Educational Leadership, Community College Concentration, Ed.D.

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(60 UNITS)

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

The Doctor of Education is one of few programs in the region that offers separate concentrations in P-12 and Community College educational leadership. It provides academic training in a professional, culturally diverse environment.

The program prioritizes translating theory into practical application, where practical experiences enrich and refine theoretical knowledge. The curriculum is rooted in inquiry-based, problem-solving approaches, allowing education professionals to learn through deep engagement in discussions, research endeavors and hands-on fieldwork.

The Ed.D. program is a hybrid, year-round program with instruction in fall, spring and summer terms for nine terms. The coursework facilitates integrating graduate studies and practice, periods of intensive study among candidates and opportunities to work with faculty from CSUF. After six terms of instruction and coursework, candidates focus on their dissertations.

The program is cohort-based for peer support, and the hybrid program of study provides flexibility for working professionals. Classes are held late afternoons and evenings, on weekends and/or virtually.

Admissions Requirements

Minimum requirements for admission include:

An earned baccalaureate and master’s degree from accredited institutions of higher education with a GPA in upper division and graduate study of 3.0 or above.
Sufficient preparation and experience pertinent to educational leadership to benefit from the program.
Demonstrated educational leadership potential and skills, including successful experience in schools, postsecondary education, community colleges and/or policy leadership.
Demonstrated academic excellence, problem-solving ability and an interest in critically assessing and improving current educational policies and practices.
Three confidential recommendations confirming the leadership ability and scholarship of the candidate.
A written statement of purpose that reflects an understanding of the challenges facing California public schools or community colleges/institutions of higher education.
Professional resume.
Examples of professional writing.
Response to a writing prompt administered before the interview.
Interview with the Admissions Committee.

Meeting the minimum requirements qualifies an individual for consideration but does not guarantee admission to the program. Admission will be granted on a competitive basis. The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership does not include a foreign language requirement.

Leadership Foundation (12 units)

Research Support Seminars (12 units)

Culminating Experience (12 units)

EDD 698 - Dissertation Research (6) (6)

Community College Concentration (24 units)

The Community College concentration prepares educators to take on roles in areas, such as senior administration, faculty leadership, student affairs, or business and human resource administration in the community college setting. The curriculum develops socially and globally aware community college leaders who can appropriately respond, understand and contribute to the rapidly changing world of community colleges and lead those institutions toward excellence. Courses build leadership skills and knowledge in such areas as the role and scope of community colleges, higher education law and policy, ethical decision making, policy and governance, research methods and resource optimization.