The Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership at Cal State San Bernardino is a standout three-year doctoral program designed to provide current and aspiring educational leaders with the essential knowledge and skills to lead reform initiatives that enhance student outcomes and drive educational transformation, especially in the Inland Empire region. The program is grounded in a framework that tackles complex issues related to equity, ethics and social justice.

“I really enjoy education,” said Pablo Gutierrez Cervantes, a CSUSB doctoral student and 2023 Holmes Scholar, who currently works as an international admissions evaluator at CSUSB. “Ultimately, I want to be in a position to create policies to help other students.”

Two program specializations are offered: PK-12 (pre-kindergarten-12th grade) and community college/higher education, each tailored to prepare leaders for specific educational contexts. These specializations allow for targeted training that meets the diverse needs of each education sector.

Designed for working professionals, the Ed.D. program at CSUSB is a three-year, cohort-based program that offers weekend courses, enabling full-time educators and professionals to continue their careers while earning their doctoral degrees. Classes are held every other weekend during the fall and spring semesters and every weekend during the summer semester, providing flexibility to accommodate students' busy schedules. Students are encouraged to identify a field-based problem of practice for their dissertation research, ensuring their studies are directly relevant to their professional contexts and can lead to tangible improvements in educational settings.

“Our focus at the Watson College of Education is to produce the best qualified and culturally responsive educators and leaders to serve the diverse population of the Inland Empire region of Southern California with integrity, professionalism, and responsiveness. Our doctoral program serves to produce leaders for the K-12 settings and the community colleges in the region,” said Chinaka DomNwachukwu, dean of the James R. Watson and Judy Rodriguez Watson College of Education. “We will continue to serve this region’s K-12 schools and community colleges with the utmost commitment and best practice.”

Pablo Gutierrez Cervantes, current Ed.D. student and 2023 Holmes Scholar, works at CSUSB as an international admissions evaluator.
Pablo Gutierrez Cervantes, current Ed.D. student and 2023 Holmes Scholar, works at CSUSB as an international admissions evaluator.

Cal State San Bernardino recently achieved the Doctoral University: High Research Activity (R2) status, awarded by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This new designation elevates CSUSB from a regional to a national university, enhancing its reputation and standing among the country’s top institutions.

According to CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales, “The new designation as an R2 reflects the dedication and determination of our faculty, staff, and administrators to develop and offer programs and research opportunities to benefit and advance our students as they pursue their educational goals and dreams, and ultimately help them advance in their careers.”

Achieving the R2 classification required CSUSB to meet stringent criteria, including awarding at least 20 doctoral degrees and having more than $5 million in research expenditures. CSUSB exceeded these benchmarks by awarding 21 doctoral degrees and achieving more than $10.8 million in research expenditures in the fiscal year 2019-20, demonstrating the university’s commitment to fostering research and scholarly activities.

“This advancement is a testimonial to our institutional commitment to, and our students and faculty success in, engaging in research and scholarly, and creative activities, especially in sponsored research,” said Dorota Huizinga, CSUSB associate provost for research and dean of graduate studies.

The exceptional quality of CSUSB’s educational programs has not gone unnoticed, with the university now ranked No. 86 in the nation in the Best Education Schools category by U.S. News & World Report for 2024. This marks the first time CSUSB has been listed in this category, signifying a major milestone in its pursuit of academic excellence. This ranking is a significant accomplishment and underscores the university’s dedication to providing high-quality education.

The success of the Ed.D. program is a collective achievement, celebrated by faculty, students, and community partners alike.

“This national recognition validates our hard work over the past five years, having transformed, restructured, and targeted specific areas of improvement upon the Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership program,” said Enrique Murillo Jr., the program’s director.

CSUSB alumna Erika Tejeda, B.A. in Spanish, ’01, M.A. in educational administration, ’13, and an Ed.D. educational leadership, ’22. Today, she is the principal of Liberty High School in the Perris Union High School District (PUHSD), a position she’s held since 2021.
CSUSB alumna Erika Tejeda, B.A. in Spanish, ’01, M.A. in educational administration, ’13, and an Ed.D. educational leadership, ’22. Today, she is the principal of Liberty High School in the Perris Union High School District (PUHSD), a position she’s held since 2021.

The program’s national recognition is a testament to its rigorous academic training and its graduates' ability to be agents of change in their communities, promoting equity and excellence in education.

“Education is the most powerful weapon and tool we have,” said Erika Tejeda, CSUSB Ed.D. alumna and principal at Liberty High School in Perris, Calif. “The doctoral program was amazing, but it was challenging. The relationships that I built during the program, the strength that I was able to gather from my peers and my mentors and the instructors nobody can take from me. I learned so much. I love CSUSB, and I’m a Coyote for life!”