World-Improving Research and Creativity
Our alumni currently hold a variety of roles and are employed all over the country, from here in the Washoe County School District to Harvard University. This program is also known for its advanced research activities that make national news regularly.
About Our Program
Thank you for your interest in the Ph.D. program in Educational Leadership!
This Ph.D. program is designed specifically for individuals pursuing careers as researchers, faculty in colleges or universities, or senior analysts in educational organizations. The coursework is guided by the general framework found in the course catalog. It includes a combination of methodological courses and courses on the theory and practice of educational leadership.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any of our faculty members.
We look forward to talking with you!
Sincerely,
Laura Smithers
Program Coordinator
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Admission Deadlines
Applications and all associated documents must be received by the following dates to be considered. Fall Semester: March 31 | Spring Semester: Nov. 15. Students wishing to apply for a graduate assistantship for the Fall semester must apply for the Ph.D. program and the college graduate assistantship by Feb. 1
Looking for a Graduate Assistantship?
The College of Education & Human Development has a limited number of Graduate Assistantships for full-time students admitted to masters or doctoral programs.
Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Education: Educational Leadership area of emphasis is intended for individuals with a minimum of a master's degree in an education-related field wishing to work in a leadership role. Our goal is to prepare students to excel in their field of interest through a personalized, challenging curriculum that best suits their professional goals.
There are numerous research and field-based opportunities, and students will work with their advisors to determine a program of study. Examples of positions that our alumni hold include:
- School administrator (principal, assistant principal, site administrator)
- Central office administrator (superintendent, assessment director, ESL director, staffing coordinator)
- University academic faculty (assistant/associate professor)
- University administrative faculty (student government director, program director, vice president for student affairs)
Program Information
Materials and criteria for the the Educational Leadership area of emphasis are as follows:
- Undergraduate or graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher
- Master's degree
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Statement of Intent that includes a Philosophy of Education
- Three letters of recommendation
- One sample of scholarly writing
All materials are submitted through the University's application portal. Once you create your account, go back to MyNevada to log in and start your application. Please reach out to Dr. Sanchez if you have any questions.
If you decide to also apply for a graduate assistantship, applications are due February 1. Eligible candidates will be invited to interview.
Please see the University tuition and fee rates.
A minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate are required to graduate from this Ph.D. program. The curricular structure is made up of the following three categories:
Research and core courses, 21 credits
Doctoral program experiences are designed to ensure that the educational professionals who complete our program have the skills needed to locate research that is relevant to their own present and future professional roles and duties, evaluate the research of others, and design, conduct and disseminate the results of their own research studies. The research and statistics courses in the college are designed to contribute to the mastery of these skills.
Area of emphasis (Educational leadership), 24 credits-39 credits (dependent upon number of dissertation credits carried)
Coursework in this area is determined by the Advisory/Examining Committee in close consultation with the student. The courses in Educational Leadership prepare students for leadership or teaching at the college level or for roles in policy analysis and research.
Dissertation, minimum of 12 credits
The dissertation is the culminating experience for the doctoral degree. It represents an independent research project that makes a contribution to the field of study.
World-Class Education and Human Development
The College is a recognized leader in guiding, shaping, and mentoring high-performing education professionals who will go forth with a lifelong love of learning and with the skills essential for thriving in a global, knowledge-based economy. The U.S. News and World Report ranks the College of Education and Human Development's graduate programs top 100 in the nation. The online graduate programs are ranked 88th in the nation.
Program Faculty
Associate Professor of Educational Leadership; Director, Latino Research
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