Doctorate in Leadership -
Educational Leadership
with Ohio Superintendent Licensure
Program Highlights & Benefits
Up to 50% transfer credits considered
Among the most competitive tuition rates 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
Degree Requirements for Ed.D. Track
| Course | Title | Hours |
| Doctoral Program Core | ||
| EDL 7140 | Organizational Change (PK-12) | 3 |
| EDL 7210 | Policy Analysis (PK-12) | 3 |
| EDL 7300 | Ethics for School Leaders | 3 |
| FPR 7011 | Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Leadership | 3 |
| Educational Leadership Courses | ||
| EDL 7100 | The Superintendency | 3 |
| EDL 7110 | Strategies of Educational Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 7120 | Research-Based Decision Making | 3 |
| EDL 7220 | Human Resource Administration and Bargaining | 3 |
| EDL 7230 | Educational Finance | 3 |
| EDL 7240 | Supervisory Theory & Practice | 3 |
| EDL 7250 | Legal Issues for School Districts | 3 |
| EDL 7260 | School/District Improvement Using Data Analysis | 3 |
| EDL 7310 | Organization and Community Partnerships | 3 |
| EDL 7891 | Professional Career Training – Superintendent Track | 3 |
| Research | ||
| RES 7605 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| RES 7700 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
| RES 7910 | Research Design I | 3 |
| RES 7920 | Research Design II | 3 |
| Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation * | ||
| COMP 7010 | Doctoral Comprehensive Exam | 1 |
| DISS 7011 | Dissertation Proposal I | 3 |
| DISS 7012 | Dissertation Proposal II | 3 |
| DISS 8010 | Dissertation Completion (first 8-week session) | 0 |
| DISS 8011 | Dissertation Completion (second 8-week session) | 0 |
| Minimum Total Hours: | 61 |
*- Students continue in the DISS-701X sequence until successful proposal defense.
– After a student successfully defends their proposal, they apply for candidacy and maintain continuous enrollment in DISS-8010 Dissertation Completion and DISS-8011 Dissertation Completion until program completion.
Degree Requirements for PhD Track
| Course | Title | Hours |
| Doctoral Program Core | ||
| EDL 7140 | Organizational Change (PK-12) | 3 |
| EDL 7210 | Policy Analysis (PK-12) | 3 |
| EDL 7300 | Ethics for School Leaders | 3 |
| FPR 7300 | Philosophy of Scientific Knowledge | 3 |
| Educational Leadership Courses | ||
| EDL 7100 | The Superintendency | 3 |
| EDL 7110 | Strategies of Educational Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 7120 | Research-Based Decision Making | 3 |
| EDL 7220 | Human Resource Administration and Bargaining | 3 |
| EDL 7230 | Educational Finance | 3 |
| EDL 7240 | Supervisory Theory & Practice | 3 |
| EDL 7250 | Legal Issues for School Districts | 3 |
| EDL 7260 | School/District Improvement Using Data Analysis | 3 |
| EDL 7310 | Organization and Community Partnerships | 3 |
| EDL 7891 | Professional Career Training – Superintendent Track | 3 |
| Research | ||
| RES 7605 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| RES 7700 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
| RES 7800 | Mixed Methods Research | 3 |
| RES 7620 -OR- RES 7710 | Advanced Topics in Statistics | 3 |
| RES 7910 | Research Design I | 3 |
| RES 7920 | Research Design II | 3 |
| Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation* | ||
| COMP 7010 | Doctoral Comprehensive Exam | 1 |
| DISS 7011 | Dissertation Proposal I | 3 |
| DISS 7012 | Dissertation Proposal II | 3 |
| DISS 8010 | Dissertation Completion (first 8-week session) | 0 |
| DISS 8011 | Dissertation Completion (second 8-week session) | 0 |
| Minimum Total Hours: | 67 |
*- Students continue in the DISS-701X sequence until successful proposal defense.
– After a student successfully defends their proposal, they apply for candidacy and maintain continuous enrollment in DISS-8010 Dissertation Completion and DISS-8011 Dissertation Completion until program 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. Students continue in the DISS-701X sequence until successful proposal defense. After a student successfully defends their proposal, they apply for candidacy and maintain continuous enrollment in DISS-8010 Dissertation Completion and DISS-8011 Dissertation Completion until program completion.
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:
- Your file will be reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee.
- 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
Email: graduate.admission@CUChicago.edu
Other Contacts:
| Cohort Information | Graduate Information Office | 800-946-9608 |
| Payment Plan | Office of Student Business Services | 708-209-3237 |
| Financial Assistance | Office of Student Financial Planning | 708-209-3113 |
| Online FAFSA form | www.fafsa.gov | 800-4-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.
Request Info
What Teachers Are Saying
