EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

The EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS) at the University of Denver's Morgridge College of Education is a transformative program designed for practitioners committed to driving meaningful change in their professional contexts. This program emphasizes bridging research and practice to improve systemic outcomes, aligning with the Carnegie Project for the Educational Doctorate (CPED) principles. CPED's influence is evident throughout the program, which is built on a foundation of inquiry as practice and the development of scholarly practitioners. The curriculum integrates leadership development, applied research, and practical tools to foster sustainable improvements in educational systems. Key features include: Iterative Improvement Cycle: Students actively lead iterative improvement projects, gaining hands-on experience in identifying problems of practice and implementing evidence-based solutions. This aligns with CPED’s commitment to preparing educators to address complex challenges through systematic, data-driven methods. Context-Specific Application: Graduates are equipped to apply their learning to their unique professional contexts, demonstrating the program’s focus on preparing leaders who can enact change in diverse settings. Dissertation in Practice (DiP): A hallmark of the program, the DiP is a culminating project that blends theory and practical application. Students spend their third year collecting and analyzing data to address a real-world problem, exemplifying CPED’s emphasis on applied research. The EdD program provides a collaborative and supportive learning environment, encouraging students to engage deeply with both theory and practice. It offers a rigorous yet flexible pathway for educational professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capacities and contribute to systemic improvement. Graduates of this program join a network of scholar-practitioners who are well-positioned to lead impactful change in education, embodying the CPED principles of advancing equity, innovation, and continuous improvement in their work.

Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution. Masters degree: This program requires a masters degree as well as the baccalaureate. University GPA requirement: The minimum grade point average for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet one of the following criteria: A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree. A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree. An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the recognized equivalent from an international institution supersedes the minimum GPA requirement for the baccalaureate. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework completed for applicants who have not earned a master’s degree or higher.