Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership with Superintendent Licensure online

Earn your terminal degree and prepare for superintendency in one affordable online program.

Apply Now
Apply by 6/10/24
Start Class 7/1/24

Program Overview

Experience what this online doctoral program can do for you.

$24,900* In-State Tuition
As few as 32 months Program Duration
60 Credit Hours
$24,900* In-State Tuition
As few as 32 months Program Duration
60 Credit Hours

Equip yourself to meet the growing demand for more effective leaders in administrative positions serving public school systems. The Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership with Superintendent Licensure online program builds on your capacity to apply research-driven best practices in order to support the success of diversified students and staff in a variety of organizational settings.

Designed to develop your expertise in educational policy, organizational management, and instructional leadership, our rigorous curriculum is aligned with state and national standards ( ELCC, NELP, OPS, and OSS). In this online Ed.D. program, you will grow your understanding of current issues affecting learning organizations, including instructional use of technology, human resources policy, and the role and limits of law in promoting educational reform. Plus, you can transfer up to 15 credit hours of post-master's coursework toward elective and required clinical hours.

Learn from dedicated faculty who provide a practitioner-focused approach, featuring collaborative learning strategies, clinical experience, and an embedded dissertation. Through integrated 100 percent online coursework and practical application, you will gain the advanced skills and qualifications that open doors to elevated roles such as Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, or Professional Development Director. Join our respected Youngstown State University alum and reach new milestones as an influential leader in education by completing your doctoral studies and preparing for superintendency with this flexible online program!

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

In this online Ed.D. program, you will learn to:

  • Collaboratively lead, design and implement a district mission, vision and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities
  • Promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying ethical decisions and cultivate and enact professional norms
  • Develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive and inclusive district culture
  • Engage families, community, and other constituents in the work of schools and the district and to advocate for district, student and community needs
  • Develop, monitor, evaluate and manage data-informed and equitable district systems for operations, resources, and human capital management
  • Cultivate relationships, lead collaborative decision making and governance, and represent and advocate for district needs in broader policy conversations
  • Synthesize and apply the above outcomes through substantial, sustained, standards-based work in real district settings
  • Collaboratively lead, design and implement a district mission, vision and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities
  • Promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying ethical decisions and cultivate and enact professional norms
  • Develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive and inclusive district culture
  • Engage families, community, and other constituents in the work of schools and the district and to advocate for district, student and community needs
  • Develop, monitor, evaluate and manage data-informed and equitable district systems for operations, resources, and human capital management
  • Cultivate relationships, lead collaborative decision making and governance, and represent and advocate for district needs in broader policy conversations
  • Synthesize and apply the above outcomes through substantial, sustained, standards-based work in real district settings
  • Collaboratively lead, design and implement a district mission, vision and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities
  • Promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying ethical decisions and cultivate and enact professional norms
  • Develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive and inclusive district culture
  • Engage families, community, and other constituents in the work of schools and the district and to advocate for district, student and community needs
  • Develop, monitor, evaluate and manage data-informed and equitable district systems for operations, resources, and human capital management
  • Cultivate relationships, lead collaborative decision making and governance, and represent and advocate for district needs in broader policy conversations
  • Synthesize and apply the above outcomes through substantial, sustained, standards-based work in real district settings

In this online Ed.D. program, you will learn to:

  • Collaboratively lead, design and implement a district mission, vision and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities
  • Promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying ethical decisions and cultivate and enact professional norms
  • Develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive and inclusive district culture
  • Engage families, community, and other constituents in the work of schools and the district and to advocate for district, student and community needs
  • Develop, monitor, evaluate and manage data-informed and equitable district systems for operations, resources, and human capital management
  • Cultivate relationships, lead collaborative decision making and governance, and represent and advocate for district needs in broader policy conversations
  • Synthesize and apply the above outcomes through substantial, sustained, standards-based work in real district settings
  • Collaboratively lead, design and implement a district mission, vision and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities
  • Promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying ethical decisions and cultivate and enact professional norms
  • Develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive and inclusive district culture
  • Engage families, community, and other constituents in the work of schools and the district and to advocate for district, student and community needs
  • Develop, monitor, evaluate and manage data-informed and equitable district systems for operations, resources, and human capital management
  • Cultivate relationships, lead collaborative decision making and governance, and represent and advocate for district needs in broader policy conversations
  • Synthesize and apply the above outcomes through substantial, sustained, standards-based work in real district settings

Nationally recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council

Graduate our online Ed.D. program prepared for a variety of elevated roles, including:

  • School District Superintendent
  • Associate Superintendent
  • Assistant Superintendent
  • Superintendent of Educational Service Center
  • University Faculty
  • School District Superintendent
  • Associate Superintendent
  • Assistant Superintendent
  • Superintendent of Educational Service Center
  • University Faculty

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Tuition

Find out more about our affordable tuition.

