Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (online)

Program Overview

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership online (EDL online) program prepares you to become a critically conscious leader with the skills to think strategically, understand and apply evidence-based research, develop strategies to create equity and foster continuous organizational improvement. The online version of this program only offers the K-12 Leadership in Urban Education Settings concentration.

Through this program, you will:

• Earn a doctorate from a program with a strong reputation among employers
• Continue to work full time while taking one evening of classes per week for most of the program
• Learn alongside a cohort of experienced K-12 professionals
• Become equipped to address critical issues in communities that serve historically marginalized groups

Curriculum

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EDL) program will equip you with knowledge and skills in six core competencies:

• Accountability
• Critical reflection
• Diversity and equity
• Ethics
• Learning organizations
• Research and data

In the first year of the program, you will complete core courses that reflect USC Rossier’s mission and the program’s purpose. These courses focus on developing or deepening your understanding of the way power and privilege play out in education, leadership and learning to perpetuate inequities in learning opportunities. Subsequent coursework will build on this foundation and prepare you to become a leader in classrooms, schools or school districts.

Dissertation in Practice

The dissertation in practice is a doctoral dissertation with a more practical focus than a traditional dissertation. Under the guidance of faculty, you will apply relevant research methods to tackle a problem of practice that impedes access to equitable educational opportunities and outcomes. The purpose of the dissertation in practice is to equip you with the knowledge and skills you will use to address existing problems in your workplace well beyond your completion of the program. 

Scholarships

As an applicant, you will be automatically considered for limited, merit-based scholarships of $10,000. There is no need to submit a separate application for this scholarship. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated dedication to the USC Rossier mission and other distinguishing characteristics. All USC scholarships are awarded 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.

Financial Aid

The USC Office of Student Financial Aid provides information regarding various types of financial aid and financing options.

To be considered for financial aid, you must apply by filing the FAFSA by May 6, 2022. After you apply, the financial aid office will determine your financial need and inform you of the federal or private loans that are available to you.

Career Outcomes

The K-12 leadership concentration prepares you for employment as an educational leader in the K-12 field, including in school site leadership, district leadership and systems leadership. Roles include teacher leaders, district office leaders, superintendents, and CEOs of independent schools and charter schools.

Alumni have held positions such as:

• Superintendent, Covina-Valley Unified School District
• Director of community partnerships, Long Beach Unified School District
• Chief innovation officer, National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
• Superintendent, Garden Grove Unified School District