EdD Specialization in PK-12 Leadership

The Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership program with a specialization in Pre-K to 12 Leadership prepares PreK to 12 leaders in various roles to create and sustain strong learning communities. Our hybrid EdD program is ideal for full-time, experienced educational leaders who aspire to serve in dynamic leadership roles at public or private PreK to 12 school sites and district or county offices of education.

Why Specialize in Pre-K to 12 Leadership?

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.

This cohort-based doctorate employs the practitioner-scholar model of training in which academics, experience, and research are conjoined. Through rigorous coursework and hands-on learning, students gain advanced knowledge in the theory and practice of leadership, education, policy, and many other concepts. With an emphasis on experiential learning, students have the opportunity to take two trips, one global and one domestic. This program culminates in a doctoral dissertation.

Learn more about the EdD in Organizational Leadership program →

Educational Leadership Courses

Course Number	Course Title & Description	Units
EDLP 700	Education Finance and Policy This course provides a conceptual and a practitioner’s perspective in the process of understanding that resources, social progress, technological advancement, and health are created through a sound and continuously improving Pre-K-12 educational system. The bureaucratic or political systems that support these processes require resources, most notably among them is adequate funding. This course reviews and examines the sources and processes of obtaining educational funding. Additionally, the political and bureaucratic challenges around how funding is acquired, administered, and dispersed by the federal government, states, communities, and local school districts are described.	3
EDLP 701	Leadership and Action Research in Pre-K-12 Students investigate the historical context and multiple traditions of participation in any research parentheses (PAR) and its application to leadership in the private and public Pre-K-12 settings. Students will select and complete a (PAR) project within their schools. Students also explore their individual and collective leadership talents, strengths, beliefs, values, assumptions, and practices. Learning experiences engage students in imagining a better future, developing greater intentionality, becoming more proactive, and maximizing talent and strengths to build individual and learning community capacity.	3
EDD 785	Advances in Theory and Practice Students examine a broad range of advancements in theory and practice in their respective areas of interest. Examples of possible areas may include social innovation and entrepreneurship; school safety; institutional advancement; innovations and future of learning technologies, such as AI, 3D learning and virtual worlds, aerial, cloud, and mobile technologies; financial management of public institutions; open-source electronic platforms; interactive gadgets or media mashups; managing in technological environments; pre-K–12 administration; private and charter school administration; societal factors affecting education and equity; nonprofit management and leadership; mixed-methodology research methods; and other similar topics. Note: Students may not complete the same area of study for credit more than once.	3

Program Learning Outcomes

Pepperdine School of Education and Psychology is committed to a learner-centered approach in the programs we offer. Graduates of the EdD in Organizational Leadership program with a specialization in Pre-K to 12 Leadership will be expected to achieve the following objectives:

Design and conduct research, collect and analyze data and report research findings
Assess needs, develop, deliver and assess learning experiences and apply tools of appropriate technology
Integrate and synthesize personal, organizational and societal values to advance leadership and change initiatives throughout organizations
Integrate, synthesize and apply theories and practices that support research and development of National and Global policy
Apply Participatory Action Research (PAR) to synthesize and integrate advanced theories and practices in leading K-12 Learning Environments

Career Opportunities

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

The EdD in Organizational Leadership with a specialization in Educational Leadership Pre-K to 12 from Pepperdine provides a strong opportunity for employment growth and earning potential. 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.

University Administrative Leadership Positions

Principal

A principal's role is to directly oversee and manage the academic institution to the best of his/her ability. Duties that fall under this role include budgeting, complying with district policies, overseeing instructional programs and more.

K-12 Administrator

K-12 administrators can fall under the role of principal, vice principal, assistant, enrollment officers, and more. These roles are responsible for the daily functioning and success of the academic institution and take on tasks such as organization budgeting, curriculum, and more.

PreK-12 Educational Consultant

An educational consultant is a position that requires the maintenance of an academic institution's curriculum and daily functioning to ensure student success. This role can include tasks surrounding the main focus on identifying student's needs and aligning the school to fit those needs. This includes conducting teacher/professor evaluations, holding school meetings and assemblies, and more.

PreK-12 Instructional Coordinator

Instructional coordinators, sometimes referred to as curriculum specialists, are responsible for evaluating the curriculum at a school, and evaluating the success of teaching techniques, specific teachers, monitoring classes, and ensuring that the school is adhering to the curriculum set forth by the school board and state.

University/College Faculty

University faculty jobs include both 2-year and 4-year undergraduate colleges and universities, as well as graduate and doctoral-level programs. University faculty are responsible for providing coursework to students in their department and oftentimes conduct research in their field as well.

What Our Alumni Are Saying

"I was looking for a program that would enhance my personal and professional growth while fitting into my demanding schedule. The online and in-person models offered by Pepperdine University fit my needs perfectly."

— Laurie Michelle St. Gean ('10)

"Attending the university was a transforming experience in terms of developing as an education leader. It opened the doors for new opportunities for me as an educator."

— Robert James Boyd ('16)

Take the Next Step

Prepare for the leadership career you want with your EdD in Organizational Leadership.