Gladys L. Benerd School of Education
Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Leadership
About the Degree
The Department of Educational Administration and Leadership prepares doctoral students for positions in educational leadership in public or private schools or higher education.
The degree demands a high level of scholarship, competency in educational administration, and demonstrated evidence of research skills.
An essential part of the requirements for the awarding of the doctoral degree are the completion of the Qualifying Scholarly Activities, an acceptable dissertation proposal, and a dissertation and subsequent oral defense of the dissertation research.
Admission Information
Admission to the Ed.D. program is selective. In addition to admission to the University's 
Graduate School, holistic consideration is given to the following:
- Accomplishments in professional education
- Graduate grade point average (GPA) (3.0 minimum in a 4.0 scale; 3.5 preferred)
- Scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Examination (A combined score of 1000 on two sections of the GRE is preferred)
- Three (3) letters of recommendation indicating the applicant's ability to complete doctoral level coursework and research
- A self-study statement
- An entrance interview by a minimum of two (2) faculty members
For detailed information consult the Doctor of Education Degree: Student Handbook, available in the Benerd School of Education.
Course Requirements
The doctoral program consists, at a minimum, of a thirty (30) unit course of study of which at least eighteen (18) units must be taken in Educational Administration and Leadership, a sixteen (16) unit research core curriculum and a dissertation requirement of ten to fifteen (10-15) units. The student must also meet the residence requirement by completing eighteen (18) units of doctoral coursework (excluding field experience and dissertation units) within twelve (12) calendar months.
The Department of Educational Administration and Leadership accepts nine (9) units of post-master's (Tier II) coursework in the major area from the California State University, with the approval of the department chairperson.
Ed.D. major coursework may be taken to meet the academic requirements for the Professional Administrative Services Credential.
Culminating Experience
A Qualifying Scholarly Activity (QSA) (1 unit), approved by the department, must be completed in accordance to a timeline established by the department.
The dissertation of ten to fifteen (10-15) units is also required.
Additional Information
For additional information, please contact 
Dr. Dennis Brennan, Department Chair.
Department of Educational Administration and Leadership
Gladys L. Benerd School of Education
3601 Pacific Ave.
Stockton, CA 95211
Phone: (209) 946-2580
Fax: (209) 946-3110
In This Section
- Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (B.A.L.S.) (Diversified Major) (Elementary Education/Multiple Subject - K-8)
- B.A.L.S. Pedagogy Major (for International Students)
- EdPro2 (Evening Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Program)
- M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction
- M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
- M.A. in Special Education
- Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction
- Multiple Subject (Elementary Education) Credential
- Single Subject (Secondary Education) Credential
- Education Specialist Credential: Mild/Moderate Level I or II or Moderate/Severe Level I or II
- M.A. in Educational Administration and Leadership (with Optional Preliminary Administrative Services Credential)
- M.A. in Educational Administration and Leadership with Student Affairs Emphasis
- Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Leadership
- Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Leadership with Community College/Higher Education Emphasis
- Preliminary Administrative Services Credential
- Administrative Services Intern Credential
- Professional Clear Administrative Services Credential
- Ed.S. (Education Specialist) in School Psychology
- Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, with an emphasis in school psychology