2020-2021 Graduate Academic Catalog

PhD in Educational Studies: Educational Leadership Specialization 45 Credits

Educational leadership involves creative intelligence, an understanding of the disciplines that influence education, systems thinking, strategic planning, cultural responsiveness, trust building, and facilitation of collaborative efforts. This specialization is designed to develop educational leaders with the knowledge and skills to initiate, facilitate, support, and sustain school- or district-wide improvement of teaching, learning, and leading.

Students meet as a cohort in three nine-day summer residencies and attend online classes over the three-year duration of the program. Program faculty are committed to promoting a scholarly and collegial community that informs and sustains both the academic work and professional responsibilities of cohort members.

Program Prerequisite: Master's degree or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study

Program of Study

Courses may have prerequisites for registration; please check course descriptions before registering.

Please note: EAGSR 9151 is taken in fall and spring of each year you are taking courses. Students pursuing a doctoral degree at Lesley University who have completed required coursework for the program are required to remain enrolled in a doctoral continuation course (EAGSR 9151) until they have completed their dissertation defense, including summer terms/semesters. 

Year I (18 credits)

EAGSR 7118Nature of Inquiry: Below the Surface of Research

3

EAGSR 8115Perspectives on Leadership, Self, and Writing

3

EAGSR 8108The Purposes of School in a Democratic Society

3

EAGSR 8110Change is a Process

3

EAGSR 7004Adult Learning and Development

3

EAGSR 7101Quantitative Research Methods I: Statistics for Research

3

EAGSR 9151Doctoral Study

N/A

EAGSR 9151: taken fall and spring semesters

Year II (18 credits)

EAGSR 7115Building Communities of Practice

3

EAGSR 8109Schools as Systems

3

EAGSR 8107Critical Contexts for School Leaders

3

EAGSR 7103Qualitative Research Methods I

3

EAGSR 7104Qualitative Research Methods II

3

EAGSR 8116Leadership Dilemmas

3

EAGSR 9151Doctoral Study

N/A

EAGSR 9151: taken fall and spring semesters

After successfully completing a qualifying paper, a student is advanced to Year III.

Year III (9 credits)

EAGSR 7502Doctoral Seminar Part 1

3

EAGSR 8501Doctoral Seminar Part 2

3

EAGSR 8112Ph.D. Dissertation Seminar

3

EAGSR 9151Doctoral Study

N/A

EAGSR 9151: taken fall and spring semesters