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Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Educational Leadership Specialization

Education is the foundation on which modern society is built. This specialization prepares the Learner to address management and leadership issues in education and guide others through training, excellence in teaching, research and service. This specialization provides the knowledge base to be a leader in the field of education, facilitated by research and analysis.

Educational Leadership Specialization Courses

Listed are the courses unique to the specialization or concentration. Additional fundamental courses are also required for degree completion. Please see the full Course Catalog or contact an Enrollment Advisor by email admissions@ncu.edu or phone 866-776-0331 for detailed information.

Course CodeNameCourse Description
ED7004-8School LawIn this course, students will address legal issues pertinent to teacher, administrator, and student legal rights and responsibilities in daily school activities. Students will also review legal process, structures of the law, legislation/ litigation, and practices to avoid.
EDU8002-8Educational Research Methodology This Doctoral level course provides learners with an overview of the research process, and an opportunity to learn about educational research methodology and the components of a dissertation. The course will also provide the learner with the opportunity to identify and develop a research topic, define a research problem, describe the purpose of the research study, and establish associated research question(s). The learner will prepare a Topic Paper and a preliminary annotated bibliography for the dissertation topic in the Signature Assignment.
ED7005-8Language Arts and ReadingThis Doctoral level course includes research-based instruction that effectively prepares each candidate to deliver a balanced, comprehensive program of instruction in reading, writing, and related language arts. A balanced approach to reading/language arts instruction includes explicit instruction in basic reading skills and comprehension strategies for all students, including students with varied reading levels and language backgrounds.
EDU8003-8Statistics IThis course provides an introductory exploration of statistics for the graduate Learner. It includes instruction on the calculation, use, and interpretation of descriptive statistics, and introduces inferential statistical analysis. The emphasis of this course is on providing a working knowledge of basic statistical concepts to help the Learner understand statistical methodology used in education, and also more generally, developing a working knowledge of statistical usage in everyday life.
ED7008-8Educating a Diversity of LearnersAs the United States continues to experience increasing cultural diversity, today’s educators must appraise, assess, and argue the best means to reach diverse and exceptional students. Additionally, individuals differ in gender, sexual orientation, age, physical, and mental abilities. Learners will choose and compare different means to address the nature of cultural diversity, its sources, and its importance to educators. Finally, learners will organize, plan, prepare and write instructions that a district might use to meet the needs of diverse students, taking into consideration epistemological and axiological perspectives unique to each culture.
EDU8202-8Research DesignIn this course, the Learner acquires the basic skills necessary for the interpretation and application of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research. The Learner will examine the formal research process carefully, with an emphasis on practical applications and skill development. Critical concepts and principles intrinsic to research paradigms, study designs, and methods of inquiry are presented to empower the Learner’s ability to formulate and respond to research questions. The resources listed below from the Northcentral University Dissertation Center are critical resources throughout the whole research process – learners are highly encouraged to become deeply familiar with the resources from the Northcentral University Dissertation Center.
EDU8005-8Qualitative Research DesignThis course is an examination of qualitative methods for studying human behavior including grounded theory, narrative analysis, ethnography, mixed methods, and case studies.
ED7012-8Educational LeadershipAn examination of historical and contemporary theories, models, concepts, and practices for efficient approaches to leadership within organizations will be conducted in this Doctoral level course. Learners will also specifically study how to effectively apply these concepts to educational settings.
EDU8006-8Statistics IIThis course is an intermediate examination of statistical analyses commonly used for research in education. It prepares the doctoral student with the skills required to plan, conduct (using SPSS), report, and interpret quantitative statistical analyses. Topics include: basic statistical knowledge, probability theory, exploratory date analysis, assumptions for statistical tests, parametric and nonparametric tests. Specific analyses include: correlation, regression (simple, multiple, and logistic), basic ANOVA and advanced ANOVA techniques.
ED7013-8Financial Issues in SchoolsThis course is designed to introduce and explore concepts in school finance and school business management. Specifically, the course content will cover school finance and school business practices as it pertains to the national, state, and local practices.
EDU8007-8Quantitative Research DesignThis course provides Learners with the skills essential for designing experimental, quasi-experiment, and survey studies; analyzing the data collected in these studies, and interpreting the results of data analyses. Learners will explore designs and statistical techniques to use with their envisioned dissertation research.
ED7014-8Practices in School OrganizationSchool organizations serve as models of effective teaching and successful student engagement and learning. In this course, the doctoral learner will examine the organizational structure of schools and school systems and their relationships to and effects on school programs, teaching strategies, testing and measurement, and evaluation of programs in schools. The learner will consider the way schools are organized about time, space, and other resources. Organizational dynamics will be explored and there will be an opportunity to engage operational factors that influence the school climate including human resources, organizational outreach, and capacity. Finally, the learner will explore stakeholder participation in organizational practice.
EDU8207-8Planning Dissertation Research in EducationStudents in this course will begin the process of writing a dissertation for a research or professional doctorate. The course will address the University dissertation process and aids to successfully complete a dissertation, including self-care and time management.