Program Requirements - Doctorate of Education (EdD)

If you're interested in applying to the low-residency EdD program at Wilkes, please review the following program requirements.

Program Requirements

Students in the program can choose from these specializations:

  • K-12 Administration with Pennsylvania Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility (must provide verification of six years of satisfactory school experience, of which at least three must be in a supervisory or administrative capacity.)
  • Educational Leadership with one of five concentration choices:
    • Educational Technology
    • Curriculum & Instruction
    • Leadership Studies
    • PA Principal Leadership & Certification
    • Educational Climate & Safety

All students must review the Academic Integrity Policy (.pdf) and complete the appropriate acknowledgment form for doctoral students.


Doctoral Core Courses

Required of all EdD students.

Leadership | 9 credits

  • ED 610 Ethics for Educational Leaders
  • ED 612 Leadership, Diversity, & Societal Change
  • ED 614 Organizational and Leadership Theory

Research | 12 credits

  • ED 681 Introduction to Educational Research
  • ED 682 Quantitative Methods for Educational Research I
  • ED 683 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research I
  • ED 685 Quantitative Methods for Educational Research II OR ED 686 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research II

Dissertation | 9 credits

  • ED 697 Dissertation Proposal Seminar (3 credits, year 3 low-residency)
  • ED 698 Dissertation Proposal (3 credits)
  • ED 699 Dissertation (3 credits)

K-12 Administration

24 credits leading to Pennsylvania superintendent certification.

Required courses: 24 credits
  • ED 615 Professional Seminar in Educational Leadership (45-hour field experience & low residency)
  • ED 625 Professional Development & Supervision (45-hour field experience & research)
  • ED 627 Advanced Issues in Educational Law (45-hour field experience & research)
  • ED 629 Strategic Thinking and Planning (45-hour field experience & low residency)
  • ED 654 School Finance & Facilities Administration (45-hour field experience & research)
  • ED 650 Curriculum Design & Instructional Models (45-hour field experience)
  • ED 659 Superintendent Internship (90-hour internship)
  • One 3-credit elective from available doctoral level courses

Educational Leadership

24 credits

Required courses

12 credits
  • ED 615 Professional Seminar in Educational Leadership (year 1 low-residency)
  • ED 626 Politics and Policy for Educational Leaders or ED 616 Contemporary Trends & Issues in Global Education (Intl. Cohorts)
  • ED 629 Strategic Thinking and Planning (year 2 low-residency)
  • ED 632 Cognition and Learning

When pursuing the Educational Leadership track, you may choose from five concentrations (15 credits).

Curriculum and Instruction

Recommended for students who wish to become a faculty member in higher education or work in the area of curriculum design and development.

  • ED 650 Curriculum Design and Instructional Models
  • ED 670 Curriculum Theory
  • ED 673 Controversies in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
  • One 3-credit elective from available doctoral level courses which can include:
    • ED 679 Internship in Curriculum and Instruction (90 hours)

Educational Technology

Recommended for students who wish to become a faculty member in higher education or work in the field of educational technology in public or private institutions.

  • ED 635 Integrating Technology for Diverse Learners
  • ED 643 Trends & Innovations in Instructional Technology
  • ED 645 Technology Supported Assessment
  • One 3-credit elective from available doctoral level courses which can include:
    • ED 639 Internship in Instructional Technology (90 hours)

Educational Leadership Studies

Recommended for students who currently work in or would like to work in higher education or in the field of educational leadership as a faculty member or as a member of the professional or administrative staff.

  • ED 620 Educational Institutions and Systems
  • Three 3-credit electives from available doctoral courses which can include a 90 hour internship tailored to meet student's career goals

Educational Climate & Safety

Recommended for students who currently work in K-12 as teachers or leaders or who would like to work in higher education in the field of educational leadership as a faculty member or as a member of the professional or administrative staff.

  • ED 638 Cybersecurity for Educational Leaders
  • ED 674 Safety & Social-Emotional Learning for Educational Leaders
  • ED 675 Organizational Climate, Healthy & Safety
  • One 3-credit elective from available doctoral level courses

PA Principal Leadership & Certification (Available to international students who meet admission requirements)

Recommended for students who wish to become a PA certified K-12 Principal, Curriculum Director, Supervisor of Pupil Services or Special Education Director in Pennsylvania K-12 public or private institutions. PA certificates may be transferred to other states using current Department of Education reciprocity agreements.

24 required credits leading to Pennsylvania principal certification include:

  • ED 523 Administrative Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction (30 field hours)
  • ED 571 Special Education Programming and Administration (30 field hours)
  • ED 573 Evaluation of Educational Programs (30 field hours)
  • ED 575 School Law for Principals
  • ED 576 School Management and Communications (30 field hours)
  • ED 578 Staff Development and Supervision (30 field hours)
  • ED 592 A and ED 592 B: Administrative Internship and Applied Research Project
    • Three credits each, taken last.
    • 90 intern hours per course.
    • Part A and B must be taken consecutively.

Courses in this program are cross-listed with the Master of Science program. Secondary advisor: Dr. Charles Smargiassi Chair/Assistant Professor of Education Program Director

Learn more or request information about our Doctorate in Education program.