Graduate program offered by the UNT College of Education

About

The Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership is a research-oriented program. The PhD program prepares individuals to conduct and evaluate research that will expand knowledge in educational leadership. Typically, the PhD student plans a career as a university professor, a policy analyst, or a research director in a state or local education agency.

Contact Information

For more information about the Educational Leadership Doctoral program, contact Dr. Robert Voelkel.

 

Admission Requirements

Application Deadline

Domestic and International students: January 7 for a program start in the Fall semester of the same calendar year.

GRE Requirement

The GRE is NOT required.

TOEFL Requirement

International applicants whose native language is not English must have a score of at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

GPA Requirement

Graduate Applicants are evaluated holistically, based on specific departmental and program requirements. In the past, successful candidates usually had a 3.50 GPA in master’s-level studies for admission to the doctoral program. However, the program will still review applications with GPAs lower than 3.5.

Apply

For step-by-step instructions on the application process, please visit the Graduate Admissions website. This will include details on how to submit materials including transcripts, letters of recommendation and other items. Start your application here.

Supplemental Documents

Applicants must also submit an application portfolio directly to the Educational Leadership program office that includes the following: 

Personal Statement

A three-page double-spaced personal statement describing the applicant’s (a) interests in and reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. in educational leadership, (b) future career goals related to educational leadership, (c) early thinking around a research topic or policy issue the applicant may want to pursue during their time in the program, and (d) specific faculty whose research dovetails with the applicant’s burgeoning interests.

Writing Sample

A sample of the applicant’s best-written work that is scholarly-oriented with references. This could be a paper from a master’s class, an article or book chapter, or other similar work.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation from three people who can provide evidence of the applicant’s reading, writing and critical thinking skills. One of the letters should be from a college or university professor familiar with the individual’s academic strengths, and one letter should be from a supervisor or mentor familiar with the individual’s professional work.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

A curriculum vitae demonstrating prior educational and professional experience. 

Evidence of Teaching and Administration

Documentation of at least two years of teaching experience in either a public or private school. Documentation of experience in educational administration or educational management in school systems or other public or private non-profits, such as NGOs, museums, and/or policy organizations.

Interview

After your application is received, the Admissions Committee will be in touch to schedule a short interview. Committee members will have questions for applicants. Applicants are encouraged to ask the committee questions, as well.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships in this program are competitive. For information on how to apply for one, please contact the department.

Courses

The following are minimum degree requirements for students in the PhD program.

Core courses, 15 hours

  • EDLE 6100 - Theories of Organizational Development and Reform
  • EDLE 6160 - Professional Learning Communities: Research and Practice
  • EDLE 6400 - Politics of Educational Administration
  • EDLE 6570 - Seminar in Advanced Educational Finance
  • EDLE 6580 - Administration and Supervision of the Instructional Program

Research and statistics, 12 hours

  • EPSY 6010 - Statistics for Educational Research
  • EPSY 6020 - Research Methods in Education

Plus two courses selected from

  • EDCI 6280 - Qualitative Research in Education
  • EDCI 6285 - Qualitative Data Analysis in Education
  • EPSY 6210 - Multiple Regression Analysis and Related Methods
  • EPSY 6290 - Multivariate Statistics in Education

Specialization, 24 hours

From the following three groups, students should select two groups. Four courses (12 hours) should come from each of those two groups.

Superintendent certification courses

Applicants must have principal certification.

  • EDLE 6110 - Advanced Theory and Research in Administration
  • EDLE 6450 - Public School Finance, Business Management, and Facilities
  • EDLE 6510 - Seminar in Advanced Education Law
  • EDLE 6590 - The Superintendency

Educational leadership electives

  • EDLE 6200 - Current Issues in Educational Administration
  • EDLE 6310 - Research Practicum
  • EDLE 6520 - Personnel Administration in the Public Schools
  • EDLE 6530 - Educational Facilities
  • EDLE 6540 - Education and Public Relations
  • EDLE 6550 - Business Administration of the Public Schools
  • EDLE 6900 - Special Problems

Outside electives

Courses from curriculum and instruction, counseling, language and literacy studies, special education, technology, bilingual or ESL education, public administration, business, or another area approved by advisor.

Dissertation, 9 hours

  • EDLE 6950 - Doctoral Dissertation