EdD in Educational Leadership
Now more than ever, strong educators are needed to guide and transform the lives of students. Leadership can mean lots of things, from classroom and thought leadership, to school or district management. Whatever your goals, the Wilkes EdD in Educational Leadership will empower you to be a better teacher, learner and leader, coupling advanced concepts with decision making, mindfulness and ethics.
Because it's a transformational, professional journey. It's relevant, rigorous, convenient and affordable. But more than that, it's a chance to immerse yourself in a community of like-minded peers who bring diverse perspectives yet common challenges to the table. It's a chance to earn the highest degree in your field. It's your chance to address the most pressing needs and challenges facing educators. And it's your chance to advance yourself and make a positive impact in your classroom, district and community--and most importantly, in the lives of students.
In our low-residency program, you'll study with students living all over the world and make life-changing connections. You'll also collaborate with peers in person and online, forming a rich network that extends long beyond graduation. You'll attend three, 4-day residencies and complete a dissertation. We understand all that you have to balance, so know that our coursework allows you to maintain a work-life balance and gives you plenty of flexibility to complete the program on your own terms. Plus, our generous transfer policy offers pathways to fast-track your studies.
All educators can benefit from becoming leaders. Earning your doctorate in education can give you the opportunity to grow yourself as a leader and pursue new career opportunities that are both challenging and rewarding. Choose a specialization that fits your personal or career goals: K-12 Administration with PA Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility or Educational Leadership.
Our doctorate in Educational Leadership also offers a unique choice of concentrations:
Educational Technology*
Curriculum and Instruction*
Educational Leadership Studies
Educational Climate and Safety
PA Principal Leadership & Certification
*options for PA certification
All of our curriculum is designed to help you extend your teaching impact and expertise while influencing meaningful change in education.
Intakes
- Jan
- March
- Aug
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Wilkes University offers strong post-graduation job prospects, boasting a self-reported placement rate of about 98% for graduates either employed or pursuing further study. Students benefit from a robust Career Gateway Program beginning in their first year, providing career coaching, hands-on internships or co-ops, resume workshops, mock interviews, networking events, and access to a vast employer network via Handshake - linking students to over 500,000 companies. This strong support and exposure help most students secure relevant roles - many even receive job offers before graduation.
PSW Opportunity
Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.
Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).
STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.
Contact our PSA counselor for more information.
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
- TOEFL Paper Based = 550
- TOEFL Computer Based = 213
- TOEFL Internet Based = 79
- IELTS = 6
- ELS Successful Completion = 112
- PTE = 50
- Duolingo English Test = 95
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Doctoral Degree/PhD
- Duration: 02 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
39024 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: N/A

