Doctoral Educational Leadership Program
Program Overview/Mission
Our Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program is the answer for educational leaders wishing to affect broader educational change. Our program provides extensive development in sound research and administrative practices so educational leaders thrive in current and future educational environments.
Candidates develop greater expertise while gaining an extensive understanding of educational leadership theory and practice through case studies, data collection, and field experience. They acquire relevant skills to influence key decisions in administration and academics while applying cutting-edge research and management tools in responding to critical issues.
Our doctoral program features a leading academic program taught exclusively by faculty with doctorates, many from major research universities. Our individualized student approach provides the support for you to personally excel. These factors, combined with our fiscally sound in-state tuition, demonstrate the quality and value our program delivers.
In addition to the doctorate degree, our doctoral candidates can earn a Certificate in Research that provides candidates a more comprehensive background in the area of research.
Candidates can choose from three options: Program Evaluation is designed for individuals interested in conducting external program evaluations for a school district, evaluating state and federal grants, or seeking employment in a district research department; Teaching Research and Statistics is for candidates who intend to teach the subject at the university level; and Research for Administrators is beneficial for administrative personnel including those at institutions of higher education, or who work within K-12 district research departments participating in data collection/analysis and overseeing external program evaluations.
Program Degrees
Admission Requirements
- Educational Leadership Ed.D.
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Admission Deadline
Fall 2022: June 1 (Deadline extended July 15)
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Application
Both university and program applications are required.
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Special Requirements
- Master's Degree from an Accredited Institution
- A combined score of 297 on the Verbal and Quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and a minimum score of 4.0 on the Analytical Writing portion of the GRE. The GRE must have been taken within the last five years. In the application process for the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, applicants have the option of providing a writing sample, where the writing activity is proctored at UHCL, in lieu of the GRE.
- Official Transcripts
- Students should submit official transcripts from every college or university attended to the University of Houston-Clear Lake, Office of Admissions or International Admissions.
- Please review New Student Admissions in the Graduate Catalog under Transcripts and Records Information to learn how to submit an official college transcript to UHCL.
The following documents must be uploaded to your UHCL E-Services account (assigned after you have completed the ApplyTexas online application):
- Resume
- Letter of Intent - Please structure your letter as follows:
- Paragraph 1 - Why do you wish to pursue a doctoral-level degree in Education Leadership?
- Paragraph 2 - What are your career goals and how will this degree help you accomplish your long-term goals?
- Paragraph 3 - What are your research interests as they relate to education?
- Paragraph 4 - What are your scholarly and professional accomplishments as they relate to your educational leadership?
- Paragraph 5 - How does your prior work experience relate to your interest in the doctoral program focusing on educational leadership?
- Three reference forms - At least one reference must be from a supervisor or other administrator familiar with the applicant's work. If possible, at least one of the Reference Forms should be from a professor involved in the applicant's master's program.
- Letter of Support from Employer
- Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Fort Bend ISD)
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Admission Deadline
Fall: June 1
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ApplicationBoth university and program applications are required.
Program Faculty

Elizabeth Beavers
Program Director and Associate Professor of Special Education,
Education
Contact number: 281-283-3513
Email: BeaversEA@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite B1325

Amber Brown
Program Director and Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education,
Education
Contact number: 281-283-3627
Email: browna@uhcl.edu
Office: B1119-2

Jane Cooper
Assistant Professor of Qualitative Methods,
Education
Contact number: 281-841-4858
Email: cooperja@uhcl.edu
Office: B1111-12

Antonio Corrales
Doctoral Program Director and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership,
Education
Contact number: 281-283-3588
Email: corrales@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1111

John Decman
Professor of Educational Leadership,
Education
Contact number: 281-283-3548
Email: decman@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1125

Leslie Gauna
Assistant Professor of Studies in Language and Culture,
Education
Contact number: 281-283-3576
Email: gauna@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1325

Michelle Giles
Program Director and Assistant Professor of Instructional Design and Technology,
Education
Contact number: 281-283-3516
Email: giles@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1321

Jennifer Grace
Administration and Supervision Program Director and Assistant Professor of Educational
Leadership,
Education
Contact number: 281-283-3523
Email: grace@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1111-8

Rebecca Huss-Keeler
Professor of Early Childhood Education,
Education
Contact number: 281-283-3535
Email: huss@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1119

Renée E. Lastrapes
Education Program Director and Associate Professor of Education,
Education
Contact number: 281-283-3566
Email: Lastrapes@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1111

Queinnise Miller
Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership,
Education
Contact number: 281-283-3512
Email: millerq@uhcl.edu
Office: B1111-13

Michelle Peters
Department Chair of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis, Professor of Research
& Statistics, Co-Director UHCLTeach
,
Education
Contact number: 202-321-3752
Email: petersm@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1111

Felix Simieou III
Associate Professor of Educational Leadership,
Education
Contact number: 281-283-3589
Email: simieou@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1125

Paul Wagner
Professor, Leadership and Educational Psychology,
Education
Contact number: 281-283-3571
Email: wagner@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1119