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- Executive Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (online)
Executive Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (online)
This program is designed for working professionals who are senior K–12 leaders and aspire to become superintendents of K–12 school districts and/or CEOs or directors of charter or independent schools.
To meet the unique demands of system-level leadership, the Executive EDL online program equips students with advanced skills in strategic planning, organizational management, and policy implementation. With a focus on practical solutions and real-world application, the program prepares leaders to drive sustainable improvements and foster equity across school systems.
Program Overview
The Executive Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Exec EDL) online program is tailored for senior K–12 leaders, who are aspire to be superintendents and directors of charter or independent schools. Designed to address the unique challenges of leading school systems, the program offers a curriculum focused on equity, strategic leadership, and real-world problem-solving.
Through this program, you will:
- Earn a doctorate recognized for excellence in educational leadership.
- Maintain a full-time work schedule while attending classes one night a week.
- Learn alongside a cohort of senior leaders with shared experiences and goals.
- Gain expertise in finance, organizational leadership, curriculum development, and policy.
- Apply your learning directly to current issues through case-based coursework and peer collaboration.
Class Times
Class times are scheduled on Friday evenings and Saturdays during the day to accommodate the students' work schedules . This flexible format allows students to balance their professional responsibilities while fully engaging in the program’s rigorous curriculum and collaborative learning experiences.
Curriculum
Class times will be on Friday evenings and Saturday during the day. During the program, the executive cohort will take courses specifically designed for system leaders including classes on:
- Finance: navigating the complexities of education finance
- Organizational leadership: developing the skills required to work effectively with a range of groups including school boards, boards of education, individual schools and departments, parents and businesses.
- Curriculum, instruction and assessment: how to ensure systems are meeting the needs of diverse learners, promoting best instruction practices and integrating assessment approaches beyond those required by the state.
- Policy and politics: leading in divisive times, community development skills and ways to engage with all communities.
In the first year of the program, you will complete core courses that reflect USC Rossier’s mission and the program’s purpose. Explore the dynamics of power and privilege in education, leadership, and addressing inequities in learning opportunities. Subsequent coursework will build on this foundation and prepare you to become become superintendent of K–12 school districts and/or CEO or director of charter or independent schools.
| Component | Courses | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 6 | Acquire broad knowledge of the USC Rossier mission, program purpose and program competencies. |
| Concentration Courses | 4 | Develop an understanding of how to create high-performing K-12 schools that address the diverse needs of all students. |
| Research Methods Courses | 2 | Understand how quantitative and qualitative research tools are used in educational research and learn to critique and design research studies. |
| Dissertation In Practice | 3 | Conduct action-oriented research to solve a problem of practice. |
Online Concentration
Each concentration path includes four courses and a concentration-specific format for the dissertation in practice. A faculty member in your chosen concentration will provide guidance throughout your dissertation completion. Relevant career experience is a requirement for the concentration you select.
K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings
The K-12 leadership concentration will prepare you to become a leader in classrooms, schools or school districts. The courses help develop an understanding of how to create high-performing schools that address the diverse needs of all students regardless of school setting. The course sequence culminates in either EDUC 720: Leadership for Principals or EDUC 721: Leadership for Superintendents, an integrated composite of effective leadership practices that result in more effective organizational outcomes, including increased student achievement.
Recommended career background for this concentration:
Teacher, administrator or education professional in PK-12 education at the local, state and federal levels.
Dissertation in practice: Study an existing problem of practice and complete a traditional five-chapter dissertation.
Career Outcomes: The K-12 leadership concentration prepares you for employment as an educational leader in the K-12 field. This includes 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
The higher education administration concentration focuses on administrative theory and best practices for leading higher education institutions. Courses in the concentration address policy, economic issues, assessment, student learning and the history and major philosophical assumptions that undergird the system of higher education.
Recommended career background for this concentration: Professional in higher education administration at a two- or four-year college or university (including student, academic and administrative affairs) or secondary and postsecondary college advising.
Dissertation in practice: Study an existing problem of practice and complete a traditional five-chapter dissertation.
Career outcomes: The higher education administration concentration prepares you for employment in senior administration in two- and four-year colleges, academic executive positions, key leadership roles in education-related organizations, and more.
Alumni have held positions such as:
- Associate dean of students and director, Stanford University
- Executive director, undergraduate advising and programs, School of Business, George Washington University
- Director of intercollegiate athletics, California State University, Northridge
- Vice president for student affairs and dean of students, University of Texas, Austin
The leading instructional change concentration focuses on theories, practices and policies supporting curriculum and instruction that foster equitable educational opportunities for students from historically marginalized groups in urban PK-12 and higher education settings. This concentration is designed for individuals interested in leading and teaching teachers (pre- and in-service) and faculty (higher ed) so that they are prepared to provide their students with high-quality instruction that is anti-racist, culturally relevant and LGBTQ+ inclusive.
