Educational Leadership

The Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership/Culture/Curriculum features a set of core classes (15 hours), and a self-designed concentration that reflects the student’s interests and career focus. Core classes provide a foundation in the disciplines of educational leadership, administration, curriculum theory and cultural foundations. Students then choose from a range of permanent electives in our department, as well as other graduate offerings in the University, to put together their concentration (minimum of 15 hours.)

Elective courses are available that will satisfy students' unique needs and interests, including the licensure in Curriculum and Instruction and Professional Development, principal’s license and superintendent’s license.

Students in the Ph.D. program learn about educational research early on in the program, and will eventually complete a number of general and then more focused courses in educational research (a total of 18 hours of research courses are required). Students learn about both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, various research paradigms, as well as more applied forms such as program evaluation. The goal of the research sequence is to enable our graduates to be able to both execute and evaluate educational research and its findings for their future leadership work.

A strong focus in all course work is relating educational theory to practice, educational equity, and educational leadership as encompassing culture-based knowledge and practices. The program attempts to meet the demands for intellectual depth, theoretical grounding, and technical skills that leaders will need as they help professional, educational, and community-based organizations move toward greater collaboration and shared decision making.

graduates

How to apply

Admission deadlines:

In 2011-12, all application materials for the EDL Ph.D. program are due January 31, 2012

Application process:

Candidates must apply and be accepted by both the Graduate School and the Department of Educational Leadership. The Graduate School requires an applicant to have a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 (or 3.0 in the last 60 hours).

1. Submit a Graduate School Application form, a $50 non-refundable application fee, and two* official transcripts from the school you obtained your undergraduate degree from and any other college or university you have done graduate work at to:

The Graduate School
102 Roudebush Hall
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056

Detailed admission information, including an application, can be found here or contact the EDL office at:

304 McGuffey Hall
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
513-529-6825

*Miami graduates do not need to supply Miami transcripts.

2. Submit an autobiographical statement and professional vita to:

Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Educational Leadership
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056

The autobiographical statement is intended to provide the admissions committee with information about your professional background and aspirations. Please type and double space your paper. Your statement should include the following:

Describe your professional experience since receiving your baccalaureate degree
Describe you interest in leaderships roles in education and give some examples of your leadership accomplishments
Describe your professional goals and explain how our doctoral program can help you achieve your goals
Explain how you satisfy your intellectual curiosity

In addition to the information provided in your autobiographical statement, the admissions committee requires a professional vita. It should include:

Educational background
Professional experience in education and other professional experiences
Leadership roles
Presentations and publications

3. The Miller Analogies Test (preferred) or Graduate Record Examination General Test score is required for admission to ELP doctoral programs. Your submitted scores should be less than six years old. You may take the MAT at a college or university testing center near you. If you prefer, you may take the MAT at the Miami University Student Counseling Service. Call 513-529-4634 to schedule a test date. Additional information about the MAT can be found here.   Information on the Graduate Record Examination can be obtained from: Educational Testing Service, Graduate Record Examination CN 6000, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6010; telephone 609-771-7670.

Wherever you take the MAT or Graduate Record Examination General Test, you must request that your score be sent to:

Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Educational Leadership
304 McGuffey Hall
Oxford, Ohio 45056.

4. Submit three references to:

Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Educational Leadership
304 McGuffey Hall
Oxford, Ohio 45056

Submit references from colleagues, teachers, or peers who can attest to your professional work, potential for successful graduate study, and potential for making a positive contribution as leader in an educational context.

5. The Graduate School will evaluate your application to determine whether you meet the minimum university requirements. If you meet these standards, your application is forwarded to the Department of Educational Leadership (EDL) for further consideration. Minimum academic grades for admission to the Graduate School are 2.75 g.p.a. for the baccalaureate degree and 3.00 g.p.a. for the masters degree. The Department of Educational Leadership requires a higher g.p.a. for admission to the doctoral program.

6. The EDL Admissions Committee reviews the application, grades, letters of reference, test score, and autobiographical statement. Students who do not meet department standards are denied admission at this stage. Applicants who exhibit potential for academic success and who appear to have a good "fit'' between their goals and the department's program are invited to a campus interview with the EDL Admissions Committee.

You will be notified as soon as possible after the interview of the decision on your application.

Applicants who are completing the application process are not eligible to register for courses until they are admitted to the program. No admission decisions will be made during the summer terms.

Assistantships:

There are a limited number of graduate and teaching assistantships available for students in the Ph.D. program. If you are interested in a GA or TA, contact the EDL chair, Dr. Kate Rousmaniere, 529-6825, rousmak@muohio.edu

Financial aid

TEAM Scholarship for Ohio educators. The TEAM Scholarship at Miami provides a 50 percent tuition and fee scholarship to professional educators for graduate course work. Go here for more information.
A limited number of other scholarships are available to EDL graduate students. For more information, go to the Financial Aid / Team Scholarship section of this site.

Program Requirements

Course work. A set of core courses (15 hours), research courses (18 hours) and electives (minimum of 15 hours) for your concentration make up the degree course requirements. Course names and descriptions can be found in the Program Handbook.
Residency. Students in the program must complete a residency, or an immersion experience in one’s own growth and development as a educational researcher and scholar. There are two residency options in our program: a full-time and a part-time residency experience. More details about the goals of residence and these two options are in the Program Handbook.
Assessments. Several assessment milestones in the program help faculty gauge the student’s progress towards their degree goals. The first of these is the preliminary exam, a paper written upon completion of the core classes. The other is the Comprehensive Exam, taken when the student has completed all other program course requirements. Upon passing the comprehensive exams, students work with their advisor and a committee to execute, author and defend a dissertation project. Details can be found in the Program Handbook.

Admission Resources

Contact Us

Kathleen Knight Abowitz
Director of Graduate Studies
knightk2@muohio.edu

Department of Educational Leadership
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
513-529-6825

Miami University

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