I have a masters degree in another field but want to pursue a Ed.D. in education leadership. Many students every year enter the Ed. D. cohort program with masters degrees in other fields of education. These students are not as prepared as students who have earned a masters degrees in educational leadership, but most survive and prosper. Often it does require that the student do some remedial work to prepare for the advanced classes in the Ed.
Certification is another matter.
Most states will certify individuals who have completed such a program even if they completed that program in another state. Thus, for certification at the building level in Kansas and Missouri you must complete KU's certification program, which is the same as the courses in the master's program. D. students take the advanced level of many of the master's courses, credit is given for completion of these courses. In addition to the regular courses in the Ed. Students who wish to obtain building level certification in the quickest manner possible should take the master's cohort program first and then enter the Ed.