Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs in Georgia

<p>The University of Georgia offers a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership degree program that is designed for current educational professionals and can be completed in 3 years of study through a cohort model. Students complete a research-driven dissertation, a leadership residency, and 55 hours of coursework that centers on topics related to education law, school improvement, and leading in a diverse environment. </p> <h2 id="section---GeorgiaSouthernUniversity"> Georgia Southern University</h2> <p>The EdD in Educational Leadership program at Georgia Southern University allows students the option of concentrating on P-12 school administration, higher education administration, or teacher leadership, and the program offers some online classes in addition to in-person classes. Along with coursework that could touch on grant development, higher education law and finance, and program evaluation, students are required to submit a dissertation. </p> <h2 id="section---GeorgiaStateUniversity"> Georgia State University</h2> <p>Georgia State University's on-campus EdD in Educational Leadership program aims to help prepare students for educational careers as principals, superintendents, or district administrators; it also offers students the opportunity to center their doctoral studies on advanced leadership or higher education administration. Students are required to complete core coursework related to organizational culture, instructional leadership, and central office leadership along with concentration-focused coursework, research, and a dissertation. </p> <h2 id="section---KennesawStateUniversity"> Kennesaw State University</h2> <p>Kennesaw State University has an EdD in Educational Leadership program that is for current educational professionals and school leaders who want to grow their careers and study topics such as educational policy, instruction and assessment, educational planning, and education economics. This program requires around 45 credits of dissertation hours and coursework that includes classes with a large field-based focus. </p> <h2 id="section---ValdostaStateUniversity"> Valdosta State University</h2> <p>Valdosta State University offers an online 55-credit EdD in Leadership degree program where students can choose a cognate area of study that best aligns with their career goals, including: </p> <ul><li>Special education leadership </li><li>Higher education leadership </li><li>Organizational leadership </li><li>Curriculum leadership </li><li>Technology leadership </li></ul><p>Possible coursework may focus on such topics as curriculum design, organizational theory, educational leadership skills, and adult learning programs, and students must also complete a dissertation project. </p> <h2 id="section---ClarkAtlantaUniversity"> Clark Atlanta University</h2> <p>Clark Atlanta University's EdD in Educational Leadership degree program includes a course of study that covers such areas as urban school administration, organizational leadership, personnel administration, and urban education politics. This program requires around 60 credit hours of coursework and a dissertation. </p> <h2 id="section---PiedmontCollege"> Piedmont College</h2> <p>The EdD in Educational Leadership degree program at Piedmont College requires that students complete about 63 credit hours that include coursework and a dissertation. This program has a special focus on the P-12 educational system and may prepare students for careers as college-level teachers or as school leaders. </p> <h2 id="section---MercerUniversity"> Mercer University</h2> <p>Mercer University offers a PhD in Educational Leadership degree program that allows students to choose a concentration in either higher education leadership or P-12 school leadership. This program features a hybrid model with students taking some online classes and attending weekend seminars at the Atlanta campus, and there is also the Leadership Academy where student cohort groups gather on campus for keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfWestGeorgia"> University of West Georgia</h2> <p>At the University of West Georgia, students interested in leadership careers in higher education can earn an online EdD in Higher Education Administration degree. Coursework in this program may include the study of organizational theory, leadership skills, higher education finance, and institutional assessment, and students must complete a dissertation as well. </p> <h2 id="section---ColumbusStateUniversity">Columbus State University</h2> <p>Columbus State University's EdD in Curriculum and Leadership program lets students choose a track in educational leadership. This is a 63-credit program that includes coursework and a dissertation, and students may be prepared to pursue a career as a school district superintendent or a school principal. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>School Name </th><th>Program Offered </th><th> Graduate Tuition (in-state; 2019-2020)*</th></tr> <tr><td> University of Georgia </td><td> EdD in Educational Leadership </td><td> $8,878</td></tr> <tr><td> Georgia Southern University </td><td> EdD in Educational Leadership </td><td> $4,977</td></tr> <tr><td> Georgia State University </td><td> EdD in Educational Leadership </td><td>$7,164</td></tr> <tr><td> Kennesaw State University</td><td> EdD in Educational Leadership </td><td>$5,328</td></tr> <tr><td> Valdosta State University</td><td> EdD in Leadership </td><td> $4,572</td></tr> <tr><td> Clark Atlanta University </td><td> EdD in Educational Leadership </td><td> $16,290</td></tr> <tr><td> Piedmont College </td><td> EdD in Educational Leadership </td><td>$10,134</td></tr> <tr><td>Mercer University </td><td> PhD in Educational Leadership </td><td> $15,422</td></tr> <tr><td> University of West Georgia</td><td> EdD in Higher Education Administration </td><td> $4,338</td></tr> <tr><td> Columbus State University </td><td> EdD in Curriculum and Leadership with an educational leadership concentration</td><td>$6,300</td></tr> </table><p><i>*Source: National Center for Education Statistics</i> </p> <h2 id="section---AdmissionsRequirementsForGeorgiaSEducationalLeadershipDoctoralPrograms">Admissions Requirements for Georgia's Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs</h2> <p>The exact type of graduate degree you need before applying to an EdD in Educational Leadership program varies by school, with some requiring a master's degree and others requiring an Education Specialist (EdS) degree. Within a program, these graduate degree requirements may vary by concentration option as well. Further, some programs require that you have current teaching certification and/or have at least 5 years of professional education experience. GRE scores are usually also a requirement. Other application materials may include transcripts, a CV, a personal statement, and possibly an interview. </p> <p>Teaching and educational professionals who want to pursue a doctorate in educational leadership in Georgia have online, on-campus, and hybrid program options. These doctoral programs may prepare graduates for careers as principals, school district administrators, and superintendents.</p>