The Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in School System Leadership is a “Practice Based” doctoral program designed to develop leaders who can create and lead collaborative and inclusive system improvement initiatives. The program enrolls cohorts of students who work together over 36 months to identify, investigate and solve real school system problems. The Ed.D in School System Leadership is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education for Superintendent II certification.
Signature Program elements:
- Grounded in the practices of improvement science
- Courses offered in non-standard semester schedule through all day Saturday seminars and online modules
- Program culminates in a Capstone Project that focuses on improving or eliminating a real problem of practice within a school system
- Graduates of the program receive a Superintendent Endorsement (The only program of its kind in the state of Maryland)
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate courses taken at a regionally accredited college or university
- Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate courses completed to fulfill requirements of a Master’s degree
- Master’s degree in a field relevant to education leadership
- Maryland Administrator I Certification or equivalent
- Minimum 3 years of successful experience in an educational leadership position
- 3 Letters of Recommendation from individuals familiar with candidates’ leadership potential, relevant experience, and ability to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. A minimum of one letter must be from someone who has served as a supervisor of the applicant
- Resume/CV
- Professional Statement
- Supplemental Application: Applicants respond to 3 questions related to educational leadership
- Personal interview with program faculty
Overview of Application Process
The application process for the EDUC Ed.D. Program is a two-part process involving an initial screening application to the School Leadership (EDUC) Ed.D. Program, followed by a formal application to the University of Maryland.
The program will be accepting applications for the fall 2024 admissions cycle. Please check back for more information.
Step 1: (Unofficial) Screening Application Process - Deadline: TBA
Materials are submitted to the program for screening. Additional screening exercises are conducted which may include an interview. Complete the PDF fillable graduate application located within the initial online application. (Applications will open fall 2024):
Note: You must be a U.S. Citizen or a pending U.S. Citizen to apply to this program.
Upload the following required application materials:
- Copy of official transcripts from all institutions from which you received 9-credits or more; must have degree posted and cumulative GPA's on transcripts. *See note below if you have international transcripts.
- Personal Statement and Resume'
- 1 Letter of Recommendation speaking to Leadership Skills (you will need a total of 3 for the official application)
- Answer 3 questions listed in the initial application
*Note: If you have an international transcript, we will need the following transcript
- A copy of the original transcript(s) in the original language, certificate/diploma along with a Literal English Translation. (WES evaluations are NOT accepted.) https://gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/international-admissions
- In some cases, English Proficiency Exam may be required. TOEFL or IELTS or PTE. (Philippine transcripts require Exam scores.) For more information on score requirements, visit the Graduate School English Proficiency Exam webpage. https://gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/english-language-proficiency-requirements
Step 2: Program faculty screen applicants and recommend for full application
Candidates who are successful through the program screening process are recommended to formally apply to the University of Maryland, Graduate School (Deadline: TBA)
Application and Admission Timeline (Subject to Change):
- TBA
- Application Portal Opens (Contact Judy Foster, jfoster@umd.edu in order to submit)
- TBA
- Application Portal Closes/Screening & Review Process Begins
- Completed applications are reviewed by Ed.D. Team
- Promising candidates are invited to interview with Ed.D. Team
- Application Portal Closes/Screening & Review Process Begins
- TBA
- Notification to candidates recommended to apply to officially apply to the University of Maryland Graduate School begins
- August 26
- Fall Semester Classes Begins August 26, 2024.
This is a cohort model program. A diverse cohort of 15-20 educational leaders/administrators from across the state participate in courses offered online and through all-day Saturday seminars.
- 60 credits (post-Master’s)
- 27 credits in 6 Core Topical Seminars (4 credits each)
- 9 credits in Applied Research, Assessment and Evaluation courses (3 credits each)
- 4 credits (2 courses) in professional inquiry and written communication
- 5 Key Assessments
- Extensive externship and portfolio requirement
- 8 credits of Apprenticeship (Extensive externship & portfolio requirement)
- 12 credits of Capstone credits (6 credits of 828: mid-program assessment and 6 credits of 829)
Screening and admissions: Judy Foster, jfoster@umd.edu
Program: Dr. Douglas Anthony, danthony@umd.edu
Tuition and Financial: Valerie Foster, vfoster@umd.edu
Applying is a two-step process:
The next cohort will start Fall 2024. Information will be forthcoming.
- Application Portal Opens TBA (contact jfoster@umd.edu in order to submit)
- Screening of applications will begin TBA
- Notifications to candidates recommended to apply to Graduate School begins TBA
- Fall Semester classes begins August 26, 2024