Doctor of Education P-12 and Higher Ed
Are you a school leader looking to enhance your leadership skills?
Program Overview
Ready to Apply?
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Key program features include:
- Enrollment in cohort groups organized to support learning and professional networking
- Instruction in the program is 100% online, with some synchronous online class sessions in Stage 2.
- Curriculum stresses practical knowledge and skills for preparing scholar-practitioners to become transformational leaders


The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership provides two strand options:
P-12 Administration –
Candidates entering the Ed.D. program must have certification in Education Leadership-Tier II and Level 6 teaching certification. P-12 candidates with this certification are exempt from the first 30 credit hours of Ed.D. coursework (Stage I coursework) and enter the program directly into the Stage 2 coursework phase. Candidates who do not possess this certification are not eligible for admission.
Higher Education Administration –
Persons pursuing the Higher Education Administration strand need not have leadership certification to be eligible for consideration for entry into the Ed.D. program in Educational Leadership.
Admissions
The Georgia Southern University Office of Graduate Admissions oversees the application process for graduate students. Please review the links below for admission requirements and deadlines.
Advisement
Ed.D., Educational Leadership Program Director
Elise Cain, Ph.D.
ecain@georgiasouthern.edu
Spotlight Story

“I find that my work as a leadership educator is more rooted in research and evidence-based practices since completing my work in the program,…I’m now able to build more meaningful leadership programming through the backwards-course-design approach, and I am able to align leadership learning with evidence-based teaching strategies.”
John Egan, Ed.D. ’19
A new playing field: former athlete turned educational leader inspires students to be campus, community leaders. Read a spotlight story for the Ed.D. Educational Leadership Program.
Where can I obtain additional information?
Ed.D., Educational Leadership Program Director
Elise Cain, Ph.D.
ecain@georgiasouthern.edu
or
Contact the Graduate Academic Service Center at:
Georgia Southern University College of Education,
P. O. Box 8013,
Statesboro, GA 30460
912-478-1447
GASC@georgiasouthern.edu
Professional Certification Disclosure.
Professional Certification Disclosure The College of Education anticipates that graduates of the Doctoral program in P-12 and Higher Education Leadership, technology, and Human development will seek state licenses or certifications. The program listed above leads to a Georgia Certificate Upgrade only. Visit the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for more information.
For all Online Programs Federal Law requires colleges and universities to make certain disclosures to prospective students of these programs. These disclosures include information on the University’s authority to operate outside of Georgia, the complaint processes, adverse actions, refunds, and program closure. For required disclosures about online programs offered by the University, visit the Georgia Southern State Authorization and Professional Licensure Webpage.
Last updated: 7/26/2024