EdD in 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.
Hear from our students and faculty by watching our videos below under Student and Faculty Spotlight
Virtual Information Sessions
Join us to discuss the program and application process with the Program Director and Graduate Admissions.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - 6:30pm
Thursday, December 4, 2025 - 6:30pm
Interim Program Director
Required Sequence of Courses and Dissertation
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 |
|
The Dissertation More than any other component, the dissertation defines doctoral education. It is the centerpiece of doctoral study. Every component of the program helps to prepare students to undertake this major research project. Collectively, courses, inquiry groups and the qualifying exams help students identify a topic, become conversant with the relevant scholarship, and master the research methodology needed to produce a quality dissertation. As an original piece of research, the dissertation is expected to offer something new to an existing scholarly conversation. It is a substantive body of research and writing that with some subsequent revision could be submitted for publication as a book or several scholarly articles. Its topic and focus needs to be manageable so that it can be completed, especially given the compressed time frame of the CBL program. In the second year of the program, students will identify the topic, major themes, and methodology of their dissertation and master the scholarly literature that speaks to it. At the same time, they should work to identify their dissertation chair and committee members. By the time students have successfully prepared and defended their dissertation proposal (thus passing their Qualifying Examination) at the end of Year 2, they should be ready to embark on the heart of the dissertation—its research and writing. Students should be thinking about a dissertation topic from the outset of the program. They should explore possibilities through open ended course assignments (e.g. a literature review in a relevant field) and independent reading. Selecting a topic is more challenging than one might expect it to be. Your topic must of course be of interest to you but it also must be feasible in that it addresses questions that are relevant to a wider body of scholarship and that can be answered in one to one and a half years. |
Admission Requirements
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
Application Process
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.
Program Faculty
- David Allen, Ed.D., Program Interim Director, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
- Ruth Powers Silverberg, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Department of Educational Studies
- Bethany Rogers, Ph.D., Department of Educational Studies
- Kenneth Gold, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Educational Studies
- Katie Cumiskey, Ph.D., Psychology Department
- Michelle Fine, Ph.D., Psychology Department, CUNY Graduate Center
- Michael Paris, Ph.D., Political Science and Global Affairs
- Jonathan Peters, Ph.D., Accounting and Finance
- Anthony Picciano, Ph.D., Urban Education, CUNY Graduate Center
- Marquitta Speller, Ed.D., Department of Educational Studies
- Nelly Tournaki, Ph.D., Department of Educational Studies
- Audra Watson, Ph.D., Department of Educational Studies
- Hina Naveed, R.N., J.D., Department of Educational Studies
- Fenot Aklog, Ed.D., Department of Educational Studies
Student and Faculty Spotlight
Kassandra Minor - EdD in Community-Based Leadership
(Cohort 3)
Jazmin Rivera - EdD in Community-Based Leadership
(Cohort 1)