Doctor of Education, Superintendent Endorsement Track (EdD)

Elizabeth Dinkins, Ph.D., Chair
Nolen C. Allen Hall, 326, Phone: 502.272.7958 edinkins@bellarmine.edu

This program is for EdD applicants who meet the admission criteria that lead to superintendent endorsement. Candidates must hold an Ed.S degree and a valid Professional Teaching Certificate. Additionally, candidates must have at least two years’ experience as a principal, supervisor, guidance counselor, DPP, DoSE, school business administrator, vocational school coordinator, or coordinator/administrator/supervisor of district-wide services. Degree completers will be eligible for recommendation to the State for endorsement.

The Doctor of Education is designed to build the leadership, research, and instructional knowledge of individuals who already hold an Ed.S. and who are interested in pursuing the superintendent endorsement. The degree prepares highly qualified leaders who will work as "change agents" in improving educational equity and student achievement. The program consists of 36-hours (30 hours of coursework plus 6 hours for dissertation), is cohort-based, uses a hybrid delivery, and is designed for working professionals with classes held on selected weekends each term (Friday evenings 5:00-9:00pm/Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm). Three weekends of classes are conducted online and three weekends meet in-person. All classes are synchronous. Coursework is accomplished in two years (two courses per term), and the dissertation is typically completed in a third year. Completion of the dissertation is required to be recommended for the superintendent endorsement.

Admission Requirements

1. A current résumé (Note: Two years of successful administrative experience in a P-12 setting with full administrative certification during those 2 years is required).

2. A copy of valid state issued Professional Teaching Certificate.

3. A copy of Kentucky Administrative Certification.

4. Successful completion of an Ed.S. degree.

5. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate work.

6. Documentation of an approved research and sponsorship contract with a district/agency.

7. Final official transcript(s) from each college or university attended should be mailed to the Office of Graduate Admission and should not be marked “Issued to Student.” If any transcript(s) or undergraduate degree(s) is from an international institution, you must provide an official copy to be evaluated by the Bellarmine International Programs Office. The Office of Graduate Admission reserves the right to request a certified copy of the original transcript(s).

8. Email addresses for three people who will serve as references. Recommendations should be from individuals who are former professors or who have supervised the applicant in a school setting. One recommendation must come from the applicant’s current immediate supervisor. All recommendations must be related to the professional environment.

9. Responses to the four essay questions below.

• Teachers are leaders; a school principal is a leader of leaders. As you look at your leadership experiences in your administrative experiences or role, how would you describe how these experiences are foundational in preparing you for the role of a school superintendent?

• Select one book that you have read on the topic of leadership. Identify the title and author and explain how you think the author’s message relates to P-12 school district leadership.

• There are many challenges facing today’s school leaders. In Kentucky, the challenge of meeting Annual Measurable Outcomes (AMO) through the impact of the district leader on student achievement is critical and challenging. Describe how you will use your knowledge of curriculum, instruction and assessment to accomplish student achievement and expected district learning outcomes?

• A school principal and/or district administrator assumes many roles in a school and/or district: learner, leader, mentor, supervisor, manager, politician, and advocate are but a few. From these seven roles, choose the three that you think are most important and provide evidence of how you have successfully served in these three roles.

10. Written educational autobiography and personal goal statement.

11. A collaborative interview between the applicant, a School of Education representative and appropriate school district personnel will be arranged. A successful interview is required for an admission decision.