Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Lead with Perspective and Purpose

Learn the art and craft of leadership. Explore complex issues like diversity, sacrifice and humility. Discover how to navigate complex political relationships that extend from schools and communities to government entities. And gain actionable insights from educators who draw from an array of experiences to help you grow personally and professionally.

“My time at George Fox was certainly one of those experiences that just opened my brain up to new possibilities, ideas and ways of doing things,” says Todd Bloomquist, senior program officer in the children, youth and families department of the Ford Family Foundation. ”It taught me the importance of looking at things critically and being forward thinking.”

Explore the Spiritual Dimensions of Education and Leadership

Spirituality is an essential part of the human condition, and the knowledge you gain in this area will transform your capacity to lead. You’ll discover how faith sustains the mind, serving as an energizing and guiding force in the work and life of a scholar-practitioner. And you’ll examine the teachings of Jesus in the context of serving culturally diverse communities.

You’ll also dive into conversations with professors who understand the challenges and opportunities associated with working in a pluralistic society. By the time you graduate, you’ll be fully prepared to advocate for the intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs of the students and families you serve.

Discover the Power of Community

Thrive in a learning community that becomes family. Our EdD program is based on a cohort model, which means you’ll take your core classes with the same group of students throughout your time here.

Give and receive encouragement as you spend time together in online courses and mastermind groups, and gain wisdom from the cohort ahead of you during a one-week campus event each summer that addresses a pressing educational issue. The discussions you have will stir your heart and move ideas forward, empowering you as a purposeful servant leader.

Hone Your Skills and Sharpen Your Focus

Gain high-level research skills with the guidance of faculty who are published authors and presenters, and apply those skills to a problem-based dissertation that speaks directly to your interests. You’ll generate insights that lead to more effective and equitable schools, districts and learning systems. Along the way, you’ll immerse yourself in a concentration so you can maximize your knowledge and impact.

“The Doctor of Education program gave me the confidence to see myself as a true scholar-practitioner,” says Jenny Elsey, assistant provost for experiential learning and student success at Seattle Pacific University. “I had the opportunity to develop strong research skills that could be applied toward solving pressing issues in education.”

Create Sustainable Change

Build something that lasts. The relationships you form at George Fox will be a source of inspiration and guidance throughout your career. You’ll be part of a community that extends across the public and private education landscape, leading to professional opportunities that expand your sphere of influence and empower you as an agent of sustainable change.

Across the country and around the world, graduates of our program are transforming practice in the schools, districts and educational organizations they serve. So can you.

Concentrations

Our Doctor of Education program has three concentrations to prepare you for the exact kind of work you want to do.

• The administration concentration equips you to administratively lead in public/private elementary schools, secondary schools and charter schools.
• The instructional design & development concentration prepares you to provide instructional leadership in P-12 public/private elementary and secondary schools, as well as college/university teacher education faculty positions.
• The leading learning concentration is designed for teachers and lead teachers, instructional coaches and teacher mentors, educational specialists in multiple settings, and instructional specialists in literacy, ESOL or special education.

Note: Some transfer credit may be permitted by approval of the program director. For more information, contact Dr. Jenelle Stone.

Program Structure

Experience the best of flexibility and intentionality in our three-year hybrid program. We blend online coursework with a weeklong, in-person residency every summer so you can keep working while you pursue your doctorate.

Program Structure Details