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Overview

Leaders are the backbone of organizations and communities across the nation. The Interdisciplinary Leadership Doctoral (INLD) program prepares advanced leaders to meet real-world problems and issues with sophisticated, multi-dimensional solutions. Our doctorate in education (Ed.D.) is designed for working professionals who are looking to positively impact the communities in which they serve. 

In this program, you will gain advanced theoretical perspectives of leadership, prepare to make data-informed decisions and utilize foresight in strategic planning in both the public and private sectors. Through coursework, research, and a culminating project, you will be able to lead in situations requiring an understanding of advanced knowledge of both the theory and practice of leadership.

Features:  

  • Finish your doctorate in as little as three years!
  • Affordable and accessible program designed to support working professionals. 
  • No GRE requirements. 
  • Network with classmates and faculty across the country to expand your professional circles. 
  • Learn from experienced leaders in the field, including college and university executives, current and former school superintendents, and executive directors of local and global nonprofits. 
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Interdisciplinary Studies Alumni Event

INLD 10 Year Celebration of Alumni, Faculty, and Students

In celebration of its 10th year of creating educational and non-profit leaders, the Interdisciplinary Leadership Doctorate (INLD) Program at GovState hosted a 3-day event on March 3-5, 2022. During the three days, they held a research symposium to support graduate students, hosted an alumni, student, and faculty networking event where the GovState community was able to meet connect, and engage with the full INLD community, and organized a program meeting where alumni offered professional and academic insight to current students, and faculty provided additional support and guidance to current students as they matriculate through the program.


Concentrations

Our program offers three different concentrations for the INLD program that will allow you to focus on your area of interest:

Higher Education Administration

Learn the theories and practices that you can apply as a leader for two- and four-year higher education institutions. Courses taught in this concentration focus on topics such as strategic planning, business, and fiscal management, political and legal issues, as well as emerging trends.

Not for Profit/Social Entrepreneurship Leadership

Master the process of how to develop new ventures that can achieve both social benefit and financial return on investment. Courses taught in this concentration explore topics such as strategies for finding solutions to societal problems, techniques for the evaluation of emerging social ventures, as well as the investigation of the management, marketing, and funding required to run a successful not-for-profit social entrepreneurship.

Superintendent (P-12)

Acquire the decision-making and problem-solving skills required to successfully lead institutions teaching students anywhere from preschool through high school. Courses taught in this concentration focus on topics such as the functions of recruitment, development, coordination, compensation, appraisal, negotiations, in-service education, motivation, and dismissals.


Benefits

Upon receiving your Ed.D. in INLD, you will be an effective and influential leader equipped with the knowledge, insights, and strategies that can be immediately applied to your current job, as well as help you advance towards future career opportunities. Through your studies, you will be prepared to pursue professional, academic, administrative, research, or clinical positions in your area of concentration.

Here are just a few of the potential career paths you can pursue with your Ed.D. in INLD and their nationwide annual mean wages:

To find more potential career positions and salaries in your field of interest, please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


Curriculum

The INLD Program has been updated for the 2024 admission cycle.* You can now achieve your Ed.D. in as little as three years with our innovative curriculum consisting of a minimum of 49 credit hours. Our program is offered fully online with both synchronous and asynchronous components. 

To maintain your position in the program, continuous enrollment of six or more credit hours each semester is required. Additionally, all coursework and the qualifying exam and capstone project must be completed within seven years of your state date. 

*Final approval pending. 


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Student Success

Imelda Macias

 Dr.Imelda Macias, Class of 2021

The impact on my career was immediate! Through the strategic combination of core and concentration courses, along with the curriculum’s theoretical and practical approach, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of research, leadership, and higher education as well as hands-on skills that are relevant and applicable at my job. In addition, the level of support, mentorship, accessibility, and genuine care from faculty was invaluable and contributed greatly to my success in the program!


Faculty Experts

The INLD faculty plays a critical role in administering and teaching doctoral programs. All faculty hold a doctorate degree in their field of study and have a strong record of scholarly publications and mentoring of INLD students. They have extensive expertise in their disciplines and are actively engaged in advancing knowledge through their own studies and supervising graduate research. Their qualifications enable them to teach doctoral-level courses and seminars, serve on capstone committees, and mentor graduate students through the research process. Through graduate faculty's leadership, doctoral students are socialized into the scholarly community and are prepared for careers as researchers, professors, and leaders in their professions. 

Academic Advising

Whether you are still considering joining our program, a newly admitted candidate, or a continuing candidate, your academic advisor, Carla Johnson, is here to help. Please feel free to reach out to Carla with any questions regarding the admissions process, maintaining enrollment, degree requirements, or any other inquiries related to the Ed.D. in INLD program.

Carla Johnson

Carla Johnson
Academic Advisor/COE Dean
cjohnson@govst.edu
708-235-3989
Office Location: G378


Information Sessions

Want to learn more about the Ed.D. in INLD program? Attend one of our information sessions! At our information sessions, you will have the opportunity to meet our faculty to have all your program-related questions answered.

For more information, please visit our dedicated information session webpage.

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Admissions Requirements

Ready to advance your leadership skills and career? Check out our admissions requirements for the Ed.D. in INLD program to see what credentials and materials are required for you to get started or simply begin the process for admittance by applying to Governors State online.

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