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Second only to the impending teacher shortage in America is the developing shortage of educational leadership at school, district, and state levels. Walden’s K–12 specialization provides a much-needed new model for advanced study in the field of educational leadership.
A highly flexible, student-centered curriculum is designed to create local, regional, and state educational leaders who can relate to diverse, multicultural K–12 and community-based school populations.
Career professionals in education who work, or wish to work, in leadership and policy development at the building, district, regional, or state level will find the specialization particularly suited to their needs for advanced study. Positions include principal, assistant principal, superintendent, CEO, and faculty member.
Completion Requirements
- 134 total quarter credit hours
- Foundation course: SBSF 8005 (6 cr.)
- KAMs and/or courses and research sequence (98 cr.)
- Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentation (30 cr.)
- Minimum 8–10 quarters enrollment
- 20 days of residency (two 4-day and two 6-day residencies)
For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call your enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.
Walden offers frequent start dates so that you can begin when it’s convenient for you. Next Start Date: June 2. Admission policies vary by program. Call 1-866-492-5336 or apply now.
Core Curriculum
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| SBSF 8005 | Foundations for Doctoral Study | 6 |
| KAM I: Principles of Social Change | ||
| SBSF 8110 | Breadth: Theories of Social Change | 5 |
| EDUC 8128 | Depth: Strategic Leadership in Education and Social Change | 5 |
| EDUC 8138 | Application: Professional Practice in Strategic Leadership and Social Change | 4 |
| KAM II: Principles of Human Development | ||
| SBSF 8210 | Breadth: Theories of Human Development | 5 |
| SBSF 8220 | Depth: Current Research in Human Development | 5 |
| SBSF 8230 | Application: Professional Practice in Human Development | 4 |
| KAM III: Principles of Social Systems | ||
| SBSF 8310 | Breadth: Theories of Organizational and Social Systems | 5 |
| EDUC 8328 | Depth: Current Research in Organizational and Social Systems: K–12 Education | 5 |
| EDUC 8338 | Application: Professional Practice in K–12 Educational Organization | 4 |
Core Research Sequence
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| SBSF 8417 | Research Seminar I: Human Inquiry and Science | 4 |
| EDUC 8428 | Research Seminar II: Research Design in Education | 5 |
| EDUC 8438 | Research Seminar III: Quantitative Research in Education | 5 |
| EDUC 8448 | Research Seminar IV: Qualitative Research in Education | 5 |
Coursework
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| Online Courses in Topical Areas of Educational Leadership | ||
| EDUC 8801 | Educational Law, Public Policy, and Political Systems | 4 |
| EDUC 8802 | Supervision, Evaluation, and Human Resources in Education | 4 |
| EDUC 8803 | Student Personnel Services | 4 |
| EDUC 8804 | School Financial Management | 4 |
| EDUC 8805 | Reflective Instructional Practice | 4 |
| EDUC 8806 | Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 4 |
| EDUC 8807 | Curriculum Theory and Design | 4 |
Advanced Research Sequence
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDUC 8458 | Conducting Pilot and Field Studies | 5 |
| EDUC 8468 | Communicating Knowledge in Educational Research | 4 |
| OR | ||
| EDUC 8811 | Practicum in K–12 Leadership* | 9 |
Dissertation
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDUC 9000 | Dissertation | 30 |
Certification and Licensure
Students undertaking the K–12 Educational leadership specialization should possess a valid administrative credential. The specialization has been designed following both National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) published standards for programs in educational leadership. Acceptance of the Walden University Ph.D. by individual states for the satisfaction of certification or licensure requirements rests with each state. Students are advised to consult directly with their state certification/licensure authority for further information. Walden University cannot guarantee administrative certification or licensure in any state.
Course Descriptions (pdf)
