Community-Based Leadership

Application Deadline

  • Summer: January 17 (Priority Deadline)

Program Format

  • Hybrid

Program Duration

  • 48 credits

The EdD in Community-Based Leadership program will prepare leaders from education, social work, law, and other related fields to lead cross-sector coalitions in service of the success and well-being of young people. Communities need leaders with the knowledge and research skills to create, disseminate, and utilize locally grounded, innovative approaches to understanding the interdependence of the school and other social systems in support of youth.

The EdD Program meets for four weekends each semester including summers with all courses in hybrid format, meeting at a public school on the North Shore of Staten Island. It utilizes a cohort model with 48 credits and expected completion in three years. Courses focus on social and psychological foundations for youth and communities, processes of community leadership, research methods with project development, and a culminating dissertation.

We welcome your interest in this first-of-its-kind Program in which you will earn a Doctor of Education with a focus on community-based organizational leadership. You will pursue your degree in the company of P-16 educators, non-profit leaders, social workers, service providers, and other professionals committed to the well-being of young people and their communities. Our Executive Model of one Weekend each Month with three years from start to completion is designed to accommodate the many responsibilities of engaged professionals.

Interim Program Director

David Allen

Building 3S, Room 207A
Email David Allen

Required Sequence of Courses

Tuition: Tuition and Fees

YEAR 1

Summer 1

DED 800 Scholarly Inquiry for Community-Based Leadership I

DED 820 Qualitative Inquiry Methods in Applied Research

3 credits

3 credits

Fall 1

DED 801 Scholarly Inquiry for Community-Based Leadership II

DED 821 Quantitative and Mixed Methods

3 credits

3 credits

Spring 1

DED 803 Transforming Learning and Teaching in Schools and Communities

DED 901 Research Practicum

3 credits

3 credits

YEAR 2

Summer 2

DED 807 Resource Management in School Communities

DED 809 Globalization, Community, and Education Reform

3 credits

3 credits

Fall 2

DED 802 Social and Historical Contexts of School Communities

DED 900 Dissertation Proposal

3 credits

3 credits

ORAL EXAM

Spring 2

DED 805 Policy Trends in Child Service Professions

DED 804 Building Relationships and Capacity for Community Leadership

3 credits

3 credits

YEAR 3

Summer 3

DED 806 Curriculum, Standards, and Assessment for Community Engagement

DED 808 Public Relations, Advocacy, and Community Organizing

3 credits

3 credits

Fall 3

DED 902 Dissertation Advisement I 3 credits

Spring 3

DED 903 Dissertation Advisement II 3 credits
Total   48 credits

 

Admission Requirements

  • Master degree in the field of Education, Social Work, Psychology, Political Science, or other related fields with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • 12 credits or equivalent professional training above the Masters in area of expertise to be evaluated by the program Admissions Committee
  • Minimum of three years of expertise in area of specialization

Graduate Application:

The application must be completed online at Graduate Application.

Transcripts:

Transcripts must be sent directly to the CUNY College of Staten Island Graduate Admissions office from each university/college attended. Applicants who have studied outside of the United States are required to submit an official course by course evaluation for each university/college attended. 
Please refer to the list of approved evaluation agencies on our International Admissions page.

Application Fee:

Submit a $75.00 non-refundable application fee.  Applicants who are veterans of the United States Military Service, currently on Active Duty or members of the National Guard or Reserves, may obtain an application fee waiver.  Veteran applicants must submit proof of their Veteran/Military status (ie., DD-214, Current Military ID Card, or Deployment or Pre-separation orders). 

Personal Statement:

Please provide a personal statement of 1000-1200 words that addresses the following:

  • Part One: How have you experienced/observed leadership in a community setting?  (Include specific details about what you experienced and observed, as well as the community setting in which those experiences/observations occurred).  
  • Part Two: How have these experiences/observations informed your vision of leadership?
    Include a transparency statement about how you used AI in crafting your statement, if applicable. What specific tools did you use, e.g., Grammerly, ChatGPT, other, and how?

Writing Sample:

This may be something from your master’s program, or work project (e.g. grant proposal)

Letters of Recommendation:

Candidates should provide TWO reference letters, one from a source that can address academic qualifications, including specific research or academic experiences, and a second letter from a professional employer or supervisor.  Personal recommendations will not be considered.

Resume:

A copy of your most recent Resume is required.

Interview:  

Select applicants from the initial review will be invited to participate in an individual interview with program faculty and alumni.

English Proficiency Examination:

The TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE exam is required of students for whom English is a second language.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Minimum required score is 79 (Internet). For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the TOEFL website at www.ets.org. Our institutional code is 2778.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): We will only accept the academic exam scores. The minimum required score is 6.5 (overall band).  For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the IELTS website at www.ielts.org.
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): Minimum required score is 53. For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the PTE website at www.pearsonpte.com.
  • Duolingo English Test: Minimum required score is 100. For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the Duolingo website.