Leadership and Professional Practice Doctoral Program (EdD)

The multidisciplinary Leadership and Professional Practice Doctoral Program (EdD) is designed to equip participants with an understanding of the relationship that learning and leadership play in the professional process; develop reflective practitioners in a variety of organizations/institutions; and focus on the interwoven nature of leadership, decision-making, and learning; emphasizing the proficiency that individuals will need as they pursue the challenges of ever-changing processes and practices.

The Leadership and Professional Practice curriculum is work/experience embedded, meaning that everyone pursuing the degree is typically actively working and engaged in a professional practice of some type. The EdD is designed for professionals who are passionate about implementing sustainable change through innovative approaches to learning, professional/instructional practice, and leadership. Participants will demonstrate competency in the following program domains: Learning and Leadership; Professional/Instructional Practice; Measurement and Inquiry; and Communication.

Each participant is required to successfully complete a one-credit hour foundational course during the initial Summer semester. The foundational course typically includes two required synchronous meetings and material work in the Virtual Classroom (online) through discussions and readings. Following successful completion of the foundational course, each participant is required to enroll in a sequence of core courses (6 credit hours per semester) year-round (Fall, Spring, and Summer) until the core is completed. All core courses are offered via online delivery (Virtual Classroom), with occasional synchronous meetings with faculty. Once the core program has been completed, each participant works to complete elective requirements, the Comprehensive Assessment, Research Pre-Project of Practice, and Research Project of Practice. The EdD Research Project of Practice focuses on research-based problems of practice that exist in the candidate’s professional work environment while providing practical solutions that promote success.