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.
   • 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.
   • 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):

 

Select 2 Additional Courses (6 credits):Scholarly Tools Coursework (9 credits): 

In addition, may choose one or more specialization areas and complete the required courses. 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 Specialization Areas:

• Higher Education (HE):  The HE area prepares administrators and/or professors for leadership in an academic discipline at a college or university.
• School Leadership (SL): The SL is designed primarily for practitioners preparing for school administration positions including elementary, middle school, and secondary principals; superintendents; 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. 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.
• 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.

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.

 

School Leadership

School Leadership Required Courses (18-25 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.

 

Special Education

Special Education Required Courses (32 credits)

 

Special Education Elective Courses: These courses will be selected based on previous coursework to meet Council for Exceptional Children’s advanced standards; thus transcript reviews will be conducted.

 

Teacher Education

Teacher Education 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 advisor.