Preparing School Leaders for a Whole-Child Approach to Education
Educational leadership programs are evolving to support student well-being and academic success
Key Highlights
- Ed.D. programs prepare leaders to support the whole student. The Sacred Heart University Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership focuses on integrating social, emotional, and academic learning in schools.
- Social-emotional learning (SEL) improves student engagement and outcomes. Educational leaders are increasingly implementing SEL strategies that support empathy, self-awareness, and responsible decision-making.
- Dissertation in Practice connects research to real school challenges. Ed.D. students apply improvement science and research methods to solve problems within their own schools or districts.
- Flexible online Ed.D. programs support working educators. Sacred Heart’s program allows school leaders to advance their education while continuing to serve their students and communities.
Schools today are navigating a rapidly changing educational landscape. Conversations around student well-being, identity, mental health, and academic achievement are shaping how educators approach teaching and leadership. To support students effectively, schools need leaders who understand that academic success and social-emotional development are deeply interconnected.
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs are increasingly designed to prepare these leaders. Through advanced study in leadership, research and school systems, educators learn how to create environments that support both the academic and social needs of students. At Sacred Heart University, the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership prepares educators to lead schools with a whole-child perspective that integrates social, emotional and academic learning. Kathleen Wallace, program director of SHU’s Ed.D. said, “SHU’s Ed.D. program equips students with a social and emotional learning and continuous improvement skillset that enables them to transform the educational landscape.”
Shape the Future of Education Discover the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
Learn More!The Growing Importance of Social and Emotional Learning in Schools
Students, educators, and leaders today face a range of challenges that extend beyond the classroom. Mental health concerns, social pressures, and rapidly changing technology all influence how students learn and interact in school environments.
Educational leaders are increasingly expected to implement social and emotional learning (SEL) strategies that help students build skills such as self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and responsible decision-making. These competencies support stronger academic performance while also fostering healthier school climates and promoting greater success in the workplace.
“We are [currently] the only university in the country (or abroad) that offers an education doctorate with a concentration in social-emotional learning,” said Wallace. “Research shows that students and educators with a strong foundation in SEL are more engaged and successful in their academic, professional, and personal pursuits. They make a positive impact on their home and school communities by focusing on healthy relationships, mental well-being, equity in practice, and high academic standards.”
By embedding SEL into school culture, leaders can create environments where students feel supported, engaged, and prepared to succeed both academically and personally. SHU’s program highlights the idea that you can’t separate academic success from the social-emotional conditions that make learning possible.
Turning Research into Real-World Change
One of the defining features of many Ed.D. programs is the dissertation in practice, which focuses on solving real-world challenges within educational settings.
Rather than conducting purely theoretical research, doctoral candidates investigate a complex problem of practice within their own schools, districts, or professional contexts. They analyze root causes, draw on existing research and design practical, viable interventions that aim to improve student experiences, and create more equitable outcomes.
This approach allows educators to apply their learning directly to the communities they serve —whether that means improving literacy programs, strengthening student engagement, or implementing new social-emotional initiatives.
Flexible Learning for Working Educators
Many educators pursuing doctoral degrees are already working full time in schools or districts. Programs designed for educational professionals must balance academic rigor with flexibility.
The educational leadership program at Sacred Heart is delivered primarily online, allowing educators to continue leading their schools while advancing their education. Students typically complete the program in three and a half to four years, with coursework structured to accommodate the schedules of working professionals.
“Students engage with faculty and peers through synchronous cohort meetings, particularly during dissertation seminars where they receive personalized guidance applying improvement science,” said Wallace. “These connections grow into a close-knit cohort community, further reinforced by the annual in-person summer residency.”
This blended format enables educators to immediately apply new knowledge and leadership strategies within their classrooms, schools and districts, while also getting and giving feedback in real-time with a diverse cohort whose cultural and professional experiences span so many different experiences.
Interested in learning more about a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership?
For more information, schedule an appointment with Whitney Kolwicz or reach out at kolwiczw@sacredheart.edu.