PhD in Education, Leadership in Educational Administration
School of Public Service and Education
The doctoral Leadership in Educational Administration specialization is aligned with nationally recognized leadership standards and is designed to help learners develop and strengthen the knowledge, skills, attributes, and dispositions needed to successfully meet the challenges of an ever-changing educational system as ethical and innovative leaders. The curriculum provides learners the opportunity to pursue concentrations that offer focused exploration of the research, leadership, management, and problem-solving skills the current student achievement-focused P-12 environment requires of its principals. Upon successful completion of this specialization, learners have the knowledge and skills necessary for providing school leadership and are prepared to pursue licensure as P-12 principals in most states.
School Leadership concentration
The School Leadership concentration is intended for learners who want to build their knowledge and skills as school principals who provide vision, guidance, and oversight within a school. The curriculum focuses on the principal’s role in articulating, developing, and implementing a school vision that aligns with and supports district priorities. Learners assess issues associated with procuring and managing school funds; evaluate research-based approaches for supervising and evaluating teachers and managing the school learning environment, school operations, and resources; examine the role of technology in supporting instructional programs and school operations; and apply best practices for communicating and collaborating with school stakeholders.
Practicum/Internship Experience Requirement(s)
Minimum of 320 internship hours. See the Practicum/Internship Experience section below for more information.
Additional Program Requirements
Core courses
| ED8000 | Advanced Studies in Education: Theory, Practice, and Purpose | 4 |
| RSCH7860 | Survey of Research Methods | 4 |
| RSCH7864 | Quantitative Design and Analysis | 4 |
| RSCH7868 | Qualitative Design and Analysis | 4 |
| ED-V8925 | Doctoral Project Development - Topic Ideation | 3 |
| ED-V8926 | Doctoral Project Development - Topic Development | 3 |
| ED-V8927 | Doctoral Project Development - Framework Development | 3 |
Specialization courses
| ED6823 | Education and the Law | 4 |
| ED7014 | Leading Diverse Schools | 4 |
| ED7545 | Special Education Administration | 4 |
| ED7820 | Principles of Educational Administration | 4 |
Upon completion of all required coursework
Learners must register for EDCN9960 a minimum of four times to fulfill their specialization requirements.
School Leadership concentration courses
| ED6822 | The Funding of Educational Institutions | 4 |
| ED6852 | P-12 Principalship | 4 |
| ED7016 | Technology Integration in Schools | 4 |
| ED7541 | Teacher Supervision and Evaluation | 4 |
| ED7901 | Educational Administration Internship 1 | 4 |
| ED7902 | Educational Administration Internship 2 | 4 |
| ED8322 | SchoolImprovement for P-12 School Leaders | 4 |
Two Elective Courses
At least 8 quarter credits
Recommended elective course:
| ED6857 | Personnel Administration | 4 |
| Or | |
| Choose any graduate course(s). | |
Total
At least 92 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
Practicum/Internship Experience
Learners enrolled in the PhD in Education, Leadership in Educational Administration degree program complete a 320-hour supervised on-site internship experience as a requirement of their program. Throughout the experience, learners maintain a log of their experiences and develop a final portfolio as part of their contract materials.
The internship experiences consist of the following online courses and supervised site-based learning: Learners in the School Leadership concentration complete two consecutive principal internship courses (ED7901 and ED7902) that serve as the capstone courses for the PhD Leadership in Educational Administration School Leadership concentration. It provides learners with the academic and internship experiences that are prerequisites for principal or administrative licensure in most states.
Learners may register for a third internship course (ED7905) should they need additional time or need to meet additional requirements for state licensure.
Practicum and/or Internship hours are considered complete once all program required practicum/internships hours have been successfully achieved. Partial completion of practicum/internship requirements/hours can't be verified for licensure or transfer of hours.
Learners in the School Leadership concentration are required to take the Praxis II Series Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision test (ELAS 5411 or 5412) prior to being enrolled in the comprehensive exam. To be recommended for licensure learners must pass the Praxis II Series Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision test (ELAS 5411 or 5412) with a score of 145. Learners must identify Capella University as a recipient to ensure the score report is sent to the university. Learners under an earlier catalog, who are required to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA), may take the Praxis II Series Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision as a substitute for the SLLA. Learners are responsible for any costs associated with this assessment.
In addition, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission requires Georgia learners in the School Leadership concentration to take the Georgia Assessment of the Certification of Educators (Educational Leadership test) to be recommended for licensure. Learners must be enrolled in the internship (ED7901 or ED7902) before they are granted eligibility to complete the assessment. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission also requires Georgia learners, who are still enrolled in a performance-based educational leadership program on or after July 1, 2016, to attempt the Program Exit (Test 380) prior to program completion and pass the exam for certification in the field of educational leadership. Learners are responsible for any costs associated with this assessment.
Capella University cannot guarantee eligibility for licensure, endorsement, other professional credential, or salary advancement. State licensing regulations and professional standards vary; learners are responsible for understanding and complying with the requirements of the state in which they intend to work. For more information, see the professional licensure disclosures for this program on Capella’s website. Contact your school district for a determination on qualifications for salary advancement.
The Arizona Department of Education has approved the School Leadership concentration for principal preparation.
Learners seeking certification in Arizona must secure a Structured English Immersion endorsement (SEI) and specific coursework in the U.S. and Arizona constitution. Both are available online through many Arizona universities. For more information, see the Licensure section for this program on Capella’s website (www.capella.edu).
Applicants seeking Georgia Performance-Based Leadership certification are not eligible to enroll in this specialization.
The Minnesota Board of School Administrators has approved the School Leadership concentration for principal preparation.
In Minnesota, learners pursuing an endorsement to an existing administrative license must complete additional internship hours. To add a K-12 endorsement to an elementary or secondary license, learners must complete an additional 200-hour internship. To add a principal endorsement to a superintendent endorsement (or vice versa), learners must complete an additional 320-hour internship. For more information, see the Licensure section for this program on Capella’s website (www.capella.edu).
Arkansas residents are not eligible to enroll in this specialization.