The Ph. D. program in Educational Leadership is a non-traditional program designed
to ensure the academic success of qualified individuals interested in serving in rural
and urban educational environments. The department admits a cohort of candidates in
the fall semester (August) of each year. Candidates complete the course work in this
full-time program in two years (6 semesters). Candidacy is attained upon passing the
Comprehensive Examination and candidates may register for dissertation hours. Because
of the developmental focus of the program, transfer credits are not accepted.
The Ph.D. program in educational leadership is an intensive learning experience based
upon the cohort model with a transformational leader philosophical foundation.
Critical to the success of the Ph.D. program are the faculty members in the department
who are an impressive combination of academicians and practitioners. While all are
accomplished teachers, some are also noted scholars who serve on regional and national
boards and commissions while others have records of outstanding experience as administrators
at the school, district, higher education, and state levels. All stand ready to assist
and support you in your efforts to meet the requirements for the Ph. D. degree.
Upon completion of this program, candidates will possess the skills and competencies
necessary to become effective school administrators.
What is educational leadership?
The Educational Leadership Program at the Florida A&M University offers a planned
sequence of educational experiences. The Educational Leadership program, within the
Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling, offers graduate study grounded
in the historical stream of research that informs educational practice. From this
knowledge base, the course of study includes experiences to prepare individuals to
assume leadership roles in educational institutions and other organizations. The program
is comprehensive and a goal is to develop the exemplary professional who can assume
school leadership roles. The program in Educational Leadership provides candidates
with skills and competencies to become effective school administrators. Learning experiences
provide candidates opportunities to become sensitive to the needs of individuals from
different ethnic, gender, and cultural backgrounds. The program of educational leadership
intends to develop professional and well-prepared individuals who can effectively
lead in diverse educational contexts.
The educational leadership program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and the
Florida Department of Education.
Educational Leadership Careers
Educational leaders work in a wide span of environments. Educational leadership is a profession with many career options:
• School Administrator (Level One Certification) • Principal • Assistant Principal • Headmaster • Dean • Educational Policy
The Educational Leadership Ph.D. program prepares graduates to seek leadership opportunities
in educational settings.
Q: How many graduates has the program produced? A: Since its inception, one hundred and thirty-five candidates have graduated from the
PhD program. Additionally, in partnership with the University of Cape Coast Ghana
West Africa, 14 candidates have graduated with the PhD and working within Ghanaian
universities.
Q: Does this program offer a cohort model? A: Yes. Twenty cohorts of applicants have been admitted to the PhD program in Educational
Leadership beginning in 1997.
Q: Is this program offered online? A: Yes. All PhD program courses are offered online.
Are you thinking about pursuing a career in educational leadership? Our program prepares
students to become skilled educational leaders.
If you are thinking of majoring in educational leadership, consider what some of our
own Rattlers had to say about the program, what inspired them, and why they chose
educational leadership as a career.
Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve been enamored with education and leadership. The
remarkable impact that teaching and learning has contributed to my life has undoubtedly
cultivated my passion to enhance the educational experiences of today’s youth. During
my freshman year of college, I interned as a youth counselor for a local elementary
school and realized that the gift of education was unequally distributed amongst scholars.
This awestriking realization increased my concern and commitment to advocate for equitable
learning opportunities for ALL students. I am fortunate that the educational leadership
program at FAMU provides me the invaluable skillset required to fulfill my life’s
dream: To Inform, Reform, and Transform Education!
I began my education journey with Teach for America in 2010 completing what I thought
would be a brief two-year teaching commitment. 13 years later, I have earned a master's
degree from Columbia University and have the honor of being a doctoral candidate in
FAMU's school of education. As a school principal for the past four years, I have
been able to practice daily the leadership pedagogy provided through this program.
I have learned to be innovative, to think critically and reflect daily to find solutions
to the problems public schools are challenged with daily. As a result, one of Florida's
lowest performing high schools has improved from a "D" to a "C" for the 21-22 school
year.
Educational Leadership Ph.D. Program Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission must meet the following admission requirements:
Applicants must have completed a master’s degree in an educationally related area
from an accredited college or university in order to be considered for admission to
the Ph.D. program in Educational Leadership.
A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all coursework. No grade of “C” or
below will be accepted toward credit in the Ph.D. program and only two classes in
which a grade of “C” or below must be repeated.
Applicants must submit current (within the last 5 years of admissions application
date) GRE scores. The FAMU GRE school code is 5215. All GRE scores are submitted electronically
using FAMU school code. Contact the Graduate School if you have questions regarding
submission of GRE Test Scores.
Applicants must submit official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts
as well as transcripts for work completed in post-secondary institutions for which
no degrees were awarded.
Submit a completed graduate admission application with $30 non-refundable application
processing fee. FAMU graduates and former students must complete Readmission form
(Subject to change by FAMU).
Applicants must submit three professional references. One of the references must be
from a school administrator/leader. Upload all Professional References into the Graduate
School’s CollegeNET system.
The admissions process into the PhD program in Educational Leadership requires a two
thousand word statement that clearly identifies the nature of the applicant’s potential
research in the doctoral program. The narrative must demonstrate how this potential
research once completed will make a significant contribution to practice in education,
leadership and Educational Leadership. Please be aware that the program faculty will
admit 10 applicants for the Fall Cohort. The quality, depth and detail of the applicant’s
Research Statement will be a determining factor in the admission decision.
Applicants must submit a current resume
Samples of any published work completed by the applicant.
Admissions documents will be reviewed and admission recommendations from the Educational
Leadership faculty will be submitted to the Chair of the Educational Leadership and
Counseling Department, the Dean of the College of Education, and the Dean of Graduate
Studies for further processing. After a final decision is made, the applicant will
be notified of his/her application status.
