Educational Administration - P-20 EducationDoctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Interested in learning more? Register for an upcoming info session!
New applicants to our Ed.D. with a superintendent endorsement should look into our Big Red Leader tuition remission program as they might be eligible for a 15% tuition discount for this P-12 School Leadership program.
Program Length
3-5 years
Credits Required
60*
*beyond the master’s is typical
Format
Hybrid
GRE/Entrance Exam
Not Required
We encourage prospective applicants to learn about faculty scholars and advisors for this program!
- Dr. Elvira Abrica (HE/CC)
- Dr. Deryl Hatch-Tocaimaza (HE/CC)
- Dr. Shavonna Holman (P-12)
- Dr. Taeyeon Kim (P-12)
- Dr. Elizabeth Niehaus (HE/CC)
- Dr. Nicholas Pace (P-12)
- Dr. Jiangang Xia (P-12)
- Dr. Sarah Zuckerman (P-12)
- Dr. Channel McLewis (HE/CC)
- Dr. Milad Mohebali (HE/CC)
- Dr. Scott Sturgeon (P-12)
Leading for Equity & Leadership Excellence
Are you a working professional striving to reach new heights in your educational career? Look no further! At UNL, we understand the unique challenges faced by educators like you, and we've designed our programs with your needs in mind. The EdD in P-20 Education is an applied professional degree that prepares scholarly practitioners to lead continuous improvement for equity in educational organizations at all levels. Through coursework and a Dissertation in Practice (DiP) students will gain knowledge, skills, and dispositions to:
- understand education from a systems perspective
- to change the ways educational organizations reproduce structural inequalities
- to integrate research, policy, theory and meaningful practice to serve the needs of diverse communities
- to enhance equity, inclusion, and effectiveness through sustainable improvement
This program is designed for educational leaders seeking to enhance their capacities to lead change at the school, district, university, system, or state-level and other educational settings and organizations.
Specializations
The Ed.D. offers a cohort-based learning experience. The program has three different specializations including (a) Community Colleges, (b) Higher Education, and (c) P-12 System Level School Leadership.
Community Colleges
The Ed. D. in Educational Administration with a specialization in Community Colleges allows students who are focused on community colleges to advance their knowledge in the field so that they can be more marketable when advancing in their career.
Higher Education
The Ed. D. with a specialization in Higher Education allows students focused on colleges or universities to advance their knowledge and leadership skills for career advancement as higher education leaders, practitioners, and administrators.
P-12 System Level School Leadership
The Ed. D. with a specialization in P-12 System Level School Leadership allows students who are currently employed in an administrative position in a P-12 school or district to advance their knowledge and leadership skills for career advancement and impact. Students selecting this specialization have three pathways: (a) an Ed.D. with the superintendent endorsement, (b) an Ed.D. without the superintendent endorsement, and (c) the UNL-UNK joint Ed.D. pathway.
For students choosing the Ed.D. pathway with a superintendent endorsement, upon completion of UNL courses and field-based internship, students are prepared to take the state-required PRAXIS Exam and upon passage, apply for superintendent endorsement in Nebraska. For students choosing the UNL-UNK joint Ed.D. pathway, please contact EDADPrograms@unl.edu.
Students considering doctoral work in Educational Administration often question the differences between the Ed.D. or Ph.D. To determine which is a better fit for you, consult the department's Doctoral Degree Information page.
Our Unique Program
Award-Winning Faculty
- Distinguished faculty make up the heart of our program. Our team comprises award-winning educators, renowned for their teaching and research prowess, as well as their extensive experience as educational leaders.
- Students also learn from faculty with decades of real-world experience as school leaders. These leaders have walked the walk of school leadership as principals, superintendents, and administrators.
Learning to Address Real-World Challenges in P-20 Education
- Students apply their course knowledge to address real challenges facing P-20 education. In their culminating activity, a committee of experts assists students in producing a Dissertation in Practice that tackles an authentic dilemma or opportunity in their school community.
- Students in the P-12 System Level School Leadership with a Superintendent Endorsement specialization complete an authentic internship experience in their districts with support from a field-based mentor and faculty member.
