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Education

Educational Leadership

PhD in Educational Studies, Low-Residency

Inspiring the creativity to improve teaching, learning, and leading.

Educational leadership involves creative intelligence and systems thinking. In this program, you’ll learn to use new knowledge and strategic planning to initiate, facilitate, support, and sustain school and district improvement. You’ll grow as an educational leader with vision and the skills to put that vision into action. 

REGISTER: PhD in Education Virtual Information Session

During your studies, you'll conduct novel research and create new knowledge, all drawn from your personal and professional experiences. With faculty mentorship, you'll create a dissertation that explores your area of scholarly interest and inquiry. We'll encourage you to engage in evidence-based thinking and self-reflection that will foster development throughout your career.

And by joining this low-residency program, you'll join a close-knit community of diverse learners who co-construct knowledge and support each other throughout residencies and online coursework.

This program is appropriate for traditional leaders, such as superintendents and principals, and others, such as instructional coaches or department heads. Our alumni go on to a variety of leadership positions in K-12 education, as well as to positions in higher education.

Graduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Low-residency PhD program

45 Credits
PhD students outside in caps and robes, about to attend their hooding ceremony

Dissertation

After completing 36 credits of your required coursework and receiving doctoral committee approval for your qualifying paper you’ll then advance to year three. In year three, you will take the final 9 credits, which are devoted to helping you write your dissertation proposal and dissertation. The program of study concludes with a public defense of your dissertation, doctoral committee approval, and graduation. 

Gain Skills and Expertise
Our PhD in Educational Leadership program prepares you to:

Charles River with Boston skyline in the background

Cambridge, MA

Cambridge is located in the heart of a dynamic urban area near a variety of institutions and organizations, where you'll benefit from a unique concentration of diverse learners and teachers from all over the world. We are close to a number of other universities, where our doctoral students routinely participate in research and educational events.

Stephen Gould
Educational Studies
Dr. Stephen Gould
Steve is director of the Educational Leadership PhD program. He has over 30 years of experience as an assistant superintendent, principal, and teacher, and served on the Massachusetts Elementary School Principals Association for over 10 years. His expertise includes leadership development, organizational development, team building, strategic planning, and executive coaching.
Careers
Where You'll Work
Graduates of our PhD program are prepared for rewarding careers in a range of settings, including:
PhD in Educational Studies Programs

Faculty

Total approximate cost for this PhD degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Educational Leadership
  • Tuition
    $1,150/credit x 45
    $51,750
  • Fees
    PhD Matriculation Fees
    $9,000
    Residency Fees
    $1,500
    Comprehensive Fee
    $1,125
  • Total
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

Your degree is an investment, and we're committed to ensuring its value. That's why we offer the best education programs in Massachusetts at competitive tuition rates.
We'll help ensure your degree is as affordable as possible. Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.