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Dec 21, 2024
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National University Volume 87A-2 - December 2024
Doctor of Education, EdD
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Doctor of Education
Description of Program
The Doctor of Education degree program is designed for professionals who seek to lead improvements in practice within educational organizations. You will integrate theoretical constructs into your considerations of complex professional problems, developing strategies, tactics, and policies not only to improve practice and ensure regulatory compliance, but also with attention to issues of equity, inclusion, social justice, and ethical conduct.
Please be advised that this program is NOT accredited in Kentucky by the Education Professional Standards Board and is NOT recognized for initial, additional, or renewal of certification or salary enhancement (rank change) for P-12 educators in Kentucky. For more information, please visit the Education Professional Standards Board’s website at http://www.epsb.ky.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=12.
Click here for potential career opportunities within the EdD.
Note: The program sequence below is open to new students and re-entry students gone more than 365 days only. Students who enrolled prior to April 1, 2019 must continue in the program sequence as stated in the catalog under which they enrolled.
Learning Outcomes
- Recommend policies advancing equity and social justice in educational organizations
- Select ethical and regulatory compliant actions supporting the mission and vision of organizations
- Develop leadership skills through the integration of theoretical constructs with professional practice
- Create strategic and tactical plans to improve organizations
- Construct theory-informed decisions for addressing complex problems of practice
Basis for Admissions
Admission to the Doctor of Education program requires a conferred post-baccalaureate master’s degree and/or doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution. Examples of acceptable doctoral degrees include doctor of philosophy (PhD), and doctor of education (EdD).
In addition to general requirements for admission to an EdD program, applicants to the EdD program with specialization in Nursing Education must provide a copy of the following:
- A valid and active RN license from the United States
- A master’s degree in nursing (MSN)
Degree Requirements
The EdD Program requires 48 credits for degree completion. Students who choose the Nursing Education specialization must take two additional specialization courses for a total of 54 credit hours. Additional credit hours may be allowed as needed to complete the dissertation research. If granted, additional courses will be added to the student degree program in alignment with the SAP and Academic Maximum Time to Completion policies. Students who do not complete their program in accordance with these policies may be dismissed.
- Individuals with a previously completed master’s degree will meet the basis of admission to the Doctor of Education Program.
- Doctoral courses are comprised of methods, the pre-candidacy prospectus, and the dissertation with a Grade Point Average of 3.00 (B) or higher.
- EdD students must demonstrate competency in specific subject areas prior to enrolling in any of the specialization or elective courses.
The University may accept a maximum of 12 semester credit hours in transfer toward the doctoral degree for graduate coursework completed toward a doctoral degree at an accredited college or university with a grade of “B” or better. Transfer credit is only awarded for course work that is evaluated to be substantially equivalent in content with the required course work for the EdD program. See the Transfer Credit policy for additional information.
Note: Students who complete the University’s EdS program may be eligible to apply up to 30 credits from the EdS program to the Sanford College of Education’s Doctoral programs. School Dean (or their designee) approval is required to determine number of applicable credit hours from EdS to the selected doctoral program.
Dissertation Completion Pathway
The University’s mission is dedicated to assisting students in achieving their academic aspirations and helping them become valuable contributors to their community and profession. To support our mission, the University now offers a dissertation completion pathway for students who have successfully completed their doctoral coursework and achieved doctoral candidacy at a previous institution but were unable to complete their dissertation. The University’s Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP) offers a unique opportunity for students to complete their doctorate in one of the doctoral programs offered at the University (excluding the PhD-MFT and DNP). Students successfully meeting the entrance and application requirements will complete a minimum of 23 credit hours to earn their doctorate.
Click for more information on the
Time to Completion
The University allows 7 years to complete all doctoral programs of 60 credits or less.
The median time to completion for this program is 33 months (36 months for Nursing Education specialization).
Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most students are working adults, balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance counselors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.
Students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 33 months (36 months for Nursing Education specialization).
Certification and Licensing
The Sanford College of Education serves educational leaders by providing online graduate studies in education to reach worldwide populations. The EdD program is designed to reach national and international markets and does not purport to provide licensure or certification in any particular state or country.
Dissertation Process
Faculty assists each Doctoral student to reach this high goal through a systematic process leading to a high-quality completed dissertation. This process requires care in choosing a topic, documenting its importance, planning the methodology, and conducting the research. These activities lead smoothly into the writing and oral presentation of the dissertation.
A doctoral candidate must be continuously enrolled throughout the series of dissertation courses. Dissertation courses are automatically scheduled and accepted without a break in scheduling to ensure that students remain in continuous enrollment throughout the dissertation course sequence. If additional time is required to complete any of the dissertation courses, students must re-enroll and pay the tuition for that course. Continuous enrollment will only be permitted when students demonstrate progress toward completing dissertation requirements. The Dissertation Committee determines progress.
