Learn. Grow. Go.
What we do
We construct a leadership environment that allows an individual to develop their leadership identity, personal agency, and efficacy as a change maker.
Why we do it
For our graduates to lead, educate, and empower in their realms of influence to advance equity, excellence, and ethics.
How we do it
By offering learning conditions and a curriculum that provide educational opportunities to transform self and community.
Who are we?
We define educational leadership as the reflective, informed practice of facilitating learning, change, and growth in individuals and communities in both formal and informal settings. Educational leaders are those people who facilitate the growth and development of organizations and communities.
Our students (whom we call Learning Associates) come from a range of helping professions, including:
- P-12 education
- Higher/post-secondary education
- Non-profits
- Public/governmental sector
- Health care
- Consulting
- Training and development
- Museum education/interpretation
Bringing together Learning Associates across disciplinary backgrounds and experiences creates a more robust learning environment for everyone.
Our faculty are experienced, innovative leadership scholarly practitioners who are deeply engaged with our program and Learning Associates. Your classes are taught by a balance of full-time university faculty and part-time faculty who are primarily engaged in non-faculty roles to ensure that you get the benefit of both perspectives.
We are a proud member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED).
Defining elements of our program include:
- Practitioner-scholar focus designed to prepare leaders who construct and apply knowledge to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, organizations, and communities;
- A cohort model that provides opportunities for learning associates to develop and demonstrate collaboration and communication skills to work with diverse communities and to build partnerships;
- Emphasis on enhancing existing leadership skills by integrating theory and practice through job-embedded and “puzzles of practice” learning experiences;
- Focus on the knowledge and skills component necessary for effective practitioners as well as on the human or dispositional qualities associated with transformational leadership;
- A set of program outcomes that integrates both practical and research knowledge and links theory with systemic and systematic inquiry;
- A focus on current educational leadership challenges, often framed around questions of equity, ethics, and justice to bring about solutions to complex problems of practice;
- A commitment to action research, emphasizing the generation, transformation, and use of professional knowledge and practice.
Where and when does our program happen?
We offer our program in two formats:
- Hybrid
- Online
Hybrid
Our hybrid program brings you the best of both worlds. We understand that you’re a busy working professional and coming to campus every week simply doesn’t work for you. Choose the hybrid approach if you want to maximize the flexibility of online learning with the benefits of in-person engagement with faculty and other Learning Associates.
Classes meet approximately one weekend per month on NKU’s campus. We use Canvas (an online learning platform) to supplement our in-person meetings with online learning content.
Online
Our online program is designed to help educational leaders who hold or aspire to hold positions in P-12 schools as principals, superintendents, Directors of Pupil Personnel, or instructional coaches, as well as those who hold or aspire to hold positions in higher education as coordinators, directors, associate/assistant vice presidents, or chairs. We know that the demands of leading in these positions are such that you can’t always plan when you’ll be available to come to campus. That’s ok - in our online program, campus is wherever you are.
Classes are offered in accelerated, asynchronous 7-week sessions via Canvas (an online learning platform). You’ll be able to work at your own pace and apply what you learn in your courses the very next day.
Contact Information
Educational Leadership Programs - MEP 209
edd@nku.edu or 859-572-7899
Who Should Apply?
To be considered for admission to the Ed.D. program, an applicant must meet the following minimum admission requirements:
- A master’s degree or equivalent in an applicable field from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Evidence of significant professional leadership experience. We are looking for people with a history of leading that transcends the expectations of their professional commitments. It is rare to find this in an applicant with less than five years of progressive professional experience.
- In addition to the two criteria above, applicants will be evaluated for their:
- Level of organizational or civic ambition
- Leadership trajectory
- Timing for pursuit of an Ed.D.
- Fit between the candidate’s hopes and aspirations and the features of our Ed.D. program
Application Process
The application process varies slightly across our two programs.
Hybrid Program
The application for the hybrid program has two parts. The first consists of submission of required documents.
After a thorough review of the completed application materials, the admissions committee will select candidates for the second part: an interview with educational leadership faculty and a writing evaluation, which includes an on-demand response to a case study or issue. Interviews are conducted in groups and are scheduled at times that accommodate working professionals.
Following the interviews, the admissions committee will review all available data to assess the fit and overall potential of the candidate for success in the program before making a final offer for admission. Applicants will be notified of decisions via email.
Online Program
The application for the online program consists of submission of required documents.
The admissions committee will review all available data to assess the fit and overall potential of the candidate for success in the program before making a final offer for admission. Applicants will be notified of decisions via email.
Required Documents
Regardless of whether you’re applying to the hybrid or online program, the following documents must be submitted and together, comprise a complete application:
- Application and paid application fee for graduate admission, found at http://apply.nku.edu.
- All transcripts of graduate and undergraduate courses and degrees forwarded to NKU’s Office of Graduate Education.
- A letter of intent addressed to the EdD Admissions Committee, specifically addressing the following four prompts:
- In your role as a leader, what do you hope is your impact in your community and/or organization?
- Help us (the Ed.D. admissions committee) understand where you are in your leadership trajectory. What leadership roles have you held? What types of leadership roles do you hope to assume?
- What makes this the right time for you to pursue an Ed.D.?
- What makes NKU’s Ed.D. program the right program for you to pursue?
- A professional resume/vitae highlighting educational background, employment history, and awards and accomplishments
- Names, titles, and contact information for three (3) professional recommendations (e.g. colleague, supervisor, professor, mentor)
- A leadership situation essay of approximately 500 words in which you describe a significant experience in which you played a leadership role. Include as much detail as possible and address the following questions:
- Describe the situation as it occurred at the time. What did you do in that particular situation?
- How did you feel about the situation at the time you were experiencing it? How do you feel about the situation now?
- What would you change, if anything?
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