Educational Leadership Doctorate Requirements

Admission Requirements

The following criteria will be used to assess a student’s application for admission into the Doctor of Education in Educational Practice and Leadership program. No single criterion can adequately predict a student’s probable success in graduate work. Applicants should anticipate that the materials they submit will be held to high standards with submission of the following:

1. The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog
2. Completion of a master’s degree from an accredited college or university
3. Grade point average from all previous graduate work (minimum of 3.5 required)
4. Professional resume
5. Transcripts
6. Three letters of recommendation that address your academic ability, professional accomplishments related to your field of study, and positive character traits
7. A statement of clear professional/educational goals that can be met by this program/specialization as specified in the graduate catalog
8. An original essay not to exceed four double-spaced pages (exclusive of references) on a contemporary problem of practice. The writing will be reviewed for:

• overall suitability for doctoral level study;
• cohesive development of ideas;
• support for ideas; and
• writing conventions. 

9. Writing sample. 

a. Include with your application an individually-authored sample of your writing that the admission committee can use to evaluate your ability as a writer and potential success in the doctoral program.

b. The minimum length of the sample is five pages and should not exceed 30 pages. Examples of possible writing samples include, but are not limited to, journal articles, paper from a course, or some written work product such as a manual or technical report.

10. The applicant must sign a statement attesting that the goal statement, essay, and writing sample submitted were original compositions of the applicant, completed without the aid of an editor.

11. Applicants for the School Leadership specialization are required to have a teaching credential, three years of teaching experience, and leadership experience in PK-12 environments and to pass a background check.

Degree Requirements

1. A minimum of 90 semester credit hours of course work beyond the bachelor’s degree.
2. Maintenance of at least a 3.0 GPA for all classes completed as a graduate student.
3. With approval of a student’s Faculty Advisory Committee, up to 30 credits from a master’s degree may be transferred from another institution.
4. Successful completion of comprehensive examinations.
5. Completion of a Dissertation in Practice (9 credits).
6. Ed.D. Core Coursework (9 credits): 

7. Scholarly Tools Coursework (9 credits):

8. In addition, you may choose one or more specialization areas and complete the required courses. Applicants may also choose a "Generalist" route and complete the required number of courses based upon electives targeted to their specific needs. Elective credits can be selected from graduate courses in other specializations and from the Educational Foundations and Research (EFR) program in consultation with academic advisor.

Descriptions of Specializations

• Education Policy, Reform, & Equity (EPRE): Students in this specialization area examine problems of practice through the lens of policy and reform efforts with the focus on producing products that aim for equity and social change.

• Higher Education (HE):  The HE area prepares administrators and/or professors for leadership in an academic discipline at a college or university.

• Instructional Design & Technology (IDT): The IDT area prepares instructors, instructional designers, curriculum/technology coordinators, or directors for educational technology, faculty development centers, or training departments with a focus on understanding curriculum design, human learning, and the integration of technology.

• School Leadership (SL):  The SL area is designed primarily for the practitioners preparing for school administration positions including elementary, middle school, and secondary principals; superintendents; special education and curriculum directors, and other school district central office positions. Upon completion of the degree, depending on state licensure credential requirements, a student generally will have completed many, if not all, coursework which will lead to an administrative credential.

• Special Education (SPED): The SPED area is focused on preparing experienced professionals for the role as an Educational Diagnostician or for leadership roles in working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Diagnosticians evaluate students to determine services and effective programming, as well as provide leadership at the school and district levels to inform policies and practices. Specialists in ASD evaluate and collaborate about individuals with ASD to determine services and effective programming, as well as provide leadership across a range of settings to inform policies and practices.

• Sport Leadership (Sport): The Sport Leadership area is designed for those individuals who aspire to become Athletic Directors, Coaches, or other Administrators of either traditional sports or esports at any level, including professional, educational, or community settings.

• Teacher Education (TE): The TE area prepares professors of education at a college or university and/or as an educational specialist to teachers in PK-12 schools.

Education, Policy, Reform, & Equity

Education Policy, Reform, & Equity Required Courses (27 Credits)

Higher Education

Higher Education Required Courses (15 credits)

Higher Education Elective Courses (18 credits)

Elective credits can be selected from graduate courses in other specializations and from the Educational Foundations and Research (EFR) program in consultation with academic advisor.

Instructional Design & Technology

Instructional Design & Technology Required Courses (21 credits)

Elective credits can be selected from graduate courses in other specializations and from the Educational Foundations and Research (EFR) program in consultation with academic advisor.

School Leadership

School Leadership Required Courses (15 credits)

The remaining 18 credits of electives can be selected from graduate courses in other specializations and from the Educational Foundations and Research (EFR) program in consultation with academic advisor.

Sport Leadership

Sport Leadership Required Courses (24 credits)

Remaining elective credits can be selected from graduate courses in other specializations and from the Educational Foundations and Research (EFR) program in consultation with advisor.

Special Education

Educational Diagnostician Required Courses (19 credits)

Elective credits can be selected from graduate courses in other specializations and from the Educational Foundations and Research (EFR) program in consultation with advisor.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Required Courses (33 Credits)

Teacher Education

Teacher Education Required Courses (21 credits)

Remaining elective credits can be selected from graduate courses in other specializations and from the Educational Foundations and Research (EFR) program in consultation with advisor.