EdD in Learning and Leadership
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will graduates of the program receive a Ph.D. or Ed.D.?
A: An Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) in Learning and Leadership
Q: Who might be interested in the program?
A: Anyone interested in a leadership position in an organizational setting. This might include public and private school teaching/administration or higher education teaching/ administration. This might also include individuals interested in educational or training programs in the business and or private sector (health services, nonprofit agencies, social services, etc).
Q: How many students will be accepted into the program?
A: We plan to accept 15-20 new doctoral students every year. Students will remain together throughout the core program as a cohort.
Q: What are the qualifications for entrance into the program?
A:
- A Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all prior graduate work
- Minimum of two years work experience in an organizational setting
Q: What materials are required to apply?
A:
- Completed Graduate School Application & EdD Information Form
- Payment of non-refundable application fee
- Official transcripts for all institutions attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Submission of official GRE (Graduate Record Exam) score report.
GRE test must have been taken within five years of application- no exceptions.
Q: What criteria will be used to decide upon admissions?
A: We will consider a number of items holistically in our admissions decisions:
- Evaluation of professional and academic performance (GPA, transcripts, GRE scores, recommendation letters)
- Evaluation of the Statement of Purpose essay
- A personal interview may also be required
Q: Is a minimum score required for the GRE?
A: While there are no minimum scores required for entrance, GRE scores are factored in admission decision.
Q: Are transfer credits permitted?
A: Up to fifteen (15) hours may be considered for transfer from a regionally accredited institution. Transfer credits will be awarded on a case-by-case basis and will be limited to focused electives. All transfer credits must be approved by the doctoral advisor, Department Head, and Dean of the Graduate School
Q: What are the requirements for graduation?
A:
- Completion of 39 credit hours of required doctoral level coursework (core)
- Cumulative doctoral grade point average of 3.0
- Successful completion of a minimum of 15 hours of focused electives
- Successful completion of a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation research
- Passage of three evaluation checkpoints
- Passage of written take-home comprehensive examination
- Passage of oral
comprehensive examination
- Successful completion and defense of the dissertation
A: When a student is admitted to the program, a member of the doctoral faculty will be assigned as his/her primary advisor. Advisors will provide guidance in selecting and approved focused electives, will conduct three evaluation checkpoints, and will assist the student in developing a dissertation topic abstract.
Q: How long will a student be expected to be in the program to receive the degree?
A: That will depend upon the student and his/her Program of Study. Generally, a time frame of 3 to 6 years is anticipated. A student must complete all requirements within a ten year time frame. In the case of transfer credits, the clock starts with the earliest course applied to the Program of Study. The doctoral program can be completed on a full time basis (9 hours per semester) or participants may complete the program on a part time basis (6 hours per semester). Decisions regarding a timeframe for program completion are determined on an individual basis.
Q: How much course work will be involved?
A: 39 credit hours of basic coursework + a minimum of 15 credit hours of focused electives + a minimum of 12 dissertation credit hours.
Q: Describe the cohort experience.
A: Each cohort of 20-25 participants will complete a two year core program of study together. This will involve 39 credit hours of required course work on subjects including leadership, research, curriculum, learning and instruction, assessment, evaluation, dissertation research, and technology. The subject matter will be integrated across the curriculum. The core course work serves as foundational knowledge for meeting mimimal competency in each of the seven domains.
Q: How will the coursework be delivered?
A: Coursework will be offered via executive delivery during weekend and evening sessions. Delivery formats will vary and may include face-to-face seminars, online work, live video-streaming, and/or independent study projects. Generally, required face-to-face class sessions meet 4-6 weekends per semester (Friday evenings and Saturdays).
Q: What are focused electives?
A: The student, with advisor approval, will select and take 15 credit hours of coursework in a concentrated area of interest. These courses can be taken at any point during which the student is in the program. Transfer credits, if approved, may be transferred into the program as focused electives. All transfer credits and focused electives must be approved by the primary advisor, Department Head, and Dean of the Graduate School.
Q: Must a student complete a dissertation?
A: Yes, students must register for a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation credits. These credits do not constitute coursework. They are taken each semester that a student works on the dissertation. Students who do not complete the dissertation hours within the 12 hour credit hour time frame must take an additional 3 dissertation credit hours each semester until completion of the dissertation (continuous enrollment).
Q: Will the student work with a dissertation committee?
A: Yes, the dissertation committee will guide the student through the dissertation process. The committee will consist of graduate faculty members selected by the student and his/her dissertation chair. The committee will have four members including the chair.
Q: Are there any major student evaluation points in the program?
A: Yes. The student's advisor and co-advisor will review the student’s progress at the end of each two semesters – totaling three checkpoint evaluation points. At each evaluation point a decision will be made regarding satisfactory academic progress.
Q: How many total credit hours are required for completion of the program?
A: A minimum of 66 credit hours as follows:
Cohort experience: 39 credits
Focused electives: 15 credits (minimum)
Dissertation: 12 credits (minimum)
Q: Should a student take courses prior to application to the doctoral program with an eye to transferring these courses?
A: Our department advises against this practice. Clearly, there are some risks involved. They are as follows:
- A student may not be ultimately accepted into the doctoral program.
- There is no guarantee that the primary advisor will approve the courses a student has already taken toward fulfillment of the focused electives requirement.
Q: Is financial aid available for doctoral students?
A: Yes- a limited number of graduate assistantships are available at the doctoral level (part-time or full-time). Graduate assistants receive a tuition waiver and monthly stipend during the regular academic year (summers excluded). Many doctoral students finance their graduate studies student loans. Contact the Financial Aid office as early as possible to begin the application process.
NOTE: Full-time employees of the Hamilton County Department of Education are currently eligible for a 50% tuition reimbursement program. Contact the Program Coordinator for details.
