Doctor of Education: Educational Leadership
The primary aim of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with a concentration in Educational Leadership is to prepare current district and school administrators, educational leaders, and classroom teachers to take on district leadership roles in K through 12th-grade settings. Specifically, this concentration promotes the development of leadership skills via systematized practice, examination, and research. The prime focus of the program is on real-world problem solving and practical application. With these facets in place, the educational leadership program will stand to produce empowered leaders who are inclined to promote the success of all students and possess a dedication to serving their entire school community.
Doctor of Education – Education Leadership (K-12) Program Curriculum
| Level One - (Foundation - 15 Credits) | ||
| GE-801 | Curriculum Development and Instruction | 3 |
| GE-803 | School Policy Analysis | 3 |
| GE-805 | Organizational Behavior& Educational Adm | 3 |
| GE-807 | Statistics I 1 | 3 |
| GE-809 | Research Design and Methods 1 | 3 |
| Qualifying Examination | ||
| Level Two - (Professional Concentration - 30 Credits) | ||
| GE-811 | Qualitative Research Design and Analysis 1 | 3 |
| GE-824 | Innovative Strategies in Educ Leadership | 3 |
| GE-825 | Ethical Found and Social Responsibility | 3 |
| GE-826 | Analysis & Interpret of Assessment Data | 3 |
| GE-829 | Using Tech to Improve Curriculum Design | 3 |
| GE-831 | Account: Resource Alloc and Fin Chall | 3 |
| GE-833 | Emerg Legal/Moral Issues Facing Sch Adm | 3 |
| GE-835 | Personnel Adm/Publ Sec Bargaining | 3 |
| GE-839 | Statistics II | 3 |
| GE-841 | Selected Topics in Elem & Second Sch Adm | 3 |
| Comprehensive Examination | ||
| Level Three (6 Credits) | ||
| GE-871 | Dissertation Seminar I 1 | 3 |
| GE-873 | Dissertation Seminar II 1 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 54 | |
| 1 | Denotes Research Classes |
Matriculation Process
Doctoral students will be considered for matriculation after completing 15 professional concentration course credits, 9 foundations course credits, 6 research course credits, and successfully passing a qualifying examination. Students must successfully pass the written qualifying examination before taking additional doctoral credits. A grade of 80 or above is required for each of the five questions in order to pass the qualifying exam. The professional K-12 concentration courses will consist of GE-801 Curriculum Development and Instruction, GE-803 School Policy Analysis, and GE-805 Organizational Behavior& Educational Adm. The foundations course will be GE-807 Statistics I and the research course will be GE-809 Research Design and Methods.
Advancement to Candidacy
Prior to receiving formal approval to work on their dissertations, doctoral students must advance to candidacy by successfully completing all course work except Dissertation I and II and passing a comprehensive examination. The comprehensive exam’s design is focused on assessing the candidates’ academic and scholarly ability by having them select possible solutions to practical problems and situations. Students will receive a grade of either Pass or Fail.
Completion Requirements
In addition to holding a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, the requirements of the program include:
- Admission to the program.
- Matriculation accomplishment.
- Advancement to candidacy.
- Successful completion of 54 graduate credits at the doctorate level.
- Nine graduate credits related to educational leadership could be transferred into the program with the approval of the Dean.
- Completion of 15 foundations credits, 27 professional concentration credits, and 6 dissertation research credits.
- Successful oral defense of a doctoral dissertation.
Transfer Credit
A maximum of nine (9) graduate credits could be transferred from other accredited universities. A minimum grade of 3.0 (B) is required in such courses. Transfer credit it granted by petition to and approval by the Dean. It is the student's responsibility to initiate the petition and justify the acceptance of the courses. The Dean will determine whether the courses are equivalent. Transfer credit is by permission only and not an obligation of the University.
Time Limitation
Students who do not successfully complete all degree requirements, including successful completion of the dissertation, for the Ed.D. within eight calendar years from the date of acceptance may be withdrawn from the program.