The Ph.D. is more appropriate for those with career goals in research and scholarship. After the doctoral student has been admitted to a doctoral program and has completed forty to forty-five hours beyond the bachelor's degree, his or her name is usually submitted for candidacy. After a student is admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree, he or she takes the comprehensive written and oral examinations. After those are successfully completed, the student presents a thesis problem on a significant, researchable topic, evidenced by a prospectus to the doctoral committee for review. American Indian students participate in a special administrator preparation program.
Foreign students can work on research topics in their home nations.
Practice and theory of personnel supervision at the central office and building level, including contract administration and grievance handling. The political economy and bureaucratic politics of educational organizations, with special attention to the policy-making, implementation, and evaluation processes.