The program is designed for educators who hold a master's degree from accredited institutions, a Type 75 certificate, and have some building or district leadership experience, such as Department chair, dean, assistant principal, principal, central office staff, director, union leader, program director, subgroup leader, or other related position. Candidates should have good academic and leadership credentials.
Applicants holding a Type 75 Certificate (General Administrative-Principal) and having at least two years administrative leadership experience may work towards either a Doctor of Philosophy or a Doctor of Education degree. The Doctor of Education program primarily serves those seeking P-12 positions. The Doctor of Philosophy program serves those interested in focusing on research. In both programs, students may also complete certification requirements for the Superintendent Certification or Chief School Business Official within the program.
Both degrees require 60 hours of coursework, a doctoral examination, and 15 dissertation hours. Students are also required to complete a residency requirement. Courses are offered nights and weekends to accommodate schedules of full-time educational professionals. Some online options exist for select courses. Doctoral degree students have eight years to complete the degree.
Learn more about graduate school at Illinois State University.
A doctoral degree graduate with the P-12 concentration will have developed the ability to approach challenges and opportunities in schools using multiple perspectives and leadership skills in order to:
Admission to the programs in EAF is competitive. Candidates should have good academic and leadership credentials. The Department considers admission three times a year. Learn about the application process. Admissions requirements are the same for the traditional doctoral program and the doctoral completion program for those who already hold Ed.S./Ed.L. degrees or Superintendent Certificates.
Financial assistance is available through scholarships, graduate assistantships, and tuition waivers. Learn about financial aid opportunities.
Find when the following courses will be offered and their syllabi:
P-12 Administration Required Courses
Complementary Required Courses
P-12 Administration Elective Courses
Complementary Elective Courses
While you cannot count master's degree hours toward a doctorate, you can count up to 30 hours from an education specialist program towards a doctoral degree with a stipulation that the transferred hours have to occur within eight years from the time one graduates. For example, students who defend their dissertation in 2012 could only transfer in courses from 2004. They could not transfer courses taken earlier.
Students are also required to complete a residency requirement that involves a minimum number of course hours rather than presence on the Illinois State campus. Applicants with a recent education specialist degree from an accredited institution must take at least 30 hours beyond the education specialist coursework and 15 dissertation hours.
Typical 30-hour program for hose who transfer from an education specialist program:
Computer Requirements
To successfully complete Educational Administration and Foundations courses, students in all programs are expected to have frequent and convenient access to a computer and Internet resources. Illinois State University students can take advantage of special hardware and software pricing as well as installation support at ISU TechZone. Review the computer and technology requirements for EAF students.
The Department Doctoral Procedures outlines the steps and information you will need during your doctoral candidacy. Learn about the orientation, guidelines through the course of study, and information about the dissertation and defense.
An academic adviser is assigned by the EAF Department to each doctoral candidate. Each student designs a plan of study in consultation with an academic adviser in EAF.
Students are required to complete a residency requirement. Learn about the Residency Policy.
Application for graduate-level certification is processed by the Cecilia J. Lauby Teacher Education Center's Office of Clinical Experiences and Certification Processes. Individuals planning to pursue coursework for a certificate should first complete the steps listed in Part 1.
For more information about certification, please contact:
Larry Lowe
340D DeGarmo Hall
(309) 438-3948
The following faculty who specialize in educational administration. There are several other faculty in EAF who are involved in the P-12 Administration Concentration in teaching, scholarship, or professional service roles as well as professionals having adjunct, part-time relationships.
For more information about the doctoral program, please contact:
Joe Pacha
331D DeGarmo Hall
(309) 438-8575
