Ph.D. in Educational Leadership: K-12 Leadership Concentration (Online)
Students wishing to develop leadership skills and serve as a superintendent or other central office administrator within a school district serving elementary and secondary Â鶹´«Ã½s will want to pursue this program in the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology at Â鶹´«Ã½.
Students completing this concentration may also receive one or more endorsements indicating that they would have met the state requirements for various K-12 administrative certificates (e.g., superintendent; central office).
Note: To complete many K-12 content course assignments, and to have a mentor for an administrator internship, applicants must be employed within a K-12 setting OR have access to a school district setting.
Learn more about the PhD in Educational Leadership
Notification: Starting, January 2025, the State of Michigan will be requiring state testing for those that are wanting to attain a School Administrator license for either the Central Office or Building Level. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.
Why K-12 leadership at Â鶹´«Ã½?
- New! Potential course credits now available via Prior Learning Assessments (PLA).
- 100% of WMU educational leadership graduates were employed or continuing education within three months of graduation.
Admissions requirements
- Masters degree from an accredited institution, indicated on an official transcript.
- An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 for all graduate work undertaken beyond the bachelor’s degree.
- Official transcripts as required by WMU.
- Career and professional goals written narrative in which an applicant describes their professional goals, and how this doctoral program fits with those goals.
- Graduate reference forms completed by the different individuals who can address an applicant’s ability to successfully complete doctoral-level work.
- A professional curriculum vitae or resume.
Accreditation
WMU's doctor of philosophy in educational leadership is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
Required program of study
- Required Program of Study (K-12) for Â鶹´«Ã½s admitted Fall 2018 or later
- Multi-year Course Offering Plans
Newsletter
The Lead is a monthly online publication that highlights the work of our Educational Leadership (K-12) programs, and contains a wide-array of information relevant to school administrators; it also celebrates the work of our alumni, Â鶹´«Ã½s and faculty. Visit for all issues.
Cost & Funding
Helpful links
Questions?
