Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership

New EdD Tracks

UST is now offering tracks in Educational Leadership and Strategic Leadership within our Doctor of Education program

Intro - EDD At the University of St. Thomas, we believe in the inherent calling of leaders to be creative and competent catalysts for transformative change. The Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership (Ed.D.) program is an innovative, student-centric program that provides a scholarly template to analyze administrative practices and promote socially responsible leadership in schools and organizations.

The three-year program is designed to accommodate working adults in K-12, higher education institutions, business related fields, medical education, non-profits, religious education, and prison education. Students engage in relevant and meaningful research directed toward the creation of responsible leadership and transformative change.

Requirements Requirements
Cost Cost
leadership summit leadership summit
Course Sequences Course Sequences

Roadmap To Your Success

Roadmap To Your Success Finding an institution that speaks to your particular criteria list can be a challenge. At the University of St. Thomas, we have methodically researched what students want and what works to achieve a distinguished, academic accomplishment. In doing so, we have created a roadmap that leads to your success.

Venturing beyond traditional doctoral models, this 3-year program is interdisciplinary and designed to analyze and promote responsible leadership within each student’s specific research interest.

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A baccalaureate degree and master's degree from accredited institutions of higher education with a GPA in graduate study of 3.25 or above
Official transcripts from all institutions attended with the exception of UST transcripts - Official transcripts are sent (by mail or electronically) directly from the institution to the University of St. Thomas. UST transcripts will be automatically retrieved by Graduate Admissions.
No GRE required
Two recommendation letters attesting to the leadership ability, commitment and scholarship potential of the candidate
- These letters should come from different sources, e.g., professional and academic
- There is no provided format
- Individuals writing the recommendation email letters directly to the Office of Admissions at gradoperations@stthom.edu.
Professional resume
- Include demonstration of leadership skills and abilities as well as professional and/or personal commitment to ethics.
A 500-word (or two full pages double-spaced) written statement of purpose reflecting the understanding of the nature, function, and responsibility of Christian and/or virtue-based leadership in K-12 schools, higher education, non-profits, and other education or business-related fields, and current challenges to this vision of leadership.
An interview may be included in the admission process once all application materials are received.

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Admission Requirements for International Students

Permanent residents are eligible to apply and must submit the following in addition to the information listed above. The Ed.D. in Leadership program course sequence includes 6 credit-hours per semester during years one and two. Year three semesters may have either 6 or 9 hours each and satisfy dissertation and degree completion.

Proof of English proficiency: International applicants (except those who are from countries where English is the only official language, or those who have earned degrees from regionally-accredited U.S. institutions) are required to submit proof of English proficiency.
Official evaluation of transcripts and diplomas: International applicants must have all transcripts and diplomas evaluated by an accredited evaluation agency. Preferred evaluation agencies are SDR Educational Consultants, World Education Services (WES), and Spantran. Reports must include course-by-course evaluations and grade point average equivalents.
Front and back copy of valid Permanent Residency card
International Students must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. The requirements for the TOEFL iBT are:
- Reading – High 22-30
- Listening – High 22-30
- Speaking – Good 26–30
- Writing – Good 24-30
Additional "Admission Requirements"

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Requirements Disclaimer:
This is an online program and international students cannot maintain or obtain F-1 student visa or status or I-20 form through this program.

Next Start: Summer 2023

Application Priority Deadline: April 21, 2023

Application, essay, 2 letters of recommendation, official transcripts and resume must be received by May 1, 2023.

RAY GARCIA, Ed.D.
Professor & Ed. D. Program Lead Developer
School of Education and Human Services

Throughout his over 30 years of experience in public and higher education, Ray Garcia, Ed.D. has worked in a variety of administrative capacities including: Professor and Chair of the Dept. of Educational Leadership in California State University East Bay, Dean of a Corporate University, Chief Academic Officer in an urban school district, Executive Director for Information Technology, Director of Accountability, Director of Staff Development as well as a Knowledge and Evaluation Manager for a non-profit in San Francisco. He began his educational career as an elementary and middle school teacher and subsequently assumed the role of school principal. The focus of Dr. Garcia’s career is working with teachers, principals and district leaders on the school improvement process.

His work with school leaders concentrates on approaches to sustaining school improvement efforts for English Language Learners, leadership training on optimizing staff commitment, and diversity training on leveraging cultural traits for enhancing school performance.

Dr. Garcia’s research interests target the building of leadership capacity to transform entrenched organizational patterns into potent new ways of being and doing in educational settings. In addition to his current book on Bridging the English Learner Achievement Gap, he has published in scholarly journals and is a noted speaker and trainer at national and state forums. His work is guided by the philosophy that leaders can readily take action to alter a school’s culture belief system by creating experiences to achieve desired results.

Ed.D. Faculty Advisory Committee

To schedule a phone or virtual appointment, please contact Maria Younger - youngem@stthom.edu with your name, preferred method to meet (virtual or phone) availability (date and time), email address and/or phone.

Offering two tracks, this unique program blends the best of classical thought and wisdom with modern leadership theory. This program is designed for those seeking leadership roles in K-12 and higher education, business-related fields, medical education, non-profits, religious education, and prison education.

Degree Plan for Educational Leadership Degree Plan for Strategic Leadership