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The Department of Educational Leadership and Human Services at Saint Joseph's University invites applications for an Adjunct/Affiliate Professor in Educational Leadership. Part-time adjunct faculty ...

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How much do phd in educational leadership jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for phd in educational leadership in the United States is $74,307.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $86,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD in Educational Leadership, and why are they important?

To excel with a PhD in Educational Leadership, you need advanced research abilities, deep understanding of educational theory and policy, and a doctoral degree in the field. Familiarity with data analysis tools, learning management systems, and academic research platforms is typically required. Strong leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills help you effectively guide teams and influence educational outcomes. These competencies are essential for driving innovation, informed decision-making, and transformational change within educational organizations.

What is a PhD in Educational Leadership?

A PhD in Educational Leadership is an advanced doctoral degree focused on preparing individuals for high-level leadership roles in educational settings, such as schools, districts, colleges, or educational policy organizations. The program emphasizes research, theory, and practice related to organizational leadership, educational policy, curriculum development, and equity in education. Graduates are equipped to conduct original research, shape educational policy, and lead transformative change in diverse educational environments.

Is an EdD as prestigious as a PhD?

For educational leadership roles, a PhD is generally considered more research-focused and prestigious in academia, while an EdD emphasizes practical leadership skills and applied knowledge. Both degrees are respected, but the PhD often holds more weight in university research and faculty positions, whereas the EdD is valued in administrative and policy roles.

What is the difference between Phd In Educational Leadership vs School Principal?

AspectPhd In Educational LeadershipSchool Principal
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree, research skillsMaster's degree, administrative certification
Work EnvironmentHigher education, research, policySchool settings, administrative offices
Employer & IndustryUniversities, educational organizationsPublic/private schools, districts

While a Phd In Educational Leadership focuses on research, policy, and higher education roles, a School Principal is primarily responsible for managing a school’s daily operations and staff. Both roles require a background in education, but the Phd emphasizes academic and policy expertise, whereas the Principal role is more hands-on in school management.

Is it worth getting a PhD in Educational Leadership?

A PhD in Educational Leadership prepares individuals for advanced roles such as school administrators, policy makers, and higher education faculty, often requiring research, leadership skills, and a doctoral dissertation. It can lead to higher salaries and increased job opportunities but involves significant time and financial investment. The value depends on career goals and the demand for leadership positions in the education sector.

How much does a PhD in leadership make?

A PhD in Educational Leadership typically earns between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on the role, experience, and location. Positions such as university professors, school administrators, or district superintendents often require advanced degrees and leadership skills, which can influence salary levels.

What can I do with a PhD in Educational Leadership?

A PhD in Educational Leadership prepares individuals for advanced roles such as university professors, educational administrators, policy analysts, and research directors. Graduates often work in higher education, school district leadership, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations, utilizing skills in research, policy development, and organizational management.

What types of career paths are available to someone with a PhD in Educational Leadership?

A PhD in Educational Leadership opens doors to a variety of career paths in both academic and administrative settings. Graduates commonly pursue roles such as university faculty, K-12 district administrators, policy analysts, or leaders in nonprofit education organizations. Many also become consultants or take on executive positions in government agencies focused on education reform. The degree provides both research expertise and practical leadership skills, making it possible to impact education at local, state, or national levels.
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Phd In Educational Leadership jobs near you
Infographic showing various Phd In Educational Leadership job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,307 per year, or $35.7 per hour.
Bardo Distinguished Professor in Educational Leadership - #001703

Bardo Distinguished Professor in Educational Leadership - #001703

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 6 days ago

Western Carolina University rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

81st of 560 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Posting Information
Posting Number FAC909P Quick Link for Internal Postings https://wcu-sb.peopleadmin.com/postings/33391 Classification Title Distinguished Professor (F1) Working Title Bardo Distinguished Professor in Educational Leadership - #001703 Department Human Services About WCU
Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.
Position Summary
The primary location of this position is on the WCU instructional site at Biltmore Park in
Asheville, NC.

Western Carolina University (WCU) invites applications for the Bardo Distinguished Professor in Educational Leadership, a 9-month faculty member position at the rank of Professor with tenure within the Department of Human Services in the College of Education and Allied Professions. The Distinguished Professorship designation is considered in five-year renewable terms. Anticipated starting work date is August 1, 2026 with the possibility of starting on January 1, 2027 depending on candidate availability.

The successful candidate will teach, supervise, and advise students in the EdD degree program in Educational Leadership primarily located at the WCU instructional site at Biltmore Park in Asheville, NC. Courses are offered to students in a hybrid format with in-person meetings held one weekend per month during the semester. Additional courses may be taught solely online.

The individual who is chosen to be WCU's distinguished professor in educational leadership will provide visibility and leadership for Western's Department of Human Services as s/he will lead the UNC-II goal for involvement in educational policy at the state, regional and national level. The focus of this work will be to positively influence policy for BK-12 education, community colleges, and the university. The individual will bring and exercise expertise in acquiring extramural funding and doctoral level policy with a preferred focus on rural education in the 21st century. The work of this distinguished professor will create a niche for Western Carolina University to become known for the articulation of policy through to practice as evidenced in our principal and superintendent preparation programs. There will also be a direct link through the Department of Human Services and the professorship in the work on the School University Teacher Education Partnerships (SUTEP) as policy issues are explored and connected with our local educational agencies (LEAs) on issues of teaching and learning.

Duties (in addition to the above description)
  • Teach a variety of instructional courses plus chair doctoral disquisitions. Specific load will be determined annually based on program need and other responsibilities of the Distinguished Professor role.
  • Conduct scholarship and research activities according to the department guidelines and the specific role description.
  • Provide program, department, college, university, and external/professional service according to the department guidelines and the specific role description with particular focus on faculty collaboration and mentorship across teacher and professional education.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position Minimum Qualifications
  • Earned doctorate in Education Leadership or related field
  • Earned tenure and promotion to Full Professor from an institution with equivalent criteria to (or higher than) WCU's Department of Human Services
  • Established as a scholar and leader in the field
  • Established research agenda and pipeline
  • Experience working in BK-12 education and higher education settings
  • Experience teaching and mentoring at the master's and doctoral levels
  • Demonstrated ability to lead involvement in educational policy at the state, regional, and national level.
  • Demonstrated ability to positively influence policy for BK-12 education, community colleges, and the university.
  • Demonstrated ability to bring and exercise expertise in acquiring extramural funding and doctoral level policy with a preferred focus on rural education in the 21st century.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with the disquisition style of doctoral research
  • Understanding of and experience with Improvement Science as a research methodology
  • Leadership experience within BK-12 and/or higher education institutions
  • Experience with positively influencing policy for BK-12 education, community colleges, and the university.
  • Experience in leading involvement in educational policy at the state, regional and national level.
  • Experience in acquiring extramural funding and doctoral level policy with a preferred focus on rural education in the 21st century.
Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours Per Week Number of Months Per Year 9
Posting Text
Open Date 03/19/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants
Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include the following: letter of application, current CV, list of three professional references with complete contact information, and unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master's degree level and higher*.

For questions or additional information please contact:
Dr. Aarti Bellara (abellara@wcu.edu), Search Committee Chair and/or
Dr. April Perry (alperry@wcu.edu), Department Head.

*All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master's degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master's degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.
Background/E-Verify
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Credential Verification
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

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