Each credential or degree program emphasizes the preparation of educational leaders with the knowledge, skills, and commitment needed to transform organizations and institutions in order to create conditions for optimal learning. The Educational Leadership Program seeks individuals with capacity, passion, and purpose who can envision and implement changes to improve our educational system or related social institutions.

Administrative Services Credential (ASC)

Professional educators can earn both the preliminary California ASC (Tier I) as well as the professional ASC (Tier II).

Admission Requirements

Admission to the administrative services credential program requires completion of the CBEST and three years of teaching experience. Applicants must submit the graduate application for admission, the Educational Leadership Supplemental Application, two official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended, and three references. In addition, every applicant will be interviewed, either in person or by phone.

Credential Requirements

ASC, Tier I:

EDUC 401 School Leadership (1)

EDUC 403 Administrative Leadership: Theory, Concepts, and Practice (1)

EDUC 404 Instructional Leadership (1)

EDUC 406 Fiscal and Business Services (.5)

EDUC 407 Human Resource Management (.5)

EDUC 409 Field Experience (1)

EDUC 412 School Law and Public Policy (.5)

EDUC 446 Working with Families and the Community (1)

ASC, Tier II:

Students enroll in EDUC 417A/B Individualized Professional Development Plan. In addition, students receive field supervision.

Master of Arts in Education (MA)

Students may complete the master's degree alone or in conjunction with the administrative services credential. The master's degree program may serve as preparation for the EdD program, but completion of this program is no guarantee of admission to the doctoral program at Mills.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the master's degree program in Educational Leadership requires a bachelor's degree. Applicants must submit the graduate application for admission, the Educational Leadership Supplemental Application, two official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended, and three references. In addition, every applicant will be interviewed, either in person or by phone.

Degree Requirements:

A total of 10 Mills credits (40 semester units) are required to earn the master of arts degree in educational leadership. Most courses offered through the Educational Leadership Program may be applied to the MA and the course of study will be determined by a student in partnership with her/his Mills faculty advisor. Credits earned toward the preliminary ASC may be applied to the MA, and MA course work may be applied toward the EdD.

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Designed for accomplished practitioners, the doctoral program prepares individuals for professional leadership positions within the educational system and related organizations. Students may complete the doctoral degree alone or in conjunction with the administrative services credential, Tier I or Tier II.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for the EdD in educational leadership may petition to transfer some relevant prior graduate-level work; a master's degree is not required for admission. Applicants must submit the graduate application for admission, the Educational Leadership Supplemental Application, two official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended, and three references. In addition, every applicant will be interviewed, either in person or by phone.

Degree Requirements:

Completion of the EdD requires a total of 20 Mills credits. Students who are admitted to the program may petition for transfer of some relevant prior graduate-level work. Upon admission to the program, each student develops a sequence of study in consultation with the academic advisor. This sequence will include core courses related to the theory and practice of leadership, a required set of courses in research methods and an area of specialization, and completion of the doctoral dissertation. The program generally requires three years of course work followed by the doctoral dissertation.

The required courses in research methods and specialization include the following and are listed in order of sequence:

EDUC 425 Introduction to Research Design (1)

EDUC 413 Qualitative Methods (1)

EDUC 414 Quantitative Methods (1)

EDUC 497 Directed Reading for Dissertation (.5–1)

EDUC 434 Research Methods: Proposal Design and Development I (1)

EDUC 435 Research Methods: Proposal Design and Development II (1)

The remainder of the courses may be chosen, with the approval of the advisor, from the courses listed above for the preliminary ASC (with the exception of EDUC 409) and from the following list:

EDUC 402 Teaching for Diversity (1)

EDUC 419 Educational Technology and Information Systems (.5)

EDUC 421A Inquiry into Leadership: Practice into Theory I (1)

EDUC 421B Inquiry into Leadership: Practice into Theory II (1)

EDUC 423 Educational Leadership and Public Policy (.5)

EDUC 424 Educational Program Evaluation (1)

EDUC 426 Ethical and Moral Considerations in Educational Leadership (.5)

EDUC 428 Organizational Development and School Improvement (1)

EDUC 432 Curricular Leadership (1)

With the approval of the advisor, appropriate courses from other departments may also be included in the doctoral program.