PhD Education Leadership Specialization
The PhD in Education with a specialization in education leadership (EDLE) is individualized, interdisciplinary, and experiential. Students plan their own programs to meet self-defined goals with the guidance and support of faculty advisors. EDLE courses can be applied to primary or secondary specialization areas.
If you have questions about this specialization, please contact the specialization representative, Seth Hunter.
About the Specialization
The Education Leadership Specialization focuses on how leadership, policy, and research influence and directly impact education at the local, state, national, and international levels. This specialization allows for flexible academic planning and research according to participants' interests, career goals, and learning format.
What Will You Learn?
The specialization features coursework and applied internships that enable you to learn:
- Theory and research in education leadership
- Foundational knowledge about education leadership
- Research methodologies to address a variety of education leadership topics
- Specialized knowledge in education leadership related to your area of interest
How Will You Learn?
Your advisor will guide your doctoral experience by supplementing coursework with professional experiences, including:
- Attending and/or presenting at professional conferences
- Independent study
- Teaching and/or co-teaching
- Writing, editing, and reviewing for scholarly journals
Where Can This Specialization Take You?
Graduates of this specialization hold professional positions such as:
- Academic faculty at post-secondary institutions
- Consultants with private companies, education and research think tanks, and non-government organizations
- Leaders in major K-12 school districts
What Are Our Students Saying?
"Being a student at Mason with such a diverse community has enriched my experiences and prepared me to be a reflective leader in education. The faculty here has always fostered my commitment to personal development and motivation to make change."~ Moonhee Doan, current student
“My experience at Mason instilled an appreciation for critical inquiry and empirical research that I’ve found to be useful both professionally and personally.”~ Adam McGeehan, 2020 graduate
"My experience at Mason has allowed me to learn from great education leaders and educators in the field. My passion for education has been cultivated into concrete goals that I can see myself accomplishing as an education scholar. I am able to identify and assess the lens with which I view the world and be propelled forward as a learner and future scholar."~ Fardousa Wardere, current student
Specialization Courses
Each student prepares an individual program of study in consultation with their Program Advisory Committee. The following courses can be taken as part of a student’s primary or secondary specialization coursework:
- 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)
- EDLE 895: Emerging Issues in Administration and Supervision (3 credits)
- EDUC 870: Education Policy: Process, Context, and Politics (3 credits)
- EDUC 897: Independent Study for the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (1-6 credits)
- EDUC 994: Advanced Internship in Education (3 credits)
See additional coursework required as part of the PhD in Education degree.
Our Graduates
Adam Mcgeehan, PhD 2020
- Dissertation Title: Putting Fit Together: How School Leaders Conceptualize “Fit” and Operationalize the Hiring Process to Attain It
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Seth Hunter & Dr. Samantha Viano
- Employment on Graduation: Central Office, Fairfax County Public Schools
Jennifer Rowan, PhD 2020
- Dissertation Title: Attitudes and Perceptions of Principals in Ubiquitous Learning Environments Using a Mixed Method Approach
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Roberto Pamas
Michael Humphreys, PhD 2020
- Dissertation Title: Elementary School Leaders' Perspectives on Providing Movement Opportunities to the Students They Serve
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Robert Smith & Dr. Dominique Banville
- Employment on Graduation: Central Office
Buti Mubarak, PhD 2019
- Dissertation Title: The Perceptions of Elementary School Principals in Bahrain on the Principal Evaluation System and Its Impact on Instructional Behaviors
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Seth Hunter & Dr. Robert Smith
- Employment on Graduation: Embassy of Kingdom of Bahrain
Keith Anthony, PhD 2019
- Dissertation Title: Mastering Conditions in Education through Hip-Hop and Spoken Words
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Robert Smith & Dr. Regina Biggs
Amanda Wagner, PhD 2019
- Dissertation Title: The Contributing Factors to Teacher Retention and Attrition and the Impact of Principals on Those Decisions
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Robert Smith
- Employment on Graduation: Director, K-12 Research & Professional Services at Hanover Research
Tharon Washington, PhD 2019
- Dissertation Title: The Impact of African-American Male Principals on African-American Male Students in Two All-Male Urban Schools
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Alvin Crawley
Steven Nagy, PhD 2019
- Dissertation Title: Sense of Belonging, School Climate, and Teacher-Student Relationships through Sustainable Leadership: An International Case Study
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Robert Smith
Nick Humbert, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: Adequacy of Decision-Making for Virginia Public High School Assistant Principals and an Examination of Job Satisfaction and Job Efficacy
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Robert Smith
David Landeryou II, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: Value Added Model of Teacher Evaluation: An Examination of Administrators’ Leadership
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Robert Smith
- Employment on Graduation: Principal
Meredith Mitchell, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: Instructional Leadership for a 21st Century Learning Initiative: How Principals and Teacher Leaders Facilitate Organizational Learning
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Robert Smith
Patrick Mitchell, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: Should I Stay or Should I Go: Teacher Working Conditions and Commitment
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Roberto Pamas
Student Accomplishments

Faculty Specialization Representative
-
Seth Hunter
PhD, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University
Primary Faculty
-
Regina Biggs
PhD, Loyola University Chicago -
Maureen Marshall
EdD, Virginia Tech -
Roberto Pamas
EdD, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University -
Farnoosh Shahrokhi
EdD, George Washington University -
Anthony Terrell
PhD, George Mason University -
Samantha Viano
PhD, Vanderbilt University