Samford University's Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership program is designed for students interested in leadership issues, as applied to educational institutions. The program is offered in a blended format allowing national and international access to our doctoral program, while maintaining the quality and personal touch that characterize our programs.
For each doctoral course, students will have the opportunity to attend class on our campus in Birmingham, Alabama (or closely located site) six times per semester. If you are unable to attend class due to distance, you may use a web conferencing tool that allows you to participate synchronously without penalty. All face-to-face class meetings will take place in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate the working professional. The remainder of the class will involve interacting with content, tasks, and discussions utilizing Canvas, our online learning management system.
Travel will be required for dissertation proposals and defenses.
Our award-winning faculty – researchers, scholars, former teachers, principals and superintendents, who are expert leaders in their fields - are dedicated to your learning and success.
Deciding to complete my doctorate at Samford was one of the best decisions I’ve made as a school leader. Samford empowered me to engage and learn with the faculty and fellow students to help problem solve and find ways in which to make our educational system better for all students. I’m honored to continue to serve my students, and I’m proud to be a Samford Alumnus.--John Lowry Ed.D. '14
Objectives and Curriculum
All doctoral applicants must obtain an education specialist (Ed.S.) degree before earning an Ed.D. We offer an excellent opportunity through our Ed.S. program in Instructional Leadership. Should you need to obtain your Ed.S. degree, please contact us and we will be more than happy to share more information with you.
Through the 36–hour curriculum, candidates will explore the following concepts:
- The origin of policy issues, the educational policy infrastructure, and the interrelationship of education policy to school practice.
- Best practice for designing and implementing research methodologies, reading and interpreting research reports, and developing strategies for converting research into action.
- Authentic problems of practice in a field-based environment.
- The art and practice of negotiation and conflict resolution.
- How to implement a central focus on helping students articulate an explicit set of values and beliefs to guide their actions.
- Emerging organizational behavior theory and its application to the development of the school and school system of the future.
Students must complete 36 credit hours and maintain a 3.50 or higher cumulative GPA while enrolled in the Ed.D program at Orlean Beeson School of Education. Please view our full list of completion requirements.
For more information about the graduate courses and electives offered at Orlean Beeson School of Education, please visit Orlean Beeson School of Education’s section of the Samford University Catalog.
Admission
Application Deadlines
Fall (August start date): April 17Spring (January start date): November 27
*Interviews will be held the week of December 2
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Doctorate in Educational Leadership program you must:
- Possess a educational specialist degree from a regionally accredited institution.
For an application to be considered complete, we must receive all of the following*:
- Online application for admission: Please be sure to list your personal e-mail address on the application
- $35 Application Fee: This non-refundable fee is payable by credit card and is waived for Samford alumni, and current Samford students, faculty or staff
- Official Transcripts showing bachelor’s, master’s and educational specialist’s degree. Transcripts are considered official only when they bear the issuing institution’s seal and arrive with the seal intact. Transcripts can be sent electronically to kbgilrea@samford.edu or by mail
- Dispositions form filled out by current supervisor. May not be the same contact as the letter of recommendation
- Letter of recommendation: one letter of recommendation uploaded to online application
- Professional resume
- Writing Sample: highlight one problem facing education today
- Interview with program director
To check the status of application items, you may login to your application account and view the list of application items received.
Is this Program for Me?
This program is designed for professionals with a passion for education and an unwavering belief in the importance of leadership development. If you have a desire to serve the education system in an administrative role, join this program and be pushed to your greatest potential.
Samford created a personalized learning experience that prepared me to be a better educational leader. I expanded my knowledge base with expert professors in their field and made many personal and professional connections. -- Wendy Story M.S.E. Instructional Leadership '13, Ed.S. '17, Doctoral Candidate
Our candidates are highly sought after, and many alumni are currently serving in notable leadership positions.
