Educational Leadership Ed.D.

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is practitioner-oriented and tailored as much as possible to the professional needs of the individual student. The PK-12 Education Leadership doctorate provides the theoretical framework and practical applications needed for those interested in careers as public or private school administrators or in other fields calling for educational leadership.

The PK-12 Education Leadership doctorate is a cohort program. The program’s professional training stresses visionary leadership, collaborative problem solving, interpersonal and inter-group relations, and effective communications. A  unique feature of the program permits students to establish residency during two consecutive summers. It is flexibly structured, thus allowing the candidate to combine work on the degree with performance on the job, eliminating the need for extensive leaves of absences from work.

Admission Requirements

Students must first apply for admission through the university’s Graduate College. After an initial evaluation, the Graduate College forwards all of the materials to the Department of Educational Leadership for review. Current application deadlines are posted on the department program areas websites. Minimum admission requirements for UNLV’s Graduate College include:

1. Completed application and nonrefundable admission and application fee;
2. One copy of official transcripts from all institutions attended after high school, including verification of a master’s degree in educational administration or an approved equivalent.

More information is available on the Graduate College website.

Additional materials must be submitted directly to the Department of Educational Leadership. These include:

1. Evidence of a master’s degree from an accredited college or university or an approved equivalent;
2. Copies of all college transcripts with degrees posted;
3. Three letters of professional recommendation;
4. Satisfactory composite scores on the Graduate Record Examination’s General Test;
5. A current professional resumé or vita;
6. Verification of administrative or teaching experience or comparable employment in PK-12 education or related field.
7. Evidence of writing ability
8. Evidence of entry-level technology skills;
9. Appropriate professional aspirations reflected in a personal statement.

After a review, the appropriate program faculty within the department will select students for interviews with departmental faculty based upon the application materials submitted to the Graduate College and the department. Each candidate’s final admission decision relies on an evaluation of all application materials including the interview.