The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program at Mississippi College offers a doctoral degree to K-12 school leaders interested in educational management.
Mississippi College’s doctoral degree in Education Leadership provides our Ed.D candidates with the knowledge, skills and strategies to be effective educators and leaders in K-12 settings.
At Mississippi College, the Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership degree is designed to accommodate the active lives of professional educators who wish to continue the study of educational management in K-12 and school district settings. The Department of Teacher Education and Leadership at Mississippi College has an exemplary reputation for its preparation of professional educators who are knowledgeable, reflective and prepared to positively impact the lives of all students.
Reflected in the Ed.D. program vision, our mission is "to produce the best prepared educational leaders in the history of Mississippi." It is with this vision in mind that our dedicated faculty strive to prepare doctoral candidates who exemplify high levels of knowledge, skills, ethical behavior and commitment to leadership.
To earn their Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, the typical student must take 60 semester hours beyond a master’s degree in addition to 12 dissertation hours. Students who enter with a specialist degree are required to complete a minimum of 45 semester hours, inclusive of the dissertation. If the student has a specialist degree upon enrollment, the doctoral coursework can be completed within one year. This Ed.D. program does not lead to initial Administrator (K-12) licensure in Mississippi (MS); instead, candidates may add the AAAA level to their existing MS Educator License in Administration (K-12).
According to 2019 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mississippi and Louisiana were in the top five states for the highest concentration of jobs in K-12 administration, demonstrating the opportunity in this rewarding field for those who earn a doctorate in education.
If you’re a working adult with multiple responsibilities, Mississippi College can help make education more accessible for you. We understand that children, jobs, school activities and more can become overwhelming. Leadership programs offer educators the ability to utilize day courses during the summer and evening courses during the fall and spring semesters. The Ed.D. program enrolls students during the Spring semester of each year.
By September 15th, submit the Admission credentials to:
The Office of Graduate and Professional Studies
P.O. Box 4067
Clinton, MS 39058-4029
Admission to the Ed.D. program is limited to the discretion of the Educational Leadership Screening and Selection Committee. Consult the Program Coordinator or the Chair of the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership for additional information concerning the cohort group selection process and specific program requirements. Only applicants who have completed all components of the application process will be considered.
The Educational Leadership courses provide a comprehensive study of K-12 education and administration to prepare our Ed.D. candidates for their research and dissertation work.
The required coursework for the doctorate in education at Mississippi College should be 60 semester hours beyond a master’s degree plus a minimum of 12 dissertation hours.
These courses must be taken by all Ed.D students.
| Code | Course | Sem. Hrs. |
| EDU 6505 | Engaged Learning | 3 |
| EDU 6520 | Basics of Effective Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 6521 | Organizational School and Community Effectiveness | 3 |
| EDU 7530 | Issues and Concepts of Personnel Management | 3 |
| EDU 7531 | Seminar in Current Educational Leadership Dilemmas | 3 |
| EDU 7540 | Basics of School Finance and Fiscal Control of Schools | 3 |
| EDU 7541 | Legal Structures & Legal Issues Pertaining to School Operations | 3 |
| EDU 7561 | Data-Driven Decision-Making | 3 |
| EDU 7601 | Comparative Philosophies of Education | 3 |
| EDU 8120 | Faith, Ethics, and Social Issues in Educational Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 8125 | Multiculturalism and Diversity | 3 |
| EDU 813 | Instructional Supervision |
3 3 |
| EDU 8135 | Curriculum Planning and School Improvement | 3 |
| Code | Course | Sem. Hrs. |
| PSY 6505 | Intermediate Statistics | 3 |
| EDU 7501 | Advanced Educational Research Applications | 3 |
| EDU 7606 | Advanced Statistics | 3 |
| EDU 7710 | Qualitative and Quantitative Research Designs in Education | 3 |
| Code | Course | Sem. Hrs. |
| EDU 8880 | Dissertation | -- |
