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Inquiries related to the online application can be directed to SGPS at:
Email: gradapps@uwo.ca
Phone: 519-850-2341
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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization
The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization in all aspects of graduate and postdoctoral studies. For more information regarding these commitments please visit grad.uwo.ca/edi-d.
Education - Professional
Doctor of Education (EdD)Meet Catherine Zeisner, EdD candidate in Professional Education

Why did you come to Western for your graduate degree?
Western is a top tier university that is also close to home for me. I also made a promise to the faculty that if they brought an EdD program to Western, I would enroll and complete my degree.
Describe your research.
My research looks at how elementary school principals, in an Ontario school board, use resiliency strategies to manage adversity in their leadership. The job of school principal is demanding and complex with numerous stakeholders and events impacting their day, causing difficulties and challenges, known as leadership adversity. Principals use resiliency strategies, such as talking to their colleagues, having an optimistic disposition, and physical activity to manage their day to day adversities.
What suggestion would you like to share with the Western graduate community?
Make sure you step outside of your comfort zone to meet, partner, and collaborate with others from various fields to make your experience grand. Other professions have a lot of offer other jobs and those shared and common traits allow for deep learning and growth.
What’s your favourite book?
I have re-read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime several times and I still cry at the Time Travelers Wife when I read it.
What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering applying to your graduate program?
Ask yourself if you have the time, energy, and support groups in place to see it through to the end. It is a long journey and you will need to rely on others and your grit to finish.
Our Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership is a fully online doctoral degree program that teaches seasoned educators and professionals specific, research-informed leadership practices, and prepares them to appropriately apply their learning to their own workplace and leadership roles.
The primary goal of the EdD program is to prepare graduates to act as scholarly and influential leaders who will have an effective impact on, and promote sustainable change in, their workplaces.
Although this program emphasizes informed leadership in education, it is designed for formal and informal leaders in practice and does not focus on preparing graduates for traditional academic positions.
The Own Your Future doctoral professional development program creates career-ready graduates with the Power Skills necessary to excel in their studies and achieve their future goals. Assess your own strengths and opportunities for growth and focus on what you want to get out of your time here at Western. To learn more, visit www.uwo.ca/ownyourfuture.
Program Length
- 9 Terms
Program Design
- Full-time study
- Project-based
- Fully online
Admission Requirements
- Master's degree in Educational Leadership or allied degree.
- Minimum GPA of 3.5
- 5 years of full time work experience is required
- Formal or informal leadership experience in an educational setting, clearly demonstrated in the Resume and Statement of Intent.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum acceptable score is 550 for the paper and pencil version, 213 for the computer version, or 86 for the internet version with no individual score below 20. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
- The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Minimum acceptable score is 6.5/9 overall with no individual score less than 6.0 for consideration of direct entry.
- The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). Minimum acceptable score is 80 on each section and an overall score of 85.
- The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). Minimum acceptable score is 60.
- Fanshawe College's ESL Program. The requirement is graduation from Level 10, English for Academic Purposes, with a minimum 80% in all components..
Application Deadline
Since the EdD Educational Leadership Program is highly competitive, applicants are encouraged to apply early as spaces are limited. Please visit Education - How to Apply for more information.
Fields of Research
- Educational Leadership