Personalized Learning
We give you a customized approach to earning your degree, working with you to achieve your goal of becoming a school administrator or principal, supervisor/director, or superintendent.
Doctoral Degree & Certification
K-12 Educational Leadership (EdD)
Our K–12 educational leadership doctorate puts you on the fast track to a career in educational administration and leadership through a blended program, with working adults in mind.
Program Overview
Build your professional reputation and skills while earning your degree at your own pace through a mix of online and on-campus coursework that balances your professional and personal lifestyle with your career goals.
While enrolled in the doctoral program, you can also work toward certification as a superintendent and/or pursue a business concentration that will prepare you for positions such as superintendent or head of school, or central office administrator such as curriculum director, chief financial officer, or director of operation, in both private and public schools.
If you are seeking superintendent certification only, once you are finished, you can consider enrolling in the doctoral program, transferring the majority of your courses to apply toward the doctoral degree.
Program Options
Our curriculum includes a includes a mix of online and on-campus coursework that is challenging and rewarding for both skilled and novice educators. View the academic catalog for Loading...
We have evening, online, and hybrid classes—perfect to accommodate your work schedule. You can complete the doctoral program full or part time, enabling you to earn your degree on your own timetable.
If your career goal is to become a school superintendent or work in district central office, you can become eligible for the appropriate Pennsylvania professional certification as part of your doctoral program.
View the academic catalog for Loading... for the superintendent (letter of eligibility) certification.
Educational leaders are increasingly required to be curriculum and instruction experts as well as skilled business-minded professionals who can design cost-effective processes and make data-driven decisions to lead their schools and districts in innovative and results-oriented ways.
Widener’s Center for Education, in partnership with the School of Business Administration, offers students a value-added business concentration within their doctorate in K-12 educational leadership. This concentration will prepare you for positions such as head of school, chief financial officer, or director of operation, in both private and public schools.
Earn your EdD in K-12 Educational Leadership with a focus on International and Independent Schools Leadership through our partnership with American Community Schools of Athens. You can finish your degree in as few as three years while working full-time.
In year one, you’ll travel to Athens for a 3-week summer residency. In year two, you’ll travel to the United States for a 3-week summer residency that includes educational experiences in Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C.
During the school year, you’ll complete your coursework online.
Interested in bringing your children and family to your residency in Athens? A discounted summer camp program will enable them to experience one of the world’s most historic cities while you work toward your doctorate.
Admissions Information
- Complete the application form.
- Have an official transcript sent from all previous graduate and undergraduate programs.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from colleagues, supervisors, or college professors.
- Submit a personal statement addressing the following prompt: Please describe your experiences as an educational leader, what you hope to gain from advanced studies, and a brief description of your current dissertation research interests.
You will have an admissions interview with a faculty advisor.
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.
Program Highlights
Our doctoral program gives you the skills and preparation to become an exemplary K–12 educational leader.
A Professional Learning Community
At Widener, you’ll join a professional learning community where you and your fellow students share and learn from each other’s knowledge and work experience. That puts you on the fast-track to developing leadership, consultative, and collaborative skills.
Mentoring Relationships & Individualized Attention
Choosing Widener is an investment in you—your education, your career, and your future. Both full-time and part-time faculty members teach in the programs and all have earned doctoral degrees and have extensive administrative, leadership, and teaching experience in education. You'll benefit from individualized mentoring relationships with your professors and advisors.
Faculty
Our faculty have many years of knowledge and experience in the K–12 educational leadership field. These engaging instructors will mentor you and work to help you attain your goals.
Director of K-12 Educational Leadership and Instructional Technology Programs
"My philosophy for teaching graduate courses in educational leadership revolves around the importance of integrating theory and practice. I believe my courses need to be grounded in research and theory related to students' particular areas of study, and also provide opportunities for students to apply that research and theory to practice."
Director of Center for Education
"In the educational leadership programs at Widener University, we take your education personally by working with you to achieve your professional goals through a flexible, career-oriented program that meets your professional and personal needs."
Recent News
Juggling a Doctoral Program and School Administrative Duties During a Pandemic
Several students graduating this month with doctorates in K-12 Educational Leadership were leading their schools and districts through COVID-19, while simultaneously finishing their dissertations. The lessons learned from their own studies has helped them navigate the challenges.
Research Projects Shape Students’ Futures
Hands-on research opportunities at Widener give students the chance to explore their interests, build a foundation of experience, and hone skills for their future professions.
New Jersey Superintendent of the Year Says Widener Provided Him with a Foundation for Success
New Jersey's 2021 Superintendent of the Year Joseph Meloche attributes his success in the field of education to his experiences at Widener University.
Your Inside Track to Success
Your Inside Track to Success
With a doctoral degree in K–12 educational leadership, you will have the inside track to a rewarding career at the helm of school districts and education institutions. You will lead the way for the education and growth of future generations.
Recent Employers & Industry Connections
- School districts
- Charter schools
- Private schools
- State and federal education agencies
- Universities and colleges
Outlook & Outcomes
Pride Perspectives
Hear from our students about their experience in the K-12 Educational Leadership program.
Whether presenting results or making recommendations, with my experience at Widener, I can speak the language. I don't think I would be as effective at what I do now without that experience.
Jeanne McCarthy
Jeanne's StoryGet in Touch
Center for Education
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503 East 14th Street
- 610-499-4294
Daniel J. Kiers
Student Success Advisor
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Providence House
- (610) 499-4187
- djkiers@widener.edu
Zora M. Wolfe
Director of K-12 Educational Leadership and Instructional Technology Programs
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13th Street
Building 503
Room TBA
- (610) 499-4622
- zmwolfe@widener.edu