Apr 19, 2024  
2015-2016 Graduate Catalogue 
    
2015-2016 Graduate Catalogue Archived Catalogue

Educational Leadership, Ed.D.


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Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Susan Faircloth

The mission of the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is to prepare leaders to be informed, proactive, and reflective change agents to improve public schools for the benefit of all students, particularly in southeastern North Carolina. The Ed.D. program consists of 60 credit hours of coursework including six hours of dissertation research. Each candidate’s program of study will be carefully designed to meet appropriate educational objectives.

Admission Requirements


Students will be admitted to the Ed.D. Program in Educational Leadership by a recommendation of the Ed.D. Admissions Committee based upon eligibility requirements and available resources. Admissions decisions are based on several factors. Under most circumstances, students admitted to the program will have met the following requirements:

  1. A Master’s degree in school administration, supervision, curriculum, instruction, higher education, or related educational field from a regionally accredited university (official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate school are required)
  2. An overall graduate grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 in undergraduate and graduate coursework
  3. Satisfactory scores (mean or above) on all three parts of the Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE scores more than five years old at the time of application will not be considered)
  4. A score of at least 79 on the internet-based (TOEFL) version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for applicants whose native language is not English or that did not earn their baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited US institution. TOEFL scores are good for two years from the date the test is administered.
  5. A minimum of three years of documented leadership experience

Applicants are required to submit


  1. An application for graduate admission. 
  2. Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate). 
  3. Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing). 
  4. Three written recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in a doctoral program. Recommendations from individuals who have supervised the applicant will be given greater weight. 
  5. Official score on the TOEFL or IELTS (if applicable/see number 4 above). TOEFL scores are good for two years from the date the test is administered.
  6. Letter describing your interest in pursuing a degree in leadership, focusing on either administration, curriculum and instruction, or higher education professional goals related to the program description, teaching and leadership experiences and philosophy of teaching and learning (maximum of three pages).
  7. Interviews with Watson College of Education faculty to be conducted in the spring for selected candidates. 
  8. Current vitae/resume to be submitted if scheduled for an interview.
  9. Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Degree Requirements (60 total credit hours)


The program of study for the Doctorate in Educational Leadership includes core courses and specialization-specific courses. A total of 60 credit hours are required for graduation. Students must fulfill the requirements for a specific specialization of study and work closely with an advisor to plan their course of study.

Program Core (24 credit hours)


The primary purpose of the program core is to provide all students with a foundation in leadership and organization theory and practice. Other courses in the core prepare students as researchers. All courses in the core are required for graduation and are offered in a specific sequence.

Program Specializations


Students choose one of three program specializations: Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership in Educational Administration, or Leadership in Higher Education. Courses in each specialization build upon the foundation of leadership, organization, and research. Courses are offered on a rotating basis and a final program of study will be determined in consultation with an advisor. Courses in the program typically begin with the EDL prefix, however some courses are offered through other departments in the Watson College of Education, the Cameron School of Business and other programs on campus.

Leadership in Educational Administration Specialization (36 credit hours)


Students will take a set of courses that focus on areas related to educational administration, such as policy, law, regulation, technology, curriculum, assessment, decision making, global achievement, and resource management.

All students are required to take two internship courses (2 credits each). Students may select from three options that include a focus on: international perspectives (requires study abroad); business and government institutions; or educational organizations. Specific details will be determined in consultation with a faculty advisor. Students will also select appropriate electives to meet the program requirement of 60 credits.

Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction Specialization (36 credit hours)


Students will take a set of courses that focus on areas related to curriculum and instruction, such as planning and design, innovation and change, accountability and assessment, policy and law, diversity and special education, and supervision and resource management. All students are required to take two internship courses (2 credits each). Students are required to participate in an international study abroad internship and may select from two other options that include a focus on: business and government institutions or educational organizations. Specific details will be determined in consultation with a faculty advisor. Students will also select appropriate electives to meet the program requirement of 60 credits.

Leadership in Higher Education Specialization (36 credit hours)


Students will take a set of courses that focus on areas related to higher education, such as student learning theory, innovation in higher education, accountability and assessment, policy and law, and resource management. All students are required to take one internship course (2 credits each). Students may select from an international study abroad internship, a business and government internship or an educational internship. Specific details will be determined in consultation with a faculty advisor. Students will also select appropriate electives to meet the program requirement of 60 credits.

Exit Requirements


All Ed.D. students must:

  1. Complete and pass an oral comprehensive examination. 
  2. Propose and defend a dissertation topic.
  3. All students must take and pass at least one section of   (3 credits required).
  4. Complete, defend and submit a dissertation to the Graduate School.

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