Recent Dissertations
May 2020
Dissertation Title: Instructional Practices in Title I Schools with High Performance in Third-Grade Reading
Student: Rhonda M. Booth and Rachel R. Evans
Chair: Dr. Jodi Newton
Dissertation Title: A Mixed-Method Study Examining Transformational Leadership on Elementary School Culture from Multiple Perspectives
Student: Evelyn Coffey, Leslie Maples and LaKeeta Perkins
Chair: Dr. Mary E. Yakimowski
Dissertation Title: A Study of Teacher Perceptions on the Impact of Technology-Enhanced Practices and Student Engagement
Student: Dawn Mann and Brandon Mann
Chair: Dr. Jane Cobia
December 2019
Dissertation Title: Student Voice: Methods of Engagement
Student: Alfreda Brown, David Johnson, Demica Sanders
Chair: Dr. Jane Cobia
Dissertation Title: An Exploration of Stakeholder Engagement on Character Development Practices in K-5 Nationally Recognized Schools of Character
Student: Kim Lavender and Lillie Lewis
Chair: Drs. Patricia Hodge and Jodi Newton
Dissertation Title: A Developmental Evaluation of the Initial Implementation of Networked Improvement Communities to Improve Mathematics Instruction
Student: Cameron C. Channell, Terri B. Jones, and Pamela D. Liebenberg
Chair: Dr. Les Ennis
Dissertation Title: Perceptions of Delivery, Advising, and Partnership Characteristics in Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs: A Mixed Methods Study
Student: Ashley Eldridge Elliott and Laura D. Ware
Chair: Dr. Mary Yakimowski
Dissertation Title: Perceptions of Superintendents: High Impact Leadership Actions
Student: Ambra J. Hamilton and Shaniece P. Williams
Chair: Dr. Jane Cobia
Dissertation Title: A Qualitative Study: Urban Middle Schools with Low Student Retention Rates
Student: Mark K. Nixon and Shun T. Williams
Chair: Dr. Monique Witherspoon
Dissertation Title: A Mixed Methods Study on the Professional Development Needs of Urban Middle School Millennial Teachers
Student: April Harris Finkley, Jacqnaii A. Finkley, and Charlayne Jordan
Chair: Dr. Mary Yakimowski
Dissertation Title: Perceived Student-Related, Institutional and Integration Supports for Completing the Dissertation Process in Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs
Student: Veronica B. White and M. Amanda Wilbanks
Chair: Dr. Mary Yakimowski
May 2019
Dissertation Title: A Study of Mathematics Teachers’ Beliefs, Professional Development Activities and Instructional Strategies
Student: Dennis L. Brand, Sr. and Tamela Brand
Chair: Dr. Maurice Persall
Dissertation Title: A Study of Networked Improvement Communities (NICs)
Student: Rana M. Al-Khatib Eloubeidi
Chair: Dr. Peggy H. Connell
Dissertation Title: An Examination of Factors that Contribute to Student Mobility and Identification of Possible Solutions
Student: Robert Lawry
Chair: Dr. Jane Cobia
Dissertation Title: An Analysis of the Common Educational Experience of Students in Selected Top Performing PISA Countries
Student: Kristi Stacks Bradford and Lisa Lothspeich
Chair: Dr. Jodi Newton
Dissertation Title: Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions of Social and Emotional Learning and Its Effects on School Climate, Student Behavior, and Academic Achievement
Student: Cynthia Gage and Susie Thomas
Chair: Dr. Patricia Hodge
Dissertation Title: Principal’s Perceptions of Effective Coaching Characteristics
Student: Andrea Childress and Channon Davis
Chair: Dr. Monique Witherspoon
Dissertation Title: Teachers’ Perceptions of Principal Behaviors that Build Trust
Student: Kerry Y. Pate and Stacey H. Stocks
Chair: Dr. Monique Witherspoon
Dissertation Title: Teachers’ Perceptions Regarding Student Retention in Elementary Schools with Varying Retention Rates
Student: Alicica’ P. Washington
Chair: Dr. Julie Hannah
Dissertation Title: The Effective Practices of Response to Intervention (RTI) on Grades 6-8 Student Achievement from Low Socio-Economic Backgrounds
Student: Christina Shepard Norman, Delisa M. Brooks and Kimberly Evans-Lowe
Chair: Dr. Monique Witherspoon
Dissertation Title: The Perceptions of Principals of the Year Regarding Pathways to Effective Leadership
Student: Loni L. Hodge, S. Alicia Hunsberger and David A. Johnson
Chair: Dr. Les Ennis
Dissertation Title: Redefining the High School
Student: Deanise Peacock and Kelly Peacock
Dissertation Title: A Mixed-Methods Study of Leadership Development Through Succession Planning Model for Tuscaloosa City Schools
Student: Petra Leonard
Dissertation Title: An Analysis of Educator Professional Knowledge of Title IX Based on Gender and Years of Experience
Student: Alvin Temple
Dissertation Title: Impact of Computational Thinking on Student Mathematics Achievement in 2nd-5th Grade Classrooms of Rural Alabama School Districts
Student: Vicky Ozment
Dissertation Title: Teacher Perceptions of the Principal’s Leadership Style and Teacher Organizational Commitment in Career-Focused High Schools
Student: Ernest Essig and Justin Hefner
Dissertation Title: The Perceived Impact of Leadership Preparation Programs on Principals of Successful High Schools
Student: Sandy Moore and Terelan Smith
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition
Please visit our Tuition and Fees page for more information, or contact the Graduate Admissions Coordinator.
Financial Aid
A financial assistance program administered by Samford One Stop has been established to aid students in attending Samford University.
Education students have the ability to utilize Stafford Loans and Grad PLUS Loans. As an education student, a FAFSA is required to receive either of these loans.
To learn more about financial aid options, please visit the Samford One Stop or call 205-726-2905.
