Doctor of Education
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Three Options of Study
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) is a professional terminal degree that requires students to engage in a rigorous process of research, inquiry, and site-based practice that not only includes the dissertation but also an extensive internship that includes an action research project as well as a cultural diversity project. There are three (3) options within the degree program, with the student selecting one specific area in which to specialize. These areas are:
- Option I – Superintendency
- Option II – Curriculum & Instruction
- Option III – Organizational Management
The doctoral program is a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours, excluding a required thirty (30) credit hour master’s degree. Additional credit may be given for other graduate level work. Approval of the Graduate Council is required for exceptions to this policy.
Option I - Superintendency
The Doctor of Education – Option 1 Superintendency is designed to meet the needs of educational leaders who are designated to make decisions, who are responsible for policy decisions, and who are already employed as educational leaders or school administrators. The Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) program is a terminal degree that requires students to engage in a rigorous process of research, inquiry, application, and site-based practice. The degree also requires the successful completion of leadership coursework, an extensive internship, involving an action research project, a cultural diversity project, technology project, and a capstone paper/project. This degree program’s emphasis is on Superintendency.
Superintendency Courses
- Foundations of Leadership (LDR 705)
- The Superintendency (LDR 720)
- Personnel Evaluation & Administration (LDR 730)
- Policies & Procedures in Administration (LDR 740)
- Internship and Seminar (LDR 750, LDR 751*, LDR 752*)
- Financial Strategies (LDR 760)
- Facility Planning & Usage (LDR 770)
- Instructional Leadership (LDR 780*)
- Leadership Ethics (LDR 790)
- Leader’s Role in Organizational Dynamics (LDR 800)
- Counselor Based School Leadership (CES 726)
- Comprehensive Exam (LDR 815*)
Inquiry COURSES
- Applied Analysis (LDR 745)
- Dissertation (LDR 810, LDR 820A, LDR 820B, LDR 820C, LDR 820D, and LDR 820E*)
- Advanced Research (LDR 830) As needed
*CAEP Key Assessment Courses
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
The admission process for the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degrees is designed to admit the highest quality professional educators and business leaders who desire to contribute to their respective fields of work. Applicants to the specialist or doctoral programs must produce a comprehensive Admissions Portfolio, including both qualitative and quantitative measures, which is used to assess personal characteristics, academic skills, communication skills, and leadership ability.
The admission portfolio must contain the following items:
- Completed Graduate Application Form
- Completed Concentration Declaration
- Documentation and description of a record of a minimum of two (2) years of successful administrative experience in education (copy of administration license)
- Provide two (2) character references
- A letter of reference from a supervisor or other person familiar with the applicant’s academic ability and professional performance (specific examples of leadership ability and problem-solving skills should be cited)
- A current resume that includes work experience, educational background, professional experience, professional activities, honors received, professional publications or presentations, community service, and other relevant information relating to the applicant’s leadership background
- A thesis or major research paper, minimum at master’s level, for review that demonstrates the applicant’s professional writing ability at the graduate level
- Official transcripts from all graduate institutions of study
Option II - Curriculum and Instruction
The Doctor of Education – Option II Curriculum and Instruction program is designed to meet the needs of leaders who are designated to make decisions, who are responsible for policy decisions, and who are already employed as educational leaders or school administrators. The Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) program is a specialized terminal degree that requires students to engage in a rigorous process of research, inquiry, application, and site-based practice. The degree also requires the successful completion of leadership coursework, an extensive internship, involving an action research project, a cultural diversity project, and a capstone paper/project. This degree program’s emphasis is on Curriculum and Instruction for either secondary or post-secondary application.
