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, you can also work toward certifications as a principal, supervisor/director, and superintendent through the program. If you are seeking certification already, once you are finished, you can consider enrolling in the doctoral program, transferring the majority of your courses to apply toward the doctoral degree.
Widener's Center for Education is proud of its 2016 NCATE accreditation and is prepared to meet the renewed rigor and relevance of excellence by seeking accreditation based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) 2023 standards. Eligible programs take steps to maintain gapless national accreditation for educator preparation. See CAEP standards and annual impact and outcome measures.
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 principal, supervisor/director, or school superintendent, you can become eligible for the appropriate Pennsylvania professional certification as part of your doctoral program.
View the academic catalog for Loading... for the principalship certification.
View the academic catalog for Loading... for the superintendent (letter of eligibility) certification.
Earn your EdD in K-12 Educational Leadership with a focus on International 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.
- Complete a writing sample. Contact the Writing Center at 610-499-4332 to schedule an appointment.
You will have an admissions interview with a faculty advisor.
- EdD full-time summer or fall start term - May 1
- EdD part-time fall start term - July 1
As an incoming student, you are eligible to receive a program-specific scholarship upon acceptance. Scholarship amounts are awarded based on program-specific criteria.
There is no need to fill out a scholarship application—you are automatically considered and if you have been chosen for a scholarship, it will appear in your acceptance letter.
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.
Associate Professor
"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."
Associate Professor
"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."
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
Get in Touch
Graduate Admissions
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Providence House
400 E. 21st St.
Chester, PA 19013 - 610-499-4282
- gel@widener.edu
Center for Education
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Hyatt Hall
- 610-499-4294
Zora M. Wolfe
Associate Professor
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Hyatt Hall
Room 320 - (610) 499-4622
- zmwolfe@widener.edu