Flexibility for Working Professionals
- We recognize that your career is a top priority, and that's why we offer a flexible hybrid program tailored for part-time students. Our program is specifically designed to cater to your busy schedule, empowering you to pursue your dreams while balancing your commitments.
- Students form meaningful relationships with classmates, faculty, and others through a unique combination of face-to-face and online courses. Experiences such as the summer research seminars which are offered during the summer in a blended fashion, dissertation proposals, on campus conferences, and other events allow for a mixture of online and in-person learning.
CPED Principles
- Our programs are built around the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) principles, ensuring that your education is not only rigorous but also highly respected. When you graduate from UNL, you'll hold a degree that sets you apart as a leader dedicated to making a real impact in education.
Launching Your Journey
Program Curriculum
The Ed.D. is cohort-based and designed for students to take two courses in each semester. Students seeking superintendent endorsement will take EDAD 998 District Internship during the first three summers with one credit hour in each summer. A typical course sequence is shown below:
Course Sequence
- EDAD 900E Doctoral Pro-Seminar
Provides an opportunity for doctoral students to gain a better understanding of the expectations and skills necessary for doctoral education. Students will gain knowledge of the skills and habits necessary to successfully navigate their doctoral program.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 920 Diversity and Equity in Educational Organizations
Understanding the individual and organizational issues of diversity and multiculturalism in P-20 schools. Increase the students knowledge and appreciation of: cultural, social, political, and economic realities of our complex, pluralistic society in relation to our educational system.
- Credit Hours: 3
- *EDAD 990 Intro to District Leadership
*Designed for EdD students seeking superintendent endorsement
- Credit Hours: 1
- EDAD 983 Qualitative Methods
An overview of concepts and approaches to qualitative methodology in educational administration research including major methodological approaches (e.g. case study, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, and narrative inquiry). Overview of approaches to qualitative research design, fieldwork, data collection, and data analysis.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 981 Quantitative Methods
Introduction to the concepts, principles, and methods in intermediate statistical analyses for educational administration research, with a focus throughout on applied data analysis.
- Credit Hours: 3
- Specialization Elective
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 986 Leadership in Educational Organizations
The examination of leaders and leadership in educational organizations. Through assigned readings and written assignments, students will make applications of the readings to: a) the organization of educational institutions and programs, b) the leadership that occurs in educational organizations and programs, c) the leadership skills and actions that are necessary to achieve the mission, goals, and objectives of educational organizations, and d) the students' individual leadership growth and development.
- Credit Hours: 3
- Specialization Elective
- Credit Hours: 3
- *EDAD 990 Intro to District Leadership II
- Credit Hours: 1
- EDAD 901 Improvement Science 1
Foundations of disciplined inquiry for continuous improvement, including application of systems and ecological analysis, data analysis for understanding problems of educational practice, theory of action development, change leadership, and measurement and evaluation of change efforts. Introduction to critical approaches to systems-level improvement.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 902 Improvement Science 2
Applied research methods course using disciplined inquiry for continuous improvement, including application of systems and ecological analysis; outcome and process data collection; and data analysis to evaluate change efforts.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 988 Dissertation Proposal
Intended for students who are working on the development of their dissertation proposal.
- Credit Hours: 3
- Credit Hours: 1
- Credit Hours: 1-6
- EDAD 999 Dissertation
Intended for students who are working on the development of their dissertation.
- Credit Hours: 3-6
- *EDAD 998 District Internship
- Credit Hours: 1-6
- EDAD 999 Dissertation
Intended for students who are working on the development of their dissertation.
- Credit Hours: 3-6
- *EDAD 998 District Internship
- Credit Hours: 1-6
- EDAD 999 Dissertation
Intended for students who are working on the development of their dissertation.
- Credit Hours: 3-6
- *EDAD District Capstone
- EDAD 999 Dissertation
Intended for students who are working on the development of their dissertation.
