Curriculum & Courses

The Ed.D. concentration in K–12 Leadership follows a 54-credit hour curriculum designed to support the schedules of working professionals. Most students complete the program part-time over three years, typically enrolling in two courses per semester. Evening classes are held during the fall and spring semesters, with many students attending back-to-back sessions one night per week. During the two summer terms, students generally take two courses each.  

The curriculum is composed of: 

• 12 hours of core and foundational courses; 
• 21 hours of leadership, skills and dispositions courses; 
• 18 hours of research and methods courses, including the dissertation course; 
• at least 3 hours of elective courses. 

Learn More About the Program

Field Experiences

Students in the Ed.D. concentration in K–12 Leadership participate in a yearlong, part-time internship under the mentorship of experienced educational leaders. This hands-on experience provides opportunities to engage with real-world leadership challenges, apply learned concepts, and develop practical skills in diverse educational settings. The mentorship received supports our students in reflecting on their practice, navigating complex leadership issues, and building necessary skills as they prepare for advanced roles in K–12 education. 

Dissertation-in-Practice

The Ed.D. concentration in K–12 Leadership culminates in a dissertation in practice (DiP) — a capstone experience that demonstrates each student’s ability to apply theoretical knowledge, empirical research, and innovative thinking to a complex, real-world challenge in K–12 education. Through a three-semester course sequence, students identify a problem of practice — often a persistent issue within the educational setting — and explore research-based solutions grounded in the principles of learning and leadership. 

This extensive project aligns with the concentration’s 18 credit hours of research and methods coursework, which builds essential skills in data analysis, research design, and inquiry. Courses such as EDUC 710: Statistical Analysis of Educational Data I and EDUC 830: Field Techniques in Educational Research prepare students to conduct meaningful, applied research that reflects their professional goals. 

Guided by faculty mentors, students engage deeply with their topic of interest, contributing practical, evidence-informed strategies that support improvement in school systems — and furthering their own educational leadership development in the process. 

Accreditation 

Accreditation is quality assurance through external peer review to ensure a program meets the standards set by its academic community, professionals, and stakeholders. The Ed.D. concentration in K–12 Leadership is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). 

Courses