Education, PhD Specialization in Education Leadership

The PhD in Education, Education Leadership specialization focuses on how leadership, policy, and research influence and directly impact education at the local, state, national, and international levels.

The Education Leadership doctorate specialization allows for flexible academic planning and research according to participants' interests, career goals, and learning format. PhD participants have five years to complete all course work and an additional four years to complete the dissertation. The total time to degree should be no more than nine years.

PhD students are required to complete three portfolios at different stages in their program. Each student must demonstrate competence in oral and written English, mastery of knowledge and skills in the area of professional expertise, and the ability to apply general and specific knowledge and skills to significant educational problems.

Core Requirements

All students pursuing the PhD in education take the following core courses, and dissertation:

General Culture (3 credits)

EDUC 800: Ways of Knowing (3 credits) ( OR EFHP860. EFHP 860 is for Kinesiology concentration students only. Other students should select EDUC 800. Course should be taken 1st semester.)

Research Methods (15 credits)

EDRS 810: Problems and Methods in Education Research (3 credits) (2nd semester)
EDRS 811: Quantitative Methods in Educational Research (3 credits)
EDRS 812: Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (3 credits)

Choose two from below:

EDRS 818: Critical Discourse Analysis in Education Research (3 credits)
EDRS 820: Evaluation Methods for Educational Programs and Curricula (3 credits)
EDRS 821: Advanced Applications of Quantitative Methods (3 credits)
EDRS 822: Advanced Applications of Qualitative Methods (3 credits)
EDRS 823: Advanced Research Methods in Single Subject/Case Design (3 credits)
EDRS 824: Mixed Methods Research: Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (3 credits)
EDRS 825: Advanced Research Methods in Self-Study of Professional Practice (3 credits)
EDRS 826: Qualitative Case Study Methods (3 credits)
EDRS 827: Introduction to Measurement and Survey Development (3 credits)
EDRS 828: Item Response Theory (3 credits)
EDRS 830: Hierarchical Linear Modeling (3 credits) *
EDRS 831: Structural Equation Modeling (3 credits)
EDRS 832: Document Analysis and Archival Research (3 credits)
EDRS 833: Participatory Action Research (3 credits)
EDRS 897: Special Topics in Research Methods (3 credits)

Specialization Required Courses (24 credits)

EDLE 801: Contemporary Organization Theory (3 credits)
EDLE 802: Leadership and Decision Making (3 credits)
EDLE 812: Education Law (3 credits)
EDLE 813: Social and Political Forces in Education Leadership (3 credits)
EDLE 814: Education Finance and Human Resources (3 credits)
EDLE 816: Instructional Leadership-Curriculum Policy and Practice (3 credits)
EDLE 818: Instructional Leadership-Supervision Policy and Practice (3 credits)

One of the following:

EDLE 895: Emerging Issues in Administration and Supervision (3 credit hours)
EDUC 870: Education Policy: Process, Context, and Politics (3 credit hours)
EDUC 897: Independent Study for the Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Research Electives

Choose at least 3 additional credits from the following

EDUC 897: Independent Study for the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (1 - 6 credits)

EDUC 994: Advanced Internship in Education (3 credits) (Students who wish to earn administrative licensure must take EDUC 994 with an Education Leadership faculty member. )

Dissertation Proposal and Research (12 credits)

EDUC 998: Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (Must register for 3 credits)

EDUC 999: Doctoral Dissertation Research (1 - 9 credits)

Portfolio

Students complete an educational portfolio as part of the requirement of the PhD in Education Program. The portfolio is an organized, selective collection of documents designed to facilitate a student's academic and professional development, and to provide a basis for evaluation degree progress. The portfolio represents the scope and depth of a student's goals, plans, and accomplishments in coursework, independent study, research, internships, and other advanced learning activities. The portfolio thus provides both a vehicle for self-reflection and a comprehensive record of a doctoral student's experiences and ongoing progress toward academic and professional goals.

Administrative Licensure

Students whose primary specialization is Education Leadership may take courses to fulfill Virginia requirements for licensure in Administration and Supervision PK-12.

Reduction of Credit

The PhD in Education requires 75 credits, however students must have a master's degree before being admitted to the PhD in Education so receive an initial 9-credit reduction. In addition, admitted students may receive an additional reduction of 9 credits bringing the minimum coursework requirement total (including dissertation proposal and research) to 57 credits. This reduction needs to be approved by the program advisory committee. For Education Leadership students, the program as listed includes the 18-credit reduction. For information about reduction of credit, see the program requirements in the George Mason University catalog.

This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.