Pre-K–12 Educational Leadership
Develop into an innovative scholar-practitioner and transformational leader who can solve complex problems of practice.
Master Your Educational Leadership Skills
Grow upon your past knowledge and skills and earn your educational doctorate 100% online for your future in administrative leadership. By specializing in PreK–12 educational leadership at USD, you will become a reflective leader and skilled educator whose practices and decisions draw upon the best available theory, research and experiential wisdom. You can work with our expert professors to design an individualized plan of study that emphasizes the administrative context and meanings that are most important to you. Then, engaging coursework will challenge you to think differently, make administrative decisions, and reflect on and learn from the outcomes. With an education founded in theoretical, ethical and professional knowledge, you'll become a prepared problem solver who is ready to lead in any educational environment.
Degrees & Offerings
Educational Administration and Leadership: PreK–12 Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)
DoctorateSpecifically designed for current school administrators, principals or superintendents who want to earn their educational doctorate (Ed.D.), but do not need the degree for licensure. This alternative pathway is offered online and provides a general background in leadership, as well as coursework in theory, statistics and methods of educational research.
Learn more about the educational administration and leadership program
Program Details
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Department
Contact
Known for Excellence
The USD School of Education has been accredited by CAEP (formerly NCATE) since 1956.
U.S. News & World Report Ranks USD School of Education among the "Best in the Nation" for the 4th consecutive year.
The small faculty-student ratios assure you the one-on-one attention and mentorship you need to succeed whether you are on campus or attend class online.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.
An Affordable Education
Gain valuable real-world, professional experience while enjoying paid employment and discounted tuition rates as a graduate student at USD. The affordability you gain through graduate assistantships and fellowships will equip you with valuable, professional-level skills that will set you apart after graduation.
Teaching and research assistantships are awarded by individual departments. If you do not receive an assistantship within your department, you are eligible for an assistantship outside of your academic program or within support offices (non-academic units) at USD. Further inquiries should be directed to the graduate director of the department.
At USD, our graduate students are actively pursuing unique research and presenting at local and national conferences exploring innovative areas of interest to them. Additional research and grant opportunities include:
Research and Creative Scholarship Opportunities
Each semester students may apply for grants through the USD Graduate School, faculty and students pursue research in virtually all academic departments on campus, and in many cases, it is a required portion of a graduate degree program.
IdeaFest
IdeaFest is an annual event celebrating student research, creative scholarship and academic engagement. Undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines present their work in oral and poster presentations, live performances, readings, exhibits and displays.
USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including several that are housed in the School of Education. You may be interested in joining a student organization to make friends, develop new skills and explore your interests.
Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA)
Join your fellow graduate and professional students at USD. We aim to build a sense of community between graduate and professional students. Build your resume, network with others and gain experience and the unique opportunity to represent the interests of graduate students to the greater campus and community.
Departments & Facilities
Educational Leadership
Preparing education leaders to be effective educational administrators.
Faculty & Staff
Dave Barker
Mejai Bola Avoseh
Gary Cheeseman
Vassa Grichko
Wendy Knutson
Erin Lehmann
Jesse Sealey
David Swank
William Sweeney Ph.D.
Take Your Classes Online
We're committed to bringing our knowledge to you. USD serves the largest number of online students in the state of South Dakota. With competitive online tuition rates, we offer the same price whether you’re out-of-state or an in-state resident.
USD maintains a challenging and rigorous curriculum focused on preparing you to move forward in your career.
Take classes at your own pace. Enroll in an online class today!
A Tailored Program for You
USD's graduate degrees in educational leadership are unique in that you can craft the program to fit your interests and career goals. You'll learn from supportive and expert faculty in the Division of Educational Leadership, and you'll also take classes from other departments across campus to expand your skillset and knowledge. This unique structure provides a versatile and supportive climate that prepares students for effective participation in an information-rich society.
Discounted Tuition for South Dakota Teachers and Vocational Instructors
If you live in South Dakota, be sure and take advantage of the 50% reduced tuition program for currently contracted elementary/secondary teachers and vocational instructors.
Surprisingly Affordable
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GA (Resident*)
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Resident
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Online
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Non-Resident
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Tuition (1 cr.)
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180.3
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340.15
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470.45
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654.05
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GAF Fee (1 cr.)
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55.3
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55.3
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0
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55.3
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Total
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More About Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates are subject to change and may vary depending on the program or department. Visit the Graduate Tuition & Costs page for more information.
* Graduate Assistant (GA) rates are available for resident, non-resident and online students.
** Resident rates may be available to you through the SD Advantage, Child of Alumni or Western Regional Graduate Program. To see if you quality, visit usd.edu/grad-tuition.
