Become certified as a superintendent who advocates for children and youth.
Our EdD in Education Leadership major is suited for principals and school administrators who desire to become superintendents while earning their doctoral degree. It is part of the school’s Doctor of Education (EdD) program, which has a variety of different majors to serve professionals from various fields.
We will prepare you to be a district-wide leader who commits to student, family, and community success.
Program Facts
Degree Type
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Credits
84 credits
(24 credits transfer from your previous graduate credits)
Format
Hybrid
Time Commitment
Part-Time
Duration
3 years on average
Enrollment Term
Summer
Application Deadline
February 1
Admissions Requirements
No GRE Exam is required
Program Overview
Education Leadership is one of the majors of the Doctor of Education (EdD) degree program at the University of Pittsburgh Pitt School of Education. The program aligns with School of Education’s mission to prepare students to be scholars, leaders, and change-makers in education and health, with a particular focus on equity and justice.
A student who earns the Doctor of Education (EdD) in the Educational Leadership program can also earn the Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility. The Letter of Eligibility certification enables the holder to pursue administrative opportunities in Pennsylvania School Districts, including the assistant superintendent and superintendent positions.
The program accommodates the schedules of working professionals and combines an online learning environment with monthly Saturday in-person sessions.
There is a hybrid course delivery model, including a one-day welcome and information event, a week-long intensive on-ramp experience in the first summer, cross-disciplinary practitioner inquiry and foundations courses, and an internship.
The EdD helps graduates advance within their professional areas of practice. This is in contrast to our PhD, which is a full-time program that helps to prepare graduates for research-oriented careers and/or working as faculty within research and doctoral granting universities.
"The University of Pittsburgh has consistently guided my path in finding a rewarding career, life goals, and future opportunities. It has been the journey to the life I love."Keera Dwulit - Pitt alumni
"Pitt prepared me to become a teacher, a principal, and eventually a member of the district office. The program provided me with the networking opportunities and mentors that I rely on for professional guidance."Rachel Fischbaugh
Prerequisites
The EdD program at the Pitt School of Education requires applicants to have 24 credits of relevant graduate work to transfer from a source institution with a B grade (3.0) or higher according to University policy.
Curriculum
The EdD program is a three-year program that consists of 60 new credits. Students transfer 24 credits from relevant graduate work.
The EdD curriculum is delivered in several stages, through a variety methods:
The EdD cohort participates in a full-day, on-campus, orientation in the spring before the summer start of the program.
The day includes opportunities to meet program faculty, EdD program information, and cohort-building activities as well as an introductory session with other students in your academic major.
Orientation typically takes place in March or April.
The EdD cohort will participate in a full-week, on-campus, experience that includes intense work focused on understanding enduring problems of practice in education, health, and human development.
This one-week experience typically takes place in June, and is a component of the first summer courses (Foundations 1 and Practitioner Inquiry 1).
You will experience a hybrid model of education through online course experiences and in-person, once per month (typically on Saturdays) sessions on the Pittsburgh campus.
Attendance at in-person, on campus sessions is required.
EdD students at the Pitt School of Education complete 10 requirements that are embedded in coursework, including a practitioner inquiry project.
Career Pathways
Many of our students take on school leadership positions, including as assistant superintendent of schools or superintendent of schools.
Program Faculty
Program News
Alumna Diane Kirk Receives PA Principals Association Award
Alumna Diane Kirk Receives PA Principals Association Award - Read more
Alumnus Timothy Wagner Named 2023 PA Principal of the Year
Alumnus Timothy Wagner Named 2023 PA Principal of the Year - Read more
