Doctor of Education with a Major in Educational Leadership

The Doctorate (EdD) in Educational Leadership is a 45+ hour post-master’s professional degree for qualified candidates who wish to pursue the terminal degree in Educational Leadership. The program is designed to further develop experienced leaders in the areas of school improvement, strategic planning and institutional development, and other areas of critical need for the twenty-first century. The EdD program is designed to build candidates’ critical understanding and expert use of transformational leadership skills. Our goal is to develop school leaders who integrate thoughtful, globally minded leadership practices with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of effective educational leaders.  

This program will admit new students in Fall 2025.

The following are program-specific requirements beyond the general Graduate Admissions requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

• Earned Educational Specialist in education or a related field 

• Clear Renewable Georgia Leadership Certificate - you MUST hold a PL6, L6, or Tier II Leadership certification or comparable certificate from another state PRIOR to admission consideration. To print a copy of your Georgia clear, renewable certificate, you may log onto www.gapsc.com.

• Employment:  Current full-time employment as a professional educator with at least five years of teaching and/or administrative experience in P-12 education

• Professional Reflections Statement - Can be uploaded into the online application. Should be 1-2 pages and address your professional leadership training and interest, educational beliefs, professional goals, and why you seek to pursue your degree at KSU.

• Resume or Professional Vitae - Can be uploaded into the online application.

• Interview - An interview may be required. If so, you will be contacted by the program to set up an interview.

Admissions Criteria for Unique Cases

Currently there are no exceptions to the admissions requirements.

Transfer Credit

Ed.D. may accept up to 6 hours of approved credit.  

Transfer credit will not be accepted for the core course requirements that are central to the program’s distinctive focus. Consequently, transfer credit considerations will typically be restricted to courses in the concentration, guided electives, and the initial course in applied research methods. Decisions about the acceptability of transfer credit will be made on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the concentration advisor and Director of the Doctoral and Specialists Programs.

The Doctor of Education with a Major in Educational Leadership program leads to Professional Licensure.

Not all programs are available to residents in all states. Please check the institution's State Authorization and Professional Licensure website(s) to ensure you reside in an authorized state.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Georgia Professional Standards Commission