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Citadel Ed.S. to Ed.D.

The Citadel Ed.S. to CSU Ed.D. pathway offers a seamless, supportive, and cost-effective opportunity for educational leaders to earn a terminal degree while building on the strengths of their Ed.S. training. Accelerate earning an Ed.D. degree from CSU by transferring credit from a Citadel Ed.S. Eight academic courses, in addition to four dissertation courses (total of 36 credit hours), are all that are required. Upon conferral of their Ed.S. from The Citadel, applicants must have earned a 3.5 cumulative unweighted GPA.

Graduates of The Citadel’s Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in leadership program are uniquely positioned to advance into the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in leadership program at Charleston Southern University with several key advantages:

  • Generous Transfer Credit: Up to 24 credit hours from the Ed.S. in leadership degree can be transferred into CSU’s 60-hour Ed.D. in leadership program, significantly reducing time to completion.
  • Specialized Cohort Model: Ed.S. graduates will join a dedicated cohort designed to streamline their path to the doctorate, providing targeted support and faster progression through the program.
  • Flexible Course Delivery: Courses are offered on campus, hybrid, and fully online, providing flexibility for working professionals. On campus classes will be offered one night a week.
  • Competitive Tuition: The program is competitively priced at $600 per credit hour, offering affordability without sacrificing academic quality.
  • Faculty Collaboration: Qualified faculty members from The Citadel may serve on CSU dissertation committees, fostering academic continuity and mentorship.

Below are the courses needed, after earning The Citadel’s Ed.S. in leadership, to complete the Ed.D. in leadership at Charleston Southern University:

  • EDUC 701 Leadership Theory
  • EDUC 752 Analysis of Planning Models
  • EDUC 704 Impact of Technologies on Leadership
  • EDUC 811 Research Designs
  • EDUC 706 Ethical and Character-Based Leadership
  • EDUC 801 Behavioral Statistics
  • EDUC 821 Qualitative Research Methods
  • EDUC 900 Dissertation Preproposal
  • EDUC 822 Quantitative Research Methods
  • EDUC 901 Dissertation Writing
  • EDUC 902 Dissertation I
  • EDUC 903 Dissertation II

The following requirements must be met to be eligible to apply for the Ed.S. to Ed.D. in Leadership program:

  • Online Application
  • CV or Resume
  • Official Transcripts from every previous college or university
  • Earned Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree from The Citadel
  • Earned 3.5 cumulative unweighted GPA upon Ed.S. degree conferral
  • Three online recommendation forms
  • Virtual admissions interview
  • Additional information upon request

Apply with our online application here.

Application Deadline: Rolling Admission

Cohorts Begin: Every Seven Weeks


After a preliminary review of the application, the Admissions Committee will request an evaluative admission interview. The interview with members of the Admissions Committee will be conducted virtually.


Detailed instructions on how to complete the process will be communicated to candidates upon acceptance.

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