Urban Education Leadership, Ed.D.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ed.D. Program
- What is the difference between the Ph.D. in Urban Education and the Ed.D. in Urban Education Leadership?
Typically the Ph.D. in Urban Education leads to positions such as research faculty at a university, administration at the university level, or research in a local/state agency or other policy organization. The Ed.D. in Urban Education Leadership leads to positions in school/district level leadership in K-12 schools. (See appendix G)
- · What are the minimum qualifications for admission into the Ed.D. program in Urban Education Leadership?
The minimum qualifications include an earned Masters Degree, substantial teaching experience, experience as a teacher-leader or school/district leader, and a demonstrated commitment to leading the improvement of low-performing urban schools. The admissions process is highly selective.
- · How do I apply to the program and what sequence do I follow?
The application process for The UIC Urban Education Leadership program requires you to apply to both The UIC Graduate College and The UIC College of Education. Admission forms and detailed instructions are available online at www.education.uic.edu/
for doctoral candidates of the College of Education. An online application is available for the Graduate College at www.uic.edu/depts/oar/home/
- · How are students selected for the Ed.D. program in Urban Education Leadership?
Once you have submitted all required materials to both the Graduate College and the College of Education, you may qualify for an interview with the program faculty. Doctoral candidates must hold a masters degree, have demonstrated exceptional classroom instruction as well as leadership as teachers or administrators, have evidence of parent and community involvement and demonstrate clear commitment to transforming schools where the leadership need is most evident.
Decisions for admission are made by the program faculty and are ultimately based on the content of the submitted documents and a successful interview. The admissions process is highly selective.
- · How long does it take to complete the Ed.D. program in Urban Education Leadership and is a dissertation required?
As with any doctoral program the time needed to complete it is based on the pace set by the student. On average, the course work for this program will take 3 years to complete and the fourth year will be focused on completing the dissertation research. Students may want or need to take longer. The thesis research will focus on genuine problems of leadership practice. Each candidate writes a dissertation based on research conducted at the school or system level that employs methods of inquiry authentic to the inquiry, data collection and analysis, and decision making tasks of school leaders.
- · Can I transfer in credit hours I have already earned elsewhere?
If the hours have not been applied toward another degree and the course content matches the curriculum in the Ed.D. program then most likely you will be able to transfer in some course credit. There is no guarantee that hours will automatically transfer. The final decision is made by the program coordinator once you have been admitted to the program
- · Do I have to leave my current position in order to be in the Ed.D. program in Urban Education Leadership?
The Ed.D. program requires that you have school-wide or system-level leadership experience and is designed to develop transformative leaders. After you are admitted to the program, if your current position is not in school-wide or system-level leadership then the program faculty will place you in a leadership role in the Chicago Public Schools and will provide you with coaching and mentoring. Three years of site-based coaching and mentoring is provided and is aimed at producing candidates who have proved their ability as change agents in schools. The coaching is provided by former high performing principals and experienced leadership trainers to supplement mentoring by outstanding principals who are successfully confronting the needs of urban schools.
- · What days and times are courses typically offered for the Ed.D. program in Urban Education Leadership?
In the first year, courses are typically offered in the evenings and Saturdays to minimize conflicts between course work and practice. In the second and third year, other week nights are used for courses. Students are encouraged to enroll in summer course work to ensure progress toward the degree. The course work is co-designed and co-taught by UIC academic faculty together with transformative principals and system level instructional officers who have themselves transformed urban schools.
- · Can I get a Type 75 Illinois Administrative certificate through the Ed.D. program in Urban Education Leadership?
The program allows students to choose among concentrations leading to the Illinois Type 75 General Administrative Certification (preparation for the school principalship); the Illinois Superintendent Endorsement; or, for those already holding the Type 75, advanced leadership development tailored to school building or system level positions. Therefore each cohort is comprised of candidates aspiring to the principalship as well as current principals seeking to develop their capacity as transformational leaders. Candidates seeking Type 75 certification finish that part of the program in the first year. For all candidates, coursework and fieldwork are integrated for at least 3 years, while dissertation research begins in the 3rd or 4th year, depending on individual student progress.
- · Will the Ed.D. program in Urban Education Leadership directly assist in job placement when I am finished?
The Ed.D. program provides an abundance of networking opportunities and job application support but does not guarantee job placement after completion of degree. We seek to prepare candidates to be successful in a highly competitive job market
- · Where are classes/courses held?
Most classes/courses in the Ed.D program are held on the east side of campus in EPASW.