

Become a highly-qualified system leader with a doctorate in Educational Leadership
Graduates of our Doctor of Education program are prepared for roles as school district leaders and for positions in educational coordination and policymaking at local, regional and statewide levels.
Tuition & Fees
46 credits
(8-credit practicum also available)
$850 per-credit*
*Different rate applies to NYC cohorts
Length & Format
27 months
to graduate
7 Semesters
Hybrid
program delivery
Cohorts meet in Albany, Long Island, or New York City
About The School of Education
Professors at the Esteves School of Education include distinguished researchers, experienced classroom teachers, and respected program directors, principals, superintendents and district administrators with connections to schools and school districts throughout New York state.
Specialties in our Doctor of Education program
Expand your knowledge and skills in this Doctor of Education program, while immersing yourself in a community of like-minded peers examining current issues and research.
Part of the Esteves School of Education, which is accredited through AAQEP, this Ed.D. program is designed for public school leaders, independent school heads, charter school leaders, higher education leaders and those with statewide responsibilities in educationally related organizations.
Course Requirements
Credits and Completion
Candidates for the Ed.D. will complete 106 credits of graduate study, 46 of which must be completed in the Sage doctoral program. Those credits include core coursework, an experiential component integrated throughout the program, and a culminating research activities. The program is designed to be small; a maximum of 15 part-time candidates will be accepted. They will proceed through the program as a cohort that begins, after initial start up, every other year. The seven semester program design includes summer residencies, weekend format courses, online components, and interaction with state and national experts.
School District Leader Certificate
The School District Leader (SDL) certificate is required in New York State for those who work in a leadership role at the school district level, including directors, assistant superintendents, school business officials and superintendents. Gain 600 hours of field experience, required by this certification, through the Educational Leadership program.
- Complete 24 credits of the Educational Leadership program (after third semester)
- Take and pass the New York State School District Leader examination
- Take workshops on Reporting and Identifying Child Abuse and Maltreatment, School Violence Prevention and the Dignity for All Students Act

Our Educational Leadership program comes with a deep, Russell Sage-level of support from an assigned faculty advisor who works with you to ensure your success.

Your Future Career with a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Professionals with a doctorate in Educational Leadership hold a variety of positions, primarily in K-12 education. They are assistant principals, principals, program directors, assistant superintendents, district superintendents, New York State Education officials, education consultants and leaders/teachers in higher education.
Learning Experience
Classes are hybrid, taking place online and in-person. Whether you join a cohort that meets in Albany, Long Island, or New York City, you will find a learning experience that is both individual and collaborative.
You will apply your skills to two field experience sites during the first year. You will have opportunities to work on a variety of teams, enabling you to share ideas, research and reflections on current issues and topics. Learn about leadership, organizational governance, change theory, and community building.
Doctorate in Educational Leadership Course Format & Program of Study
- Semester 1-3: core content courses scaffolded to prepare for dissertation; project learning in two field sites
- Semester 2: begin research courses
- Semester 3-6: work on team research and dissertation research
- Semester 7: finish dissertation, collaborate with team to present at Research Colloquium
Ed.D. Spotlights
Meet the successful students and alumni of our Educational Leadership program.
Q&A with New York State High School Principal of the Year, a Doctoral Candidate in Russell Sage College’s Educational Leadership Program …
The depth of the conversations among our cohort, and hearing from people around the state, how they were putting things in place based on what we were reading, and doing such deep reflections on everything, shifted my leadership.
“As a first-generation college-bound Latina, education was my family’s way out of poverty,” says Alexandra Estrella, Ed.D., superintendent of Norwalk, …