Program Requirements

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Independent School Leadership Program Requirements

Educational Leadership Core (12 hours)

EDEL 800 Advanced Leadership Theory
EDEL 801 Organizational Theory and Behavior
EDEL 818 Law and Ethics for Educational Leaders
EDEL 829 Leadership for Diversity and Inclusivity

Professional Studies: Independent School Leadership Track (15 hours)

EDEL 847 Managing the Learning Program in Independent Schools
EDEL 848 Leadership Challenges in Independent Schools
EDEL 849 Strategic Enrollment Management for Independent Schools

Students may choose to take 2 classes from the required coursework from the P-12 or Higher Education track (for example, EDEL 836 Institutional Planning, Assessment and Effectiveness or EDEL 844 Administrative Affairs and Finance).

Ph.D. Research Block (15 hours)

EDUC 810 Foundations of Educational Research
EDUC 811 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods
EDUC 812 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
EDUC 813 Intermediate Quantitative Research Methods or
EDUC 814 Qualitative Research Design
EDUC 815 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods & Design or
EDUC 816 Advanced Qualitative Methods and Analysis

Ph.D. Dissertation Block (12 hours)

EDUC 809 Doctoral Seminar One: Scholarly Writing
EDUC 817 Doctoral Seminar Two: Survey of Literature
EDUC 837 Doctoral Seminar Three: Foundational Reading
EDUC 843 Doctoral Seminar Four: Proposal
EDUC 880 Dissertation (taken twice)

Educational Leadership Electives (9 hours)

Students will submit a proposal for electives, to be approved by the program director. Electives should be at the 700 level or above.

Total degree requirements: 63 hours

Learn more about our Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Independent School Leadership

Ready to take the next step?

Schedule your personalized admissions appointment or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 678.547.6062 or MercerEducation@mercer.edu for more information.