options may include faculty positions in higher education, leadership positions in local and state education agencies, or leaders in educational policy and advocacy in related organizations and institutions.
Licensures and Endorsements
Superintendent Endorsement Option
The Doctoral program's Educational Leadership concentration is an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) approved program for the Superintendent endorsement. The Superintendent endorsement requires an additional four quarter hours for the internship course. ISBE states the following guidelines:
Individuals seeking the Superintendent endorsement must possess:
- a master's degree with a GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
- proof of two years of teaching experience on a valid Illinois teaching license
- proof of two years of full-time administrative experience on a valid administrative license with the general administrative endorsement
- proof of passing the Basic Skills/TAP and Superintendent content-area tests.
Upon completion of the Superintendent program and the endorsement's additional requirements, students must apply for the endorsement. Students are to work with the College of Education's Licensure Officer when applying for the endorsement.
Teacher Leader Endorsement Option
To be eligible for the Teacher Leader endorsement program, students must possess:
- a bachelor's degree and master's degree from an accredited college or university,
- a valid teaching license
- at least two years of teaching experience
- proof of passing the Basic Skills or Test of Academic Proficiency.
Principal Licensure
The principal licensure program at DePaul University is an approved Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) program. It is a rigorous program preparing principals and assistant principals for work service in public and private schools in the state of Illinois.
To be eligible for the Principal Licensure program, students must possess:
- a master's degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 2.75 or higher at the undergraduate level and a 3.25 or higher at the graduate level.
- a valid Illinois teaching license
- at least two years of full-time successful teaching experience
- proof of passing the basic skills or test of academic proficiency.
Concentrations
- General (degree only)
- General plus Superintendent Endorsement
- General plus Teacher Leader Endorsement
- General plus Principal Licensure
- Higher Education (degree only)
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | 80 |
| Total hours required | 80 |
Students will be able to:
- Design and conduct original research in their chosen fields of concentration.
- Facilitate, develop, and implement a shared notion of learning and curriculum from input of all district-wide stakeholders.
- Identify, understand, and apply relevant theory to create a professional learning community of growth for all district-wide stakeholders.
- Understand, utilize, and assess processes and policies for district-wide procedures with respect to efficient operations and management.
- Identify, understand, and apply legal standards to prevent, mitigate, and redress harm to all district side stakeholders.
- Understand, implement, and evaluate all practices to ensure success of all students through integrity and fairness.
Concentration Specific Outcomes
Educational Leadership (General)
- Demonstrate knowledge in relevant significant domains in educational leadership with K- 12 settings, including areas such as historical, political, social, legal, and economic contexts in which educational systems operate.
- Demonstrate the management, decision making, conflict and change management, communication and unique approaches to leadership within the context of K-12 educational settings.
Educational Leadership (Higher Education)
- Demonstrate knowledge in relevant significant domains in educational leadership and higher
- education, including areas such as historical, political, social, legal, and economic contexts in which educational systems operate.
- Demonstrate the management, decision making, conflict and change management, communication and unique approaches to leadership within the context of higher education.
College Requirements
Dispositions
The academic programs within the College of Education have set forth these dispositions as educational and professional expectations for all students. Students should be aware that failing to abide by DePaul University or College of Education policies including, under certain circumstances, these dispositions, could result in adverse consequences for the student, including removal from his or her program, the College of Education, or the University.
- Is receptive to faculty feedback and acts meaningfully and professionally upon suggestions
- Reflects on his or her own progress and identifies strengths and weaknesses, including evaluating strategies for success, finding alternatives for inappropriate strategies, and modifying future practices
- Demonstrates a positive attitude and commitment to the profession
- Demonstrates thoughtful, effective verbal and non-verbal communication and listening skills
- Respects and considers cultural contexts in order to determine how to be responsive to learners and to proactively promote all students' learning
- Is committed to collaboration with colleagues, families, and communities in order to promote all students' learning and development
- Demonstrates professional ethical and legal behavior as defined by the respective codes of ethics and laws
- Recognizes and fulfills professional responsibilities and habits of conduct (e.g., dress, language, preparedness, attendance, punctuality, etc.)
- Demonstrates concern for and protection of safety and well-being of others
Degree Conferral and Graduation
The awarding of a degree is not automatic. You must submit an application to be considered for the degree. DePaul awards and posts degrees at the end of each regular academic term (autumn, winter, spring, summer).
It is your responsibility to initiate the degree conferral application process by submitting an online application. Submitting an application means you intend to finish your degree requirements by the end of the term for which you have applied.
Graduate students must be approved for student teaching and complete student teaching, seminar, and induction courses to be cleared for the degree. Student must submit graduation application for the quarter you are completing the final course (student teaching is considered a course).
After you submit the application, you cannot register for any term after the one selected in the application.
To apply for degree conferral, log on to Campus Connection. Select FOR STUDENTS, then GRADUATION, then APPLY FOR DEGREE CONFERRAL. On screen instructions will take you through the application process.
Provided that all requirements and financial obligations are met, degrees are posted 30 days after the official end of the term. Official dates are listed on the Academic Calendar.
DePaul holds one commencement ceremony each year in June. If you intend to participate, you must first apply for degree conferral for the current academic year and then submit a cap and gown order. Honors are not announced at the ceremony for undergraduates completing their final courses in spring quarter because a final GPA is not available at the time of the ceremony.
Additional information about degree conferral and graduation can be found on the College of Education website.
PhD Degree Requirements
Specific degree requirements are determined according to the concentration chosen by the student. Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) concentrations are available in General and Higher Education.
Please review the concentration requirements pages for more information.
Please note: a dissertation of original research is completed for all Educational Leadership PhD concentrations in conjunction with faculty advisement. Preparation for the writing of the dissertation includes a Candidacy Paper and Dissertation Proposal. Oral examination for Candidacy, Dissertation Proposal and Dissertation are required. Consult the Doctoral Program Handbook for additional information.
Academic Standards
Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 prior to the completion of 36 credit hours and 3.3 after the completion of 36 credit hours. Students are allowed no more than two grades of “C.” Upon receiving a third grade of “C,” students must retake the class in which the grade was received. Grades of “D” and “F” require that the course be retaken.
Concentrations, tracks and specializations provide focus to the major. In addition to any college core requirements and major requirements, students are required to choose one of the following: