Skip navigation
An alumna: Explore the PhD in Education - K-12 School Leadership degree program offered by Regent University.

Ph.D. in Education – K-12 School Leadership

Make Generational Impacts

Daily it seems, we are reminded of the failures and shortcomings in our educational system. We are in a crucial time in our history where we need strong, Christian leadership in education. If you have a passion for improving the quality of K-12 education, and you desire to lead learning environments where students can thrive, then this concentration will help you make the type of impact that changes lives for generations. Regent’s Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education – K-12 School Leadership provides continuing education for teachers seeking initial administrative endorsement in preparation for positions as principal or assistant principal. This research-based Ph.D. can prepare you more specifically for a career in academia. Be rest assured knowing that courses have been organized around the six Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) standards and the endorsement competencies for Administration & Supervision Pre-K-12 as issued by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

Online
67+
January 13, 2025
Download PDF

INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL

Capitalize on a higher salary with your Ph.D. degree.

EXPAND YOUR CAREER PATH

Take your career to the next level with exciting leadership opportunities.

MAKE AN IMPACT IN K-12 SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

Present ground-breaking research to improve the world of education.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE

Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2024). Our programs have also been ranked among the Top 10 Best Online Graduate Education Programs in Virginia for 11 years in a row (2013-2023). Experience the Regent difference through the Ph.D. in Education – K-12 School Leadership program.

Presented from a Christian worldview, this specialty degree is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

The School of Education’s educational leadership and teacher preparation programs and the College of Arts and Science’s bachelor’s in education programs are awarded full national accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for a period of seven years, to 12/31/2030.

On completing the Ph.D. in Education – K-12 School Leadership degree, you can:

  • Lead a positive school culture that fosters improved learning based on research and best practices.
  • Implement effective strategies for resource planning, school operations, school and community relations; and ethical, policy, and professional issues.
  • Prepare to complete the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) by participating in an optional test preparation course.

Career Opportunities

  • University Faculty
  • Principal
  • Assistant Principal
  • School Superintendent
  • Key Administrator
$98Thousand
2020median pay for elementary, middle, and high school principals U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Featured Courses
EADM 701Strategic Leadership3
Collaboratively and strategically evaluate, develop, and implement an ethical, systematic core set of values, knowledge, and skills that promote continuous school improvement and student academic success and well-being. Includes problem-solving techniques and change processes as part of a philosophy of educational leadership. Cross-listed with EADM 501.
EADM 702School Finance & Management3
Collaboratively evaluate, develop, and implement strategies related to fiscal operations, school facilities, resources, and technologies that support management functions and communication efforts. Includes school-level governance, high-quality and equitable academic and non-academic instructional practices, resources, services, digital literacy, and political contexts of school and community. Cross-listed with EADM 502.
EADM 707Data Literacy for Improvement3
Collaboratively lead, design, implement, and evaluate school improvement and classroom culturally responsive practices that increase student learning and well-being. Includes information sources and processing, data literacy (use, analysis, and decision making), equitable resource planning, and program evaluation to inform and lead change. Cross-listed with EADM 507.
EADM 726Human Resource & PD3
Professional competence through engagement in recruiting, selecting, hiring, and retaining staff and professional learning designed to promote reflection, cultural responsiveness, distributed leadership, digital literacy, school improvement, and student and staff success. Includes human resources management, professional development models, evaluation, motivational and change theories, and conflict resolution. Cross-listed with EADM 526.
EADM 728Policy, Law, & Ethics3
Understanding school law and demonstrating the capacity to model and advocate professional, moral, and ethical standards for a safe, secure, and culturally responsive school community. Includes the identification and application of educational policy development at state, local, and school levels that promote the school mission. Cross-listed with EADM 528.
EADM 730Caring School Community3
Collaboratively and strategically design and implement programs that support the success of diverse populations, including effective oral, written, and digital communication (consensus building, negotiation, and mediation skills) within the larger school community and political contexts while advocating for all stake holders. Includes addressing emerging issues and trends. Cross-listed with EADM 530.
EADM 745Student Learning & Well-being3
Collaboratively and strategically evaluate, develop, and implement culturally responsive, technology-rich, data-informed curriculum, instruction, and assessment for student learning and well-being. Includes student motivation, growth and development, social and emotional learning, differentiated instruction, multi-tiered support practices, and change management strategies for improved student outcomes. Cross-listed with EADM 545.
EADM 750Differentiated Instruction & Assessment3
Collaboratively and strategically evaluate, develop, and implement a variety of assessment techniques as a foundation for identifying existing competencies and targeting areas in need of further attention. Includes culturally responsive, differentiated instruction; identification, education, and evaluation of students with disabilities; and developing individualized educational plans. Cross-listed with EADM 550.
EADM 794Internship – Administrative3
Synthesize and apply content knowledge and develop professional skills through a school-based internship that occurs in an accredited public/nonpublic school, including elementary, middle, high, central office, and agency; and with diverse student populations. Interns complete a minimum of 120 embedded clock hours. Pass/Fail. Cross-listed with EADM 597.
EADM 797Internship – Principal3
Synthesize and apply content knowledge and develop professional skills through a school-based internship that occurs in an accredited public/nonpublic school, including elementary, middle, high, central office, and agency; and with diverse student populations. Interns complete a minimum of 200 clock hours. Pass/Fail. Cross-listed with EADM 597.

