Doctor of Education Program (Ed.D.) - Leadership in Educational Administration
Dr. Marlene Zipperlen, Program Director
Vision
Graduates of the Doctor of Education program will be thoroughly prepared to engage in leadership, collaboration, decision-making, research, and reform initiatives in P-12, higher education and Nursing education.
Mission
The mission of the Doctor of Education program is to create exemplary educational leaders for the P-12, higher education, and nursing environments through a Christian framework. These leaders will be grounded in leadership theory, application strategies, consumption/production of research, collaboration, data-driven decision making, and the blending/balancing of knowledge, ethics, and faith in the overall leadership process. The three-year 60 hours program prepares graduates to engage in leadership, collaboration, decision-making, research, and reform initiatives in various educational sectors.
Program Entrance Requirements
- Submit official transcript of a completed Master’s degree from an accredited university in an area related to the proposed studies, with a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for courses applied toward a Master’s degree.
- Interview with members of the Ed.D. faculty.
- Compose an essay response to an educational leadership prompt. (The essay and the interview will be held on the same day.)
- Submit resume or curriculum vita documenting educational background, professional experience, certifications and endorsements, professional development and training, community service, and general references.
- Receipt of three completed letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s professional and academic background.
- Submit employment verification document or artifact, if employed.
Transfer Credits
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Credit must be earned within five years prior to matriculation into the doctoral program.
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Graduate level credit must be beyond the master’s degree from an accredited Graduate School.
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Credits transferred in must be appropriate to the degree sought.
- Transfer credit must be approved by members of the Ed.D. Faculty
Mode of Instruction
Students will be admitted to the program in cohorts and complete all courses and experience as a group over a three-year period. The cohort promotes collaboration and helps to create a community of learners.
Courses will be delivered in a variety of methods including, but not limited to lecture, discussion, presentations, readings, speakers, group collaboration, problem-based activities, and case studies. The program also includes required state, national, and international summer institutes. The Doctor of Education Program affords doctoral students the flexibility to study while maintaining obligations to families and careers. Classes will meet five weekends during each long semester on Friday and Saturday.
Residency Requirement
The doctoral student may fulfill residence requirements through completion of 30 credit hours of which 18 must be taken as a full-time student (9 hours in a long semester; 6 hours summer semesters).
Admissions to Candidacy
Students are admitted to candidacy for the Doctor of Education degree only after they have successfully passed the research qualifying examination and have completed thirty-six (36) semester hours of program study. The qualifying exam must be completed at least two semesters prior to the date the degree is conferred. If any part of the examination is failed the examining committee shall recommend reexamination. No more than two failures are permitted. The qualifying examination is a test of competence in the areas of research, methods and design.
Assignment of Dissertation Committee
Upon advancement to candidacy, students are allowed to recommend their preference for dissertation committee members and chairpersons to the Ed. D. faculty. The committee will consist of the faculty member chairperson and two other committee members.
Culminating Assessments
The Doctor of Education Program has three (3) culminating assessments which serve as final prerequisites for graduation. Students are permitted to graduate only after they have successfully completed the LEAD Read exam, professional portfolio-presentation, and dissertation defense.
Time Limitation
The maximum time limit for the doctoral degree is seven years from the point of matriculation. After this time, the appropriate required coursework may be revalidated or not according to the policy of the individual degree program in consultation with the Graduate School. Candidates are not allowed to continue in the doctoral program after ten years has elapsed from the semester of admission.