PK-12 School Leadership (Ed.D.)
How to Apply
All applicants must have completed a master’s degree program prior to admission and reside in San Diego or Imperial counties or commit to relocating if admitted to the program. The Ed.D. Program in Educational Leadership in PK-12 concentration seeks to advance the work of public schools throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties. The program is committed to developing reflective leaders and change agents, capable of responding to the area’s demographic shifts and the increasingly complex needs of educational organizations within this diverse multicultural region.
Important Dates for Fall 2026
| Item | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Cal State Apply application (opens October 1 each year) |
February 1, 2026 |
| 2. Program application | February 15, 2026 |
| 3. Official transcripts due | February 15, 2026 |
Steps 1-6: Admission to SDSU
Steps 1-6 must be completed through the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office.
- Get general help and tips on how to complete the Cal State Apply application.
-
Application Guide: Cal State Apply Tutorial
Step 7: Admission to Program
Within 72 hours of submitting your Cal State Apply application, you will receive an email containing a personalized link to Slate, where you must complete your program application.
Please ensure that all required program-specific documents listed below are prepared in advance and ready to upload to your Slate application.
For help, student guides will be shared the week of September 22, which will be posted on this website for reference.
Write a Statement of Leadership Philosophy, 1-2 pages, addressing your beliefs and values about leadership, curriculum and instruction, students, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders.
Prepare a current resume or curriculum vitae to your application, which will include your education and employment history as well as any academic honors, awards, scholarships, and publications.
Contact 2 individuals who you have interacted with academically and/or professionally and would be able to write a letter of recommendation for you. Recommenders will submit their recommendations directly into the program application.
Nomination/statement of support for the candidate's doctoral studies from employer or, in cases where this is not provided, an indication of the candidate's plan for meeting the demands of the program and professional responsibilities.
Please submit an example of your best professional and/or academic writing.
Get in Touch
Application Process Questions
Program Questions
- Jim Marshall, Ph.D., Co-Director ([email protected])
- Greg Ottinger, Ed.D., Co-Director ([email protected])