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session MFriday, September 6Monday, September 16
Session BFriday, October 11Monday, October 21
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session TFriday, January 31Monday, February 10
Session DFriday, March 7Monday, March 17
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12
Session FFriday, June 13Monday, June 23

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5656$3,390
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8003$2,400
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8003$2,400

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5659$5,085
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8009$7,200
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8006$4,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5656$3,390
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8003$2,400
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8003$2,400

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Education (M.Ed.)$5659$5,085
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)$8009$7,200
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)$8006$4,800
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)$8006$4,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Ph.D. Requirements

A Ph.D. student will (a) complete 21 hours associated with the Ed.D. core curriculum, (b) complete 24-26 hours associated with an Ed.D. concentration, (c) complete an additional 6 hours of research related credit, and (d) complete 16 hours of dissertation research credit—the total program is 67 hours. A candidate for the Ph.D. degree must present an acceptable research-based dissertation. The dissertation demonstrates that the candidate has technical competence in the field and has done research of an independent character. It must add to or modify what was previously known in the candidate’s field of interest or present a significant interpretation of the subject based upon original investigation and research.

Ph.D. students are required to take the following courses:
EDCO 806 Multivariate Statistics (3)
EHEA 805 Advanced Research Design and Analysis (3)

Faculty

Dr. Koonce is the concentration chair for K-12 School Leadership and is committed to your success.

Dr. Glenn Koonce came to Regent University with a proven record of leadership as a highly trained and decorated combat squad leader with the First Air Calvary Division in Vietnam during 1970-71 and leadership in sports and community activities. He taught health and physical education at the elementary, junior high and high school levels and coached football, basketball, wrestling, soccer, track, tennis, gymnastics and weight training.

Koonce has been an assistant principal at an alternative school and high school; principal at Georgetown Elementary, Crestwood Junior and Middle Schools, and Oscar Smith High School; and a director in the central office for Chesapeake Public Schools in Virginia; concluding his public school career as assistant superintendent for instructional services and personnel in Suffolk Public Schools in Virginia. Koonce has been a visiting scholar at Virginia Tech University and The George Washington University, and an adjunct professor at The George Washington University, Regent University, Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University where he directed the Tidewater Principal’s Center.

Dr. Koonce has been recognized as Principal of the Year for Virginia, president of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals (VASSP); Boss of the Year several times in Chesapeake Public Schools; Education Professor of the Year for the School of Education at Regent; the Regent University Faculty Excellence Award; and the Distinguished Service Award from the Virginia Professors of Educational Leadership. He has been the recipient of numerous other awards and recognitions; member and officer of many professional/community associations and organizations; graduate of a great number of professional educational leadership training programs; member/leader on three Virginia Governor, one Virginia Attorney General, and one Virginia Secretary of Public Education tasks forces; numerous Virginia Department of Education programs and activities; professional associations (at all levels); scorer for the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) and School Superintendents Assessment (SSA); and other state agency, university; national, state, regional and local activities on a vast array of topics.

Koonce has been the president of the Virginia Education Research Association (VERA); chairman of the Virginia Education Coalition (VEC); president of the Virginia Professors of Educational Leadership (VPEL) and president of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals (VASSP). Koonce is a board certified auditor for the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and lead auditor for the Council of Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP).

He is the author of two textbooks, Taking Sides – Clashing Views on Educational Issues and Enhancing Teacher Performance: A Toolbox of Strategies to move behavior from problematic to good and from good to great. Research activities, consulting, numerous publications and presentations around the world from the local level to international, and serving on the editorial review board and the Virginia State Affiliate Chair for the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA) and the International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEL) round out Koonce’s extensive experiences. He also serves on the Editorial Board of the European Journal of Educational Science (EJES).

Dr Koonce’s personal interests include spiritual, family, community and wellness activities of all kinds. He loves music, travel and adventure, in no particular order. He is married and lives in Chesapeake, Virginia. His passion for leadership, influencing and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders, makes him an asset to the Regent family of scholars.

“When I felt called to teaching after a career in the military, Regent University bridged the gap and laid a solid, Christian-based path for me to follow.”

John Pienkowski, M.Ed., 2017 Level II Career Switcher

“Regent opened a door to self-discovery and selflessness. My Regent instructors encouraged me to operate on a higher level of motivation and others-oriented awareness.”

Sandra Turner, M.Ed., 2016 Professional Development

“My credentials from Regent helped earn me the respect of parents and the confidence of school leaders. I'm so pleased that I could go one step further and share on a national level.”

Catherine Webb, Autism Certificate, 2004 Instructional Coach, Giles County Public Schools

“I was equipped with the critical thinking skills I needed to strategically implement and assess fresh and creative ways to approach instruction and learning. I received consistent encouragement from my professors and cohort to push beyond my personal best in research and daily practice.”

Alicia Langley, M.Ed., 2012 TESOL

“From the professors to advisors to support staff, my experience at Regent has been extremely satisfying, and I highly recommend the program to others.”

Lorri Wilke, M.Ed., 2012 NILD Educational Therapy