COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Welcome to the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership at Sul Ross State University.
It is both an honor and a profound responsibility to serve as the founding Program Director for the first doctoral program in the history of this university. Sul Ross has long stood as a beacon for learners and leaders across the Big Bend, the Borderlands, and the diverse rural communities of West Texas. With the launch of this program, we take a bold and deliberate step toward realizing the full promise of our mission – expanding opportunity, empowering transformative leadership, and advancing the kind of impact our region and state urgently need.
The creation of this Ed.D. program represents more than the addition of a new degree. It is a commitment to the educators, administrators, and community leaders who shape the futures of the students and families we serve. Designed intentionally for working professionals, this program is rooted in improvement science, grounded in authentic problems of practice, and aligned with the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). Here, theory and practice intersect in meaningful, actionable ways to support leaders who are ready to drive continuous improvement and systemic change.
As a doctoral candidate, you will join a dedicated cohort of scholar-practitioners who bring their experience, passion, and aspirations to the collective learning journey. You will be challenged to think critically, to lead with clarity and conviction, and to apply rigorous inquiry to the real and complex issues facing your schools and communities. Every course, every milestone, and every conversation is designed to support your growth as a leader who not only understands the work of change – but embodies it.
We invite you to become part of something historic and deeply consequential.
As a member of our inaugural and future cohorts, you will help shape the culture, scholarship, and impact of a program built for the frontier – geographically, intellectually, and morally. Your work here will not only advance your professional path; it will contribute to a legacy that strengthens the educational landscape of the region and elevates the mission of Sul Ross State University for generations to come.
Thank you for considering this journey. I look forward to walking alongside you as you pursue meaningful, lasting, and far-reaching change.
Learn about the Ed.D. program’s purpose, improvement science methodology, rural and borderland focus, and commitment to developing scholar-practitioners.
Course sequence, Dissertation in Practice requirements, program timeline, and academic milestones.
Information about the program director and faculty who will guide your doctoral journey.
Admissions Requirements & Process
Minimum qualifications, required application materials, selection criteria, and how candidates are evaluated.
Application Timeline & Program Status
Current approval status, anticipated start date (Spring 2027), and when the application portal will open.
Step-by-step application instructions and submission process through ApplyTexas.
Fall 2026 Potential Applicant FAQ
Information specific to potential applicants for Fall 2026.
Problem of Practice Quick Reference Guide
How to approach your individually identified challenge you will address through improvement science research.
This self-assessment is designed to help you determine whether the Sul Ross Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is the right fit for your professional context and goals.
Answers to common questions about the program, admissions, timeline, and structure.
Information about tuition, fees, estimated total program cost, and payment options.
What to expect as a doctoral student: cohort model, time commitment, support resources, and program culture.
Program Contact:
Email: educationdoctorate@sulross.edu
Program Director:
Dr. John Decman
john.decman@sulross.edu
Get Updates:
Express Interest Form
For more information contact:
Dr. John Decman
Program Director,
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Sul Ross State University
john.decman@sulross.edu
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