Educational Leadership

Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership

Degrees Offered

Successful completion of the program will result in award of the Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies or an EdD with a Specialization in Educational Administration..

Locations

A postmaster’s program developed by Virginia Tech to prepare educational administrators for leadership roles in school systems and related agencies.

Educational Leadership offers their doctoral program at the following locations:

Curriculum

Successful EdD candidates will complete a minimum of 60 semester hours of postmaster’s credit. The program extends over a 36-month period and covers coursework in foundations, applied studies, research, cognates, and the dissertation. PhD candidates will complete a minimum of 66 semester hours of postmaster's credit.

Part-time students take at least one course each semester, including each summer session over approximately a four-year period. Coursework includes, but is not limited to leadership and policy studies, advanced school law, advanced school finance, administration and supervision of special education, theories of educational administration, community and interagency collaboration, planning educational facilities, and organization and delivery of instructional services. Special topics will cover school safety, testing and the Standards of Learning, school accreditation, diversity, and the politics of education.

An individual program of studies is planned for each student and depends upon the student’s previous academic record, background, and interests.

Admissions Process and Selection Criteria

Admission to postmaster’s graduate study in educational leadership requires acceptance by both the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and Virginia Tech’s Graduate School. Admission criteria are:

  • An appropriate master’s degree;
  • A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 = A scale) on previous graduate work;
  • Administrative experience;
  • Strong communication skills;
  • At least 3 strongly supportive letters of recommendation, one from the applicant's superintendent and two from other professional associates;
  • A successful interview with a faculty committee from Virginia Tech.