University of Georgia

How this program compares

Benchmark this program against our national recognition pages and use the key guides below to evaluate ROI, admissions difficulty, and outcomes.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: Applicants must hold a master's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrate at least five years of full-time professional experience in PreK-16 education or related fields, and show leadership potential. Current full-time employment and strong analytical, writing, and speaking skills are typically required.

About This Program

UGA's Mary Frances Early College of Education offers two doctorates. The 3-year Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is cohort-based for school and district leaders with 750-hour Advanced Leadership Residency. Requires Tier I leadership certification for admission. 2-year Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Management features weekend campus intensives, leadership seminars, and experiential trips abroad. College runs Graduate Students of Color Research Mentoring Program and Holmes Scholar Program for underrepresented students.

Career Outcomes

UGA graduates lead Georgia schools and districts as principals and superintendents, and pursue higher education leadership roles.

• 1. School Superintendent
• 2. District Administrator
• 3. Educational Policy Director
• 4. University Administrator

What You'll Learn

• Analyze and influence educational policy to promote equity and access.
• Lead organizational change and build collaborative teams in educational settings.
• Apply research methods to address real-world problems of practice.
• Manage school finances, human resources, and operations effectively.

Curriculum Highlights

K-12: Leadership Courses, Advanced Research, Advanced Leadership Residency (750 hours), Action Research Dissertation; Higher Education: Higher Education Governance, Leadership Seminars, Study Abroad Experience, Executive Leadership Coursework

Top Employers

Common employers include public school districts, state education departments, universities, and nonprofit educational organizations.

Admissions

Applicants must hold a master's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrate at least five years of full-time professional experience in PreK-16 education or related fields, and show leadership potential. Current full-time employment and strong analytical, writing, and speaking skills are typically required.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 3
• Resume: Required
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: Master's degree
• GRE/GMAT: Not Required
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international students (TOEFL 80+ / IELTS 6.5+)