K-12 Educational Leadership*

Walden’s K–12 Educational Leadership specialization provides a much-needed new model for advanced study in the field of educational leadership. Our highly flexible, student-centered curriculum is designed to create local, regional, and state education professionals who can relate to diverse, multicultural K–12 and community-based school populations. While the program does not lead to licensure or certification as a K–12 administrator, it does offer educators the opportunity for growth as scholar-practitioners with a curriculum that integrates scholarly research with educators’ expertise in the field.

Completion Requirements

• 127 total quarter credit hours, depending on specialization
  • Foundation course: EDUC 8008 (6 cr.)
  • KAMs and/or courses and research sequence (91 cr.)
  • Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentation (30 cr.)
• Minimum 8–10 quarters enrollment
• 20 days of residency (two 4-day and two 6-day residencies)

For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call your enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Core Curriculum

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
EDUC 8008	Foundations for Doctoral Study	6
	KAM I: Principles of Social Change
SBSF 8110	Breadth: Theories of Social Change	5
EDUC 8128	Depth: Strategic Leadership in Education and Social Change	5
EDUC 8138	Application: Professional Practice in Strategic Leadership and Social Change	4
	KAM II: Principles of Human Development
SBSF 8210	Breadth: Theories of Human Development	5
SBSF 8220	Depth: Current Research in Human Development	5
SBSF 8230	Application: Professional Practice in Human Development	4
	KAM III: Principles of Organizational and Social Systems
SBSF 8310	Breadth: Theories of Organizational and Social Systems	5
EDUC 8328	Depth: Current Research in Organizational and Social Systems: K–12 Education	5
EDUC 8338	Application: Professional Practice in K–12 Educational Organization	4

Core Research Sequence

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
RSCH 8100D	Research Theory, Design and Methods	4
RSCH 8200D	Quantitative Reasoning	4
RSCH 8300D	Qualitative Reasoning	4

Coursework

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
Online Courses in Topical Areas of Educational Leadership
EDUC 8801	Educational Law, Public Policy, and Political Systems	4
EDUC 8802	Supervision, Evaluation, and Human Resources in Education	4
EDUC 8803	Student Personnel Services	4
EDUC 8804	School Financial Management	4
EDUC 8805	Reflective Instructional Practice	4
EDUC 8806	Educational Measurement and Evaluation	4
EDUC 8807	Curriculum Theory and Design	4

Advanced Research Sequence

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
EDUC 8458	Advanced Research: Conducting Pilot and Field Studies	5
EDUC 8468	Advanced Research: Communicating Knowledge in Educational Research	4

OR

Practicum 

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
EDUC 8811	Practicum in K–12 Leadership	9

Dissertation

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
EDUC 9000	Dissertation	30

Certification and Licensure

Note on licensure: Walden University is approved by Minnesota to offer the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration program that leads to licensure as a P–12 principal in Minnesota. This is the only program offered by Walden that is state approved as leading to any P–12 administrative/leadership license (e.g., assistant principal, principal, teacher leader, superintendent).

In addition, through a partnership with the Harris County Department of Education, Walden’s M.S. in Education, Educational Leadership program leads to principal licensure at the master’s level in Texas. More information about the Texas Principal Certification Program can be found at http://www.hcde-texas.org/default.aspx?name=PrinCert.

Prospective candidates from outside of Minnesota should review their own state’s requirements to ensure that completing any teacher or principal preparation program at Walden will meet eligibility requirements for similar licensure in their state.

Walden University makes no representation or guarantee that successful completion of Walden's programs, or coursework for graduate credit within any graduate program, will permit a graduate to obtain state certification or licensure as a P–12 teacher or administrator.

Course Descriptions