In the fall of 2026, the USC Rossier School of Education will launch three new cohorts for incoming doctoral students, all offered online: the EdD in Educational Leadership International Schools Cohort, the EdD in Educational Leadership Independent Schools Cohort and the EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership International Cohort.
The EdD in Educational Leadership International Schools Cohort is specifically designed for educators working at international, English-medium schools throughout Asia. Current K–12 principals, coordinators, heads of school and other education professionals looking to take the next step in their careers will take courses in leadership, foundations of learning, research methods and designing educational organizations for equity and excellence. The course requirements and 43-unit pathway mirror the school’s EdD in Educational Leadership that is offered online, but class content will be tailored to students’ experiences at international schools, taking into account specific cultural contexts. Students will also learn alongside a cohort of peers working at similar institutions worldwide. “Educators in international schools operate at the intersection of multiple cultures, languages and educational systems. They need a program created for their unique context. This new cohort will receive tailored instruction to meet the needs of those leading and aspiring to lead international, English-medium schools throughout Asia,” says Professor of Clinical Education Cathy Krop, who serves as the faculty governance chair for the school’s EdD in Educational Leadership program. Interested applicants can learn more here.
A similarly structured offering for current and aspiring leaders in independent school settings in the U.S. will also be available through the EdD in Educational Leadership Independent Schools Cohort. While course requirements and the 43-unity pathway will be the same as the existing Educational Leadership program that is offered online, students will be able to study their particular independent school context in depth through tailored readings, assignments and other coursework. Professor of Clinical Education Gregory Franklin says, “Leaders in independent schools often face challenges that look different than those in traditional, public systems. Our goal with this new cohort is to bring those leaders together, creating a space that will foster rich dialogue, collaborative problem-solving and a strong peer network.” Students will select the K–12 concentration and will progress through the degree program with a cohort of peers working in similar contexts, from homeschool to charter school settings. Interested applicants can learn more here.
The school’s Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership also has a new cohort offering. The EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership International Cohort will launch this fall and was developed to meet the needs of working professionals in Asia seeking to transform organizations through equity-minded change that centers the human experience. While the focus of the program—building skills to diagnose systems-level challenges and implement effective solutions to drive organizational change—remains the same for the International Cohort, courses will take place on weekends, 7:30 am – 12 pm SGT. Students will also participate in two immersive weekend educational experiences in Singapore. The program is open to students residing in the U.S. “We designed the International Cohort to meet working professionals where they are, geographically and professionally, says Professor of Education Courtney Malloy. “By offering courses aligned to their time zones and immersive experiences in their region, we’re bringing the rigorous leadership development that USC Rossier is known for directly to them.” Interested applicants can learn more here.
These three new cohorts exemplify USC Rossier’s commitment to making doctoral programs more accessible, flexible and thoughtfully crafted to meet the evolving needs of educators and leaders across the globe. “Education and the way we work and live are rapidly changing, and we need leaders worldwide who are equipped to respond,” says USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera. “These new cohorts are grounded in our mission to advance equity, excellence and meaningful transformation, and are designed to prepare leaders to address emerging challenges in their particular contexts.”
Applications for all programs are reviewed on a rolling basis. The initial application deadline is April 15, 2026, and the final deadline is July 10, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
