phd in education programs in texas

College of Education

• Graduate Program

Educational Leadership Ed.D. (Virtual Online)

Attention Applicants : The Educational Leadership is a fully-synchronous online doctoral program at Texas Tech University is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).

Courses are offered 100% synchronous online with opportunities for students to meet, work, and collaborate in doctoral summer institutes. Texas Tech University is a member of the Carnegie Project for the Educational Doctorate (CPED) and utilizes CPED principles and a National Consortium of CPED Universities to meet the complex needs of school leaders.

Program Overview

The Program is designed to prepare executive school leaders who can identify and implement research-based solutions to high-leverage problems of practice within a PreK-12 school district context. In a three-year sequence of defined courses, students will have the opportunity to select from multiple study designs including conducting a problem of practice dissertation which will deepen their abilities to lead instructional change, identify problems of practice, implement interventions in their local educational organizations to improve student achievement. 

Program Handbook

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TTU’s Educational Leadership Program is a full institutional member of the University Council for Educational Administration

Texas Tech University and the TTU College of Education’s Educational Leadership (EDLD) Program earned full institutional membership in the national University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) in November 2022. This prestigious national organization recognizes the outstanding graduate-level (master’s and doctoral) K-12 leadership development programming and extensive university–school district partnership efforts of the College of Education’s Educational Leadership Program Faculty by officially welcoming TTU and the TTU College of Education into UCEA’s national consortium of higher education institutions.

UCEA is dedicated to advancing the preparation of educational leaders for the benefit of K-12 schools and students. UCEA fulfills its mission by disseminating and supporting graduate program development work of its member institutions and offering networking and advancement opportunities to educational leadership and policy scholars in all stages of their professional careers. The UCEA organization positively influences local, state, and national education policy within the disciplines of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Our TTU EDLD faculty and graduate students look forward to supporting the UCEA mission by continuing our efforts in researching and addressing essential problems of schooling, improving the preparation of educational leaders, and shaping education policies that can benefit diverse populations of learners.

Degrees Offered

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Career Opportunities With This Program

While traditional programs have been deemed to be preparation for central office leadership and the superintendent's role, the focus of the Educational Leadership Ed.D. program is to enhance and add value to leadership at both the campus and district organizations to positively impact student learning in PreK-12 classrooms. The program includes superintendent professional certification preparation as part of its integrated curriculum design.

Application Materials

Applicants must have a master's degree in Educational Leadership or equivalent, to be considered for this program.

College Transcripts – Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to the Graduate School application . Information on submitting official transcripts will be provided to you by the Graduate School. Grade reports or unofficial transcripts from university web portals will not be accepted. Please redact the Social Security Number anywhere it appears on your transcript. If documents are written in a language other than English, a copy of a complete and official English translation must be provided with the original language records.

Required Supplemental Application Materials

Resume, Personal Statement of Interest, 3 Professional Recommendations, Response to EDLD Problem of Practice Prompt (see Program Handbook for details). Download a comprehensive list of requirements.

Application Process

Please visit the Graduate Application Process for more information on how to apply.

Estimated Hours to Completion

66 hours (54 credit hours of coursework, 12 credit hours dissertation research), plus 30 post-Master's transfer hours for a total of 96* credit hours

* Students seeking superintendent certification should contact Dr. Irma Almager ( [email protected] ).

Semester in which the program can be started

The program admits in the Summer semester.

Tuition & Fees

Use the Student Business Services Tuition Estimator to estimate your costs.

Chance Webb Academic Advisor/Admissions Office of Graduate Admissions & Enrollment [email protected] 806-834-6768

Claudet, Joseph G., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Educational Leadership Educational Psychology & Leadership [email protected] 806-834-1076

• Delivery : Online (synchronous classes)
• Hours to Completion: 96*
• Maximum Transfer Hours: 30

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Doctoral Programs

Ph.d. in teaching, learning, and culture.

The Ph.D. in Teaching, Learning, and Culture will prepare professionals who will conduct research that will enhance the national debate about aims in education, standards and equity, especially for the U.S./Mexico border region and the State of Texas.