YSU offers students the opportunity to earn their online degree with affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition.

Tuition breakdown:

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$415* Per Credit Hour
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$24,900* Total Tuition

*In-state tuition.

Note: No payment plans are available for accelerated online students.

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program
In-State Out-of-State In-State Out-of-State In-State Out-of-State
Ed.D. Educational Leadership w/ Superintendent Licensure $415 $420 $1,245 $1,260 $24,900 $25,200

Additional Fees

Application: $45 (waived if you are an active/veteran military member)

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. The first step in applying for financial aid is to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). YSU's Federal School Code is 003145.

Contact Us

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
1 Tressel Way
Meshel Hall, 203
Youngstown, OH 44555

Phone: 330-941-3505
Fax: 330.941.1659
Email: [email protected]

Calendar

Stay on track with our convenient online schedule.

At YSU, we offer multiple start dates throughout the year so you never have to wait long to get started on your online degree program. View the chart below to find upcoming start dates, along with important deadlines, such as when your application should be submitted and when payments are due.

Next Start & Application Due Dates:

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6/10/24 Next Application Deadline
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7/1/24 Start Classes
First StartsProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineLast Class Day
Summer 15/13/244/22/244/29/245/8/245/10/246/30/24
Summer 27/1/246/10/246/17/246/26/246/28/248/17/24
Fall 18/26/248/5/248/12/248/21/248/23/2410/13/24
Fall 210/21/249/30/2410/7/2410/16/2410/18/2412/8/24

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from YSU?

Admissions

Check the admissions criteria as you prepare to apply.

YSU's online Ed.D. programs have specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.

Degree Icon Undergraduate Degree from an accredited university
Resume Icon Professional resume
Application Icon Online Application
Degree Icon Master's Degree
GPA Calculator Icon Minimum 3.25 GPA
Teaching License Icon Teaching License
  • Complete online application for admission
  • Pay $45 application fee ($90 International). Waived for active/veteran military members or for applicants who have attended the College of Graduate Studies in the past.
  • Minimum 3.25 GPA
  • Names and contact information for 2 professional references (in online application) who have supervised the applicant in professional roles or university faculty member knowledgeable regarding the candidate's scholarly abilities
  • Submit one 750-word essay (in online application)
  • Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from regionally accredited institutions
  • Submit official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (waived for applicants who have a graduate GPA of 3.25 or higher)
  • Holistic evaluation of work experience including professional roles, achievements, and associations, educational background, leadership, and service
  • Faculty interview may be requested if further assessment is needed
  • Valid principal licensure

Transcripts must be mailed from the granting institution or sent electronically through a secured server vendor.

Mailing Address:

YSU College of Graduate Studies
1 Tressel Way
Coffelt Hall
Youngstown, OH 44555

Email Address:
[email protected]

Courses

Discover what you'll study in our online educational leadership classes.

