The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership and Policy is designed for working professional educators who are interested in developing their skills as research-informed scholar-practitioners in policy, leadership, change, and social diversity in elementary and secondary schools and other educational settings for children and youth. The EdD culminates in a dissertation in practice involving the application of theory and research to a problem of practice. Program strengths include:
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A focus on equity, anti-oppression, and educational justice;
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Deep expertise both in the Ontario educational context and in comparative, international, and global contexts; and
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Training in advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods.
The EdD program is designed to develop critical and highly skilled educational leaders, policy analysts, and public servants who will make positive change in schools, school boards (districts), government ministries, foundations, nongovernmental agencies, and international organizations in Canada and around the world.
The EdD degree is offered full-time in a cohort format specifically designed for working professional educators. The department welcomes applicants with diverse but relevant backgrounds and experiences.
Delivery options — although not all elective and research methods courses are offered in each modality, students may be able to complete the EdD degree program through one of two delivery modes:
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In-person: students will mainly complete their coursework and other program requirements in-person, with up to one-third of their coursework online; and
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Hybrid: students will experience a mix of modes of engagement, with some of their coursework and other program requirements in-person and between one-third and two-thirds of their coursework online, depending on their choice of elective and research methods courses, or an (optional) collaborative specialization.
The next intake for this program will be Fall 2025. Applications for the EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy for the 2025-26 admissions cycle are set to open early October 2024.
Doctor of Education
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education's additional admission requirements stated below.
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Master's degree in the area of Educational Leadership and Policy or an equivalent degree with high academic standing from a recognized university.
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In addition to responses to the Faculty questions in the online admissions application, a supplementary writing sample is required, which will help the admissions committee to assess an applicant's readiness to succeed in rigorous coursework and to conduct systematic research for the EdD. Applicants typically submit a master's-level Major Research Paper or thesis as their writing sample. Applicants who do not have a Major Research Paper or thesis must provide a writing sample that showcases their ability to write clearly and analytically about educational issues. Examples include a master's-level course paper, a policy document, and a professional publication.
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The applicant must be in a leadership position in education, or must have held a leadership position, or must demonstrate potential for leadership.
Completion Requirements
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Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 core full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
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LHA3003H Designing Research Proposals in Educational Leadership and Policy.
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LHA3007H Reviewing the Literature.
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LHA3009H Professional Development Seminar for the EdD.
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LHA3040H People and Power in Organizations.
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1.0 FCE in research methods, to be chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor.
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1.0 elective FCE.
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Comprehensive examination. Successful oral defence of a written paper that critically reviews and synthesizes the literature related to the problem of practice to be addressed in the student's dissertation in practice, selected by the student in consultation with the supervisor/advisor. The comprehensive exam is normally taken at the end of Year 2, and must be taken no later than the end of Year 3. Students will be informed of their status (pass or fail) at the end of the oral exam. Students who are not successful in their first attempt will be permitted one additional attempt to pass.
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Thesis (dissertation in practice) proposal hearing.
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Thesis (dissertation in practice): The thesis (dissertation in practice) is the culminating component of the Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Policy that shall include an identification and investigation of a problem of practice, the application of theory and research to the problem of practice, and a design for action to address the problem of practice. Specifically, the thesis (dissertation in practice) consists of original research in the form of a written proposal or plan for innovative and impactful educational policy, guideline, advocacy, development project, or activism within or beyond a traditional educational setting, aimed at improving practice at local, regional, national, or international levels.
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Students are full-time and must maintain continuous registration full-time and pay full-time fees until all degree requirements, including the thesis (dissertation in practice), are completed.
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Students cannot transfer between the EdD and PhD programs.
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time