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The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education
Patton Hall
100 East Union St.
Athens, OH 45701-2979

Doctorate in Educational Leadership

Program Code: PH6272

A key element and uniqueness of the Educational Leadership (EDLE) study at Ohio University is its explicit focus on context (e.g., rural, urban, teacher-leaders, organizational leadership). The program has a rich history of developing specializations and programs related to educational leadership in different contexts. For example, EDAL has offered separate rural-focused and urban-focused doctoral programs and has been involved with delivering cohort programs for rural principal preparation, superintendent preparation, teacher leadership, and most recently, organizational leadership. Further, they offer both master's and doctoral programs in traditional (non-cohort) delivery models that can be adapted to meet students' individual needs.

Students are organized into cohorts that work together from the beginning to the end of the coursework portion of the program. The coursework follows a prescribed sequence, which enables the students to complete the coursework in twenty-four months and become eligible for comprehensive examinations.  Once an individual passes the comprehensive exam, he or she works intensively with a committee of faculty to develop a dissertation proposal and, then, conduct a dissertation study. Cohort members meet periodically in seminars to discuss and critique their ongoing dissertation work. Students who are highly focused can complete the entire program - including the dissertation - within four to five years.

Faculty and students

Program Features

  • An emphasis on new and innovative approaches to engaging educational issues
  • Strong theoretical grounding with practical applications
  • Focus on specific contexts (i.e., organizational leadership, school community, and comparative international programs).
  • Cultivation of a small cohort, in which the students address their coursework together; though rolling admissions do exist.
  • Weekend format at the Athens Campus for working professionals.
  • Comparative and International Education Leadership Specialization option covers the analysis of education's role in the processes of economic growth, political development, and social change.

Program of Study

For a complete list of courses in this program, please visit the Graduate Catalog.

Admissions Requirements

  • ​Master’s GPA of 3.4.
  • Three Letters of recommendation from former professors or professional references.
  • GRE verbal/qualitative composite of 300 (Optional, not required).
  • For international applicants, who are non-native speakers of English, a TOEFL score of 550 is expected. 
  • An autobiography focused on the professional career and objectives of the applicant. The autobiography should be double-spaced and approximately four pages in length.
  • A curriculum vitae or a resume which is at least two pages, but does not exceed four. 
  • All transcripts should be sent electronically directly from your former institutions of higher learning to:
    • Graduate College, Grosvenor Hall 102, 1 Ohio University Drive, Athens, OH 45701  

Apply Now

For more information, contact:

Mike Hess
Program Coordinator
Patton Hall 302P
740.593.3368