Educational Leadership (Higher Education) - Ed.D.

Graduate Coordinator - Leadership in Higher Education: Dr. Symphony Oxendine

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 Higher Education specialization core courses (15 credits) and one internship course (3 credits). Along with this specialization core, students will also select appropriate electives (15 credits) to meet the program requirement of 60 credits.

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:

A Master’s degree in school administration, supervision, curriculum, instruction, higher education, or related field from a regionally accredited university (official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate school are required)
An overall graduate grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 in undergraduate and graduate coursework
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.
A minimum of three years of documented leadership experience
Completion (within the last five years) of a graduate-level introductory research class (such as EDL 523 ) or successful completion of a research competency module provided by the EL department. This must be completed prior to the first semester of study.

Applicants are required to submit

An application for graduate admission.
Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate).
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.
Official score on the TOEFL or IELTS (if applicable/see number 3 above). TOEFL scores are good for two years from the date the test is administered.
Essay identifying a current issue in education and describing potential ways in which the issue can or should be addressed by leaders in the field. Where possible, applicants should discuss how their professional and educational background and research interests align with this issue and its resolution.
Current vitae/resume.
Interviews with Watson College of Education faculty to be conducted in the spring for selected candidates.
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 program of study.

Program Core (9 credit hours)

The primary purpose of the program core is to provide all students with a foundation in leadership and organization theory and practice.

EDL 601 - Leadership Theory Credit Hours: 3
EDL 605 - Social Foundations of Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 609 - Leading Change in Educational Organizations Credit Hours: 3

Research Core (12 hours)

The research core is designed to rigorously prepare EdD students to effectively bridge research with practice.

EDL 641 - Applied Research Credit Hours: 3
EDL 642 - Program Evaluation Credit Hours: 3
EDL 643 - Quantitative Research Credit Hours: 3
EDL 644 - Qualitative Research Credit Hours: 3

Specialization Core (15 Credits):

EDL 630 - Proseminar in Postsecondary Education I Credit Hours: 3
EDL 631 - Law & Policy in Higher Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 632 - Higher Education Finance Credit Hours: 3
EDL 633 - Today’s College Student Credit Hours: 3
EDL 635 - The Academic Profession Credit Hours: 3

Internship Courses (3 Credits):

EDL 661 - Education/Government Internship Credit Hours: 2
or
EDL 664 - International Internship Credit Hours: 2

Elective Courses (15 Credits):

Students will take a set of elective courses that focus on areas related to their doctoral studies interest areas. All students are required to take one elective in a research focused course. These courses will be selected in consultation with the student’s advisor.

EDL 553 - Evaluation and Assessment in Higher Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 558 - Social Justice Topics in Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 606 - Technology Leadership for Systemic Improvement Credit Hours: 3
EDL 610 - Ethical Leadership and Decision Making Credit Hours: 3
EDL 611 - The Politics of Education: Historical Frameworks Credit Hours: 3
EDL 650 - Foundations of Higher Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 651 - Student Development Theory Credit Hours: 3
EDL 652 - Critical Issues in Higher Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 657 - Community College Administrators Credit Hours: 3
EDL 665 - Curriculum Studies Credit Hours: 3
EDL 622 - Supervision Theories and Applications Credit Hours: 3
EDL 645 - Learning-Centered Leadership Credit Hours: 3
EDL 646 - Global Perspectives and Comparative Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 647 - STEM Leadership in Schools and Districts Credit Hours: 3
EDL 660 - Leadership in Mathematics Education Credit Hours: 3
EDL 667 - Learning and Instruction Credit Hours: 3
EDL 668 - Innovations in Curriculum Credit Hours: 3
EDL 669 - Leadership and Literacy Credit Hours: 3
EDL 679 - Connecting Schools, Families, and Communities Credit Hours: 3
EDL 675 - Curriculum and Critical Consciousness Credit Hours: 3
EDL 677 - Transformative Praxis and Decolonizing Pedagogy Credit Hours: 3
EDL 695 - Special Topics in Educational Leadership Credit Hours: 1 To 3* *
*Special Topics courses include: Immigration and Education, LGBT Issues in Education, Campus Environments, Why Does College Cost So Much?, Higher Education in a Global Context, and Special Topics in Research

Dissertation Required Courses (6 hours)

EDL 603 - Doctoral Seminar Credit Hours: 3
EDL 699 - Dissertation in Education Credit Hours: 3 To 6 (Taken twice for 3 credit hours each)

Exit Requirements

All Ed.D. students must:

Complete and pass an oral comprehensive examination.
Propose and defend a dissertation topic.
All students must take and pass program core, research, and specialization credits before taking EDL 699 .
All students must take and pass all Dissertation Required Courses (EDL 603 and EDL 699 ).
Complete, successfully defend and submit a dissertation to the Graduate School.