Curriculum & Instruction Courses
- Curriculum Theory (LDR 700)
- Foundations of Leadership (LDR 705)
- Critical Issues in Curriculum & Instruction (LDR 715)
- Curriculum & Instruction Leadership (LDR 725)
- Personnel Evaluation & Administration (LDR 730)
- Instructional Technology – Curriculum & Instruction (LDR 735)
- Internship and Seminar (LDR 750, LDR 751*, LDR 752*)
- Facility Planning & Usage (LDR 770)
- Leadership Ethics (LDR 790)
- Leader’s Role in Organizational Dynamics (LDR 800)
- Counselor Based School Leadership (CES 726)
- Comprehensive Exam (LDR 815*)
Inquiry COURSES
- Applied Analysis (LDR 745)
- Dissertation (LDR 810, LDR 820A, LDR 820B, LDR 820C, LDR 820D, and LDR 820E*)
- Advanced Research (LDR 830) As needed
*CAEP Key Assessment Courses
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
The admission process for the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degrees is designed to admit the highest quality professional educators and business leaders who desire to contribute to their respective fields of work. Applicants to the specialist or doctoral programs must produce a comprehensive Admissions Portfolio, including both qualitative and quantitative measures, which is used to assess personal characteristics, academic skills, communication skills, and leadership ability.
The admission portfolio must contain the following items:
- Completed Graduate Application Form
- Completed Concentration Declaration
- Documentation and description of a record of a minimum of two (2) years of successful administrative experience in education
- Provide two (2) character references
- A letter of reference from a supervisor or other person familiar with the applicant’s academic ability and professional performance (specific examples of leadership ability and problem-solving skills should be cited)
- A current resume that includes work experience, educational background, professional experience, professional activities, honors received, professional publications or presentations, community service, and other relevant information relating to the applicant’s leadership background
- A thesis or major research paper, minimum at master’s level, for review that demonstrates the applicant’s professional writing ability at the graduate level
- Official transcripts from all graduate institutions of study
Option III - Organizational Management
The Doctor of Education – Option III Organizational Management program is designed to meet the needs of leaders who are designated to make decisions, who are responsible for policy decisions, and who are already employed as educational leaders or school administrators. The Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) program is a specialized terminal degree that requires students to engage in a rigorous process of research, inquiry, application, and site-based practice. The degree also requires the successful completion of leadership coursework, an extensive internship, involving an action research project, a cultural diversity project, and a capstone paper/project. This degree program’s emphasis is on Curriculum and Instruction for either secondary or post-secondary application.
Curriculum & Instruction Courses
- Foundations of Leadership (LDR 705)
- Leadership Theory, Practices, and Principles (LDR 710)
- Corporate Financial Theories (MGT 720)
- The CEO (LDR 726)
- Personnel Evaluation & Administration (LDR 730)
- Internship and Seminar (LDR 750, LDR 751*, LDR 752*)
- Cultural Dynamics and Organizational Management (LDR 755)
- Facility Planning & Usage (LDR 770)
- Current Issues in Organizational Management (LDR 775)
- Leadership Ethics (LDR 790)
- Leader’s Role in Organizational Dynamics (LDR 800)
- Comprehensive Exam (LDR 815*)
Inquiry COURSES
- Applied Analysis (LDR 745)
- Dissertation (LDR 810, LDR 820A, LDR 820B, LDR 820C, LDR 820D, and LDR 820E*)
- Advanced Research (LDR 830) As needed
*CAEP Key Assessment Courses
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
The admission process for the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degrees is designed to admit the highest quality professional educators and business leaders who desire to contribute to their respective fields of work. Applicants to the specialist or doctoral programs must produce a comprehensive Admissions Portfolio, including both qualitative and quantitative measures, which is used to assess personal characteristics, academic skills, communication skills, and leadership ability.
The admission portfolio must contain the following items:
- Completed Graduate Application Form
- Completed Concentration Declaration
- Documentation and description of a record of a minimum of two (2) years of successful administrative experience in education
- Provide two (2) character references
- A letter of reference from a supervisor or other person familiar with the applicant’s academic ability and professional performance (specific examples of leadership ability and problem-solving skills should be cited)
- A current resume that includes work experience, educational background, professional experience, professional activities, honors received, professional publications or presentations, community service, and other relevant information relating to the applicant’s leadership background
- A thesis or major research paper, minimum at master’s level, for review that demonstrates the applicant’s professional writing ability at the graduate level
- Official transcripts from all graduate institutions of study
