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Doctorate Degree Programs in Education

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy

For more detailed information about alternate start dates, contact your admissions manager, Melissa Mansfield at 310-568-5786 or . Continuing students should contact their Academic Advisor, Alicia Standifer, at 310-568-5770 or .

Leadership and Technology Training for Educators (LATTE)

LATTE is a summer orientation session in which students are provided with an overview of the program and support services.

This course introduces students to the technology tools that they will use throughout the program to communicate and be in community with one another. Students are also introduced to tools and learning experiences that strengthen scholarly writing and enhance information literacy.

EDEL 729A Information/Communication Technology & Scholarly Writing (1)

In this two-part course series, students will explore their individual and collective talents, strengths, beliefs, values, purposes, visions, practices, and desired legacies. Learning experiences engage students in imagining a better future, developing greater intentionality, becoming more proactive, and maximizing talents and strengths in order to build individual and leaning community capacity. Learning experiences are designed to support students in constructing a principle-based platform for applying the theories and practices of educational system's leadership and to promote personal and professional transformation.

EDEL 740A Personal Leadership & Stewardship of a Shared Vision of Learning (2)

For detailed descriptions of each course, click on the course number to view details.

Year 1 Curriculum

Fall Term
(7 units)		Spring Term
(7 units)		Summer Term
(7 units)
This course introduces students to the technology tools that they will use throughout the program to communicate and be in community with one another. Students are also introduced to tools and learning experiences that strengthen scholarly writing and enhance information literacy.

EDEL 729B Information/Communication Technology & Scholarly Writing (2)

In this two-part series, students will explore their individual and collective talents, strengths, beliefs, values, purposes, visions, practices, and desired legacies. Learning experiences engage students in imaging a better future, developing greater intentionality, becoming more proactive, and maximizing talents and strengths in order to build individual and learning community capacity. Learning experiences are designed to support students in constructing a principle-based platform for applying the theories and practices of educational system's leadership and to promote personal and professional transformation.

EDEL 740B Personal Leadership Legacy (1)

In this course, students explore the relationships between culture, mission, vision, action, and accountability in learning communities and the importance of alignment between these key entities. Students learn strategies for enrolling all stakeholders in a shred purpose and vision, guiding and supporting purposeful collaboration, ensuing that actions support mission and vision, and developing systems for accountability that promote a culture of excellence and responsibility.

EDEL 741 Creating and Sustaining a Learning Community Culture of Excellence and Responsibility (3)

in this two-part course series, students investigate the historical context and multiple traditions of Participatory Action Research (PAR) and learn the foundational tenets: ethics, purpose, and logic. Students explore possible areas of focus for PAR study within their schools/organizations, propose a PAR study purpose, and engage in PAR study planning.

EDEL 774A Foundations of Participatory Action Research (1)
In this course, students explore the democratic principles underlying American public school systems. They investigate strategies for actively engaging in and working to shape policy so it reflects a commitment to equity for the diverse communities of learning locally, regionally, at the state level, and at the national level. Students participate in ongoing dialogue and processes with a range of stakeholders and policymakers to identify, influence, and respond to issues, trends, and potential changes in the operating environments of learning communities.

EDEL 754 Understanding the Social, Political, Economic, Legal, Intercultural, and Technological Context (3)

in this two-part course series, students investigate the historical context and multiple traditions of Participatory Action Research (PAR) and learn the foundational tenets: ethics, purpose, and logic. Students explore possible areas of focus for PAR study within their schools/organizations, propose a PAR study purpose, and engage in PAR study planning.

EDEL 774B Foundations of Participatory Action Research (2)

In this course, candidates study contemporary issues and culturally proficient leadership practice associated with equity, affirmative action and diversity as they relate to educational leadership and the moral imperative to ensure educational opportunity for all learners. Students examine their own values and behaviors using the principles of cultural proficiency. They also examine the policies and practices of their learning community. Students learn strategies for planning personal, professional, and curricular development using data and the essential elements of cultural proficiency.

EDEL 785 Culturally Proficient Leadership, Equity and Social Justice (2)

American Association of School Administrators (AASA)
The students attend the National Conference on Education to discuss critical issues that affect students, leaders, communities, and school systems. The conference location varies each year and the learning experiences are selected to align with program coursework.

National Conference
In this course, students investigate strategies for creating and managing leaning communities that are structured to support the core work of teaching and learning. Learning addresses issues related to physical and emotional safety for all students and adults and the protection of legal rights of all members of the learning community. Students also lean strategies for applying the principles of organizational leadership and management to align and integrate the multiple subsystems that constitute the learning community so that the infrastructure supports all learners in leaning to high standards.

EDEL 714 Shaping and Managing Operations and Resources as a Learning Support System (3)

In this course, students explore ethical and moral principles that inform leadership practice. They investigate strategies for inspiring and encouraging others by demonstrating their commitment to lifelong professional learning. They develop, sustain, and apply cutting-edge professional knowledge in making decisions and working with the adults and children in their learning communities.

EDEL 724 Ethical Leadership and Developing Leadership Capacity (2)

In this course, students are provided with an introduction to dissertation study and research design. Students learn about the timeline and the steps involved in dissertation study. They investigate dissertation resources and support services. Students are provided with an overview of qualitative and quantitative research designs, they explore compelling areas of focus for dissertation study, and they craft a draft chapter one for their proposed dissertation study.

EDEL 730A Foundations of Research and Dissertation Study (1)

This two-part course series builds upon the PAR work accomplished in EDEL 774A, B. Students implement a PAR study within their school/organization and engage in iterative cycles of diagnosis, action, measurement, and reflection. Students participate in learning circles through which they have the opportunity to provide critical friend feedback and support for one another's PAR work. Students regularly document, reflect upon, and share their PAR work and related learning.

EDEL 775A Engaging in Participatory Action Research (1)

Year 2 Curriculum

Fall Term
(8 units)		Spring Term
(7 units)		Summer Term
(11 units)
In this course, students learn about system's oriented, research-based, and results-oriented practices for leading and sustaining principled and learner-centered community cultures that focus on continuous learning and improvement. Students explore strategies for shaping culture and guiding the instructional program to promote high expectations, rigorous academic work, equity, fairness and respect among all members of the community. Students also explore strategies for guiding and supporting long-term professional development and creating and utilizing a sound accountability system.

EDEL 700A Leading Learning, Innovation, and the Continuous Improvement of Practice (3)

In this course, students will examine theory and practice in the design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of qualitative methods of research and evaluation.

EDEL 730B Qualitative Research Methods (3)

This two-part course series builds upon the PAR work accomplished in EDEL 774A, B. Students implement a PAR study within their school/organization and engage in iterative cycles of diagnosis, action, measurement, and reflection. Students participate in learning circles through which they have the opportunity to provide critical friend feedback and support for one another's PAR work. Students regularly document, reflect upon, and share their PAR work and related learning.

EDEL 775B Engaging in Participatory Action Research (2)
In this course, students learn how to build strong partnerships with students, families, and community members and organizations in support of student and adult learning. Students explore strategies that: promote collaboration and incorporate diverse perspectives, establish and manage linkages between the site and larger community context, and mobilize and leverage community support services.

EDEL 700B Collaborating with Students, Families, and Community in Support of Learning (2)

In this course, students will examine theory and practice in the design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of quantitative methods of research and evaluation.

EDEL 730C Quantitative Research Methods (3)

In this course, students will learn how to report, analyze, and interpret qualitative research dara.

EDEL 734A A Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation (2)

In this fifth and final PAR course, students report and analyze the summative findings of their PAR, they develop conclusions, and propose ideas for policy, practice, and further PAR study. Students also reflect upon and share what they have learned about PAR, leadership, and their personal leadership as a result of their PAR work and their overall participation in the ELAP program. Students share their PAR outcomes and learning in a conference format during which they present and discuss their PAR portfolio and final report.

EDEL 776 Evaluating and Presenting Participatory Action Research Outcomes (1)
In this course, students will learn how to report, analyze, and interpret quantitative research data.

EDEL 734B A Quantitative Data Analysis and Interpretation (2)

In this course, students investigate forces and trends that are influencing the nature of schooling and learning in a global society. Students explore futurist literature and the importance of holding a compelling vision for the future as an educational leader. They explore strategies for facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the learning community. Students learn leadership practices for successfully leading first order and second order (transformational) change initiatives within learning communities.

EDEL 762 Transforming Learning Communities in a Global and Conceptual Age (3)

In this course, students share their research, writing, and communication expertise as related to their dissertation area of focus and preliminary comprehensive literature review. Students present their preliminary comprehensive literature paper to a faculty panel for evaluation and to peers for feedback. Successfully completing this seminar course, prepares the student to formally enroll in dissertation study under the supervision of a faculty chair and committee.

EDEL 787 Research Capstone Seminar (6)

Year 3 Curriculum

Fall Term
(2 units)		Spring Term
(2 units)		Summer Term
(2 units)
Upon completion of coursework and the Research Capstone Seminar, students enroll formally in dissertation study under the supervision of a dissertation chair. In dissertation study, students engage in a Preliminary Oral with their chair and committee. Upon successfully passing the Preliminary Oral, students officially become doctoral candidates. Students then continue their dissertation study through final defense, manuscript review, and finally to the publication stage. Students must be enrolled continuously in dissertation study for 2 units per term until completion.

EDEL 791 Dissertation Research (6)
(2 units per term of continuous enrollment until completion)

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