- Credit Hours: 3-6
- EDAD 919: Social and Political Contexts of Educational Administration
- EDAD 929: Organizational Theory and Change
- EDAD 966: Seminar in Educational Administration
- EDAD 879: Introduction to Student Affairs
- EDAD 930: Comparative International Education
- EDAD 838: Program Evaluation and Assessment of Student Affairs
- EDAD 843: Counseling Principles for Educational Administration
- EDAD 936: Higher Education Planning
- EDAD 934: Teaching and Learning in the Community College
- EDAD 923: The Community/Junior College
- EDAD 935: Workforce, Economic, and Community Development
- EDAD 912B: Emerging Issues in Community College Leadership
- EDAD 935: Workforce, Economic, and Community Development
- EDAD 835: District-Level School Finance
- EDAD 987: Superintendent Academy
- SPED 857: Special Education Administration
- EDAD 906: Issues in System Level Administration
- EDAD 907: Issues in Educational Politics and Policies
"So true are the words of Jon Gordon (2007) in that no one ever creates success alone. Pursuing my doctorate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln afforded me the chance to be surrounded by a positive team of supportive people rooting me on every step of the way. My classes and experiences pushed me and extended a myriad of opportunities to grow and develop as a learner and researcher. I am thankful to the staff of UNL for all of the scholarly advice, patience, and wisdom in helping me achieve a lifelong goal."
Vann Price, Ed.D., Supervisor of Secondary Personnel Services, Lincoln Public Schools (Lincoln, NE)
"When pursuing a doctoral program, I wanted an experience that combined theory and research with practical application. The program of studies, guidance of the professors, and collaborative peers provided just that – an opportunity to learn the field of educational administration while focusing on areas that impacted my work as a principal and eventually a superintendent. The entire journey was highlighted by a dissertation that was grounded in theory and previous research but immediately applicable to my work as a principal. Not only was I able to contribute to the existing research with my study, but I was able to go back to my school and make a difference with my learning."
Clayton J. Theisinger, Ed. D., Superintendent, Putnam County CUSD #535 (Granville, IL)
"I was initially drawn to their Community College Leadership Certificate (CCLC). After gaining confidence and a credential with the CCLC, I then decided to continue and pursue my EdD with UNL’s EDAD program, seamlessly applying my CCLC credits towards the doctorate. One of the things that I loved most about UNL’s doctoral degree was the flexibility of the online program and the ability to learn from and alongside community college colleagues from across the country."
Terri Sullivan, Ed.D., Associate Professor - Office Management, Montgomery County Community College (Blue Bell, PA)
Application Process
The application deadline for Summer admission is January 15.
The Ed.D. program is designed to prepare scholarly practitioners in the P-20 educational setting to lead continuous improvement for equity in educational organizations at all levels, P-20. Our students who wish to focus on P-12 education, aspire to be superintendents, central office leaders, or administrators in Educational Service Units, etc. Other students who wish to focus on higher education or community colleges strive to move into roles like higher education administrators.
Students considering doctoral work in Educational Administration often question the differences between the Ed.D. or Ph.D. To determine which is a better fit for you, consult the department's Doctoral Degree Information page.
Graduate Admission Requirements
- Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
- One set of transcripts.
- If the student’s native language is not English, verification of English proficiency is required.
- If International: upload copies of all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.
- **Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.
- If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information.
- Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.
Major Admission Requirements
- Personal Statement:
- In this letter to the admissions committee, address the following questions:(1) What are your professional education and leadership experiences? (2) How are equity and diversity centered in your work as an educator and a leader? (3) How does an Ed.D. in Educational Administration figure into your career trajectory and goals as an educational leader? (4) What is your plan and strategy to complete your degree in a timely manner (for instance, online coursework, occasional required on-campus experiences)? This should be limited to 2-3 Pages.
- Essay:
- In this essay, describe what you see as an important pressing educational challenge or opportunity in your organization or community. Be sure to identify what has been said or done (or not said or done) regarding the issue by local stakeholders to date (e.g. teachers, faculty, administrators community members). Explain why this challenge/opportunity is important to address in your context, and how you might address it through organizational improvement efforts as part of your dissertation practice. Explain how your scholarly inquiry regarding this challenge or opportunity could help resolve a problem of practice. This should be limited to a maximum of 4 pages.
- Writing Sample: Upload 2 academic/scholarly writing samples. Applicants typically submit papers written for other courses or academic programs that give the admissions committee a sense of the applicant's academic writing skill and background.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO START THE APPLICATION PROCESS
