Doctorate in Learning and Leadership Frequently Asked Questions

New cohorts are not being accepted to the Learning and Leadership majors (Ed.D./Ph.D.). Current program offerings include the Leadership and Decision-Making (Ph.D), offered via hybrid delivery, and Leadership and Instructional Practice (Ed.D.), offered primarily via internet delivery. To access details regarding the new majors, please visit their respective program websites. 

 

Q1: How will each Learning and Leadership program participant be advised?

A: The Program Director/Advisor will provide guidance through the core coursework sequence and in selecting and approving electives. Upon successful completion of the core program, electives, and the Comprehensive Assessment, the participant will transition to candidacy and will work with a Dissertation Committee (LEAD 7700 Pre-Dissertation Seminar & LEAD 7999 Dissertation).

Q2: Describe the Learning and Leadership cohort experience.

A: The cohort will complete required coursework together on the UT-Chattanooga campus on weekends. During the required core program of study (27 credit hours Ed.D.; 39 credit hours Ph.D.), each participant enrolls in 2 courses (6 credits) per semester until the core has been completed (Fall, Spring, and Summer continuous enrollment). This core coursework serves as seminal knowledge for the demonstration of competency in each of the program domains.

Q3: Is it permissible to enroll in more (or less) than 6 credit hours during the Learning and Leadership core program of study?

A: Enrollment in 6 graduate credit hours is required during the core program of study. Due to the rigorous nature of the core program in addition to the participant’s professional practice, enrollment in additional credit hours during the core program of study requires pre-approval by the Program Director/Advisor. Additionally, due to the cohort nature of the program, enrollment in fewer than 6 graduate credit hours (at UTC or other institution) during the core program of study requires pre-approval by the Program Director/Advisor. 

Q4: How will the Learning and Leadership (EdD/PhD) coursework be delivered?

A: The program delivery model is designed with full-time working professionals in mind. During the required core program of study, each participant enrolls in 2 courses (6 credits) per semester until the core has been completed (Fall, Spring and Summer continuous enrollment). Core course work is offered via hybrid delivery. The hybrid delivery model we adopt includes 4-6 face-to-face meetings per course per semester (on the UT-Chattanooga campus on weekends) and extensive work in the Virtual Classroom (online) through discussions and readings, along with self-directed/small group study.

Q7: What are the technical requirements for the LEAD program?

A: Each doctoral participant is expected to demonstrate basic computer skills and to have working knowledge and capability with computer hardware as well as a variety of software applications. Each doctoral participant must have administrative rights to the computer being used during coursework in order to install necessary software. A number of software applications are provided by the university/UT at no charge for all current participants and faculty. Minimum technology requirements for the Learning and Leadership Doctoral Program include:      

• PC or Mac computer with Windows-based operating system*
• Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint (2010 version or newer)
• High speed Internet connection
• Webcam
• Adobe Reader
• EndNote
• SPSS statistical analysis software
• Zoom video conferencing
• UT system provided survey software
• Other applications as indicated by the faculty

*We highly recommend using a PC type computer. Our program faculty/staff and university administration utilize Windows and Microsoft software; therefore, a PC type computer is preferred to ensure compatibility. While the majority of the required software programs are available in both PC and Mac formats, select software programs are not available for use with the Mac operating system and require a Windows-based operating system. Some participants have experienced difficulty and noticed differences when formatting documents when using a Mac Operating System (Mac OS).

Q8: What is a typical LEAD weekend schedule?

A: A typical Saturday schedule would include one core course session in the morning (8:00 am – 12:00 pm ET) and one core course session in the afternoon (1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET). Select courses may include a course session on Friday evening. To view a sample face-to-face meeting schedule, you may access the university class schedule (link: UTC Class Schedule). Please select any term and then search for Subject “Learning and Leadership.” Our courses are listed with the prefix “LEAD.”

Q9: How long does it typically take to earn the Learning and Leadership degree?

A: Participants must complete all degree requirements (66 graduate credit hours Ed.D/76 graduate credit hours Ph.D.) within a 10 year time frame. The "clock starts" with the earliest course applied to the doctoral degree program, including any program-approved transfer credits. The participant’s degree timeline will vary depending on a number of factors including (but not limited to) whether s/he has earned eligible transfer elective credits, his/her elective course enrollment, whether s/he requests a Leave of Absence due to an unexpected life event or remains continuously enrolled, the type of Dissertation s/he chooses to pursue (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods), the proposed Dissertation timeline, etc. Due to the nature of doctoral-level study, individual timelines vary considerably as a result of personal, professional, and personal commitments. The median timeframe for Learning and Leadership program completion is approximately 6 years.

