The Need for Competitive Educational Management PhD Programs in Saudi Arabia

This study assessed the realities of the Saudi labor market and the need for competitive PhD programs in educational management, the aim being to propose a vision for such a program. An analysis of the current educational reality was obtained through interviews, as well as the following information: employer, years of experience, and method of recruitment, along with a number of statements presented to participants for their reaction that were designed to elicit their opinion on the importance of having competitive PhD programs in leadership. The population for this study consisted of a random sample of stakeholders (n = 24) in the labor market. Three main results emerged from the study: a) the educational labor market needs to acquire knowledge about a competitive leadership degree at the PhD level in educational administration. b) A good program for leadership in educational management would provide universities a competitive advantage at the doctoral level. The educational labor market needs academic and professional knowledge from people with doctoral degrees in educational management.