The Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership prepares experienced educators to become instructional leaders, systems thinkers, and change agents in PreK-12 schools and districts.
Designed for working professionals, the program focuses on the real challenges educators face in schools today. Students learn to identify and study problems of practice, use research to guide decision-making, and lead meaningful instructional improvement across classrooms, schools, and communities.
Through coursework, field-based inquiry, and dissertation research, candidates develop the knowledge and skills to strengthen teaching and learning, support educators, and improve outcomes for students.
- Degree Type
- EdD
- Area of Interest
- Education
- Associated Colleges or Schools
- Program Location
- Online
- Required Credit Hours
- 60
Admission Requirements
To be considered for the Ed.D. you must have a bachelor’s and master’s degree from an accredited institution or the international equivalent prior to enrollment.
In addition to the admission application and $70 nonrefundable application fee, prospective students should submit:
- Official Transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended.
- Copy of Certification (If you presently possess New York State Initial or Professional Teaching Certification)
- Resume
- 3 letters of recommendation from academic or professional references
- Applicants with credits completed outside of the United States must have a course-by-course foreign credit evaluation with grade point average calculation completed by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member.
- Applicants who have not completed a degree from our English language-exempt countries must submit a TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Pearson PTE exam.
- Personal Statement of Goals
*Please expand the accordion below for the essay prompts.
Professional Statement of Purpose
Applicants must submit a professional statement of purpose. This is a formal statement that helps the admission committee better understand your academic objectives and leadership goals, and convince them that you will be successful in the program. Write technically, using APA style. It should be between two and four pages (using Times New Roman font, double-spaced), and organized as follows:
PART 1: An introductory statement that demonstrates your passion for the field and includes your interests and motivation
Tell us what you are interested in, and perhaps, what sparked your desire for graduate study. Why is this the ideal time for you to pursue this degree? This should be short and to the point; do not write an autobiography.
PART 2: Description of your professional background in education, with a focus on leadership
Briefly discuss your work experience, especially any opportunities that are related to educational leadership and administration. How did these experiences influence your career goal?
PART 3: Description of your academic background in the field
How have your academic choices impacted your work and skills? Include prior research, recognized strengths, and accolades you received in your programs or courses. You can describe important papers or a project you completed, as well as anything scholarly beyond your curricular requirements.
PART 4: Explanation of why you are applying to St. John’s Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership
Explain what you would like to study in graduate school in enough detail to convince the admission committee that you understand the discipline and are engaged with current issues and research in education. Indicate your area of interest and explain what you would like to study. You may choose to pose a question, define a problem, or indicate a theme that you would like to address. Look on the web for information about the program, faculty, and their research. Are there professors whose research interests parallel yours? If so, indicate this.
PART 5: (OPTIONAL) Supplemental Information
If there is anything else you would like the admission committee to know about you that was not covered in previous sections, please include it here.
PART 6: Conclusion
End your statement in a positive manner, indicating your excitement and readiness for the challenges that lie ahead.
Professional Statement of Purpose
Additional Suggestions:
- Consider what the admission committee will read between the lines: self-motivation, competence, an understanding of the program, a desire to pursue a career as an educational leader, and your potential as a graduate student.
- Emphasize everything from a positive perspective and write in an active, not a passive, voice.
- Demonstrate everything by example. It is more effective to provide an example of your persistence than to say it directly.
- Briefly discuss if there is something that happened to you that negatively affected your grades or career, such as poverty, illness, or excessive work. Write it affirmatively, showing your perseverance despite obstacles.
- Make sure everything is linked with continuity and focus.
- Be concise.
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For any questions relating to the admission process, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at [email protected] or 718-990-1601. You can also schedule an appointment with an admission counselor.
Courses
Please download the program sheet here.
Professor Moderates AERA Leadership Session
Scott Muller ’10Ed.D., New York State Assistant Principal of the Year
Summer Leadership Institute to Focus on Leading in Challenging Times
Samuel M. Thompson ’14Ed.D., Recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award
Future and Emerging Educator Event Inspires the Next Generation
Summer Leadership Institute to Focus on Leading in Challenging Times
Alumna appointed Superintendent, Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools!
Why Choose the Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership?
This program is built for educators who want to move beyond compliance-driven leadership and become leaders who can solve complex educational problems.
Students learn to:
- Lead instructional improvement across PreK-12 settings
- Use research and evidence to address problems of practice
- Support teacher growth and professional learning
- Design equitable and effective learning environments
- Analyze school and district systems
- Become change agents in schools, districts, and educational organizations
- Complete dissertation research with guidance from full-time research faculty who support students from problem identification through final dissertation defense
A Program Centered on Problems of Practice
Unlike traditional doctoral programs that may focus primarily on theory, the Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership emphasizes the connection between research, practice, and leadership action.
Students investigate real issues from their own professional contexts, such as:
- Improving student learning outcomes
- Strengthening curriculum and instruction
- Supporting teacher development
- Addressing opportunity gaps
- Leading organizational change
- Building more inclusive and effective schools
The dissertation is designed as a study of practice, allowing students to examine a meaningful problem and develop research-based recommendations for change.
Curriculum and Credits
The Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership is a 60-credit doctoral program.
The 60 credits include:
- Core doctoral coursework
- Instructional leadership coursework
- Research methods coursework
- 9 credits of dissertation work
Students may be eligible to transfer up to 15 post-master’s credits, with advisor approval. This makes it a 45 Credit Program.
This structure allows qualified students to build on prior graduate study while completing a rigorous doctoral program focused on instructional leadership and applied research.
Who Should Apply?
The program is designed for educators and leaders who want to deepen their impact in PreK-12 education, including:
- Teachers
- Instructional coaches
- Curriculum leaders
- Assistant principals and principals
- District administrators
- Teacher leaders
- Education nonprofit or organizational leaders
Ideal candidates are professionals who want to lead instructional improvement and address persistent challenges in schools through research-informed practice.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership are prepared for leadership roles in schools, districts, higher education, and educational organizations.
Possible career paths include:
- Principal or assistant principal
- District administrator
- Curriculum and instruction leader
- Director of professional learning
- Instructional coach or teacher leader
- Education consultant
- Higher education administrator
- Policy or nonprofit education leader
Success Stories
Doctoral Graduate Overcomes Challenges to Earn Degree
Robert E. Cortes ’22Ed.D., Outreach Coordinator for Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), decided it was time to go back to school after earning his bachelor’s degree from Hunter College, and his master’s degree from Columbia University School of Social Work. Between earning his last degree and beginning his studies at St. John’s University, 17 years had passed.
Highlight
Dr. Cortes graduated with a Doctor of Education degree in Administration and Supervision at The School of Education Commencement ceremony on May 17. For his dissertation, “The Stereotype Threat Experiences of Men of Color Persisting at Community College,” he explored factors affecting the graduation, persistence, and retention rates of men of color attending community college.
