Program Overview
The Ph.D. educational leadership at the University of Kansas is a research-intensive doctoral program designed to prepare scholars, researchers, and policy leaders who seek to influence educational systems through leadership, research, and critical analysis. Unlike practice-focused doctoral pathways, the Ph.D. educational leadership emphasizes the generation of original research, theoretical development, and scholarly contributions that shape education policy and practice at local, state, national, and global levels.
The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is designed for working educational practitioners — PK-12 administrators, district leaders, and higher education professionals — who seek to advance their leadership through applied scholarship. Unlike the research-oriented Ph.D., the Ed.D. emphasizes the application of theory and evidence to real-world leadership challenges. Courses are delivered fully online through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, making the program accessible to working professionals. Both degrees culminate in a dissertation.
Housed within the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, doctoral students complete a program providing broad grounding in educational leadership and policy alongside focused preparation in one of several concentration areas. Students pursuing a Ph.D. in educational leadership engage deeply with questions of governance, equity, power, culture, and institutional change. Coursework and research experiences are designed to build advanced methodological expertise, strong theoretical grounding, and the capacity to critically evaluate educational systems and reform efforts.
Ph.D. Concentrations
- Educational Administration: Prepares individuals for faculty roles in PK-12 administrator preparation programs, policy analyst positions, and state-level leadership roles. Studies stress fundamental fields of knowledge and educational policy development.
- Higher Education: Prepares current and prospective college and university staff members and administrators with theoretical knowledge of higher education and supporting disciplines, plus advanced research skills for a variety of higher education settings.
- Policy Studies: A multidisciplinary approach to policy analysis combining education-related coursework with supporting disciplines. Prepares graduates for roles as researchers, higher education faculty, and educational leaders.
- Social and Cultural Studies in Education: A broad examination of educational theory and its practical application at local, national, and international levels, with emphasis on social, philosophical, historical, comparative, and interdisciplinary inquiry. Note: This concentration is temporarily on hiatus due to faculty retirements. Prospective students should contact the department for current availability.
Ed.D. Concentrations
- Educational Administration: Prepares PK-12 educators and administrators for school district-level leadership roles. The program is designed specifically for working practitioners and fulfills the academic requirements for a licensure endorsement in school district-level administration in Kansas.
- Higher Education Administration: Designed for administrators in colleges and universities seeking to advance their careers, as well as individuals intending to become faculty members in community colleges or other institutions. Prepares practitioner-scholars to apply current scholarship and research skills to professional practice.
Licensure note: The Ph.D. program does not lead to initial or advanced educator licensure in the state of Kansas. The Ed.D. in Educational Administration does fulfill the academic requirements for a licensure endorsement in school district-level administration in Kansas. Students pursuing Ed.D. licensure from outside Kansas should consult the appropriate licensing agency in their state before beginning the program.
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Graduate
For more information about the program, visit the program page below.
Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, Ph.D./Ed.D.KU School of Education and Human Sciences
The Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is part of the School of Education and Human Sciences, preparing educators and human science professionals of the future.Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Ed.D. and Ph.D. educational leadership program develop the expertise to lead, research, and shape educational systems. Specific outcomes vary by degree.
Ph.D. graduates will be able to:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of education as a system, including PK-12 and higher education contexts.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the historical and social contexts of systems of education.
- Interrogate structural conditions that maintain and reproduce systemic inequities in education, and design responses to address them.
- Develop individualized expertise in theory and content within a chosen area of specialization.
- Conduct original research in an ethical manner.
- Develop an intellectual and scholarly identity along with the norms and practices associated with it.
Ed.D. graduates will be able to:
- Synthesize, critique, and apply educational theories and concepts to significant problems related to equity-minded policy, programs, and practices.
- Formulate and answer relevant research questions about policy or practice grounded in theory, research, and context.
- Use and interpret evidence in the evaluation of educational programs and policy.
- Communicate persuasively about issues in education with scholars, practitioners, and the public.
- Interrogate structural conditions that maintain and reproduce systemic inequities in education, and design responses to address them.
- Engage in ongoing reflection about how course content connects to their personal and professional lives.
What Careers are Possible with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies?
Graduates of the Ph.D. educational leadership program pursue a range of research-intensive and policy-oriented careers. According to Lightcast, professionals with doctoral preparation in education leadership fields are positioned for strong long-term earning potential and leadership influence.
Career pathways may include:
- University faculty or professor in education
- Educational researcher in research centers or think tanks
- Education policy analyst at the state or federal level
- Research director for nonprofit or advocacy organizations
- Senior analyst roles connected to an education policy Ph.D. focus
Many graduates secure tenure-track faculty positions where they teach and publish scholarship that shapes national and international conversations in education. Others work in government agencies and policy organizations where they evaluate reforms, analyze legislation, and provide evidence-based recommendations. Lightcast data indicate that experienced professionals in education leadership and research roles frequently earn salaries exceeding $100,000 annually, depending on position and region.
The Ph.D. in educational leadership equips graduates with the research expertise and analytical skills required to influence policy, advance scholarship, and guide systemic educational improvement.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The tuition for the Educational Leadership doctoral program varies depending on residency status and enrollment. Financial aid options, including fellowships and student loans, are available. For more information, please visit KU Financial Aid.Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Doctorate in Educational Leadership program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Resume/CV
- Writing sample: can include professional works (not necessarily academic papers), formal reports, and other pertinent work.
- For Ed.D. program:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- For Ph.D. program:
- A master’s degree from an accredited institution
- Statement of purpose, 5-8 pages describing your interests and commitment to the goals and curriculum.
- Three letters of reference
For more details on the admissions process, please refer to KU Graduate Admissions.
Student Life and Learning Experiences
Students in the Ph.D. educational leadership program actively participate in research communities focused on education policy, governance, culture, and institutional change. Doctoral study includes advanced seminars, collaborative research projects, and opportunities to present work at regional and national conferences.
Ph.D. students should expect to engage in co-curricular activities beyond the formal degree requirements, consistent with their career goals. These typically include presenting and publishing research, attending academic conferences, and participating in internships or other experiences with policy organizations, research centers, or educational institutions. These activities are an integral part of preparation for faculty, research, and policy careers — not optional extras.
Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Sample Courses
Coursework in the Ph.D. educational leadership emphasizes research, theory, and policy analysis aligned with the Policy Studies and Social and Cultural Studies concentrations. Sample courses may include:
- Education as a Field of Scholarship
- Principalship
- Education Law
- Education in Modern World History
Students complete advanced research methodology courses and specialized seminars before progressing to comprehensive exams and the dissertation phase. For a full list of course options, visit the KU Catalog.
Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply?
The priority deadline is March 3, with a final deadline of April 1.
How long will it take to complete the degree?
Students typically complete this degree in 2-4 years.
Which doctorate is right for you?
Both the Ph.D. and Ed.D. are terminal degrees in the field of education. The Ph.D. is oriented toward preparing scholars and researchers for faculty positions, research institutes, and policy organizations, with an emphasis on generating original knowledge. The Ed.D. is designed for current practitioners who intend to advance in leadership roles in schools, districts, colleges, universities, or related agencies, with a focus on applying research to practice.