PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration (PhD)

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Tuition is Special Incentive for Delaware Teachers: BUY ONE GET ONE FREE in Summer, i.e. for Summer Semester courses, you pay for one course and get the other one free!!.

Graduates are qualified to pursue senior-level leadership roles in K-12 school districts and central offices. The program prepares candidates as equity-focused administrators through a cohort-based, accelerated weekend format. Students engage in research, policy development, and curriculum innovation while addressing systemic challenges in diverse educational settings. The curriculum emphasizes data-driven decision making and strategic planning for inclusive school environments.

Focus areas include Central Office Leadership, High-Need School, Social Justice & Equity, Sustainable Change, Cutting-edge Research & Scholarly Practices, Transformative Vision.

The program requires 60 credits, with coursework, a dissertation, and a field-based internship. The dissertation follows the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) process.

Graduates enter roles as superintendents, assistant superintendents, central office administrators, and policy advisors in K-12 education.

Applicants must hold a master's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Required documents include transcripts, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation. The program requires a professional resume and an interview.

The programme totals about 60 credit hours. Accelerated weekend format, hybrid delivery (virtual synchronous and asynchronous), full-time, three to three-and-a-half years. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 62% of applicants.

Delaware State University places research in neuroscience, genetics, imaging, and cell electrophysiology among its academic and scientific activities. The Delaware Center for Neuroscience Research, DNA Core Center, Cell Electrophysiology Core, and OSCAR Imaging Center provide distinct research settings and services. The university also offers DNA Core education and extension, research capacity consultations, community needs assessment, and Research Experiences for Undergraduates. The Delaware Institute for Science & Technology adds another research connection. Experiential learning and faculty research days give students opportunities to engage with work beyond regular coursework. Graduate School Preparation Exams and Professional Skills support students preparing for advanced study.

Located in Dover, Delaware, the university connects academic study with advising, first- and second-year programs, career preparation, and student success support. Students can use EAB Navigate for planning and communication, academic support for student athletes, and the DSU Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator. Distance education and learning technologies support course access in additional formats. Residential students have resources covering policies, maintenance, information technology requests, laundry, health, and what to bring to campus. Military-affiliated students can find orientation, tuition assistance guidance, Veterans Affairs educational program information, and the General Education Mobile program. International students should review how their intended course of study fits the university's academic advising, registration, testing, health insurance, housing, and student service systems. The university's history includes successive presidential administrations, while its research centers and student programs show how academic work and support are organized today.