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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education

School of Education

Leadership in Educational Administration specialization

Prepare to lead change in P–12 educational organizations through your own doctoral research. This PhD specialization in Leadership in Educational Administration is one of very few online programs to be state-approved, a requirement for principal or superintendent licensure in a number of states. The specialization is nationally recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituents Council (ELCC) and is one of several programs that make up Capella's Professional Education Unit, which has been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). By choosing in emphasis in School Leadership or District Leadership, you'll focus your studies on strengthening the research, leadership, management, and problem-solving skills needed to be an ethical and innovative principal or superintendent in today's P–12 environment. Upon successful completion, you'll have the knowledge and skills needed to lead at the school or district level and will be prepared to pursue licensure as a P–12 principal or superintendent. People who choose this specialization include those pursuing leadership positions such as principal, director, superintendent at the school or district level, or higher education faculty positions.

Licensure information: Begin to research and understand your state's licensure requirements right away, find answers to common questions, explore how Capella programs fit with your state's standards and requirements, and get links to important state resources. Visit the School of Education licensure website.


National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)- Accredited
NCATE

NCATE-accredited programs are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation for the preparation of P-12 teachers and other professional school personnel. Graduates of these programs are highly regarded by many school districts, licensing authorities, and teaching professionals.

Read the news release announcing our NCATE accreditation.

Learn why NCATE accreditation is important.

Read what others have to say about this specialization, or leave your own comment, and be sure to check back often to converse with others about their Capella experiences.

Total Program: 120 quarter credits
Up to 48 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Next Start Date: March 5, 2012
Quarter - Coursework: $4,530
Up to 3 courses per quarter
Quarter - Comps/Diss: $4,062

Many of our learners receive aid.

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Residency requirements: Three 4-day weekend experiences

Learn about the residential colloquia experience.
In addition to your online courses, you will complete 3 residential colloquia, each of which includes a 4-day weekend experience, at specific stages in your program. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your PhD studies and beyond.

Doctoral colloquia each have 3 steps:

Step 1: Colloquium Courseroom (opens approximately 2 weeks prior to Weekend Experience)
Step 2: Weekend Experience (4-day residency)
Step 3: Colloquium Courseroom—Assessment and evaluation (completed the week after the Weekend Experience)

What is the cost to attend?

The price for each colloquium is $1,495 (pricing is subject to periodic adjustment), but doesn’t include costs for evening meals or travel. You’ll be responsible for making your hotel reservations and travel arrangements.
  • Learn more about residency requirements.
  • Get more detailed information and learn how the residency experiences will enrich your learning at Capella University. Speak with an enrollment counselor at 1.888.227.3552.

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • ED8007 - Leading Innovation
  • ED8112 - Educational Research Methods
  • ED8117 - Advanced Qualitative Research Methods*
  • ED8122 - Statistics for Educational Research I*

Specialization Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • ED7820 - Principles of Educational Administration
  • ED7014 - Leading Diverse Schools*
  • ED7545 - Special Education Administration*
  • ED7823 - Education and the Law*
  • ED9919 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination*
  • ED9920 - Dissertation Courseroom (non-credit)*
  • ED9921 - Dissertation Research 1 (5 quarter credits)*
  • ED9922 - Dissertation Research 2 (5 quarter credits)*
  • ED9923 - Dissertation Research 3 (5 quarter credits)*
  • ED9924 - Dissertation Research 4 (5 quarter credits)*

In addition, choose one of following emphases:

For a School Leadership emphasis
  • ED7016 - Technology Integration in Schools*
  • ED7541 - Teacher Supervision and Evaluation*
  • ED7822 - The Funding of Educational Institutions*
  • ED7852 - P–12 Principalship*
  • ED7901 - Educational Administration Internship I*
  • ED7902 - Educational Administration Internship II*
For a District Leadership emphasis
  • ED7542 - The Politics of P–12 Education*
  • ED7543 - The Superintendency*
  • ED7544 - Introduction to School Business Administration*
  • ED8812 - The Governance of Educational Institutions*
  • ED7903 - Superintendency Internship I*
  • ED7904 - Superintendency Internship II*

Ten Elective Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • Recommended elective courses
  • ED7106 - Curriculum Development
  • ED7310 - Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Educational Process
  • ED7818 - The Future of Teaching and Learning: Issues for the Educational Leader
  • ED7857 - Personnel Administration
  • ED8100 - The Future of Educational Institutions: Topics and Trends
  • ED8123 - Statistics for Educational Research II*
  • ED8535 - Advanced Collaboration for the Improvement of Curriculum and Instruction
  • HS5334 - Ethnic and Cultural Awareness
  • OR
  • Choose any graduate course(s).
This specialization has not been reviewed or approved by Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania residents will have to apply and meet requirements for certification as out-of-state candidates.
Admission to the Leadership in Educational Administration specialization requires learners to complete and submit the Capella University School of Education Teaching Experience Verification form.
Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure and salary benefits. It is the learners' responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for their states. Where applicable, teachers are advised to contact their school districts as to whether a program may qualify for salary advancement. (Washington State learners are advised to go to: http://pathway.pesb.wa.gov/outofstate for more information)
In Minnesota, learners who wish to add endorsements to existing administrative licenses must complete additional field work. To expand an elementary or secondary license to K–12, learners must complete a second 200-hour internship. To add a principal endorsement to a superintendent endorsement in Minnesota (or vice versa), the internship is 320 hours (MR, 3512.0200, Subp.3.).
Learners seeking licensure in Arizona must secure a Structured English Immersion endorsement (SEI). Capella University has an alliance with Rio Salado College regarding course work for the SEI endorsement. Learners needing this endorsement should contact academicadvisement@mail.riosalado.edu to discuss the necessary courses and the application process at Rio Salado College.
New York and North Carolina residents are currently not eligible to enroll in this specialization.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

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FABULOUS!

