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Educational Leadership: An overview of post-master's options

 

 

What can you do with a CAGS?

 

  • Prepare for licensure as a school administrator.
  • Learn to do action-based research and prepare a school improvement plan.
  • Increase your earning potential as an educator.
  • Earn up to 33 credits toward your doctorate.

 

What can you do with a Doctorate of Education?

 

  • Conduct original research, analyze findings, develop solutions based upon the data, and put them into action.
  • Expand the reach of your leadership from the classroom or school-level to the district and state level.
  • Teach on the college level or become an educational consultant.

 

Three Pathways From Your Master’s to Your Doctorate

After completing your master’s degree, you can work toward your doctorate. Talk with your Cambridge College admission counselor to devise a practical strategy most appropriate for your career goals.

 

ONE BIG STEP may be best for you, which is to apply immediately to the Doctor of Education program (70 credits). The program includes options for administrative licensure and/or opportunities to earn a CAGS while completing your doctorate.

 

This pathway may be appropriate for you if:

 

  • You have the necessary field experience to begin doctoral-level research on a topic of importance to educational leadership.
  • You have strong writing skills.
  • You are at a point in your career when a doctorate will help you move forward.
  • You have earned post-master’s credits. (You may request evaluation of your credits for transfer.)
  • You are already enrolled in a CAGS, second master’s or EdS program but are realizing that you are ready for doctoral-level work now.

 

Or TWO SMALLER STEPS may be best for you, which are to enroll immediately in our CAGS program and later apply for the doctoral program. If you and your admission counselor conclude that you are not quite ready to apply for the doctorate at this time, you can prepare yourself while completing the CAGS, apply to the doctorate after you finish or even during your CAGS, and if admitted, apply your CAGS credits toward the the doctoral program.

 

This pathway may be appropriate for you if:

 

  • You want to be a licensed administrator, but you don’t have the necessary experience yet to begin doctoral work.
  • You want to continue your education and increase your earning potential, but your career is not yet at the point where a doctorate is the next logical step.
  • You need more time to develop a clear goal for research.  

 

Or, ONE LAST STEP may be all you need. If you are someone who has completed a significant amount of post-master's coursework, you may apply to the doctoral program and be admitted with advanced standing, meaning that up to 33 post-master's credits may be transferred. 

 

This option does not include a CAGS or administrative licensure.

 

This pathway may be appropriate for you if:

 

  • You have earned 27 or more post-master’s credits by completion of a second master’s degree, a CAGS, or an EdS, OR while enrolled in a terminal degree program, such as an EdD or PhD, that you did not complete.
  • You are fully credentialed as a school administrator or are not seeking to gain administrative license.
  • You have the necessary field experience to begin doctoral-level research on a topic of importance to educational leadership.
  • You have strong writing skills.
  • You are at a point in your career when a doctorate will help you move forward. 
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