Catholic Educational Leadership (Online), EdD

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The program leading to the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Catholic Educational Leadership prepares its students for effective leadership in Catholic education. The curriculum is designed to allow students the opportunity to explore additional areas of interest, such as Learning and Instruction, International and Multicultural Education, Organization and Leadership, and Technology.

The doctoral program consists of 60 units beyond the master’s degree and culminates in the completion of a doctoral dissertation.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to communicate the vision, mission and values of Catholic education to the various stakeholders of Catholic education including the research community.
Students will evaluate current research in Catholic education and develop projects of inquiry that reflect transformational leadership with a personal and professional commitment to liberation, equity, and inclusion.
Students will apply Gospel values to their research epistemologies and demonstrate a knowledge of Catholic social teaching and the promotion of justice as part of their theoretical frameworks.
As leaders in Catholic institutions students will research current political and social reality as a core text. Students will develop inquiry projects based on research and praxis that acts in solidarity with communities locally and globally, especially historically marginalized groups.

Major Requirements (60 units)

The doctoral program consists of 60 units, 12 of which are in the General Education core (GEDU), 18 in a major specialization (CEL), 18 elective units from CEL or other SOE programs/departments, and 12 units in dissertation development, research, and writing.

General Education (12 units)

All students are required to complete 12 credits in the General Education Core according to the following regulations (Gen Ed requirements cannot be satisfied by Directed Study or Transfer of Credit). The following 12 General Education credits are required of all students:

Catholic Educational Leadership Specialization (24 credits)

Students are required to take a total of 24 CEL units (12 CEL core units and 12 CEL elective units).

Students can take the remaining 12 credits (4 courses) for the major specialization requirement from the CEL course offerings.

Required (12 units)

The following 12 units are required of all CEL students:

CEL Electives (12 units)

Complete 12 units of CEL electvies.

Additional Electives or Minor (12 units)

Four courses (12 additional units) may be taken from CEL courses, GEDU 725, and any other graduate program in the School of Education with the approval of the student’s doctoral advisor.

Dissertation Requirements (12 units)

Supplementary Admission Requirements for Catholic Educational Leadership Students

In addition to the admission prerequisites to the School of Education, CEL applicants (MA or EdD) are required to submit the following:

Evidence of three years minimum Catholic school teaching experience at the elementary, secondary, or collegiate level; and
Two School of Education form letters of recommendation and two letters testifying to commitment to ministry in Catholic education.