University of Kentucky®
Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) in
Education Sciences - Educational Leadership Option
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 46
CREDENTIALS Ph.D. Degree
COST PER CREDIT
$753.00
- UK Online
- All Programs
- Doctorate Degrees
- Education Sciences - Educational Leadership Option (Ph.D.)
About this Program
Our online Ph.D. in Education equips you with the skills and knowledge for impactful roles in academia and research, with a strong emphasis on leadership in educational settings. Whether you envision yourself as a university faculty member, a postdoctoral scholar, a social research scientist, or an educational innovator outside traditional environments, our program prepares you for success.
One of the standout features of our online Ph.D. in Education is its flexibility. You can complete your coursework from anywhere, with exams and your dissertation defense conducted remotely. You'll also participate in 5-6 live online sessions each semester to engage with faculty and peers. Plus, our week-long Doc Week on campus provides a fantastic opportunity for networking and collaboration. If you’re interested in taking the next step toward your educational goals, reach out to our program representative for more details!
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Designed For
This program is appropriate for educators, administrators, and policymakers who aspire to lead educational institutions or influence educational policy and reform at a systemic level. It also suits professionals interested in conducting research to improve educational practices, address equity issues, and enhance student outcomes across diverse educational settings.
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Learn more about the Education Sciences - Educational Leadership Option online program.
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What You’ll Learn
Our online Ph.D. in Education is designed for the working educational professional who wants to gain expertise for a research-intensive career, this rigorous, online program can be completed in as little as four years. Coursework covers three major areas: leadership (5 courses), research design and methods (5 courses), and a specialization area of your choice (4 courses).
Course Examples
- EDL 700 Knowledge Base
- EDL 701 Leadership in Educational Organizations I
- EDL 703 Leading Organizational Change
- EDL 702 Leadership for Organizational Learning
- EDL 704 Politics of Educational Leadership
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from the Education Sciences - Educational Leadership Option program to talk about your unique situation.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
Standard graduate admission requirements apply.
- A graduate degree (M.A. or equivalent) from an accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.5
- Completed a graduate-level basic statistics course with a grade of B or higher.
- Applicants are required to show they have passed a statistics course that covers basic descriptive statistics, correlation, normal distributions and hypothesis testing (including correlation and regression). To meet the requirement, you will be asked to provide documentation by August 15 of the semester you start classes. You can meet this requirement in one of three ways.
- Provide documentation of a previous course that covered the required content describe above. -OR-
- Complete EPE 558/EDP 558 before August 15th of the year of admission. -OR-
- Show proof of completion of the “Statistical Reasoning,” course offered through the Open Learning Initiative entitled: https://oli.cmu.edu/courses/statistical-reasoning-copy/. It’s self-paced and free for independent learners.
- Applicants are required to show they have passed a statistics course that covers basic descriptive statistics, correlation, normal distributions and hypothesis testing (including correlation and regression). To meet the requirement, you will be asked to provide documentation by August 15 of the semester you start classes. You can meet this requirement in one of three ways.
Application Requirements
On the UK Graduate School application, select the degree: Doctoral, Program: Education Sciences, Option: Educational Leadership
Standard graduate application requirements apply.
- Professional Resume: This should provide your name, contact information, postsecondary education (all degrees, years awarded, institution names, emphasis area), work experiences, professional certifications, professional memberships, publications, research experiences, and Honors/Awards.
- Personal Statement: Submit an up to 2-page personal statement addressing the following prompts. The paper should be double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-point font.
Why do you want to complete a Ph.D. in educational leadership studies?
Why have you chosen to apply to this particular program?
What are your interests as it relates to research in the area of educational leadership?
How does this program align with your career goal as an academician or researcher? - Academic Recommendation (Only email address required. Our system will ask them to upload their letter.): A recommendation from someone who has earned a doctoral degree and serves in an academic institution is preferred. This recommender should be able to speak to your ability to successfully navigate doctoral-level coursework and complete independent research.
- Professional Recommendation (Only email address required. Our system will ask them to upload their letter.): Recommender should be able to speak to your creativity, ability to navigate systems, and critical thinking skills.
- On-Demand Writing Assessment: Each applicant participates in an on-demand writing task as part of the application process. The assessment session is offered via Zoom on the following dates and times:
- September 12, 2024, 5:00 PM Eastern
- October 17, 2024, 5:00 PM Eastern
- November 14, 2024, 5:00 PM Eastern
- Prospective applicants must register in advance for the sessions via this link.
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025
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Join an upcoming information session to learn more about the program, curriculum and faculty
The program is a community of people who engage deeply on both theory and practice of leadership in a variety of contexts. The skills obtained in this program have been foundational in leading and fostering innovation among my teams.
Chithra AdamsWhy UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
No test scores required.
Pay the same online tuition rate, no matter where you live.
Degrees are conferred by the University of Kentucky, an accredited university.
Save money by paying for only 9 standard credit hours per semester, even if you take more.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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