Learning Outcomes
The Ed.D in Educational Leadership prepares school leaders to meet the demands of school and district leadership. The program equips leaders to implement programs, policies, and practices to improve outcomes for all students.
Specific learning outcomes of the PLU Doctorate of Educational Leadership (Ed.D) program include preparation for students to:
- Lead schools and districts in diverse communities.
- Identify and analyze the theories, research, and policies related to the study of K-12 educational leadership: ethics and social justice, inquiry, policy, and leadership development.
- Demonstrate competency in National Educational Leadership Program Standards (NELP District Standards).
- Prepare and present written work to both academic and practitioner audiences.
- Understand, evaluate, and apply educational theory and inquiry knowledge and skills to problems of policy and practice of educational leadership.
- Design, conduct, report, and present clear and coherent research studies that contribute to understanding and solving complex problems of practice on multiple levels of educational leadership.
- Articulate core values and model the guiding principles of the PLU education department and the profession, including: commitment to social justice; understanding of ethical responsibilities of leadership; effective and respectful interaction with others of similar and diverse cultures, values, and perspectives; commitment to increasing achievement for all students through effective school improvement.
Direct assessment of the Learning Outcomes will include the following:
1. Course Based Assessments: The learning outcomes will be directly assessed in each course through assignments, presentations and discussions.
2. Superintendent Credential: Evaluation includes the feedback form completed by the Internship Mentor and a Portfolio compiled at the end of year one and prior to recommendation for superintendent certification. The portfolio will include the following sections:
- Professional Information: resume, certifications, letters of recommendation, honors and awards
- Internship Plan & Log
- Selected course assignments aligned with NELP standards
- Professional Growth Plan
3. Applied Projects: Candidates will complete two applied projects aligned to the learning outcomes. These projects require synthesis of course content, application of research methods, completion of a written product, and contribution to the profession. Candidates will complete a job-embedded Program Evaluation in Year 2 and an Instructional Leadership and Equity Applied Project in Year 3.