Leadership, Policy, and Change (Course-Based Format)
The creation and implementation of education policy is critical to advancing change in the field. This specialization is designed for school, district, and other educational leaders across the education spectrum, from preschool through higher education, who want to continue to enhance their leadership abilities and influence policy at the local, national, and institutional levels. You can gain the skills you need to provide informed leadership, affect policy, and guide the change process at all levels of the education system. This specialization is offered in a course-based format that allows you to follow a structured timeline to degree completion.
Completion Requirements
- 96 total quarter credit hours
- Foundation courses (12 cr.)
- Core courses (24 cr.)
- Specialized courses (24 cr.)
- Research sequence (16 cr.)
- Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentations (20 cr.)
- Four Ph.D. residencies to equal a minimum of 16 units
- ePortfolio
Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.
Foundational Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDUC 8110 | Development of the Scholar-Practitioner | 4 |
| EDUC 8111 | Principles of Social Change | 4 |
| EDUC 8112 | Social Change in Education | 4 |
Core Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDUC 8113 | The Learner Across the Lifespan | 4 |
| EDUC 8114 | Learning and Instruction | 4 |
| EDUC 8115 | Assessment and Accountability in Education | 4 |
| EDUC 8116 | Leadership in a Global Society | 4 |
| EDUC 8117 | Educational Organizations and Contexts | 4 |
| EDUC 8118 | Innovation and Change in Education | 4 |
Specialized Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDUC 8210 | Governance and Politics of Education | 4 |
| EDUC 8211 | Economics of Education | 4 |
| EDUC 8212 | Education Law | 4 |
| EDUC 8213 | Policy Development and Implementation | 4 |
| EDUC 8214 | Leadership for Change in Education | 4 |
| EDUC 8215 | Capacity, Capability, and Sustainability | 4 |
Research Sequence
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| RSCH 8100D | Research Theory, Design, and Methods | 4 |
| RSCH 8200D | Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis | 4 |
| RSCH 8300D | Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis | 4 |
Advanced Research Courses (choose one course)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| RSCH 8250 | Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis | 4 |
| RSCH 8350 | Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis | 4 |
| RSCH 8450 | Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis | 4 |
Dissertation
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDUC 8900 | Dissertation Companion | 0 |
| EDUC 9001 | Dissertation | 20 |
For assistance in deciding which online degree specialization fits your goals, request information or speak with an enrollment advisor by calling 1-866-492-5336. A list of international toll-free phone numbers is available for students outside the United States.
Information for prospective Alabama and Washington state students.
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