Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

A.E.R.A. meeting attendants smiling
Graduates of EdD Program smiling
Graduates of EdD Program smiling
Graduates of EdD Program smiling
A.E.R.A. meeting attendants smiling
A.E.R.A. meeting attendants smiling
Graduates of EdD Program smiling
Graduates of EdD Program smiling
Graduates of EdD Program smiling
A.E.R.A. meeting attendants smiling

Program Structure 

Our cohort-based, 60-semester unit, year-round program is designed to prepare professional leaders to lead reform efforts in California's PK-12 through post-secondary/adult education schools. All degree candidates complete an independent research project as part of the final doctoral dissertation. The program is designed to enable educational professionals working full-time to earn the degree within three years.

The program provides two specializations with alternating admission cycles:

  • PK-12 in Educational Leadership (applications available 10/1/2024)
  • Post-Secondary in Educational Leadership (admitting cohort Fall 2026)

     

Applicants study in the particular specialization based on their background professional work experience and future leadership goals. Coursework will consist of core leadership courses taken by all students in the cohort and leadership courses specific to their specialization. We provide students with peer support and faculty advising and mentoring from entry to the doctoral program through completion of the dissertation process.

Program Fees

Estimated Program Costs:

  • The Cal State APPLY application fee is currently $70.00  
  • Tuition for the Ed.D. program is $6,810. 10 per semester with 3 semesters a year (Fall, Spring, and Summer) regardless of course load.
  • Program fees are based on a year-round program and include the cost of summer sessions.  Students pay the same base fees charged for the University of California doctoral programs. Cal State LA is a pre-pay campus. Fees are collected prior to the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Tuition fees must be paid until you finish your program.
  • CSU EdD Program fees are based on UC and CSU Trustee decisions

Most doctorate-level students apply for Financial Aid Loans. If you believe you will need assistance from Financial Aid to help assist with the cost of the program, please visit Cal State LA’s Financial Aid office. The EdD Program does not provide fellowships to assist with the cost of the program. However, if you apply for Financial Aid, a percentage of doctoral fees per year do get disbursed to those students who have a financial need. That need is determined by the Financial Aid office and the applicant's FAFSA application.

Cal State LA’s Financial Aid Office: Financial Aid and Scholarships | Cal State LA

Application Requirements

PK-12 (admitting cohort Fall 2025)
Post-Secondary (2026)
 

  • An earned baccalaureate degree and master’s degree from accredited institution of higher education with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in upper division courses and 3.25 or above in graduate study. Official transcripts are required. 
  • The Cal State LA Doctorate in Educational Leadership is a doctoral degree program designed for those who wish to assume greater leadership roles in educational organizations and are committed to addressing the challenges of urban education through relevant and meaningful scholarship and practitioner-based inquiry.  The program also looks to enhance the leadership skills of its candidates through place-based experiences. For this reason, we ask that all applicants have at least four years of professional work experience in a California educational institution, preferably in public PK-12 schools or community colleges. 
  • The EdD Program uses CSU Apply to generate your supplemental application. You must upload all required electronic documents to the EdD supplemental application (listed below). No paper copies will be accepted.
  • We accept one cohort per year. The typical cohort size is generally 15-18 new incoming students.
  • New cohort applications are available in the month of October, for the following fall semester.
  • On the CSU Apply application, graduate/doctorate level applicants do not need to fill out the following two sections on the CSU Apply Application: Academic History or Supporting Information 
  • Application Youtube Tutorial

 

Ed.D. Required Documents to upload:

  1. A professional resume outlining both their academic degree attainment and professional educational work experience.  

  2. Demonstrated excellence in writing as demonstrated by samples of academic and professional documents. No more than 10 pages.

  3. Three confidential letters of recommendation attesting to the leadership and scholarship potential of the applicant.

    1. One letter should be from a university faculty member who is familiar with the applicant’s work. 
    2. One letter should be from a person who has supervised the applicant in an employment setting.
    3. One should address the applicant’s fit for the Option they are pursuing (i.e. PK-12 Educational Leadership or Postsecondary Educational Leadership).

     

  4. A written statement of professional purpose that reflects an understanding of the future challenges facing educational organizations and the community they serve.

    1. A statement of career purpose that describe your reasons for pursuing doctoral study and that reflects your understanding of the challenges facing PK-16 public schools in California.
       
    2. What are three accomplishments that demonstrate your leadership potential and skills for participating in education reform? You may consider successful achievements in school, in postsecondary institutions, in your community, and/or more generally in reform and education/social policy leadership.
       
    3. Discuss experiences and characteristics that demonstrate your ability to succeed in a rigorous program of doctoral studies in education. Include discussion that provides specific evidence concerning:

      1. Your previous academic study;
      2. Your problem-solving ability; and
      3. Your interest in critically accessing and improving educational policies and practices.

