Doctor of Education in Executive Educational Leadership

Program Description

The Doctor of Education in Executive Educational Leadership is a post-master’s professional doctorate in education which includes an option for concentration in the Texas superintendent certification if the candidate currently holds a Texas Principal or Principal as Instructional Leader certificate in good standing with TEA. This means that candidates who are not interested in obtaining the superintendent certification will not be required to take the TExES examination for the superintendent certification, but will be required to successfully complete all program coursework. The doctoral degree is awarded after the successful completion of the coursework, and the completion of a major research project resulting in the presentation and defense of a dissertation.

Program Distinctives

The EdD in Executive Educational Leadership includes two unique features:

• Emphasis on the preparation of practitioner-scholar educational leaders who positively impact the delivery of education in preschool through four-year college (P-16). In Texas, P-16 education is “…an integrated system of education stretching from preschool (the “P”) through a four-year college degree” (“grade 16”)
• The program includes a curriculum that meets the needs of individuals seeking leadership positions in Christian P-16 schools, where principals often face Christian worldview issues as well as fundraising responsibilities

Credit Requirements

The doctoral program consists of 63 credit hours with 27 hours in core leadership courses, 15 hours in core research courses, and 21 hours in executive educational leadership. An overlap of courses leading to superintendent certification and the executive educational leadership core exists. Utilizing the cohort model, 18 candidates are selected to enroll in each cohort. The courses are designed to be taught face-to-face. Candidates will be enrolled in courses for 10 to 11 semesters.

Degree Plan: Educational Leadership Doctorate

Review degree plan

Faith-Integrated Strategic Leadership

• Ability to lead complex organizational change initiatives in educational settings while aligning with Christian values and mission
• Development of data-driven decision-making skills informed by biblical principles of stewardship and wisdom
• Capacity to align resources with strategic priorities that honor Christian educational philosophy
• Proficiency in building collaborative leadership structures that reflect servant leadership principles

Values-Based Educational Policy & Advocacy

• Expertise in analyzing and influencing education policy while advocating for faith-based educational priorities
• Capability to translate research into evidence-based policy recommendations that respect religious liberty
• Development of advocacy skills to represent Christian institutional interests to diverse stakeholders
• Understanding of governance structures and their implications for faith-based educational organizations

Research & Ethical Inquiry

• Advanced research competency integrating Christian worldview perspectives with rigorous methodology
• Ability to design research projects addressing organizational challenges through a faith-informed lens
• Skill in interpreting educational data with attention to moral and ethical implications
• Capacity to communicate research findings that honor truth and integrity in scholarly discourse

Thoughtful Leadership Through Christian Service

• Development of culturally responsive leadership practices rooted in biblical concepts of justice and human dignity
• Ability to create systems that address educational inequities through a lens of Christian compassion
• Skills to foster inclusive organizational cultures that value diversity while maintaining Christian identity
• Capacity to implement interventions that serve disadvantaged populations as an expression of Christian mission

Stewardship of Resources & Financial Management

• Expertise in educational budgeting and resource allocation as faithful stewardship
• Understanding of funding mechanisms particular to Christian educational institutions
• Skills in operational efficiency that reflect biblical principles of good management
• Ability to secure external funding while maintaining institutional values and mission integrity

Your degree’s combination of rigorous educational leadership preparation and Christian worldview integration makes you especially valuable to organizations seeking leaders who can maintain missional integrity while implementing educational best practices. This preparation equips you to provide leadership that honors both professional excellence and Christian commitments, particularly valuable in contexts where faith mission and educational vision must work in harmony.

K-12 School Leadership

• School Superintendent: Lead entire school districts, setting vision and direction
• Assistant Superintendent: Oversee specific district-wide functions (curriculum, operations, etc.)
• Principal (especially at Christian/private schools seeking candidates with terminal degrees)
• Director of Special Education: Lead specialized educational programs
• Curriculum Director: Oversee curriculum development and implementation

Higher Education Administration

• University/College President
• Provost or Vice President of Academic Affairs
• Dean of a School/College within a university
• Department Chair
• Director of Institutional Effectiveness/Assessment
• Director of Student Affairs

Educational Policy & Consulting

• Education Policy Analyst/Advisor for government agencies
• Educational Consultant for schools and districts
• Accreditation Review Officer for accrediting bodies
• Executive Director of educational nonprofit organizations
• Director of Faith-Based Educational Initiatives

Research & Academic Roles

• Professor in Educational Leadership programs
• Research Director at educational research centers
• Educational Think Tank Researcher/Director
• Author/Speaker on educational leadership topics
• Journal Editor for educational leadership publications