Potential is ubiquitous, unlimited, and unused. Educators have always been searching for the processes to tap and expand potential. The reform movements of education have been cyclical. The most recent round began in earnest with A Nation at Risk and continues still today. Why is so much effort at reform warranted? It is in part because education has often become disconnected from reality – grounded in theory and lost in practice. Efforts to train and prepare are sometimes disjointed and leave constituents searching for answers to questions such as, “How do I make this work in my organization?” In order to address the lack of connection of theoretical concepts learned to the practice-based needs of practitioners, the Western Kentucky University (WKU) program is a distinct and different opportunity for those seeking to be effective leaders.

• Utilizes a rigorous holistic admission process, orientation seminar, and assessment that will evaluate candidate’s potential as leaders in educational settings and allow informed and “tailored” programs of study.
• Is flexible, and adaptive, focusing on students’ educational and experiential backgrounds as well as their professional and career goals.
• Is attractive to working professionals who are unable to attend full-time residential programs.
• Offers the students a blend of instructional delivery modes.
• Provides regular and continuous mentoring.
• Encourages participants to become practitioner-scholars by promoting skills and knowledge in workplace settings.
• Possesses structures and innovative financial assistance strategies enabling students to more easily afford the costs of participating in the program.
• Provides participants with leadership capacity to bring about changes that enhance learning in present and future worksites.
• Provides interdisciplinary research preparation focused on contextually-based leadership problems that are central to future global competitiveness
• Encourages collaboration with Commonwealth universities and agencies through teaching, visiting professors/lectors, collaborative courses, supervising interns, and/or serving on dissertation committees.
• Is designed with management and oversight structures that encourage inter-program, cross-program, and inter-institutional collaboration.
• Focuses on applied research.
• Assumes that applicants are mature, self-directed learners with the motivation to engage in active (not passive) learning.
• Utilizes student-led environments where the faculty member “facilitates” learning and student growth.
• Includes opportunities for a variety of experiences designed to provide practice-based assignments and diverse settings.
• Provides doctoral students the opportunity to explore the entire range of career options enabling sound career choices for themselves and their students.
• Places students in a “modified” cohort structure where they derive the benefits of collegiality and networking without a rigid, lock-step curriculum.

Four Strands available In Ed.D Educational Leadership

• P-12 Administrative Leadership: For public/private P-12 administrators who will be change agents in leading systemic reform (e.g., Department Heads, Assistant Principals, Principals, Director/Coordinators, Assistant/Associate Superintendents)
• Teacher Leader: For teachers who want to influence and affect positive changes within local schools and districts that focus on student learning outcomes
• Postsecondary Leadership: For educators in four-year colleges and universities and two-year community and technical colleges who want to enhance their capacity as leaders for change in their institutions. Roles may include administration, teaching, service in academic areas, student affairs and support personnel in other key positions of post secondary leadership
• Organizational Leader: For leaders in community- based organizations and agencies that provide support and partnering to advance the educational attainment of students at all levels in the community (e.g., positions in state and federal agencies, foundations that deal with P-20, educational service organizations, directors of education in work settings, non-profit agencies that provide educational programs and partnerships, etc.)

Tuition

The tuition rates for the program will be based on WKU graduate tuition rates. Additionally there will be a fee established per credit hour for students in the program. This program fee will remain constant for each class (cohort) admitted for three years. It is anticipated that students can complete the program in three years based on a 45-60 hour program. A per credit hour fee will be charged for review and assessment of experience and transfer credit.

Planned financial resources that will be available to students:

• Fellowships
• Graduate assistantships
• Scholarships
• Student loans
• Tuition waiver for credits obtained by P-12 teachers providing supervision of student teachers/interns
• Tuition credit waivers for state employees
• Employer/district matching contracts and/or professional development funds
• Contracted organizational incentive discounts
• Personal funds

Information will be forth coming on application guidelines and dates. Check this website for updated information.

Requirements

Candidates will be individuals who

1. have completed at least a master’s degree in their field,
2. demonstrated leadership capacity within their organizational setting, and
3. are looking to enlarge and enhance their abilities to improve their organizations and communities.

The program will consist of 45-60 hours, based on individualized candidate assessments. Applied research will be required of all participants within the program and these projects will focus on practice-based problems. Students averaging six credit hours per semester (including summers), can complete the program in approximately three calendar years.

Admissions

To apply for the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program, click here.

Please note: Admissions for the Summer 2008 Cohort will end on May 8, 2008. The next admissions window will be for the winter/spring cohort.

Contact

JEANNE FIENE, PhD
Department Head, Ed. Administration, Leadership & Research
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd. #41031
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101-1031
Phone: 270-745-2942
jeanne.fiene@wku.edu

LYNN HINES, NBCT
Program Development Specialist
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd. #11030
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101-1030
Phone: 270-745-5583

Request more information