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Educational Leadership Ed.D.

Become a Top Administrative Leader in an Educational Setting

With a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EDLS) from University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL), you’ll gain the necessary skills for the highest leadership roles in an educational institution. This degree provides extensive development in sound research and administrative practices, allowing you to thrive in current and future learning environments. Develop greater expertise while gaining a better understanding of educational leadership theory and practice through case studies, data collection, and field experience.

With the Superintendent Certification and the Principal as Instructional Leader Certification options, you can tailor your coursework to your career trajectory. The Educational Leadership Ed.D. is designed to equip you for success, whether you're seeking to further your career at the primary, secondary, tertiary, or district level. Through a carefully crafted curriculum, you'll acquire the expertise to influence key decisions in administration and academics while applying cutting-edge research and management tools in responding to critical issues.

Multiple Specialization Options

UHCL's EDLS program offers the following seven distinct specializations:

  1. Superintendent with State Certification
  2. Principalship with State Certification 
  3. Higher Education Administration
  4. Curriculum and Instruction
  5. Special Populations
  6. Instructional Technology
  7. Reading

60
Credit Hours + Specialization + Dissertation
3
Years to Complete Program
7
Distinct Specializations


Why Choose an Educational Leadership Ed.D. from UHCL?

  • Expert Faculty: UH-Clear Lake's leading doctoral program is taught only by faculty with doctorates, many of which were earned at major research universities. 
  • High Student Satisfaction Rate: Over 95% of students have expressed high satisfaction with the program, based on annual anonymous survey results.
  • Career Advancement Prospects: Approximately 80% of UHCL students of the program find better jobs than their previous ones—before graduation.
  • University Teaching Opportunities: Many students in the program receive the opportunity to teach at UHCL as adjunct professors.
  • 100% Exam Passing Rate: The program's state superintendent exam for the Superintendent Certification boasts a 100% passing rate.

These factors, combined with UHCL's fiscally sound in-state tuition, demonstrate the quality and value that the Educational Leadership Ed.D. delivers.

Accreditations and Distinctions

The College of Education is accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

We've earned national recognition for accomplishment and innovation, including the Christa McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Teacher Education.


Application Deadline: June 1

New students are accepted to start fall semester only. The application process runs from September to June.

For graduate student admissions information, please visit How to Apply as a Graduate Student.


Admissions Requirements

  • Educational Leadership Ed.D.
  • Admission Deadline

    Fall Only: June 1 (applicants need to submit all their "supplemental" documentation by July 15)

  • Application

    Both university and program applications are required.

  • Special Requirements
    • GRE Scores Not Required: The GRE requirement will automatically be removed after successful submission of the admission application.
    • Master's Degree from an Accredited Institution
    • Official Transcripts
      • Students should submit official transcripts from every college or university attended to the University of Houston-Clear Lake, Office of Admissions or International Admissions.
      • Please review New Student Admissions in the Graduate Catalog under Transcripts and Records Information to learn how to submit an official college transcript to UHCL.

    The following documents should be uploaded through the UHCL Graduate Application Portal.

    • Resume
    • Letter of Intent - Please structure your letter as follows:
      • Paragraph 1 - Why do you wish to pursue a doctoral-level degree in Education Leadership?
      • Paragraph 2 - What are your career goals and how will this degree help you accomplish your long-term goals?
      • Paragraph 3 - What are your research interests as they relate to education?
      • Paragraph 4 - What are your scholarly and professional accomplishments as they relate to your educational leadership?
      • Paragraph 5 - How does your prior work experience relate to your interest in the doctoral program focusing on educational leadership?
    • Three reference forms - At least one reference must be from a supervisor or other administrator familiar with the applicant's work. If possible, at least one of the Reference Forms should be from a professor involved in the applicant's master's program.
    • Letter of Support from Employer
  • Educational Leadership EdD with Certification Specialization
  • Superintendent and Principal as Instructional Leader Specialization Requirements

    Before being permitted to enroll in any course leading to either Superintendent certification or Principal as Instructional Leader certification, students must be admitted to the certification program.