Q10: Is the Learning and Leadership program a 12-month, year-round program?

A: Yes, each participant must remain continuously enrolled in course work. Continuous enrollment in the doctoral program applies to the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. During the initial Summer semester, each participant enrolls in 1 credit hour. During the core program of study, each participant is required to enroll in 6 core credit hours. Once the core program of study has been completed, the participant is required to remain continuously enrolled in course work (between 3-6 elective credit hours per semester). Following the Comprehensive Assessment and admission to candidacy, the candidate is required to continuously enroll in LEAD 7700 Pre-Dissertation Seminar (3 credit hours) followed by LEAD 7999 Dissertation (minimum of 2 credit hours) every semester through the successful defense of the Dissertation and acceptance of the Dissertation by the Graduate School. Failure to remain continuously enrolled will result in program dismissal.

Q11: What are the Learning and Leadership elective requirements?

A: The participant, with Program Director/Advisor approval, will identify and successfully complete elective coursework (24 credit hours for Ed.D/18 credit hours for Ph.D.) in subject matter appropriate for the participant's professional practice.

Minimum Elective Course Requirements:

• Credits must be taken for graduate credit (5000-level or above) from a regionally accredited institution
• Credits must have documented objectives or outcomes that are consistent with graduate level learning (higher order thinking skills)
• Credits must be academic in nature (not internship, practicum, continuing education, etc.)
• Credits must be assigned a letter grade of "B" or higher
• Credits cannot have been used for a previously conferred Master’s degree
• Credits must be approved by the Program Director/Advisor

Transfer Credit Policy:

• Any transfer credits cannot exceed 15 graduate hours (5 courses) and are limited to elective credit
• Previous transfer credits must have been taken within 5 years of entrance into the program.
• Any transfer credit requests for previous course work should be submitted to the Program Director/Advisor, along with course syllabus(i) from the semester the course was taken.  Any approved transfer credits will be documented as part of the Program of Study.
• Any additional transfer credit must be approved in advance and requests must be accompanied by a course syllabus (the most recent version available, no more than one year old) and an official transcript must be submitted upon completion of approved courses

The following types of courses will not be accepted as elective credit toward the doctoral program:

• Courses designed as bridging or leveling work for Master's programs (Foundations of Accounting, Concepts in Economics, etc.)
• Courses that are very similar in scope to core coursework (Principles of Instructional Design, Organizational Effectiveness, etc.)
• Courses offered at the undergraduate level (4000) with a graduate (5000) option

Q12: Are transfer credits permitted in the Learning and Leadership program?

A: A maximum of fifteen (15) hours may be considered for transfer from a regionally accredited institution (see elective credit policy above).

Q13: Must Learning and Leadership candidates complete a Dissertation?

A: Yes, each candidate will be required to register for a minimum of 12 total Dissertation credit hours (Ed.D.)/15 total Dissertation credit hours (Ph.D.) and defend the Dissertation. Candidates who do not complete the Dissertation hours within the 12 credit hour time frame (Ed.D.) or 15 credit hour time frame (Ph.D.) must take an additional 2 Dissertation credit hours each semester through graduation (per continuous enrollment policy).

Q14: How are LEAD Dissertation topics selected?

A: Participants in the doctoral programs will develop their individual research agendas throughout the program of study. Dissertation topics/potential research questions are developed by the candidate with guidance and input from the doctoral faculty. As our program is designed to be work/experienced embedded, dissertation research topics are often designed to investigate some aspects of a candidate’s profession within the broader context of learning, leadership, and decision-making.

Q15: What are the requirements for Learning and Leadership (EdD/PhD) graduation?

A: Graduation requirements include:

• Successful completion of 27 credit hours of required core coursework (Ed.D.)/39 credit hours of required coursework (Ph.D.)
• Successful completion of 24 credit hours of elective coursework (Ed.D.)/18 credit hours of elective coursework (Ph.D.)
• Successful completion of 3 credit hours of Pre-Dissertation Seminar (Ed.D./Ph.D.)
• Passage of the Comprehensive Assessment (Ed.D./Ph.D.)
• Successful completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours of dissertation research (Ed.D)./ 15 credit hours of dissertation research (Ph.D.) and successful defense of the Dissertation
• Cumulative doctoral grade point average of 3.0 or higher

Q16: Will graduates of the Learning and Leadership program earn a PhD or EdD?

A: Graduates will earn a Doctor of Education: Learning and Leadership (Ed.D.) or a Doctor of Philosophy: Leadership and Decision-Making (Ph.D.).