Educational Leadership

Impactful Curriculum

The ELPA programs are designed to provide students with curriculum that develops competence in the areas of greatest significance for educational leaders. Programs of study are determined based on four factors:

• Training and coursework completed before admission to advanced study;
• Intended area of work as a professional;
• Success in coursework and other experiences in the early parts of the program; and
• Competence in the various areas of study as assessed and evaluated by the graduate committee in written and/or oral examinations.

 

Doctoral Degrees

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) is ETSU’s oldest doctorate, dating back to the 1970s. The program has an outstanding track record of training educational leaders at all levels in K-12 and in colleges and universities throughout the world! These online doctoral programs prepare individuals who have a strong desire to enhance their knowledge of leadership principles and to become more effective leaders in their organizations. 

• Ed.D. Higher Education Leadership Concentration 

  Creating Leaders

  Higher education leadership involves guiding and managing academic institutions, shaping strategic direction, and contributing to student success and institutional advancement. Graduates from this program enter professional roles such as faculty members, deans, vice presidents, presidents, and other administrative roles.

  Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog. The program is fully online. While courses are asynchronous, there is an opportunity for real-time virtual or in-person interaction. 

  Students who have completed the Higher Education Teaching certificate or the Community College Leadership certificate and subsequently are admitted into this program may have up to fifteen of the certificate credits applied.

  Cost

  Credits to complete this program: 60-72 credit hours

  TN Residents	eRate (Out of State, 100% online)	Out of State
  $646 per credit hour	$805.50 per credit hour	$1,487 per credit hour
  - Additional fees may be required. - Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. - The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.

   

  Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does a student's bachelor’s and/or master’s degree have to be related to this field? 

    Admission to the program requires a master’s degree in any recognized field.

  • What is the time to completion?

    Most enrolled students are employed full-time. Students typically take six credits per term, including summers. A minimum of two terms is required for the dissertation. Students typically complete the program in less than four years.

  • Does this program require a dissertation or an internship? 

    The program requires an internship of at least 150 clock hours as well as a dissertation.

  • When can I start?

    Students may start in the fall semester.

• Ed.D. School Leadership Concentration 

  Advancing Skills

  This online doctoral program is designed for individuals with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) or Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree who are seeking advanced knowledge and skills in educational leadership and research in preparation for leadership positions in K-12 schools at the local, district, or state levels.

  Leadership responsibilities involve overseeing educational initiatives, managing resources, and championing collaboration among staff, students, and stakeholders to ensure academic success and school improvement. 

  Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog. Students will choose a dissertation topic, conduct research, and write the dissertation with the guidance of a dissertation committee. 

  For students with a valid master’s degree, the program of study requires a minimum of 60 credit hours. Students with a valid educational specialist degree have a program of study requiring a minimum of 42 credit hours. Students may start in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters.

  Cost

  Credits to complete this program: 60-72 credit hours

  TN Residents	eRate (Out of State, 100% online)	Out of State
  $646 per credit hour	$805.50 per credit hour	$1,487 per credit hour
  - Additional fees may be required. - Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. - The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.

   

• Ed.D. Administrative Endorsement Concentration (Mostly Online)

  Preparing Educators

  The Administrative Endorsement program is designed to prepare educators for beginning administrative positions at the K-12 campus or district level. It leads to Tennessee licensure as a Beginning Administrator.This program specifically prepares candidates to serve as school principals. However, there are many roles one can serve in school leadership—school principal, assistant principal, curriculum director, director of special education, superintendent of schools, etc. Instructors teaching the licensure part of the program have professional experience, giving extended depth to the quality of the coursework. The department also has a strong internship program with a dedicated internship supervisor.

  Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog. Since the program is mostly online, it is ideal for working professionals and those with familial obligations. 

  This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). 

  Cost

  Credits to complete this program: 60-72 credit hours

  TN Residents	eRate (Out of State, 100% online)	Out of State
  $646 per credit hour	$805.50 per credit hour	$1,487 per credit hour
  - Additional fees may be required. - Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. - The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.

   

  Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does a student's undergraduate degree have to be related to this field? 

    In addition to the ETSU Graduate School general admission requirements, applicants must have a master’s degree, a teaching license, and a minimum of three years of successful teaching experience. 

  • Does this program require a dissertation?

    A dissertation is required for the Ed.D but students can earn an Ed.S. while pursuing the Ed.D.

  • How many spaces are available for each cohort?

    There are 16 spaces available in each cohort.

  • When can I start?

    Students may start in the Fall, Spring, or Summer.

 

Specialist Degrees

Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degrees are post-masters programs that provide advanced training and specialization in a specific area. Students will focus on practical applications of theory and research, preparing graduates for leadership roles in K-12 schools or educational agencies. The specialist degrees are designed for educators seeking to enhance their expertise and credentials.

• Ed.S. School System Leadership Concentration 

  Applied Coursework

  This online program is designed for individuals with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree who desire more advanced preparation for educational leadership positions in K-12 schools. Leadership responsibilities involve overseeing educational initiatives, managing resources, and championing collaboration among staff, students, and stakeholders to ensure academic success and school improvement. 

  Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog. The program of study consists of 30 credits. Students will also complete an appropriate, supervised internship and develop a professional portfolio. Students may start in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters.

  Cost

  Credits to complete this program: 30 credit hours

  TN Residents	eRate (Out of State, 100% online)	Out of State
  $646 per credit hour	$805.50 per credit hour	$1,487 per credit hour
  - Additional fees may be required. - Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. - The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.

   

• Ed.S. Administration Endorsement Concentration (mostly online)

  Specialized Preparation

  The Administration Endorsement program is designed to prepare educators for beginning administrative positions at the K-12 campus or district level. This program specifically prepares candidates to serve as school principals. However, there are many roles one can serve in school leadership—school principal, assistant principal, curriculum director, director of special education, superintendent of schools, etc. Instructors teaching the licensure part of the program have professional experience, giving extended depth to the quality of the coursework. The department also has a strong internship program with a dedicated internship supervisor.Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog. Since the program is mostly online, it is ideal for working professionals and those with familial obligations. 

  This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). 

  Cost

  Credits to complete this program: 30 credit hours

  TN Residents	eRate (Out of State, 100% online)	Out of State
  $646 per credit hour	$805.50 per credit hour	$1,487 per credit hour
  - Additional fees may be required. - Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. - The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.

   

  Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does a student's undergraduate degree have to be related to this field? 

    In addition to the ETSU Graduate School general admission requirements, applicants must have a master’s degree, teaching license, and a minimum of three years of successful teaching experience. 

  • Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous? 

    There are synchronous Saturday classes, no more than four each semester. The synchronous classes meet approximately 16 times throughout the program on Saturdays from 9:00 am-3:30 pm.

  • Does this program require an internship?

    An internship is required and is completed across the six semesters of the licensure part of the degree.

  • When can I start?

    Students may start in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters.

 

Master's Degrees

These master's degrees offer advanced academic credentials designed to deepen knowledge and expertise in the field of education. Students will learn skills and explore applicable theory, preparing them for career advancement, specialized roles, or further academic studies.

• M.Ed. Higher Education Leadership Concentration 

  Addressing the Need

  The Higher Education Leadership concentration addresses the ever-increasing need for providing new leaders and improving skills of existing leadership in entry to mid-level staff in two- and four-year institutions of higher education. Students will increase their knowledge of leadership principles and how to apply them to various areas of the institution. Upon completion, students who enter the program without work experience in higher education are eligible for any number of entry-level positions, many of which will require a master's degree. Students already working in higher education settings will have opportunities for advancement.

  Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found on the Higher Education program website and in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.  This program is offered 100% online so that students who work full-time are able to complete the program from wherever they are. Most students will matriculate through the program taking six credits each term.

  Cost

  Credits to complete this program: 36 credit hours

  TN Residents	eRate (Out of State, 100% online)	Out of State
  $646 per credit hour	$805.50 per credit hour	$1,487 per credit hour
  - Additional fees may be required. - Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. - The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.

   

  Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does a student's undergraduate degree have to be related to this field? 

    No, the program accepts students with all sorts of undergraduate degrees! There are no prerequisites, just an interest in working with college students or in a higher education area.

  • Are there any on-campus requirements? 

    While there are no on-campus requirements, some classes have optional Zoom meetings, the department also hosts an orientation in the first semester, and social opportunities are being added, thanks to the work of current students.

  • Does this program require an internship or capstone project?

    Students are required to complete an internship (experiential) or capstone (project-based) as a culminating experience.

  • When can I start?

    Students may start in the Fall or Spring semesters.

• M.Ed. School Administration and Leadership Concentration (Mostly Online)

  Creating Administrators

  The School Administration and Leadership program is designed to prepare educators for beginning administrative positions at the K-12 campus or district level. It leads to Tennessee licensure as a Beginning Administrator. This mostly online program prepares students to serve as educational leaders in K-12 schools, community/technical colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and other organizations/agencies that offer educational programs and services. The purpose of the School Administration and Leadership concentration is the development of principals, assistant principals, and school district office leaders. It leads to Instructional Leadership Licensure - Beginning (ILL-B) and is approved by the Tennessee Department of Education.

  Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.

  Cost

  Credits to complete this program: 37 credit hours 

  TN Residents	eRate (Out of State, 100% online)	Out of State
  $646 per credit hour	$805.50 per credit hour	$1,487 per credit hour
  - Additional fees may be required. - Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. - The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.

   

  Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does a student's undergraduate degree have to be related to this field? 

    Yes, students must have a teaching license and a minimum of three years of successful teaching experience, in addition to the ETSU Graduate School general admission requirements.

  • Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous?

    There are approximately 16 synchronous meetings throughout the program, which take place on Saturdays from 9:00 am-3:30 pm. There are no more than four each semester.  

  • Does this program require an internship?

    No thesis is required for the M.Ed. An internship is required and is completed across six semesters, fulfilling the licensure part of the degree.

  • When can I start?

    Students may start in the Spring semester.

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There are a limited number of Graduate Assistantship (GA) positions in the department, but most students enrolled in the program with GA positions work in student affairs or student service areas. Students are encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.