Doctorate in Leadership -

Educational Leadership

with Ohio Superintendent Licensure

Online 61 credits hours Ed.D * 67 credit hours Ph.D

Affordable Tuition

$333/mo

*if using financial aid

How to Pay
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SUFA24 tuition rates - Leadership Master's Programs $270/credit, Leadership Doctorate Programs $469/credit
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Program Highlights & Benefits

Up to 50% transfer credits considered

One of the most affordable Superintendent Licensure Doctorate programs in the state

Access to job postings throughout Ohio

Network with teachers and administrators across the state

This program prepares educators for district‐level administrative responsibility. This program is designed to build upon the candidate’s administrative knowledge base of building‐level leadership. The focus is the development of district‐level leadership skills including policy, human resources/bargaining for purposes of union contract negotiations, and district finance. The superintendency and internship courses provide the simulations and hands‐on experience at a district level which are not included in principal licensure preparation.

Areas of Study

CourseTitleHours
*EDL 7100The Superintendency3
EDL 7140Organizational Change3
*EDL 7210Policy Analysis3
*EDL 7220Human Resource Administration and Bargaining3
*EDL 7230Educational Finance3
EDL 7240Supervisory Theory and Practice3
EDL 7250Legal Issues for School Districts3
EDL 7260School/District Improvement Through Data Analysis3
EDL 7300Ethics for Educational Leaders3
*EDL 7891Internship: Superintendent3

*Starred courses are required for superintendent licensure

Foundations

Practice-based Track – Ed.D. (31 Semester Hours)

Foundations/Philosophy/Ethics (12 sem. hours) 
FPR 7011 Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Leadership (3)
EDL 7110 Strategies of Educational Leadership (3)
EDL 7120 Research-Based Decision Making (3)
EDL 7310 Organization and Community Partnerships (3)

Research (10 sem. hours)
RES 7605 Quantitative Analysis (3)
RES 7700 Qualitative Research (3)
RES 7900 Research Design (4)

Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation (9 sem. hours)
Comp 7000 Comprehensive Examination (fee)
Diss 7010 Dissertation (3sh)
Diss 7020 Dissertation (3sh)
Diss 7030 Dissertation (3sh)
Diss 8000 Dissertation Supervision (fee)

Total Credit Hours Practice-based Track (Ed.D.): 61

Research-based Track – Ph.D. (37 Semester Hours)

Foundations/Philosophy/Ethics (12 sem. hours)
EDL 7110 Strategies of Educational Leadership (3)
EDL 7120 Research Based Decision Making (3)
EDL 7310 Organization and Community Partnerships (3)
FPR 7300 The Philosophy of Scientific Knowledge (3)

Research (16 sem. hours)
RES 7605 Quantitative Analysis (3)
RES 7700 Qualitative Research (3)
RES 7800 Mixed Methods Research (3)
RES 7620 Advanced Topics in Statistics (3) OR RES 7710 Advanced Topics in Qualitative Analysis (3)
RES 7900 Research Design (4)

Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation (9 sem. hours)
Comp 7000 Comprehensive Exam (fee)
Diss 7010 Dissertation (3sh)
Diss 7020 Dissertation (3sh)
Diss 7030 Dissertation (3sh)
Diss 8000 Dissertation Supervision (fee)

Total Credit Hours Research-based Track (Ph.D.): 67 sh

Please Note:

Courses are subject to administrative review and change at any time. Minimum completion time is four years, but is dependent upon dissertation timeline of completion.

Tuition Guarantee

The special per credit hour cohort tuition is $469. 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 of successful administrative experience as verified by a school district; three years of administrative experience by the time of application for licensure
  • Objective statement essay
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Official sealed academic transcripts from institutions where degrees were earned
  • Submission of professional resume
  • Copy of both the current Ohio teaching license and the administrative (principal or admin. specialist) license

Once all materials are submitted and your file is complete, the following steps will be taken:

  1. Your file will be reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee.
  2. 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
Emailgraduate.admission@CUChicago.edu

Other Contacts:
Cohort InformationGraduate Information Office800-946-9608
Payment PlanOffice of Student Business Services708-209-3237
Financial AssistanceOffice of Student Financial Planning708-209-3113
Online FAFSA formwww.fafsa.gov800-4-FED AID

NOTE: 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.