Education Leadership, EdD

Graduate Faculty

Bruce, Tim, PhD

Graduate Program Advisor: Dr. Tim Bruce, Miller Hall 418D, 360-650-3090, Tim.Bruce@wwu.edu
Program Manager: Carola McGowan, Miller Hall 417A, 360-650-3714, Carola.McGowan@wwu.edu
WA Graduate Program Advisor: Dr. Wayne Robertson, 425-238-5358, robertw@wwu.edu
BC Graduate Program Advisor: Dr. Ian Levings, levingi@wwu.edu

Program Goals

The EdD curriculum is a balance of coursework and practice-based learning. Courses are taught by WWU faculty and recognized practicing school leaders from across the Northwest.

The EdD is offered via synchronous class meetings utilizing Zoom on a monthly class schedule (Friday/Saturday). This career-embedded graduate degree allows you to apply immediately what you are learning in real time, while working  at your current job.   

Specifically, the WWU EdD program is designed to accelerate the progress graduates make toward achieving meaningful impact in influential roles in the following spaces in the education sector:

• PreK–12 district leadership roles including superintendent of schools, central office/program, and building level administrators
• Higher Education Leadership roles including program, department, college, and university leadership roles. 
• Education nonprofit roles including leadership positions that support pre-K–12 and/or higher education.

This three to four-year program is comprised of two parts. The first two years of the program include 6 courses (32 quarter credits) delivered using a variety of modalities built to accommodate education professionals, and for those pursuing a superintendent credential, a two-year internship resulting in a Washington State Superintendent’s Credential. For those not pursuing a superintendent credential, an individualized project or research plan of study will be developed by the student in cooperation with the faculty.

The next two years of the program moving into candidacy will be six courses that include two summer research institutes (40 quarter credits), plus a research sequence culminating in the dissertation (15 quarter credits). 

For those wishing to complete the coursework faster, with faculty approval, students may take 2 courses per quarter in years 2 and 3, which will result in the possible completion of the EdD in three years.

In Washington State, while the law does not require a superintendent to have a doctorate level degree, the trend in hiring throughout the State shows that districts prefer a candidate who has achieved a doctoral degree.

Application Information

Candidates must meet the requirements of the Graduate School (gradschool.wwu.edu) in addition to the following department/program requirements:

• Master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university;
• Résumé outlining your education and professional history;
• For those pursuing a superintendent credential, a valid Washington State certificate (teacher, ESA, principal, or program administrator);
• For those completing the Superintendent Certification, a letter of recommendation from your prospective mentoring superintendent supporting your application and indicating their willingness to serve as your mentor.
• Statement of purpose to include:
  • why you want to pursue an EdD in Education Leadership;
  • how your understanding of diversity relates to improving learning for all students;
  • your understanding of diversity and equity and your leadership experiences related to student diversity and equity in your response, recognizing that your school/district/college/university has students with diverse backgrounds;
  • for this statement of purpose, diversity may include but not be limited to ethnicity/race and culture, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and students in highly capable, disability, and EL/ESL programs.
  • Word Limit: 1,000
• No Graduate Record Exams (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are required.

All applicants must complete the Graduate School online application, which includes:

1. Unofficial transcripts from all attended institutions. If you are extended an offer of admission, you will be required to provide official transcripts.
2. Professional references (follow graduate school application instructions). References should be from individuals who are building-level and district-level administrators. In the application, you will be asked to list your references’ contact information, including their email addresses. After you have entered all of the information for each of your references, click on “submit recommendation request” and you will receive an email with a link to a reference form to complete and electronically submit.
3. For those seeking the Superintendent Certification with the EdD, please include your valid Washington State certificate (teacher, ESA, principal, or program administrator).

Application Deadlines

To receive full consideration for admission to this program, applicants must submit all application materials by the following deadlines:

• Fall Quarter: August 1
• Winter Quarter: October 1
• Spring Quarter: February 1
• Summer Quarter: May 1

Grade Requirements

All coursework and demonstration of state-required competencies must be completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better and within a five-year span.