Doctorate of Education in Community College Leadership

National Louis University's Doctorate of Education in Community College Leadership responds to the need for a leadership preparation program that addresses the unique experience of those in community colleges. Highly competitive, the program is intellectually stimulating, professionally relevant, and incorporates research endeavors around the key issues facing postsecondary institutions in the twenty-first century.

Consider getting your Doctorate of Education in Community College Leadership at National Louis University (NLU) if you:

• Are currently working in a community college setting
• Aspire to be a faculty leader, department chair, program director, dean, vice-president or president
• Want to complete your doctorate program in three years

Why NLU for Community College Leadership

NLU faculty have the credentials and experience students are seeking from their professors. As published authors and seasoned practitioners, National Louis' faculty members can provide the level of expertise that will benefit students during their studies and beyond.

Through the Community College Leadership program's curricular focus on theory and practice, student's can enhance the critical thinking, problem solving, and research skills they will need when facing the challenges of community college leadership.

What You Will Learn

• The skills necessary to successfully address the rapidly changing educational landscape and distinctive characteristics of community colleges
• An understanding of complex systems and the role played by community colleges
• How to apply theory to practice
• How to utilize advanced, operational skills in strategic planning, fiscal management and technology

Career Outlook

The community college leadership program is directed towards developing scholar-practitioners who understand the power of ideas and who place those ideas in service to improve educational practice. Graduates from the Doctorate of Education in Community College Leadership program can pursue a career as:

• dean
• department chair
• faculty leader
• program director
• vice-president or president

Classes at Your Convenience

• Offered in a flexible course format designed for working community college professionals with face-to face classes. Classes are held every other Saturday during the three 10-week terms and two summer sessions.
• Dissertation coursework is embedded in the curriculum enabling the students to complete all requirements by the end of three years.
• Cohort groups (10-12 students) are admitted each year in July, providing constant and consistent peer support.
• Classes are offered every other year on the Chicago NLU campus and in a selected community college in the suburbs, so students can make the most of their time and educational experience.
• Financial aid is available for all qualified students.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet NLU's general admission requirements. Refer to the appropriate application checklist available online at www.nl.edu/applyonline.

Unique to the Doctorate of Education in Community College Leadership, admissions uses a "rolling admissions process." Review of applications will start April 1, however applications are accepted until a week prior to the first course in July, or until all the seats are filled.

In addition to NLU's general admission requirements, applicants to the Doctorate of Education in Community College Leadership program must also submit the following:

• An official transcript showing completion of a bachelor's degree and master's degree from an accredited institution
• Three letters of recommendation
• Professional resume
• Personal statement describing the applicant's expectations of the program and core beliefs regarding the role of leaders within the community college
• A writing assignment involving a critical commentary on an article related to the community college found on the Doctorate of Education in Community College Leadership website http://www.nl.edu/academics/ccl/             
• A faculty interview