UC LEAD Ed.D. · Program of Study
What Courses Will I Take?
The UC LEAD Ed.D. Program of Study is intentionally structured to support working educational leaders. With a January start and year-round progression, the program is designed to be completed in three calendar years.
Start Term
January
Program Length
3 Years (12 Quarters)
Total Units
108 Quarter Units
The program follows the UC San Diego quarter system and includes four quarters per year, including summer.
Program Structure
Core Leadership Coursework
A sequence of core courses develops advanced expertise in educational leadership, including:
- Leadership in curriculum design and instructional delivery
- Instructional leadership and improvement research
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion in education
- Change theory and human motivation
- Contemporary issues and education policy analysis
Research Preparation
Students receive rigorous training in research methodologies appropriate to complex problems in education. Coursework prepares leaders to:
- Frame meaningful problems of practice
- Design and conduct applied research
- Analyze and interpret data responsibly
- Translate findings into actionable improvement
Preparation for Dissertation Research
Core coursework and structured program experiences are intentionally aligned to support the development of doctoral dissertation research. By the time students enter the dissertation phase, they have built a coherent line of inquiry grounded in leadership practice.
What Are the Costs of the Program?
Tuition Structure
Students pay tuition quarterly, including the summer quarter. Summer tuition is assessed at the same rate as the academic-year quarters (Fall, Winter, Spring).
Because the program runs year-round, students should plan financially for four quarters per year.
Student Health Insurance (SHIP)
Students are automatically enrolled in the UC San Diego Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Students who already carry qualifying insurance coverage may be eligible to request a health fee waiver.
Please consult the official Student Health Insurance Plan page for eligibility criteria, submission deadlines, and waiver procedures.
Tuition and fee amounts are set annually by UC Office of the President. For the most current tuition and fee schedule, please refer to the official tuition website.