The program seeks to develop knowledge in important areas relevant to urban education, the southwest border region, Texas and beyond. Graduates will be knowledgeable about implications of shifting demographics and cross-cultural teaching and learning. They also will be prepared to:

• Conduct research using appropriate methodologies to study curriculum and instruction;
• Design innovative instructional strategies to promote the cognitive and social development of all learners;
• Expand on the existing pedagogical knowledge base about learners from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds;
• Utilize effective and innovative educational research and evaluation designs and processes;
• Provide significant contributions to the research literature on educational reform.

Doctor Of Education (ED.D.)

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree program in Educational Leadership and Administration offers students opportunities to develop the added knowledge, skills and experiences necessary for leadership roles in educational settings. Typically, graduates of the doctoral program prepare for positions in three general career areas:

• central office and school site leadership,
• leadership in higher education and other educational settings, and
• leadership in educational policy and evaluation.

Unique program features include emphasis on educational leadership issues along the U.S.-Mexico border with opportunities for research in this cultural and linguistically diverse region, and a cohort program that provides a sense of community and mutual support during students’ doctoral experiences.

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E: [email protected] P: (915) 747-5572 F: (915) 747-5755

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The doctor of education, admission to candidacy.

The Doctor of Education (EdD) is a professional degree that emphasizes preparation for the highest levels of educational practice. It provides academic training and educational service experiences for individuals who will have leading roles in educational practice and who will help define the scope and functions of education in society. Programs are oriented toward the application of theory and research to issues of education and human development and to the development of skilled practitioners to fill a variety of roles in institutions that educate children, youth, and adults.

Students in educational leadership and policy complete a treatise; those pursuing the EdD in other fields complete a dissertation. Most policies affecting the EdD are similar to those described for the  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) , such as the requirement for a minimum of 30 semester hours of advanced coursework, including dissertation or treatise hours. Additional policies on admission to the program and to candidacy are given below.

In addition to the requirements for admission to the Graduate School, each department may require evidence of successful performance in an educational setting and evidence of interpersonal problem-solving skills and other skills useful for predicting success in professional educational roles. The applicant must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited United States institution or the equivalent.

In addition to the requirements listed for the PhD degree, the curriculum must have a clear and predominantly applied focus. The student’s program normally entails an internship in an operational setting that is distinct from previous or concurrent work experience.

In addition to the requirements listed for the PhD degree in regard to the Dissertation Committee, at least one member of the committee must be from outside the major program or from the field of practice represented by the dissertation.

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Explore Programs

Educational leadership and policy studies - doctorate (phd).

DEGREE OVERVIEW

The Ph.D. in educational leadership challenges the conventional wisdom that K-12 and postsecondary education are different worlds by bringing together scholars and students from all levels of education to work and study together with the goal of addressing systemic barriers that prevent so many individuals from achieving their fullest potential.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

• Students receive a broad foundation in K-16 leadership and policy.
• Candidates are part of a cohort throughout their required coursework, leading to the dissertation.
• Because most of the students in the program work full-time, they are required to take only six graduate credit hours per semester.
• Required courses are offered Monday and Thursday evenings.
• There are 10 required core courses offered in five consecutive semesters (Including the first summer).
• Students also take six elective courses prior to beginning their dissertation.
• Most students complete the program in four to five years.
• The B.A - Ph.D track provides a way for master’s students to start doctoral studies earlier.
• Admissions requirements
• Degree curriculum
• Degree information in the University Catalog
• Program accreditation

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The program is designed for candidates seeking careers in institutional assessment, policy analysis, K-12 leadership, higher education administration, student affairs, or the professoriate.

WHY CHOOSE US?

• Only program in the area with a K-16 focus
• Strong cohort support
• Students assigned supervising professor upon admission
• Students assigned a peer mentor upon admission

GET STARTED

Take the next step toward investing in yourself by learning more about our Educational Leadership and Policy Studies - DOCTORATE (PHD) program.

Apply Today

If you're ready, so are we. The next step is to apply. Applying for admission is easy, and we're here to work with you every step of the way.

PROGRAM CONTACT

Name: Dr. Leaf Zhang

Phone: 817-272-2956

Email: [email protected]

Learn more about this program on the Department or College website.

Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

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UNIVERSITY CATALOG

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If you wish to apply follow this link.

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