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College of Education

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership

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Ph.D. in Educational Leadership (PK-12 or Higher Education Focus)  

The Ph.D. in Educational Studies: Educational Leadership is a research intensive 66-hour degree designed to equip graduates to engage in high-quality original scholarship. Degree recipients will have the knowledge and skills to assume positions as tenure-track college faculty, tasked with engaging in research and with teaching graduate education courses, as experts with policy organizations responsible for producing or overseeing education-related research, and as high-level leaders in K-12 or higher education-related organizations with oversight and/or responsibility for research-oriented functions.

Within the degree, students may opt to focus some course selections around a concentration in PK-12 leadership or leadership in higher education contexts. Students may also opt to work with an advisor to craft a program with a PK-20 perspective.

For admission into the program, an applicant must hold a master’s degree in educational leadership or a related field; those applicants seeking professional certification as Principal or Superintendent in conjunction with the degree must meet eligibility requirements in the state of Texas, and may be required to take additional coursework in order to meet both programmatic and State of Texas certification requirements.

Each applicant must present:

  • A letter of introduction that outlines the ways in which the applicant perceives the program to fit with personal and professional goals
  • Strong academic record as demonstrated by official college transcripts
  • OPTIONAL:  Official GRE test scores 
  • A writing sample (10-20 pages, exclusive of references) that demonstrates academic writing skills appropriate for success in a graduate program
  • Three professional letters of recommendation (at least two letters from individuals who can comment on the applicant's academic performance and/or potential to reach professional goals)
  • On-line Criminal Background Check required for PK-12 emphasis applicants

Applicants will also be asked to complete an interview to demonstrate oral presentation skills and the ability to articulate connections among the program, as well as discuss their background, and professional aspirations.

Program requirements can be found in the TCU Graduate Catalog.

December 1 - Priority deadline
February 1 - Final deadline

Emphasis II:  Higher Education is accepting applications for Fall 2022.
Emphasis I:  PK-12 is not accepting 2022 applications. The next cohort will begin Summer 2023.