August 1, 2010LATOYA I've had an absoulutely fabulous experience with Capella University. I love the 10-week course layout, the price is reasonable when compared to other similar schools, the instructors are experts in the field, and the networking phenomenal. I recently completed my coursework and will soon began the comprehensive exam. I have only one complaint about Capella thus far. I wish Capella would award the Ed.S degree upon completion of the coursework and 2 residencies, like other comparable colleges do!

Leadership in Educational Administration

July 8, 2010Dr Anthony Bernard I transferred to Capella from a highly respected “brick and mortar” university. The structure and attention to detail at Capella is vastly superior. The Capella faculty proved on more than one occasion that they would go the extra mile to ensure the learners’ success. I learned more than I anticipated that I would, and gained the confidence that I need to be a successful administrator. I highly recommend Capella!

Leadership in Educational Administration at Capella Prepared Me Well

July 8, 2010Dr. Laurie Brown-Abdelmageed Capella University was one of the best schools I attended. It truly prepared me for my job as an administrator in a public school and it allows me to share my experience as an adjunct instructor online and in the classroom. I wouldn't trade my experiences with Capella for anything in the world. The colloquium were well presented and the professors were some of the best in the country. Capella University is truly a cut above the rest. I owe this faculty and staff a great deal. I pray I can be as good an instructor as my professors at Capella.

PhD-Leadership in Educational Administration

July 8, 2010Muriel I am in my last quarter of coursework in this program and I will start my comprehensive exams this Fall 2010. My experience at Capella University has been very positive! I have received support from my instructors, the faculty, and staff here at the university. The courses are designed for working adults who want to pursue higher education and still live their lives. The LEA specialization has given me the skills I need to be an effective educational leader in the 21st century. I am confident that my education here at Capella has prepared me for my future career. I am a proud Capella leaner and I use every opportunity to share my experience with potential learners!

Capella Experience

July 20, 2010Robert Pursuing my doctorate with Capella has been a truly rewarding experience. From the initial contact, course work, mentoring through the dissertation process, all of my experiences have been positive. The flexibility of the program has allowed me to move at my own pace and continue with educational profession with minimal conflict. I am currently ABD and my sponsor/mentor has worked diligently to assist me through the final phases of the dissertation process. I feel it has been a collaborative process between the university personnel and myself to help me achieve my goal. I would enthusiastically recommend the Capella experience to anyone who is truly interested in pursuing their doctorate. Bob Butler

Leadership in Educational Administration - Capella was Amazing!

October 9, 2010Dr. Vanessa P. Clark I just recently graduated from Capella University and have proudly earned my PhD in Leadership in Educational Administration. As the Assistant Superintendent of a very large K-12 school district in NJ, I am now in an extraordinary position to succeed my Superintendent when he retires next year. Though I am not guaranteed the position, I have secured my marketability by having earned the PhD from Capella. And, I could not have asked for a better experience. From the day I started to the day I walked across the stage to receive my diploma, the Capella courseroom, faculty members, instructors, advisors, and financial aid counselors were at the ready to see me through to the finish line. Along the way, I met incredible people at each of the three Colloquia that I attended and I even had the honor and privilege of working with my dissertation mentor during a Writer's Retreat. I would recommend Capella University to anyone who is interested in a quality education!

Capella Made It Happen

July 11, 2010Dr. Sylvia Capella was truly a dream come true. As a teacher in the public schools of Georgia, Capella was certainly the best fit for me. I can definitely say that I am prepared for the real world. The education opportunity that I received from Capella was truly awesome. This opportunity was the hardest accomplishment that I had to endure, however, it was worthwhile. The professors and learners made the journey worthwhile. After you leave the university, you are still connected to those persons that were on this journey with you. My experience at Capella was great.

Capella helped me receive my Ph.D.

July 8, 2010Maureen I was able to work full-time and receive my doctorate through Capella! I enjoyed my experience with Capella and taking my courses online was a wonderful experience! The residencies I attended were very beneficial and I met professors and students whom I still am in contact with today!

Reaching my Goal made possible through Capella

July 8, 2010Sharon Capella made it possible for me to return to school and reach my goal of earning my Ph.D. Everyone from the initial admissions counselor to my Dissertation committee and all in between were professional and extremely helpful as I journeyed. I especially loved the weeks I got to spend with other learners. The program, the learning, and the connections will last a life time. Thank you

Capella + Me=PhD

September 23, 2011Natasha I had an excellent experience with Capella. I obtained my PhD in Leadership in Education in 2010. I had very supportive classmates and professors. Attending the colloquias allowed me to establish frienships and networks that will last a lifetime.The next step for me is to obtain a job as an administrator that will allow me to showcase my abilites.
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