Lead with Purpose in K–12 Education
The UNC School of Education’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program with a concentration in K–12 Leadership prepares experienced educators for superintendent licensure and empowers them to lead school systems with insight, intention, and an unwavering commitment to student success and well-being amid rapidly evolving educational landscapes.
Designed for Working Professionals
Designed for working professionals, this 54-credit, part-time program integrates rigorous leadership development with the demands of full-time careers. In-person evening classes — typically held one night per week — offer a focused, manageable schedule that supports our students in advancing their expertise in instructional leadership, systems thinking, culturally responsive practice, and strategic improvement.
Collaborative Learning and Hands-On Experience
Students advance as a collaborative cohort, forging lasting professional networks with fellow leaders across North Carolina and cultivating a community rooted in shared experience and expertise. A yearlong, part-time internship, guided by accomplished educational leaders, enables students to confront real-world educational leadership challenges, apply theory to practice, and gain skills and experiences necessary for advanced roles in K–12 education.
Throughout the program, individualized mentorship from faculty experts in school leadership, education policy, and improvement science and implementation supports students as they develop a dissertation in practice. This research-driven project aligns with each student’s professional goals and seeks meaningful solutions to pressing educational challenges.
Preparing for System-Level Leadership
Graduates emerge ready to lead at the highest levels of school and district administration, including qualification for North Carolina Superintendent Licensure through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. They join a distinguished network of Carolina alumni — state and nationally recognized leaders — committed to improving educational outcomes at local, state, and national levels.