The Doctorate in Educational Leadership creates educational leaders in both P-12 and higher education that can use their critical lenses to bring about equity and justice-focused transformative change in educational communities. As a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED), our program adheres to CPED’s guiding principles that invite questions of inclusion, diversity, and multiculturalism to deepen understandings of how inequality is perpetuated for historically marginalized groups. The program emphasizes theory, research, and practice, including field experiences, and provides opportunities for students to work within active learning communities designed to build and maintain relationships with other cohort members and faculty. The accelerated three-year timeline with one-week summer residencies on campus and an online course structure with practice-based assignments provides flexibility for working professionals. Completing the dissertation-in-practice culminating experience can launch transformation in your work setting.

Admissions Requirements
In compliance with Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations sec. 41020, an applicant will be admitted with classified graduate standing to the DELEJ program leading to a Doctor of Education degree established pursuant to Section 40511, if the applicant satisfies the requirements of each of the following numbered criteria:
(1) The applicant holds an acceptable baccalaureate degree earned at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or the applicant has completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the appropriate campus authority.
(2) The applicant holds an acceptable master’s degree earned at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or the applicant has completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the appropriate campus authority.
(3) The applicant has attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 in upper-division undergraduate and graduate study combined; and a 3.5 grade point average in graduate study.
(4) The applicant is in good standing at the last institution of higher education attended.
(5) The applicant has demonstrated sufficient preparation and experience pertinent to educational leadership to benefit from the program according to the admissions committee.
(6) The applicant has met any additional requirements established by the Chancellor in consultation with the faculty and any additional requirements prescribed by the appropriate campus authority.

An applicant who does not qualify for admission under the provisions above may be admitted with classified graduate standing by special action, if on the basis of acceptable evidence the applicant is judged by the appropriate campus authority to possess sufficient academic and professional potential pertinent to educational leadership to merit such action.

An applicant who is ineligible for admission under the either provision above because of deficiencies in prerequisite preparation that in the opinion of the appropriate campus authority can be rectified by specified additional preparation, including examinations, may be admitted with conditionally classified graduate standing. The student shall be granted classified graduate standing upon rectification of the deficiencies.

Only students who continue to demonstrate a satisfactory level of scholastic competence and fitness shall be eligible to continue in Doctor of Education programs.