Educational Administrators
Doctoral Programs in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
The Virginia Tech Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program offers two doctoral programs in the National Capital Region that focus on leadership in the PK-12 school setting: an Ed.D. for educational administrators and a Ph.D. for prospective educational researchers. The programs differ in numerous ways, including size, format, time of admissions, and required coursework. Each program is discussed in depth below.
Admission to post-master's graduate study in Educational Leadership requires acceptance by both the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and the Virginia Tech Graduate School.
Ed.D. for Educational Administrators
The Ed.D. is designed to prepare PK-12 educational administrators for leadership roles in school systems and related agencies. The degree also serves as preparation for a student who plans an eventual transition into teaching in a college level educational administration program. The program assumes that the students has completed the requirements for administrative licensure through the Virginia Tech Principal Preparation Program or its equivalent at another university. The Ed.D. program builds upon that base to prepare higher level leaders. Key features include:
· Cohort model: approximately 15 students who take all of their classes together.
· Two years of coursework: students also prepare for their dissertation during this time. Weeknight classes.
· Practical Dissertations.: dissertations projects focus on real problems in schools and divisions.
· State-of-the-art technology: computers, audio/visual equipment, and on-line course materials are extensively utilized
Cohorts are admitted every three years. The next scheduled admission date is August 2010.
Click to view a sample schedule of Ed.D coursework.
Ph.D. for Prospective Educational Researchers
The Ph.D. program is designed to prepare future educational researchers with an interest in PK-12 school leadership for positions as university professors, researchers for public policy organizations, and other similar types of positions. Each Ph.D. student will obtain a strong background in social science research methods and in a sub-discipline within the field of educational leadership. A student’s program is based upon his/her previous academic record, background, and interests and the expertise of our faculty members. Classes are offered at the Falls Church Center and Blacksburg, via distance learning technologies. Ph.D. candidates must demonstrate that they
- are interested in educational research; and
- able to dedicate at least one year to full time study while in the program.
Applications for the Ph.D. program are accepted on a rolling basis. It is imperative that prospective candidates contact us prior to submitting an application for admission. The Ph.D. program involves engaging in a mentoring relationship with a faculty member. We have a limited number of faculty members at the Northern Virginia Center. Acceptance of a candidate depends to a large extent on the willingness of a faculty member to serve as a mentor for the student and on the mentor and prospective student sharing compatible research interests.
Additional Information:
The Graduate Students Services Office (GSSO) is the Graduate School’s office in Northern Virginia. The GSSO’s website includes links to information on tuition and fees and the timetable of classes. Please visit the GSSO’s website for additional information about graduate study in the National Capital Region.
For further information about either program please contact:
Joanna Kelly
E-mail: joannak@vt.edu
Phone: (703) 538-8481