You are reading the 2025/26 Academic Calendar. The 2024/25 version remains in effect until August 31, 2025 and is available here.

Educational Leadership and Policy

Degrees Offered: Ed.D.

Members

Professors

A. Abdi, L. Andres, V. Andreotti, M. Gleason, D. Kelly, M. Kovach, A. Mazawi, A. Metcalfe, L. Roman, C. Ruitenberg, T. Sork, A. Taylor, R. VanWynsberghe, T. Webb, H. Wright.

Professors Emeriti

J. Archibald, S. Butterwick, D. Fisher, D. Pratt, K. Rubenson

Associate Professors

C. Ahenakew, J. Ellis, G. Fallon, H. Gill, S. Rocha, H. Shan, M. Stack, S. Stein, J. Walker, P. Walter, F. Wang.

Associate Professors Emeriti

J. Chan, D. Coulter, W. Poole.

Program Overview

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy provides advanced preparation for education practitioners with leadership and policy responsibilities in both formal and nonformal settings. These settings include, among many others, the post-secondary sector, business and health organizations, unions, and community groups, as well as the K-12 school system.

The program is grounded in the belief that it is important for participants to engage in scholarly discourse about understanding, critiquing, and improving practice in educational settings. It consists of six required seminars, two elective courses, a comprehensive examination, and a dissertation. While the program addresses Canadian educational issues and perspectives in a global context, it is the particular settings and leadership or policy responsibilities of the participants that are the starting points of seminars. The expertise of qualified adjunct faculty from related professional fields supplements that of the regular faculty members.

Doctor of Education

Students are admitted to the Ed.D. in cohorts of 10 to 15 and proceed as a group through required courses and the comprehensive examination which occurs at the end of Year 2. Students then propose and execute their dissertation research projects. If the degree is not awarded within a period of six years from initial registration, for a full-time student, and eight years from initial registration for a part-time student, the student's eligibility for the degree will be terminated and the student will be required to withdraw from the program. Under exceptional circumstances, an extension to allow a student to continue in the program may be granted by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. See Residency Requirements and Duration of Program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to a doctoral program ordinarily hold a master's degree in a relevant discipline or field with overall first-class standing (a minimum of A- or 80%), in exceptional cases with high second class standing (B+ or 78%), with preference for completion of a thesis. Clear evidence of research ability must be demonstrated. Evidence should be provided of professional activity including active engagement in the practice of educational leadership and/or policy making. Admission to the program is highly competitive; satisfying minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.

Program Requirements

Coursework consists of 18 credits of required seminars and 6 credits of elective courses. In addition, program completion requires a comprehensive examination, and research leading to an Ed.D. dissertation meeting the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requirements.

For detailed information on requirements for the Ed.D. program, see the Program.  

Sub-Specialization in Ts"kel: Indigenous Educational Leadership and Resurgence

The sub-specialization in Ts"kel: Indigenous Educational Leadership and Resurgence enables Indigenous scholars, educators, and leaders to engage in Indigenized programming that responds to Indigenous priorities and areas of need with three areas of focus: 1) Indigenous leadership development; 2) Indigenous knowledges and methodologies; and 3) Indigenous transformation for the advancement of Indigenous priorities and self- determination in local and global contexts. Instruction and supervision are led by Indigenous faculty and supported by Indigenous knowledge keepers and Elders. 

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Sub-Specialization in the Ts”kel: Indigenous Educational Leadership and Resurgence program must satisfy general admission requirements for the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy (with the exception of the preference for completion of a Master's thesis).  Applicants must also demonstrate understanding and experience with Indigenous worldviews, knowledges, and ways of being, along with evidence of engagement in Indigenous education or community contexts. The program will consider the full range of academic, cultural, personal and professional knowledge that Indigenous applicants bring to their preparation for graduate study. Admission to the program is highly competitive; satisfying minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission. 

Program Requirements

The completion of the sub-specialization requires admission to a Ts"kel sub- specialization cohort, 18 credits of required coursework, 6 credits of approved elective coursework, a comprehensive exam, and a dissertation that meets the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requirements. 

Students are expected to complete the proposed 24-credit doctorate in 4 years. 

Coursework

 Students will normally take cohort-specific Indigenized versions of the following required courses: 

  • EDST_V 601
  • EDST_V 602
  • EDST_V 604
  • EDST_V 593

Students will normally take the following required Indigenous Knowledge courses:

  • EDST_V 546
  • EDST_V 505

Students will normally take two approved Indigenous-focused electives. Some cohorts may designate elective courses at their outset.

For detailed information on on requirements for the Ts"kel sub- specialization, see the Program.  

Contact Information

Department of Educational Studies
Education Centre at Ponderosa Commons
6445 University Boulevard
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z2
Tel: 604.822.6647 (Graduate Program Assistant)
Fax: 604.822.4244
Email: grad.edst@ubc.ca
Web: http://edst.educ.ubc.ca/programs/edd-in-educational-leadership-and-policy/


UBC Crest The official logo of the University of British Columbia. Urgent Message An exclamation mark in a speech bubble. Caret An arrowhead indicating direction. Arrow An arrow indicating direction. Arrow in Circle An arrow indicating direction. Arrow in Circle An arrow indicating direction. Chats Two speech clouds. Facebook The logo for the Facebook social media service. Information The letter 'i' in a circle. Instagram The logo for the Instagram social media service. Linkedin The logo for the LinkedIn social media service. Location Pin A map location pin. Mail An envelope. Menu Three horizontal lines indicating a menu. Minus A minus sign. Pencil A pencil indicating that this is editable. Telephone An antique telephone. Plus A plus symbol indicating more or the ability to add. Search A magnifying glass. Twitter The logo for the Twitter social media service. Youtube The logo for the YouTube video sharing service.