EdD in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy (PreK-12)

Program Overview

Cost: $1,665 per unit

Units: 51 units + 2 units per term until completion of dissertation

Terms: Fall

Length: 3.5 years

Location(s): West Los Angeles

Format: Online-Hybrid

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy program prepares leaders in public & private (K-12) education from around the globe to create and sustain powerful learning communities.

This program is ideal for educational leaders who serve and/or aspire to serve in dynamic leadership roles at school sites, and district and county offices of education. This online hybrid program offers a dynamic curriculum where students learn to integrate, synthesize and apply theories and practices that support research and development of National and Global policy, and advance leadership and change initiatives throughout organizations. With an emphasis on experiential learning, students will be required to take 2 trips, one global and one domestic. This program culminates in a doctoral dissertation.

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Quick Facts

$8,000Scholarships Available
1Nat'l Policy Trip
12:1Student: Faculty Ratio
HybridProgram Format

Program Benefits

Prestigious doctoral program at the #46-ranked university in the US* committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values.
GSEP generously offers $5,500,000 in scholarships every year with the majority of students receiving some form of financial assistance.
No GRE or any other standardized tests required. We offer an equitable admission process that considers your ability and commitment to succeed rather than test scores.
Nationally-recognized faculty of scholar-practitioners with exemplary academic achievements, professional expertise, educational experience, and scholarly credentials.
Hybrid format is ideal for working professionals, with 60% face-to-face and 40% online instruction. Take advantage of the best features of both face-to-face and online learning. The online portion provides flexibility, while the classroom component offers an enhanced experience, a personalized/hands-on approach, relational interaction with peers, and increased quality of learning.
Robust online modules feature engaging synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences.
Face-to-Face classes are conveniently located on our West Los Angeles Graduate Campus, close to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and just off the 405 freeway.
Cohort model enables students to build upon leadership skills while forging valuable relationships with colleagues.
Emphasis on the development of inquiry/practitioner research knowledge and skills.
Small class sizes and low faculty: student ratio provides a supportive learning environment, meaningful student-faculty interactions, as well as long-term professional and personal relationships.
Career Services Center dedicated exclusively to the field of education to support students' professional advancement.
Extensive Pepperdine alumni network creates influential business connections with more than 110,000 professionals.

* U.S. News & Report, Best Colleges Rankings, National Universities

Tuition and Scholarships

Pepperdine GSEP generously offers $5,500,000 in scholarships every year, with the majority of students receiving some form of financial assistance. The average GSEP student is awarded $7,032 in Pepperdine scholarships.*

2020-21 academic year tuition	$98,235
Average GSEP scholarship	-$7,032
Tuition after average scholarships	$91,203

*Average scholarship based on 2019-2020 academic year and only includes new incoming students who received aid from Pepperdine within GSEP programs. Does not include other external forms of financial aid.

FAQs

Do I need a master's degree to apply to this program?

Yes. All applicants must have a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. We do not require that applicants have a master's degree in a specific field; we take a holistic approach to application review.

What is the required GPA?

We ask that candidates have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA from both their master's and baccalaureate programs; however, we review all applications holistically for individuals who show potential for success in our program. If you are concerned about your GPA, you are welcome to include a brief "GPA Statement of Explanation" with your application.

Do I have to take a standardized test (ex. GRE, GMAT or MAT)?

Please refer to our Application Deadlines webpage.

When is the application deadline?

Please see our Application Deadline webpage for current information.

When does the program start?

This program has a Fall start with a required workshop/orientation in August. each year.

Will I be able to apply my EdD/PhD towards a post-doctoral program?

Pepperdine GSEP and the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business have partnered together for the Bridge to Business Post-Doctoral Program. This 5-month program is an online hybrid with one weekend per month at Hough Graduate School of Business in Gainesville, FL.

The Bridge to Business Post-Doctoral Program prepares and qualifies graduates for teaching and research centers in AACSB accredited schools in the world and can attain Scholarly Academics (SA) status.

Pepperdine GSEP is offering a $6K scholarship for students and alumni who enroll. Please contact your enrollment officer for details and conditions.

What does rolling admission mean?

We begin reviewing applications at the start of each calendar year. Once an application is complete, it typically takes four to five weeks to receive an admissions decision. If an application is received after the deadline, it will be reviewed on a space-available basis. If the program is full, the applicant will be considered for the following year.

Is there an interview process?

Yes. Qualified applicants who have completed applications will be invited to participate in a phone interview with one of our faculty members.

How long does the program take to complete?

The first two years of the program are dedicated to completing coursework. Following coursework, all students are required to complete their dissertation in order to graduate. On average, students complete the program in 3 to 4 years, but students have up to 8 years to complete their entire program.

How much does the program cost?

Please visit our Financial Aid page for current information on program costs, financial aid, scholarships, and grants. Our financial aid award packages can consist of Colleagues grants, federal direct loans, and departmental scholarship.

To be eligible for the most amount of aid, we encourage all applicants to submit their FAFSA applications.

Are there travel requirements associated with this program?

Students are required to participate in 2 trips, one domestic and one global.

Please contact our Recruitment and Admissions Team at gsep-recruitment@pepperdine.edu for the most up-to-date information.

What is the format of the program?

This is a 60/40 blended program: 60% of your coursework will be face-to-face and 40% will be online through synchronous and asynchronous interactions. Students meet face-to-face in four-day intense sessions five times over the academic year. Online sessions meet in between the face-to-face sessions.

What's the difference between an EdD and a PhD?

The PhD is research focused oriented and the EdD is oriented toward educational practice and the application of theory and research.

What kind of job opportunities will be available to me once I graduate from this program?

Graduates of this program are prepared to become leaders in the field of education. Opportunities include, but are not limited to, positions at school sites, district offices, county offices, higher education, and educational businesses in the public and private sectors.

How can I learn more about this doctoral program?

You are welcome to attend one of our formal in-person or online information sessions. To see the upcoming schedule and to RSVP, please visit our information meetings page.

If you are unable to attend an information session, you are welcome to contact the Admissions and Recruitment Team at gsep-recruitment@pepperdine.edu to schedule a personal consultation.

I am an International Applicant. What additional admission requirements do I need to submit?

Applicants who attended schools outside the United States are required to submit certified transcripts in English. Submitted transcripts must include a cumulative grade point average (GPA on a 4.0 scale, A = 4.0) that has been evaluated by a NACES member credential service (www.naces.org) such as the World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) or the International Education Research Foundation (www.ierf.org)

If you have not completed your bachelor's degree at the time of application, submit a current transcript. Upon degree completion, you are required to provide official transcripts in a sealed envelope prior to enrollment.

Mailing Address:
Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology Admissions
6100 Center Drive 5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA

International applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a minimum passing score of 550 on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL). The computer-based TOEFL test requires a minimum passing score of 80. Information concerning the availability of this test in foreign countries can be obtained by contacting TOEFL, Educational Testing Services, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA or online at www.toefl.org. As an alternative to the TOEFL, you may submit a score of at least 6.5 on the IELTS exam. You can find out more at www.ielts.org

Contact Us

Gary Younger

Enrollment Officer
Recruitment and Admissions
Pepperdine University
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
301.568.2334
Email