Ed.D. Program for Educational Leaders

Mission Statement

Saint Joseph's University and Educational Leadership

Restructuring education requires restructuring the way in which educational leaders are prepared. Discussion of the educational system of the twenty-first century inevitably leads to the consideration of the changing roles for educators; evolving societal needs; the relationship of planning to research; the changing requirements of human resource management; the complexities of comprehensive program planning; the need for ethical leadership; and the impact of changing the physical and technological environments. Research on educational administration has consistently highlighted the impact that leadership has on school practice. To a great extent, the future successes of our schools are dependent upon the training of excellent, visionary school leaders today.

The Education Administration and Supervision Program at Saint Joseph's University has enjoyed a successful history of preparing school principals and supervisors through the Master's Degree program as well as through the Pennsylvania certification programs for supervisors and principals. The Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Program for Educational Leaders (IDEPEL), the first doctoral degree offered at Saint Joseph's, has built upon much of the theory, beliefs and practices of this tradition.

Because of Saint Joseph's University's reputation as an institutional leader at the forefront of new developments in the arts, sciences, and professions, a number of practicing educational leaders approached members of the faculty and administration at Saint Joseph's in 1994 to discuss the need for a new and substantively different program for the preparation of school superintendents and other emerging educational leaders. They voiced a desire for a program which would emphasize innovative leaders, would be structured to facilitate full-time participation by employed principals, supervisors, and other administrators, and would be built on the strengths and energy of the program participants.

Consistent with this vision for program design a team composed of superintendents, principals, and supervisors, as well as faculty drawn from disciplines across Saint Joseph's University, began program development. The result was a program conceptualized as being organized by strands (combinations of coursework, research, and practical experiences focused on common themes of study) carried forth in cohort groups, based on practical experiences, housed in a unique time frame, and coupled with a new definition of faculty . This program was designed to culminate in an Ed.D. degree and a Pennsylvania Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility.

A needs assessment was conducted among practicing school administrators in the greater Philadelphia area. There was strong support for both the program format and for the program's feasibility. The respondents overwhelmingly agreed with the need for the program in general and with the need for interdisciplinary study in particular. Respondents also approved of program features such as scheduling coursework so as to allow for academic involvement while respecting the obligations of full-time employment. The location and quality of the Saint Joseph's campus for classes and meetings were considered wonderfully suitable. The school administrators who were polled all strongly endorsed the integration of theory, the action research and practical experiences, the mentoring with practicing school leaders, the advisement from university faculty, and the desirability of establishing and joining professional networks.

Subsequent discussions and program planning by university faculty and practicing school leaders led to the creation of the Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Program for Educational Leaders that is described in this IDEPEL Program Handbook.

Program Beliefs and Mission Statement

IDEPEL is rooted in Saint Joseph's Unversity's Mission and in goals stressing values, care of the individual (cura personalis) and a commitment to service.
The program is also constructed upon the following beliefs:

• Leadership skills can be developed;
• A competency-based approach is most appropriate in an adult learning environment;
• A partnership among university faculty, school practitioners, community leaders, and cohort members promotes a more dynamic and relevant learning environment and network of participants (also referred to as the community of scholars);
• The network established among a community of scholars may take the form of large group meetings, small task force and colloquium groups, and small and large group dialogue and meetings via electronic technology;
  Educational leadership must be grounded upon ethics and moral values;
  A direct relationship exists between demonstrated competency and future behavior;
• Cohort grouping provides for cooperative learning and ongoing support systems;
• The combination of action and reflection best facilitates the integration of theory and practice;
• An interdisciplinary approach provides the basis for a more comprehensive educational perspective;
• Analytical skills form the basis for managing change in education;
  Action research and problem-solving are critical skills for effective educational leaders;
• Instruction is best delivered in a variety of formats;
• A mentor-apprentice relationship is significant in the development of educational and leadership skills;
• The nature of adult learners requires the development of innovative scheduling patterns; and
The need exists for a periodic updating of practicum skills.

These beliefs are succinctly translated into IDEPEL's mission statement:

The Mission of the Saint Joseph's University Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Program for Educational Leaders is to develop educators who will have the vision, skills, and values to move American education to prominence in tomorrow's world. This will be accomplished through an innovative partnership linking the learner, university faculty, practicing educational administrators, and community leaders.