Northcentral University | PhD in Education - Instructional Leadership

Students interested in expanding their understanding of curriculum development may be interested in Northcentral University's Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a specialization in Instructional Leadership program. Learn more about this program here.

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Official Program Name:

Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a specialization in Instructional Leadership

School Offering Program:

Northcentral University

Degree Level:

Doctoral

Program Prerequisites:

Students must already hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited university. Previous work experience or academic work in education may be helpful. Applicants to Northcentral University's online graduate programs should already possess a bachelor's degree.

Program Description:

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a specialization in Instructional Leadership program is designed to encourage students to engage in academic research, scholarship, and systematic inquiry in the education field. Through the practice of research, students may learn how to apply knowledge in novel ways or to generate new knowledge. The instructional leadership specialization provides instruction in leadership research, theory, and practices. Coursework includes the culture of learning, curriculum supervision, and innovation. Students must complete an original dissertation in order to complete the program.

Learning Format:

Online

Total Credits Required:

Minimum of 60 credit hours

Financial Aid Available:

Financial aid is available to qualifying students. Graduate students may apply for Federal Stafford Loan or the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan. Military personnel and veterans may qualify for special assistance or tuition reduction.

Tuition, Financial Aid & Start Dates

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Required Courses for a Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a Specialization in Instructional Leadership

Program and course requirements are subject to change. Contact Northcentral University to confirm the most accurate information before enrolling in a program.

Doctor of Education Foundation Courses (24 credits)

EDU 8000: Foundations for Graduate Study in Education
EDU 8001: Advanced Scholarly Writing
EDR 8200: Scholarly Literature Review
EDR 8203: Research Methods
EDR 8201: Statistics I
EDR 8202: Statistics II
EDR 8204: Advanced Qualitative Design and Measurement
EDR 8205: Advanced Quantitative Design and Measurement
One additional Specialization or Elective Course

Instructional Leadership Specialization Courses (18 credits)

IL 7000: The Culture of Learning
IL 7001: Leader as Advocate and Decision Maker
IL 7002: Leader as Community Advocate
ED 7014: Practices in School Organization
ED 7016: Supervision and Leadership in Schools
ED 7035: Curriculum Supervision
ED 7030: Development of Organizational Leadership
ED 7036: Innovation for Change

Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (3 credits)

CMP 9700E: Doctoral Comprehensive Assessment: Pre-Candidacy Prospectus

Dissertation Requirements (12 credits)

DIS 9901A: Components of the Dissertation
DIS 9902A: The Dissertation Proposal
DIS 9903A: Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Data Collection
DIS 9904A: The Dissertation Manuscript and Defense

Post Graduation Opportunities

Career Paths:

This program may help students develop skills in conducting and applying original research. Students may learn about organizational leadership, curriculum development, and community activism. Possible positions graduates could pursue include:

Department head
Curriculum developer
School counselor