Ph.D. in Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education

Want to be an instructional administrator and leader in K-12 settings? Our program prepares engaged, collaborative, and effective leaders through the integration of theory, reflection, and applied leadership opportunities.  We consider school leadership to be an intellectual, moral, and craft practice. You will develop your leadership capacity through collaboration, shared decision-making processes, and a focus on student learning and achievement.

Ph.D. programs are not part of the Auburn University approved Educator Preparation Programs. The state of Alabama does not have certification/license at this level and therefore this degree is not eligible for reciprocity in other states.

Doctoral students are admitted annually in the fall semester. Applicants should submit completed application packets for admission before March 1 for fall admission. Applications past the deadline will be considered if space allows or in consultation with program faculty. 

Degree Overview

Coursework

The Ph.D. program is flexible. You and your advisor work together to determine the best set of courses for you to take. The general distribution of coursework is as follows:

Please note: If you have graduated with an Auburn Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education Ed.S. degree, then these credits will count toward this Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education or Administration of Supervision and Curriculum Ph.D. degree.

Doctorial Seminar - 6 hrs

Specialty / Core Courses - 24 hrs

These 21 hours are comprised of Educational Leadership courses.

Supporting Courses - 9 hrs

These courses tend to be distributed across Adult Education, Educational Media/Tech, Educational Foundations, and Educational Psychology courses.

Research Methods - 15 hrs

There are 9 required hours with the remaining 6 hours left to you to determine in consultation with your advisor.

Dissertation – 10 hrs

You must complete at least 10 hrs of dissertation.  Then, you must successfully defend the dissertation to a committee of the faculty that you and your advisor have agreed upon.

View all course requirements

Ellen Hahn, Program Coordinator

Ready to join the Auburn Family?

Visit Auburn’s Graduate School homepage for checklists, resources, valuable graduate student information and to begin your application. Please contact department faculty listed above with program-specific questions.

Last updated: 04/18/2024