Academic Catalog

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Higher Education Administration

Department: Education

Program Overview

Bradley University’s post-master's Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program in Educational Leadership is a fully online, distance education program. Students may select from two concentrations: Higher Education Administration or Digital and Online Education. 

Program Mission and Objectives
 
The program's mission is to prepare professionals with backgrounds in education and/or leadership for career advancement in education or education-related services. The Ed.D in Educational Leadership program is designed to engage students in interactive, research-based leadership development experiences within authentic contexts, emphasizing student learning, quality instruction, and organizational effectiveness in higher education. Five program objectives guide the design and delivery of each course in the program: 

  1. Provide foundational knowledge, skills, and theory related to educational governance, ethics and politics, technology, assessment, and decision-making.
  2. Focus student learning experiences on a concentrated area of study that provides specialized knowledge and skills.
  3. Immerse students in planning, conducting, and reporting original action research related to current trends and issues in education.
  4. Involve students in demonstrating application of knowledge, skills, and theory by completing an authentic capstone experience or project.
  5. Engage students in reflection and critical analysis of leadership theories, practices, and policies related to equity and opportunity in education.

Concentration Overview

Embedded within the 48-semester hour Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program, the Higher Education Administration and Leadership concentration prepares students for career advancement in college, university, and other human services settings. Concentration courses cover topics including higher education organization and leadership, community college, teaching and learning, student affairs, and financial affairs. The Higher Education Administration and Leadership concentration culminates with a two-semester internship that allows students to authentically apply knowledge, skills, and theory in an authentic setting. Students will be prepared to serve in faculty, staff, and administrative positions in a variety of fields including education, industry, the military, and the non-profit sector.

Concentration Outcomes

Upon graduation, students enrolled in the Higher Educational Administration and Leadership concentration of the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program are expected to obtain the following outcomes:

  1. Interpret organizational governance structures and processes associated by institutional type, purpose, audience, and core values.
  2. Create effective and innovative teaching, learning, and academic/social support environments for students at different institution types and levels of education.
  3. Evaluate political, social, and economic influences as they apply to the range of higher education operations.
  4. Recommend resolutions to obstacles and challenges facing various members of the campus community, including faculty, staff, administrators, and board members.
  5. Develop leadership philosophies and demonstrate leadership strategies that reflect ethical and professional norms, cultural responsiveness, and institutional advocacy.

Admission Criteria


In addition to Bradley University Graduate Admission Requirements, admission into either concentration of the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Program requires the following:

  • Minimum degree required: earned master’s degree
  • Master’s level GPA of 3.00 or higher, no more than one final grade of C 
  • Current and complete resume or CV
  • Four written responses to essay prompts
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors or professional colleagues

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Program Transfer Credit Policy

  • Per Bradley University's Graduate Education Policy, students enrolling in the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program may transfer in up to 9 semesters hours of doctoral-level graduate credit from an accredited program. 
  • Students must make a request for transfer credit at the time they apply to the program.
  • For transfer credit to be considered, students must submit a copy of the syllabus for the course they wish to transfer in. The syllabus must be from the semester during which they completed the course. The syllabi will be uploaded to SLATE to be considered as part of the application materials.
  • The request for transfer credit will be reviewed by the appropriate Ed.D. program faculty member. Students will receive notification of approved transfer credit in their admission letter.
  • Transfer credit will not be accepted after the first day of a student's first term in the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program.
  • Transfer credit may not be accepted for the action research courses (EDU 703, EDU 704, EDU 705, EDU 706, EDU 707) or for the internship courses (EDU 722, EDU 723).