Doctorate in Leadership -
Early Childhood Education
Discounted Tuition • Flexible Online Format
Program Highlights & Benefits
Up to 50% transfer credits considered
Access to job postings throughout Ohio
Personalized advising from start to finish
Network with teachers and administrators across the state
Program Overview
The Ed.D./Ph.D. program provides the opportunity for the current and future leaders in the field to extend knowledge in early childhood education and develop understandings of current and future issues in the field. These opportunities are organized into coursework, practical experiences in the field, and research. The program will enable candidates to:
- Strengthen theoretical understandings of early childhood education
- Increase knowledge of human growth and development, with emphasis on the young child
- Strengthen expertise in the principles and practices of early childhood education
- Develop skills in administration and organization of early childhood education programs
- Increase awareness of support services to families of young children
- Develop research and analysis skills that will further and support current knowledge in the field
Areas of Study
Ed.D. Track
| Course | Title |
| ECE 7010 | Child Development and the Educational Process |
| ECE 7020 | The Leadership/Supervision of Early Childhood Centers and Programs |
| FPR 7011 | Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Leadership |
| ECE 7030 | Trends, Issues, and Research in Early Childhood Education |
| ECE 7040 | Cultural and Socioeconomic Influences Affecting Diverse Learners |
| EDL 7140 | Organizational Change |
| ECE 7050 | Models of Assessment |
| ECE 7060 | Curriculum Models in Early Childhood Education |
| ECE 7070 | Language, Literacy and Reading Instruction in Early Childhood Education |
| EDL 7210 | Policy Analysis |
| ECE 7080 | Legal Issues in Early Childhood Education |
| EDL 7300 | Ethics for Educational Leaders |
| ECE 7090 | Family and Community Relationships and Advocacy |
| ECE 7110 | Early Childhood Education Internship |
| RES 7605 | Quantitative Analysis |
| RES 7700 | Qualitative Analysis |
| RES 7900 | Research Design |
| COMP 7000 | Comprehensive Exam (fee based) |
| DISS 7010 | Dissertation |
| DISS 7020 | Dissertation |
| DISS 7030 | Dissertation |
| DISS 8000* | Dissertation Supervision (as needed, fee based)* |
Ph.D. Track
| Course | Title |
| ECE 7010 | Child Development and the Educational Process |
| ECE 7020 | The Leadership/Supervision of Early Childhood Centers and Programs |
| FPR 7300 | The Philosophy of Scientific Knowledge |
| ECE 7030 | Trends, Issues, and Research in Early Childhood Education |
| ECE 7040 | Cultural and Socioeconomic Influences Affecting Diverse Learners |
| EDL 7140 | Organizational Change |
| ECE 7050 | Models of Assessment |
| ECE 7060 | Curriculum Models in Early Childhood Education |
| ECE 7070 | Language, Literacy and Reading Instruction in Early Childhood Education |
| EDL 7210 | Policy Analysis |
| ECE 7080 | Legal Issues in Early Childhood Education |
| EDL 7300 | Ethics for Educational Leaders |
| ECE 7090 | Family and Community Relationships and Advocacy |
| ECE 7110 | Early Childhood Education Internship |
| RES 7605 | Quantitative Analysis |
| RES 7700 | Qualitative Analysis |
| RES 7800 | Mixed Methods Research |
| RES 7620 OR RES 7710 | Advanced Topics in Statistics OR Advanced Topics in Qualitative Analysis |
| RES 7900 | Research Design |
| COMP 7000 | Comprehensive Exam (fee based) |
| DISS 7010 | Dissertation |
| DISS 7020 | Dissertation |
| DISS 7030 | Dissertation |
| DISS 8000* | Dissertation Supervision (as needed, fee based)* |
Please Note:
* Students must register for DISS 8000 repeatedly (as needed) to maintain continuous enrollment until program completion. Minimum completion time is four years, but is dependent upon dissertation timeline of completion.
Those who intend to apply for financial aid should complete the financial aid process at the same time they apply for admission. Financial aid is available to admitted students (not pending/guest status) and is not retroactive.
This is only an introduction of the program. You are responsible to review the Graduate Catalog for program details.
Tuition Guarantee
The special per credit hour cohort tuition is $735. This rate is guaranteed not to increase over the life of the cohort. In addition, a technology fee of $18 per credit hour ($54 per 3 credit course) will be assessed for the purpose of supporting and enhancing student learning (Concordia e-mail, Blackboard, text notifications). The graduation fee will be assessed. We reserve the right to offer different tuition rates, or change the prices of other programs. Total tuition is dependent upon dissertation timeline of completion. Upon completion of the nine required hours of dissertation coursework, candidates must maintain continuous enrollment with DISS-8000 Dissertation Supervision until program completion, which is charged at the rate of one-credit hour per semester.
Admission Requirements
- A doctoral student must have an earned master’s degree of at least 3.00 cumulative.
- Two years teaching experience
- Objective Statement essay
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official sealed academic transcripts from institutions where degrees were earned
- Submission of Professional Resume
- Copy of current Ohio teaching license (if applicable)
Once all materials are submitted and your file is complete, the following steps will be taken:
- Your file will be reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee.
- An admission decision will be reached immediately following the committee review, and you will be notified in writing within a few days.
NOTE: Admission to Concordia University Chicago depends on several factors, including: the cumulative GPA, program fit, professional experience, letters of recommendation, and an objective statement (critical writing sample). Students who do not have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 2.25 (on a 4.00 scale) will not be considered for admission.
Applicants may enroll in one semester of classes as a “pending” student awaiting an admission decision. Please note that participation and enrollment in the cohort does not guarantee admission to the University. Pending students who are denied admission will not be automatically withdrawn from the class, and will not receive a tuition refund. Pending students are not eligible for financial aid, therefore, please complete the admission process and submit official transcripts by the beginning of the semester for full admission to the graduate cohort program.
The Office of Graduate Admission and Enrollment Services will send a letter upon receipt of your application, and non-refundable $60.00 application fee (includes 1-year Associate Membership in OAESA). If you have any questions regarding your admission status, please feel free to contact us at:
Office of Graduate Admission and Enrollment Services
Phone: 708-209-4093
Fax: 708-209-3454
Email: graduate.admission@CUChicago.edu
Other Contacts:
| Cohort Information | Graduate Information Office | 800-946-9608 |
| Payment Plan | Office of Student Business Services | 708-209-3237 |
| Financial Assistance | Office of Student Financial Planning | 708-209-3113 |
| Online FAFSA form | Click here | 800-4-FED AID |
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