All students must meet the Requirements for the Doctor of Education Degree.
Overview
The Ed.D. (Doctorate in Education) is an applied research program for professionals serving in educational leadership positions in schools, colleges, policy arenas, non-profits and social service organizations. The 3-year-plus (10 semester) low-residency Ed.D. program is offered primarily online, with synchronous evening classes. The program seeks to produce leaders who can construct and apply knowledge to make a positive difference in the lives of children, youth, individuals, families and communities by promoting excellence in a number of areas:
- leadership and change strategies in and across organizations;
- development of learning organizations in response to social issues;
- design, implementation, and supervision of applied research in education;
- interpretation and application of research;
- understanding of broad social issues and policies from the perspectives of justice, equity, and diversity;
- meeting the needs of students with learning challenges and disabilities and their families;
- analysis of policy and fiscal management in education and social services;
- implementation of policies and practices that promote equity and social justice, collaboration, and cultural awareness and responsiveness.
This program has been designed to respond to the expanding demands placed on leaders in educational, social and human service, and non-profit organizations where leaders are increasingly expected to:
- design and supervise local research and varied evaluative studies;
- interpret and apply recent national research findings to practice;
- analyze and apply governmental regulations and court decisions;
- develop organizational responses to emerging social expectations;
- organize and lead staff development programs;
- understand and apply broad-based economic principles to social and fiscal policy;
- develop and manage budgets; and
- assess and respond to the psychological needs of educational consumers.
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the Degree of Doctor of Education
Applicants must possess a:
- Master's Degree or equivalent, from an accredited institution,
- cumulative grade point average of 3.00 for previous graduate study,
- Online application,
- Current resume or curriculum vitae,
- Detailed Statement of Purpose including a summary of how the Ed.D. program relates to your professional, career, and educational goals,
- 3 letters of recommendation using the Graduate College form,
- Transcripts from all institutions attended, and
- Scholarly writing sample.
Applications must be submitted by the program deadline.
Minimum Degree Requirements
Students admitted to graduate studies must successfully complete core requirements in research, leadership, and organizational and policy studies. The required concentration is composed of courses chosen and approved by program faculty from an area of student interest (e.g., curriculum and instruction, higher education, educational leadership, special education) within the College of Education and Social Services. Students must satisfactorily complete the following Program of Study:
| Core Requirements (30 credits): | ||
| EDLP 7010 | ProSeminar: Doctoral Intro | 3 |
| EDLP 7030 | Adv Sem Organizational Ldrshp | 3 |
| EDFS 7040 | Soc Process & Institutionl Chg | 3 |
| EDLP 7050 | Sem on Educational Policy | 3 |
| EDLP 7060 | Improvement Science in Ed & SS | 3 |
| EDLP 6330 | Education Finance & Policy | 3 |
| EDLP 6350 | Staff Evaluation & Development | 3 |
| EDLP 6360 | Curr Mgmt in Ed & Soc Srv Org | 3 |
| EDLP 6990 | Special Topics (School Community Partnerships) | 3 |
| EDLP 7090 | Dissertation Writing Seminar | 3 |
| Required Research Courses (12 credits): | ||
| EDRM 6300 | Applied Educational Research | 3 |
| EDRM 6110 | Qualitative Research I | 3 |
| EDRM 6210 | Quantitative Research I | 3 |
| EDRM 6310 | Mixed Methods Research: Adv | 3 |
| Dissertation Research Credits: | ||
| EDLP 7491 | Doctoral Dissertation Research | 18 |
| Total Required | 60 | |
A maximum of 6 credit hours may be accepted in transfer from an accredited graduate program. Credits to transfer may be completed prior to admission to the Doctor of Education program provided that the credit is approved by the student's program advisor and conforms to all Graduate College and EDLP program requirements.
Comprehensive Examination
Consistent with Graduate College requirements, the Ed.D. program requires students to complete a comprehensive examination of core knowledge prior to the completion of the degree program. This examination occurs in the semester following completion of the core course curriculum. The examination tests knowledge in areas of study germane to all Ed.D. students.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Education
Students may advance to candidacy upon completion of: (1) all core courses with 3.00 GPA, (2) the comprehensive examination, and (3) defense of a dissertation proposal.
For further information concerning program advising and Ed.D. requirements refer to the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies doctoral programs website.