Recommended career background for this concentration: Teacher or administrator in PK-12 or higher education, instructional leader or designer, curriculum developer or professional in non-traditional educational settings.
Dissertation in practice: Conduct action or participatory action research addressing the relationship between leadership and instructional improvement in PK-20 educational settings and complete a non-traditional written product (not a five-chapter dissertation) and public presentation.
Career outcomes: The leading instructional change program prepares you for positions such as university faculty member, professional development specialist, curriculum developer/administrator and more.
Alumni have held positions such as:
- Director, metrics and LCAP, Azusa Unified School District
- Director, student support and intervention, Antelope Valley Union High School District
- Senior director of teaching and learning, Los Angeles Education Partnership
The educational psychology concentration* focuses on research and practice in the areas of learning, motivation and development in diverse social contexts. Courses in the concentration explore how people learn, what motivates them, which instructional and motivational strategies are most effective within varied cultural systems and how the social context of instruction affects learning.
*The educational psychology concentration does not meet the requirements for licensure as an educational psychologist.
Recommended career background for this concentration: Professional in K-12, higher education, or counseling, special education, social services, instructional technology, non-profit organizations, or other non-traditional educational settings.
Dissertation in practice: Study an existing problem of practice and complete a five-chapter dissertation or design curriculum to address an existing problem of practice.
Career outcomes: The educational psychology concentration prepares you for employment in areas such as instructional design, human performance personnel, school/community counseling and more.
Alumni have held positions such as:
- Innovation program manager, Applied Materials
- Managing director, school performance accountability and research, California Charter Schools Association
- Dean of innovation, The Derryfield School
- Vice president of education, Fusion Education Group
Dissertation in Practice
The dissertation in practice prioritizes real-world application, using relevant research methods to address practical issues in equitable education. It equips you with skills to tackle workplace challenges. Format options for the dissertation will vary based on concentration.
Scholarships
Applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships of up to $10,000, without needing a separate application. However, scholarship availability may be limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, commitment to the USC Rossier mission, and other factors. All scholarships are awarded upon admission.
For additional scholarship opportunities, consult the Scholarship Finder. Please note, separate applications and deadlines may apply.
Financial Aid
The USC Office of Student Financial Services provides information regarding student accounts, tuition payment plans, campus-based loans, payment options and tax credits.
To be considered for financial aid, you must apply by filing the FAFSA. 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.
Program Details
Degree Awarded
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Estimated Length
2 years
Units
43
Program Cost
$2,354 per unit (estimated)
Modality
- Online
Next Deadline
February 15, 2025
Start Date
August 25, 2025
Class Times
Prior to the dissertation phase, students are assigned to one evening of classes per week on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 5:00 to 9:50 p.m. in the Pacific Time Zone.
Take the Next Step
Program Outcomes
80+
Sitting superintendent alumni
95%
of EDL alumni said their USC Rossier education prepared them to be more effective in their career
of EDL alumni said their studies at USC Rossier prepared them well for future employment
90%
of EDL alumni said their studies at USC Rossier prepared them to understand research
From Our Alumni
As a change agent for underrepresented students, my time at USC sharpened my mind and equipped me with the tools necessary for success. As I was taught by the USC Rossier world class instructors and surrounded by top-tier educational professionals, there was never a wasted moment or opportunity.
David D. Smith, EdD ‘’
Chief Technology Officer, Tustin Unified School District
Is an EdD worth it? Leaders share insights and experiences
Those wondering if an EdD is worth it often want to make a positive impact while advancing their career. A doctoral degree in education can be an effective way to land leadership positions in K–12 schools, higher education and other industries as well. Because doctoral programs require rigorous study and professional experience, an EdD represents the highest level of preparation for many roles in education and related fields.
PhD vs. EdD in education: nine expert tips to help you choose
If you want to elevate your career in education, an advanced degree can open the door to more job opportunities. Many schools offer graduate programs in education, but before you go down a rabbit hole of research, first decide if you want to get a PhD or EdD degree.
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Research Centers
Established in 2017, the Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice has a compelling interest in eradicating all forms of discrimination based on the intersection of an individual’s identities that include religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and disability. Using rigorous research and legal analysis, we empower educators to utilize laws and policies in order to identify and extricate bias and unequal distributions of power within educational institutions.
Program Contact
Callah Darmali
Callah Darmali
Associate Director, Office of Admission and Scholarships