Be A Community Leader. Change Maker. Creative Problem-Solver.
The Community Leadership (CL) concentration of the Executive Ed.D. program is for working professionals with master’s degrees who desire the knowledge and skills essential to community leadership. Working closely with our scholars and practitioners, students master the components of community well-being, how to lead development and change in community organizations, and how to conduct research among diverse populations. We instill the foundations of community leadership and buttress them with a range of opportunities for students to acquire research skills and to study key aspects of today’s higher education, including its organization and administration, college student development theory and research, and critical legal issues in student affairs.
The Community Leadership program prepares students for transformational leadership roles in, for example:
- Community-based organizations
- Nonprofits
- Institutions of higher education
- Public policy arenas
- Foundations
- Government
- Social movement
- Grassroots organizations
- Faith-based organizations
Intensive Weekends
- The Community Leadership concentration is offered in a low-residency format so careers are not interrupted.
- No GRE is required. We take into account your work experience.
- Dissertation writing support is provided in face-to-face weekend meetings once a month for three years.
- New students are part of a cohort, a support system that enhances knowledge, camaraderie and community.
- The scholars, faculty/community activists, and top higher education administrators who make up our faculty are well known for their expertise and personal attention to students.
- Doctor of Education dissertation research proposals are part of coursework to ensure feedback and progress from the start.
- A total of 60 credits beyond the master's degree are required to earn the Ed.D. Students enroll in courses year-around, and most can complete the doctorate in about 3½ years (11 consecutive semesters).
Practical Applications
Our practitioner-scholar program model combines theory with research and practice. Graduates emerge with the knowledge, skills, versatility, and creativity for solving problems, taking advantage of opportunities, and leading change in a range of community and educational settings.
Students will ...
- Learn how to lead transformation processes.
- Use community-based participatory research to improve organizational and community well-being.
- Help communities foster wellness with fairness.
- Learn how to develop and evaluate community-based and educational programs.
- Become a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion in your organization and community.
