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 any organizational enterprise. This might include public and private school teaching/administration, 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 20 per year. Students will remain together throughout the program as a group (referred to as a cohort).
Q: What are the qualifications for entrance into the program?
A:
- A Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Grade point average of 3.0 on all prior graduate work
- Minimum of two years work experience in an organizational setting
Q: What is the application process?
A:
- Completed Graduate School Application & EdD Information Form
- Payment of nonrefundable application fee
- Official transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- Submission of official GRE (Graduate Record Exam) score report. Test must have been taken since October 1, 2002, and include the Analytical Writing sub-test. While there are no minimum scores for entrance, the following scores are considered desirable:
Verbal: 475
Quantitative: 550
Analytical Writing: 3.5 – 4.0
Q: What criteria will be used to decide upon admissions?
A: We will consider a number of items which will be viewed holistically in our admissions decisions:
- Evaluation of work experience, GPA, GRE scores, letters of recommendation
- Evaluation of transcript(s)
- Evaluation of a written Statement of Purpose essay
- A personal interview
Q: Will course work taken elsewhere be allowed into the program?
A: Up to fifteen (15) hours may be considered for transfer from an 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 graduate coursework
- Cumulative doctoral grade point average of 3.25
- Successful completion and approval of an Individualized Learning and Leadership Plan (ILLP)
- Successful completion of 15 hours of focused electives
- Passage of three evaluation checkpoints
- Minimum of 12 dissertation credit hours
- Successful completion and defense of the dissertation
Q: Once in the program, how will each student be advised?
A: When a student is admitted to the program, he/she will be assigned a primary doctoral advisor. Together, the student and advisor will develop an Individualized Learning and Leadership Plan (ILLP) & portfolio which will set forth a roadmap for completion of the program. The ILLP focuses on seven program competency domains and includes a Leadership Platform, Competency Plan, and Documentation of Competence (aka portfolio). The core doctoral course work provides foundational knowledge of each competency area. Students will select 4 competency areas (in addition to learning and leadershio) in which to achieve leading-edge or "star" competency. Advisors will provide guidance in ILLP development and the selection of focused electives.
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 Individualized Learning and Leadership Plan. Generally, a time frame of 3 to 6 years is anticipated. A student must complete all requirements within a six year time frame unless approved to extend to eight years due to extenuating circumstances. This program can be completed on a full time basis (9 hours per semester) or participants may continue to be employed and complete the program on a part time basis (6 hours per semester). Decisions regarding program of study are made on an individual basis.
Q: How much course work will be involved?
A: 39 credit hours of basic coursework, 15 credit hours of focused electives, and a minimum of 12 dissertation credit hours.
Q: Describe the cohort experience.
A: This will involve 39 credit hours of core coursework 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. Students will be expected to exceed minimum competencies in his/her area of concentration.
Q: How will the coursework be delivered?
A: Coursework will be offered via executive delivery. Delivery formats may include face-to-face seminars, online work, and/or independent study.
Q: How long will a student be enrolled as part of the cohort?
A: 2 years for the core course work (7 consecutive semesters fall/spring/summer)
Q: What are focused electives?
A: As part of the ILLP, 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 in the area of focused electives. All transfer credits and focused electives must be approved by the faculty mentors, 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.
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 faculty members selected by the student and his/her dissertation chair. The committee will have 4 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 progress.
Q: Will the student be required to complete a portfolio of work?
A: Yes. The portfolio will contain evidence of the student's achieved level of competency in each of the program areas. Components of the portfolio include a copy of the approved ILLP, scholarly references, and a synthesis paper. The ILLP & portfolio will be formally presented and approved as a prerequsite to dissertation research.
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 into the focused elective part of the program later?
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.
- A student must develop and receive approval of an ILLP which will contain all coursework to be taken toward earning the degree. There is no guarantee that the ILLP Review Team (the approving body) will approve the courses a student has already taken toward fulfillment of the focused electives requirement. Prior to enrolling in any potential focused elective courses, it is advisable for the prospective student to contact the Department Head.
A: New cohorts typically begin in June. Applications are accepted during a prescribed time frame (October-January) of the preceding year. An interview with members of the doctoral faculty is the final step in the admission process.