For the Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership with Superintendent Licensure online program, you are required to complete a total of 63 credit hours. Required coursework is comprised of 24 credit hours of educational leadership core, 9 credit hours of educational research core, 12 credit hours of dissertation studies, 3 credit hours of clinical experience, and 12 credit hours of superintendent certification courses.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In this course students will critically analyze contemporary ways of thinking about leadership. As students examine their present paradigm of leadership, they will also analyze a reconfiguration of leadership that reflects developments in the new sciences and other fields.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An explorative study of constructs and concepts of cultural diversity within groups based on notions of class, race, gender, sexual orientation, educational status, mental and physical ability, religion, ethnicity, class. Consideration for expectations and organizational practices as informed by diversity issues.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Informing educational leaders about contextual issues of schools is necessary in order to understand and recognize that school reform, both at the time of its proposal and during the developmental stages of its implementation, is intended to ameliorate educational problems.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Building Organizational Culture and Community Partnerships is designed in accordance with the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) District Level Program Standards, Standard 5. Candidates in this educational leadership preparation course will learn to apply new knowledge and skills to engage families, communities, and related business partnerships to meet student and community cultural and environmental needs. An examination of the school and community culture will contribute to the essential objectives of the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will teach students how to make competent leadership decisions by applying and enforcing ethical standards with followers. Ethics is at the heart of leadership. Leaders must make every effort to make ethical decisions and foster ethical behavior among followers. In this course students will explore the ethical demands of leadership. We draw from many fields of research to help students make ethical decisions, lead with integrity, and create an ethical culture. This course is designed to increase students’ ethical competence and leadership abilities.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Reviews professional literature on politics and policy making at the local, state, and federal level, including the values, institutional actors, processes, and interest groups that shape educational policy. Explores means of identifying problems, analyzing policy alternatives, and measuring policy outcomes.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Extension of the administrator's abilities to analyze professional problems, develop leadership strategies, and exercise sound decision making. Nontraditional (nonfunctionalist) theories are stressed, with emphasis on deconstructing and purposefully framing educational issues. Case studies strengthen the application of the theories.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of current theories and research in the areas of cognition and learning, development, and motivation that underlay approaches to teaching in any context. Primary topics will include social cognition, interpersonal relationships, group processes, and intergroup relations, as well as applied issues.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of major research methodologies and a preview of the different paradigms and assumptions that underlie controlled disciplined inquiries. Techniques associated with particular methodologies in educational administration will be introduced, and their strengths and weaknesses will be analyzed.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Consideration of evolving and qualitative methods and literature that apply to doctoral study of problems in teaching, school leadership, and school change.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An in-depth treatment of the major correlational, experimental, and quasi-experimental research designs and associated statistical analyses, including the design and analysis of surveys and factor analytic techniques. Experience in data analysis using SPSS or other statistical packages.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Candidates for the superintendency license are required to complete four tasks from the master syllabus at the district-wide level, supervised by a school superintendent. Major components are the complete analysis of the financial structure of the candidate's school district and a system-level integrated project.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Students will build knowledge and skills in conducting a literature review to complete Chapter 2 of their dissertation. Writing will be broken down into manageable milestones, following the guidelines set forth by the YSU Educational Leadership Dissertation Guidelines and template.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This course is the for Doctoral Candidates who are in the process of developing and completing Chapter 1 of their dissertation, which includes the background to the problem, problem statement, purpose statement, theoretical frame, limitation, operational definitions, methods, etc. relevant to the proposed research study. Finally, candidates will develop a presentation and defend their proposal to their committee.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Students will build knowledge and skills in developing Chapter 3 of their dissertation. Writing of Chapter 3 will be broken down into manageable milestones, following the guidelines set forth in the YSU Educational Leadership Dissertation Guidelines and template.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Students will build candidate knowledge and skills in developing Chapter 4 of their dissertation, which includes collecting data, completing the data analysis, and writing up their findings. Writing will be broken down into manageable milestones, following the guidelines set forth in the YSU Educational Leadership Dissertation Guidelines and template.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Students will gain knowledge and skills in developing Chapter 5 of their dissertation, which will discuss the findings and their implications. Writing of the chapter will be broken down into manageable milestones, following the guidelines set forth by the YSU Educational Leadership Dissertation Guidelines and template.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Doctoral candidates, nearing the end of the dissertation process, will prepare and defend their dissertation proposal to their committee. Finally, they will prepare the final version of their dissertation for submission to the Graduate school.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the role of superintendent in the administration of schools. Students will study leadership in complex social organizations so that they can apply current theory and research to their roles in complex, chaotic, educational environments.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Due to increasing demands upon the educational facilities by the instructional use of technology and the need to prepare students for the world of work, facility management and integration of technology into the facility are examined.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores emergent legal developments affecting P-12 education systems and the role and limits of the law in promoting educational emergent reform. Reviews social science literature on governance issues and factors that affect the nature, degree, and rate of organizational compliance.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Human resources issues from the central office perspective. Statutory, regulatory, and political contexts for public sector collective bargaining. Conceptual and experiential treatment of traditional and interest-based bargaining. Approaches to human resources policy development. Grievances and management of written agreements.

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