    Upon notifying the College of Education of their intention to pursue Superintendent or Principal as Instructional Leader certification, the student will be directed to submit the following to the College of Education:

    • Teacher Service Record (TSR)
    • College of Education Advanced Certification Program Application
    • Interview Video
      • Record a 5-8 minute video of yourself that answers the following questions:
        • What can you tell us about yourself and your experiences that will make you a good candidate for the Superintendent or Principal as Instructional Leader program?
        • What does leadership mean to you?
        • How do you use critical self-reflection in your professional growth?
        • Explain how you plan to balance self-care, role responsibilities/expectations, and the rigor of a graduate program?
      • Upload the video of YouTube as "unlisted" and then send the link to the College of Education as directed.

    Principal as Instructional Leader Admissions Essay and Principal as Instructional Leader Interview video will be scored based on program established rubrics.

    Superintendent Admissions Essay and Superintendent Interview video will be scored based on program established rubrics.

    Once your application has been approved, you will be prompted to formally accept your office of admission to the program and pay a required $37 TEA Admission fee.


Degree Requirements

Ready to learn about the classes you need to take to earn your degree from the College of Education at University of Houston-Clear Lake? Find out all you need to know about the required course work, complete with options for electives.

Educational Leadership, Ed.D.

UHCL Faculty and Students in Conference Room


Cost Information

Create a plan for your education by studying the likely prices for your UHCL degree in education.

Tuition and FeesNet Price CalculatorFee Schedule Calculator


Location

University of Houston-Clear Lake

University of Houston-Clear Lake

2700 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, TX 77058
Phone: 281-283-7600

About UHCL

UH-Clear Lake at Pearland

UH-Clear Lake at Pearland

1200 Pearland Pkwy
Pearland, Texas 77581
Phone: 281-212-1700

Since 2010, University of Houston-Clear Lake at Pearland has proudly served as an upper-level institution serving juniors, seniors, and graduate students in fields like business and behavioral science.

About UHCL at Pearland

Faculty

 
Elizabeth Beavers
Elizabeth Beavers

Elizabeth Beavers

Program Director and Associate Professor of Special Education,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3513
Email: BeaversEA@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite B1325

Elizabeth Beavers Faculty Bio

Amber Brown
Amber Brown

Amber Brown

Program Director and Professor of Early Childhood Education,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3627
Email: browna@uhcl.edu
Office: B1119-2

Amber Brown Faculty Bio

Jane Cooper
Jane Cooper

Jane Cooper

Assistant Professor of Qualitative Methods,
Education

Contact number: 281-841-4858
Email: cooperja@uhcl.edu
Office: B1111-12

Jane Cooper Faculty Bio

Antonio Corrales
Antonio Corrales

Antonio Corrales

Doctoral Program Director and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3588
Email: corrales@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1111

Antonio Corrales Faculty Bio

Michelle Giles
Michelle Giles

Michelle Giles

Program Director and Associate Professor of Instructional Design and Technology,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3516
Email: giles@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1321

Michelle Giles Faculty Bio

Jennifer Grace
Jennifer Grace

Jennifer Grace

Administration and Supervision Program Director and Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3523
Email: grace@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1111-8

Jennifer Grace Faculty Bio

Rebecca Huss-Keeler
Rebecca Huss-Keeler

Rebecca Huss-Keeler

Professor of Early Childhood Education,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3535
Email: huss@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1119

Rebecca Huss-Keeler Faculty Bio

Lana Kharabi-Yamato
Lana Kharabi-Yamato

Lana Kharabi-Yamato

Assistant Professor, Special Education,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3505
Email: bakers@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1325.09

Lana Kharabi-Yamato Faculty Bio

Renée Lastrapes
Renée  E. Lastrapes

Renée E. Lastrapes

Education Program Director and Professor of Educational Research and Assessment,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3566
Email: Lastrapes@uhcl.edu
Office: B1111 - 7

Renée E. Lastrapes Faculty Bio

Queinnise Miller
Queinnise Miller

Queinnise Miller

Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3512
Email: millerq@uhcl.edu
Office: B1111-13

Queinnise Miller Faculty Bio

Michelle Peters
Michelle Peters

Michelle Peters

Department Chair of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis, Professor of Research & Statistics, Co-Director UHCLTeach,
Education

Contact number: 202-321-3752
Email: petersm@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1111

Michelle Peters Faculty Bio

Paul Wagner
Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner

Professor, Leadership and Educational Psychology,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3571
Email: wagner@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1119

Paul Wagner Faculty Bio