Program Overview
Preparing leaders in the field of K-12 education, The EdD and PhD in Education Administration offers four pathways with either principal or superintendent licensure.
- EdD in Education Administration with Principal Licensure, minimum 54 credits
- PhD in Education Administration with Principal Licensure, minimum 63 credits
- EdD in Education Administration with Superintendent Licensure, minimum 48 credits
- PhD in Education Administration with Superintendent Licensure, minimum 57 credits
The program prepares doctoral students to become exemplary leaders within the field of education. A rich clinical experience is central to the program, with multiple hands-on experiences embedded throughout the coursework.
Developed for working professionals, courses are held in different formats (e.g., weekends, evenings, online, and on campus) so you can continue to work full time.
SOE Doctoral Program Transfer Credit Policy
In general, students may receive credit for academic courses taken through doctorate programs at accredited institutions. Courses accepted for transfer credit must parallel courses offered at Drake University or otherwise be appropriate for doctorate level credit. Graduate courses considered for transfer must be beyond the required 36 masters-level credits required for admission into a Drake doctoral program. The maximum number of credits that can be transferred into a Drake doctorate program can be no more than 1/3 of the total credit for the full degree program (EdD or PhD). Other details include:
- Transfer credit requests must be at the time of application into the program. Syllabi should be provided at time of request. Typically, research courses are not accepted for transfer, but will be considered by the committee for exceptions.
- Transcripts must come directly from the institution; we will not accept any transcripts from students.
- Requests are formally evaluated by a subcommittee of the doctoral faculty. Applicants will be notified of accepted transfer credits in writing.
- You must have earned a grade of "B" or better in the transfer course.
Considerations for Students with Transfer Credits
- Financial aid implications
- May not change graduation date
- May create gaps in coursework
- Cohort model may require duplicate courses
PhD with Principal Licensure
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| EDL 270 | PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT SEMINAR | 3 |
| EDL 271 | LEADERSHIP AND THE PROFESSION | 3 |
| EDL 272 | ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEM BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| EDL 273 | INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING | 3 |
| EDL 274 | SCHOOL AND COMMUNITIES IN DIVERSE SOCIETIES | 3 |
| EDL 275 | PLANNING RESEARCH MEASUREMENT EVALUATION | 3 |
| EDL 276 | APPLICATION OF SCHOOL LAW, MANDATES, AND POLICIES | 3 |
| EDL 277 | CURRENT ISSUES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
| EDL 278 | SUPERVISION OF INSTRUCTION | 3 |
| EDL 279 | MANAGING SCHOOLS | 3 |
| EDL 280 | CLINICAL EXPERIENCE I | 3 |
| EDL 281 | CLINICAL EXPERIENCE II | 3 |
| DOC 301 | DOCTORAL SEMINAR | 3 |
| DOC 306 | QUALITATIVE METHODS | 3 |
| DOC 390 | DISSERTATION SEMINAR | 3 |
| DOC 380 | DOCTORAL APPRENTICESHIP | 3 |
| DOC 399 | DISSERTATION | 9 |
| Total Hours | 57 |
Admission
All courses in each of the doctoral programs are taken as a cohort. Cohorts begin each fall.
Application Process All Doctoral Programs
In order to complete the application process, submit the following:
- School of Education Graduate Application and Electronic Supporting Documents
- Online Application
- Electronic copy of professional resume/curriculum vitae
- Electronic copy of a statement of interest requesting admission, including reasons for pursuing the doctoral degree, an overview of professional background and goals and a discussion of professional philosophy. Suggested word limit is approximately 500 words.
- Letters of Recommendation (additional information provided within online application)
- Official transcripts are required from:
- Any institution where you earned a bachelor’s degree.
- Any institution where you earned a post-bachelor’s (graduate) degree.
- Any institution where you earned credit you would like considered toward an endorsement or graduate degree.
- Upon application review, you may be required to provide additional transcripts, including those with courses taken while in high school or at a community college.
- Evidence of 36-graduate credits to include a completed master's degree from an accredited institution and official transcripts for all post-secondary education. It is recommended that applicants have a graduate grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale. Transcripts and other supporting materials are not returned to the applicant and become the property of Drake University.
Online application materials will automatically be forwarded to the School of Education. Official transcripts and test scores may be sent via secure electronic transmission to soegradadmission@drake.edu or mailed to:
Coordinator of Graduate Admission
School of Education - Drake University
Collier-Scripps Hall - Rm 221
2702 Forest Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
Additional Application Materials for PH.D.
In addition to the above items, those applying to the Ph.D. program will need to submit a 1-2 page essay explaining their research interests and reasons for pursuing a research intensive degree.