Independent Schools Cohort – EdD in Educational Leadership

While course requirements will be the same as the standard Educational Leadership online program, students will be able to study their particular independent school context in depth through tailored readings, assignments and other coursework. Within the K–12 concentration, students will progress through the degree program with a cohort of peers working in similar contexts, from homeschool to charter school to private school settings. And you won’t have to pause your career to advance it—classes are designed for full-time working professionals.

Upon completion of the program, you with be equipped with the experience, expertise, and network to:

• Create a culminating dissertation in practice that applies rigorous inquiry to a real problem or opportunity within your independent school context.
• Engage with peers and faculty who understand the distinct landscape of independent education — from governance and mission to enrollment, equity, and institutional identity.
• Use tailored coursework, case studies, and applied research to analyze complex challenges unique to independent, charter, and homeschool settings and design effective, sustainable solutions.
• Lead with a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, ensuring that high expectations and innovative practices open doors for every student your school serves.
• Mobilize human, fiscal, and organizational resources to drive meaningful change within institutions that operate with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.
• Develop and articulate a personal leadership philosophy grounded in the values, mission, and community of independent schooling.
• Leverage the USC Trojan Network to expand your professional reach and connect with a global community of educators and leaders committed to transforming schools.
• Analyze and lead adaptive, mission-aligned initiatives that improve learning outcomes and opportunities for students, families, and communities.

Scholarship funding is limited. All applicants are reviewed for merit-based scholarship consideration as part of the admissions process—no separate scholarship application is required. While admission to the program does not guarantee a scholarship, applying earlier may increase your opportunity for scholarship consideration. For the Educational Leadership program, merit-based scholarships may be worth up to $10,000. Eligible applicants are awarded based on academic achievement, alignment with the USC Rossier mission, and other selection criteria. Scholarship recipients are notified at the time of admission.

View USC Rossier’s scholarship finder to identify other scholarships and funding opportunities. You do not have to be admitted to apply to these scholarships. Carefully note the scholarship application deadlines, which may occur before the final program application deadline.