       

  5. An electronic copy of transcripts from each college of attendance after high school. Must be printed within one year of applying to the program.  These can be unofficial (opened but current). Official transcripts must be sent to the Cal State LA's Admissions office.

Note: Applicants to the Ed.D. are required to participate in an admissions interview per Executive Order 991, Article 4 (https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/11288323/latest/

Official Transcripts 

Graduate Application and Admission | Cal State LA

In addition to the admission application(s), all supporting academic records must be submitted to the Admissions Office within 3 weeks of Cal State Apply application submission. For Fall admission, transcripts should include coursework completed through the preceding fall term (usually ending in December).

Visit Submitting Documents for information about sending in your academic records and test scores to Cal State LA.

 

 Ed.D. Program Info

 Thank you so much for your interest in the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at Cal State LA! You can find more information about the program by clicking on the slides below.

Scheduled ZOOM information sessions for the PreK-12 cohort option:

 

OCTOBER:

Monday, October 7th
Wednesday, October 9th
Monay, October 21st
Wednesday, October 30th

NOVEMBER:

Wednesday, November 6th
Monday, November 18th

Priority Deadline:             January 31, 2025
Rolling Admissions until:      April 15, 2025

New applications are available October 1, 2025 
We accept applications until the cohort is full.

Program Mission and Vision

Mission 

The Cal State LA Educational Leadership Doctorate program is committed to equity and social justice through the development of leaders who reflect consciously, engage critically, and act justly to transform educational systems. We are responsive to and work in partnership with the culturally, linguistically and economically diverse communities of the Greater Los Angeles area.  

Vision  

These leaders will strategically dismantle and purposefully transform existing unjust systemic racial educational policies and practices through an ongoing practice of personal change and professional growth that involves: 

  • Engagement in personal reflection, critical examination of social identities, unlearning and healing to develop humanizing understandings of leadership and education.   

  • Incorporating the cultural knowledge and professional expertise of local communities.   

  • Effective communication with multiple constituencies, educators, and community members in order to learn from and share best practices.  

  • Combining theory with field knowledge to develop critically conscious analyses of current practices and develop novel approaches or appropriate interventions.   

  • Participation in decision-making processes in local PK-12 schools and districts, community colleges, and regional and state institutional authorities.  

EdD Faculty

 

Dr. Allison Mattheis

  Dr. Allison Mattheis

  Professor 
  323.343.4344
  amatthe5@calstatela.edu

 

Dr. Maria Oropeza

Dr. Maria Oropeza-Fujimoto
Associate Professor 
323.343.4343
moropez6@calstatela.edu

 

Person

Dr. Charles Flores
Assistant Professor 
323.343.4337
cflor203@calstatela.edu

 

Person

Dr. Anthony Hernandez
Professor/AASE Division Chair
323.343.2597/ 323.343.4332
aherna1@calstatela.edu

 

 

Person

Dr. Theresa Meyerott
Assistant Professor 
323.343.4396
tmeyero@calstatela.edu

 

 

Dr. Albert Jones

  Director 
  Dr. Albert Jones
  Professor 
  323.343.4444
  ajones4@calstatela.edu

 

 

Person

Dr. Ann Snow
Professor 
323.343.4373
asnow@calstatela.edu

 

Ed.D. vs a Ph.D.

The Cal State LA Doctorate in Educational Leadership is a doctoral degree program designed for those who wish to assume greater leadership roles in educational organizations and are committed to addressing the challenges of urban education through relevant and meaningful scholarship and practitioner-based inquiry. With an emphasis placed on leadership in practice, the program fosters an understanding of the many contexts in which educational leadership takes place. It focuses on the expertise, scholarship, and inquiry necessary to advance all students' rights to an education that supports social and economic justice and academic success. The program aims to develop leaders who engage in collaboration with members of diverse urban communities to analyze how the policies and practices of educational, political, and legal institutions are addressing issues of access, equity, and full democratic participation. The program also looks to enhance the leadership skills of its degree candidates through work and community-based experiences. To ensure that applicants have a professional background engaging with the educational sector and community that the sector serves, we ask that all applicants have at least four years of professional work experience in California educational institutions, preferably in public PK-12 schools or community colleges.

Quick Facts

Graduates of EdD Program smiling
  • 3 year program (9 semesters)
  • Semester costs: $6810.10 (YR 2024-25)
  • Courses scheduled for the working student
  • Supportive instructors and staff
  • On-site and hybrid coursework

Contact Information

Contact us

Ed.D. Program in Educational Leadership

California State University, Los Angeles 
King Hall C1065,
Phone: 323.343.6164
Fax: 323.343.4252

Email: edd_program@calstatela.edu

EdD Program Administrative Coordinator: Cathy Morales,
AASE Department Email:  Betty Lee, or Karen VonLawn

OFFICE HOURS

Monday | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM