Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership

Plan Description

The Doctor of Education - Educational Leadership degree focuses on novel creative solutions to current and future educational challenges as it develops the knowledge and skills of mid-career public school leaders for their current and future leadership positions.  This program utilizes a problem-based learning approach that consists of a series of compressed thematic seminars in which emphasis is placed on identifying and developing advanced solutions to real-life professional problems.  Additionally, this program incorporates interaction between students and faculty to determine the precise content and problems of practice that will be pursued under each broadly defined theme.  

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

Application Deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

(a) Graduate College Admission Requirements

1. Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee. 
2. Applicants are required to hold a regionally accredited Master’s degree.
3. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor’s degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits). 
4. All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.
   1. Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

(b) Department Admission Requirements

1. Two letters of recommendation. These letters should detail the applicant’s
   (a) leadership experiences and strengths
   (b) academic skills and abilities
2. Letter of Application/Interest. A maximum two page, single-spaced letter of application/interest that clearly articulates professional and research goals related to the Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership. The letter should include: 

(a) how the applicant will apply the doctoral degree to improve the field of education 
(b) the career objectives and professional goals upon completion of the program, including how the degree will assist in attaining these objectives and goals
(c) the applicant’s leadership philosophy.

3. Resume or Vita. A curriculum vitae/resumé of professional preparation and experience, including evidence of at least three years of leadership experience in education (broadly defined).
4. Representative samples (two or more) of professional writing related to professional study (e.g., thesis, professional paper, grant applications, opinion/editorial, newsletter, class paper).
5. Successful interview with program faculty (all applicant will be interviewed face-to-face)

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

Total Credits Required: 60

Degree Requirements

1. Students must complete a minimum of 60 credits of approved course work with a minimum GPA of 3.00.

Plan Graduation Requirements

1. The student must submit and successfully defend their dissertation by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
2. After the dissertation defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their dissertation to the Graduate College for format check. Once the dissertation format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for dissertation defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here. 
3. Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.