Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies - Director for the Online Ed.D. Program

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus•Norman, OK

About The Position

The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education at the University of Oklahoma invites applications for a rank-renewable, non-tenure-track Associate Professor position in the Educational Administration, Curriculum and Supervision program area. The position is based in Norman, Oklahoma, and has primary responsibilities in the Ed.D. Online program’s higher education leadership concentration. The program prepares scholar-practitioners for leadership roles in PK–12 and higher education settings, particularly colleges, universities, and related organizations. This is a 12-month, full-time position with an expected teaching load of 3–3 during fall and spring and two courses in summer, in addition to administrative responsibilities. The successful candidate will teach doctoral-level courses and chair student dissertations, using asynchronous and synchronous online or hybrid formats. Teaching will emphasize educational or higher education leadership, including governance, organizational leadership, student success, policy, and innovation. Year-round teaching, advising, and program administration are required. Professional practice, program evaluation, and applied scholarship are valued; there is no expectation of developing an independent research agenda, and the position is not eligible for tenure or transfer to a tenure line. A central responsibility is directing the Ed.D. Online program, which enrolls approximately 180–210 doctoral students across multiple active cohorts. The Director provides program leadership and coordination; oversees operations such as course scheduling, adjunct faculty interviews and hiring, instructional delivery, and program policies; ensures alignment with departmental, college, and university priorities; collaborates on planning, staffing, and resource allocation; and monitors and communicates budget matters to the Department Chair, including expenditures, funding needs, and long-term financial planning. The Director must be available to teach during summer terms, including chairing dissertations.

Requirements

Earned doctorate in Educational Leadership, Higher Education, or a closely related field.
Five to ten years of experience in educational leadership, administration, or program director roles.
Demonstrated excellence in graduate-level teaching, particularly in online or hybrid doctoral programs.
Previous experience leading online programs, specifically online Ed.D. programs.
Evidence of previous program direction, growth, and improvement.
Experience in online graduate student programming and community building.
Ability to contribute to a culture of mutual respect, shared responsibility, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Substantial knowledge of and connections to CPED.
Experience teaching graduate students across online and hybrid modalities, with demonstrated effectiveness in online instruction.
Experience supporting doctoral students through mentoring, advising, and dissertation supervision.
Experience with student recruitment, retention, and persistence initiatives in graduate programs.
Ability to develop and assess graduate programs, and experience leading accreditation processes.
Expertise in one or more focus areas: education administration, governance, and policy; leadership for student success; technology, innovation, and digital transformation; or organizational leadership, change, and strategic decision-making.

Responsibilities

Teach doctoral-level courses in the Ed.D. Online program, including in asynchronous and synchronous online or hybrid formats.
Chair student dissertations and provide year-round advising.
Direct and coordinate the Ed.D. Online program within the department.
Oversee program operations, including course scheduling, interviewing and hiring adjunct faculty, instructional delivery, and program policies.
Ensure the program aligns with departmental, college, and university priorities.
Collaborate with department leadership and faculty on program planning, staffing, and resource allocation.
Monitor and communicate budget matters to the Department Chair, including expenditures, funding needs, and long-term financial planning.
Teach during summer terms, including chairing dissertations.
Engage in teaching, service, and administrative activities consistent with the university strategic plan.
Contribute to professional practice, program evaluation, and applied scholarship.