Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership (PSAP)

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership (PSAP)

This Professional School Administrator Program (PSAP) provides an opportunity for you to obtain superintendent licensure alongside a doctoral degree while exploring coursework focusing on leadership for social justice, school reform, community building, and leadership for learning. Our partnership with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) and The Center for Behavioral Health, Equity, and Leadership in Schools (BHELS) at William James College will prepare you to become future superintendents and school leaders for public, Catholic, charter, and independent schools.

At a Glance

How many courses?


The program consists of 13 courses (39 credits).

How long will it take?


Most students typically finish within 3 years.
Two-week sessions each summer are required.

When can I start?


Students must begin the program in the summer term. A new cohort is accepted every other year.

Curriculum

Through a cohort model that emphasizes collaborative learning and support, this program aims to create a powerful network of district-level leaders throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and beyond.

Requirements


  • Courses: 12
  • Credits: 39
  • Comprehensive Exam
  • LLPS Program Modules

Faculty

Financial Aid

Education should level the playing field. We feel the same way about financial aid.

The Lynch School of Education and Human Development provides more than $8.4 million in financial aid to students each year. As a result, the quality of BC’s instruction, the benefit of our alumni network, and the impact a BC degree will have on your employment options is both affordable and invaluable. 
PSAP builds the skills you need to be an effective district administrator into its structure. Through the cohort model and coursework, we were taught to understand research, implement best practices, and collaborate and reach consensus as a team. Being able to draw on what I’ve learned is now an invaluable resource for me, and I’ve become a more flexible, reflective leader.
Michael E. Morris, Ed.D '16 , Superintendent, Amherst-Pelham, Massachusetts

Careers

Roles

  • Superintendent
  • Director of Curriculum & Instruction
  • Executive Director
  • Director of Pupil Services
  • Chief Academic Officer
  • Dean of Students
  • Executive Director of Strategy
  • Assistant Superintendent

Organizations

  • Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District
  • Ludlow Public Schools
  • Southern Worcester County Educational Collaborative
  • Hopkinton Public Schools
  • Brockton Public Schools
  • Newton South High School
  • Boston Public Schools
  • Holyoke Public Schools

Apply

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Application & Deadlines

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Prerequisite Information: To be eligible for the EdD program, applicants must already hold a Master's degree.

A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required. The fee is waived for select applicants.

Summer 2023:

  • Deadline: February 1
    This program does not offer rolling admission after the deadline.

Resume

To be uploaded to your online application.

In addition to your academic history and relevant volunteer and/or work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.

Personal Statement

To be uploaded to your online application.

PSAP students are outstanding administrators and have diverse backgrounds, experiences, and interests. Together, cohort members collaborate with and challenge each other intellectually. Your personal statement provides an opportunity to get to know you, your hopes for your doctoral experience, and what you might bring to the cohort. In 1,000-1,500 words, please tell us about some of your aspirations, research interests, and any challenges or experiences that shed light on you as a leader or potential cohort member. 

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required in total. These letters help provide an overall picture of you as a leader, collaborator, and potential graduate student. Ideally, at least one letter should assess your potential for doctoral-level work, from someone well-situated to provide that assessment, such as a professor or researcher in education or a related field. 

 

Transcripts

Transcripts from all college/university study are required.

Applicants who have received degrees from institutions outside the United States should view the "International Students" section for additional credential evaluation requirements.

Please begin your online application before submitting your transcripts. Details on how to submit transcripts and international credential evaluations can be found within the application. In order to ensure your transcript reaches our office, it is important to review and follow the instructions.

Standardized Tests

The EdD program does not require the GRE for admission. You may submit GRE scores, but applicants are not required to do so.

For more information about the GRE exam, including test dates and testing sites, visit https://www.ets.org/gre.

Lynch School of Education and Human Development GRE Code: 3218

Please view the "International Students" section for information on English Proficiency test requirements.

Writing Sample

To be uploaded to your online application.

All applicants to this program are required to submit one writing sample demonstrating their ability to effectively communicate at the graduate level. Applicants should be the sole author of the sample, and it should reflect (a) critical thinking and/or synthesis of ideas, and (b) effective organization, logic, and argumentation. Often, an academic term paper or master’s thesis is the most appropriate choice, regardless of how long ago the paper was written. However, other genres of writing (e.g., journal article, op-ed, district evaluation report) may also be appropriate. 

International Students

Applicants who have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an evaluation company approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.

Applicants who are not native speakers of English and who have not received a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction must also submit a TOEFL or IELTS test result that meets the minimum score requirement.

Please click the link below for full details on these requirements.

Requirements for International Students

Contact Us

  gsoe@bc.edu
  617-552-4214