We designed this doctorate primarily for individuals interested in Community College/Higher Education Administration.
If you are a doctoral student, you can pursue a degree in Educational Leadership with specialization in Education Leadership Community College/Higher Education. The EdD program of study will include courses in Educational Administration, Educational Foundations, Educational Research and Evaluation, Community College/Higher Education along with field experiences and a leadership internship.
To receive a Doctor of Education Degree (EdD) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses, from one or more disciplines, ranging from at least 63 - 90 units of graduate-level courses. Most plans require research, a dissertation, and comprehensive exams. All plans have residency requirements regarding time spent on the Flagstaff campus engaged in full-time study.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 63 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Dissertation | Dissertation is required. |
| Comprehensive Exam | Comprehensive Exam is required. |
| Oral Defense | Oral Defense is required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Recommended |
| Research | Individualized research is required. |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
Purpose Statement
The EDL Doctoral Program seeks Community College-Higher Education Administration leaders who are willing to move education forward through the application of new competencies, strategies, communications, collaborations, advocacy, and professionalism. Leaders today must understand and practice leadership within diverse fluid contexts that include cultural, social, political, environmental, technological, and global borders. This doctorate for practicing professionals provides courses within a leadership development program that integrates educational and professional foundations, leadership principles, professional ethics, and development of a research agenda that evolves from issue-focused and problem-based experiences and goals.
The purpose of the EDL department is to promote the skills, values, and motivation for growth in leadership positions in Community College and Higher Education Administration contexts. EDL program-prepared leaders will be knowledgeable in the foundations of educational thought as well as in the science, the craft, and the art of leadership. In addition, students will study specialties appropriate to their career goals and acquire the research and evaluation skills essential to leadership practice, as well as to scholarly inquiry. More specifically, the curriculum will:
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Take the following 63 units:
Area I - Professional Foundations (9 units)
Area II - Leadership Theory (9 units)
Area III - Community College/Higher Education Administration Professional Leadership (18 units)
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
It is recommended that applicants to the doctoral program complete EDR 610, “Introduction to Research” or its equivalent, as the concepts learned in this course are foundational for the Area IV doctoral research coursework.
At least one unit of EDL 799 (dissertation units) must be taken in continuous enrollment until 12 units are taken. If additional dissertation units are needed, students may enroll in 1 unit at a time, after they have completed 12 units. Students must be enrolled in EDL 799 during the semester they defend their dissertation.
No graduate credit-units may be transferred into the program with the exception of credit-units taken from Northern Arizona University for the purpose of Superintendent Certification.
For more information about residency and other requirements that pertain to this degree, see Doctoral Requirements Policy.
Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
All educational leadership units are as approved by Northern Arizona University's faculty and the State Board of Education.
You must apply separately for these plans. Contact the Educational Leadership office for additional information.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.