Course Sequence
The Doctor of Education (EdD) program emphasizes an applied, project based approach to development of appreciable improvements in the body of educational practice. The EdD attracts individuals who are primarily professional administrators either at the PK-12 level or the higher education level. (Deans, enrollment managers, superintendents, principals, teacher leaders, and education faculty who primarily teach - not do research, educational consultants, trainers in organizations). EdD research focuses on solving a problem in the workplace or in the professional field of education and results in a dissertation, but also produces a “product” or solution. This degree is also intended to help students increase their own workplace Leadership Skills. For EdD students, all the statistics they will need is embedded into the Research Courses. An oral presentation of the dissertation is required.
All foundation competency courses, specialization courses, and method coursework must be completed prior to students entering into the Comprehensive Assessment. Upon successful completion of the Doctoral Comprehensive Assessment: Pre-Candidacy Prospectus, students become official Doctoral Candidates and may move onward to the dissertation coursework which is completed sequentially.
In the Doctor of Education, specializations such as Curriculum and Teaching (CT), Early Childhood Education (ECE), Educational Leadership (EL), English Language Learning (ELL), Instructional Leadership (IL), Leadership in Coaching and Sport Management (LSM), Special Education (SE), and have a curriculum focused on the PK-12 environment.
Curriculum and Teaching (CT) Specialization
The nature and purpose of the Curriculum and Teaching specialization is to provide teacher -learners the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies that will enhance their instructional practice and leadership. You will have the opportunity to explore, examine, and evaluate contemporary teaching and instructional practices, including the evaluation of broader curriculum programs.
Specialization Courses – 12 credit hours
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialization
In this specialization, you will build on your existing knowledge and skills in early childhood education as you focus on leadership in practice. This focus will include curriculum, assessment, and program administration that aligns with research on the growth and development of young children. You will also investigate the roles of families, caregivers, schools, and communities as partners in early childhood education. This specialization supports your development as a leader focused on problems of practice in the field of early childhood education.
Specialization Courses – 12 credit hours
English Language Learning (ELL) Specialization
The pedagogy of language acquisition is of great importance in not only today’s classrooms, but also the businesses and organizations with which we all interact. The English Language Learning (ELL) specialization within the EdD-Ed program contributes to your preparation as an advanced practitioner and leader in the field. You will examine the teaching, assessing, and developing curriculum for English language learners through the eyes of an advanced practitioner or local leader. In the final course, you will consider significant issues in ELL education, and one of these issues might inspire your dissertation-in-practice. Please note that, if you are seeking ELL/ESL certification, you should verify with appropriate state officials that this specialization meets applicable certification requirements.
Specialization Courses – 12 credit hours
General Education Specialization
The General Education specialization allows students to select courses from a broad range of electives to fit their personal and professional goals.
Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours for the specialization in General Education. Students may take education courses at the 7000 or 9000 level including up to two courses from other fields (Psychology, Technology and/or Business) to fulfill their specialization requirements. Additional courses (i.e., more than two courses) from other disciplines may be considered to fill this requirement, with Dean approval.
Specialization Courses - 12 credit hours
Students are required to take 4 specializations courses. Students can choose from any of the following specialization courses listed below.
- EDL-9300 - Legal Issues in PK-12 Education
- EDL-9100 - Leadership for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
- EDL-9000 - Educational Leadership Theories
- EDL-9400 - PK-12 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- EDL-9200 - Leadership, Supervision, and Personnel in PK-12 Education
- OTL-7001 - Principles and Practices in Online Teaching and Learning
- SE-7100 - Advanced Topics in Special Education
- SEL-7600 - Comprehensive Planning for SEL Initiatives
- SEM-7200 - Communicating, Collaborating, and Planning for Safety, Security, and Emergency Management
- TRA-7100 - Trauma-Informed Educational Practices within Community Contexts and Conditions
Note
Courses listed are examples and upon acceptance to the program the initial degree plan will include these courses. Students are encouraged to choose their specialization courses based on personal and professional goals and to work with their Academic and Finance Counselor to revise their degree plan.
Instructional Leadership (IL) Specialization
Leaders are needed to assist school districts and state educational boards with improvement of instructional capacities in our schools. This specialization provides a strong background in the supervision of instruction and the ability to assess and interpret data. The specialization focuses on instructional improvements and reform to enhance student achievement.
Specialization Courses – 12 credit hours
Students are required to take 4 specializations courses. Students will be required to take the first three specialization courses and then choose one of the remaining specialization courses listed below.
International Education and Globalization (IEG) Specialization
The focus of the International Education and Globalization specialization is on educational phenomena, practices, institutions, and organizations within different societies and cultures. This specialization includes an exploration of international organizations, initiatives, ethics, and challenges faced by international and global practitioners. Further, this specialization prepares individuals to apply the concepts of organizational training, development, and leadership to the design, management, and evaluation of programs, institutions, and organizations. Additionally, this specialization will examine issues, challenges, and opportunities related to culture and society; as well as conflict, mediation, and resolution. Finally, this specialization explores the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in international and global contexts to enhance strategies and policy for practitioners.
Specialization Courses - 12 credit hours
Leadership in Coaching and Sport Management (LSM) Specialization
The specialization is designed to allow students to develop and enhance academic and practical skills for success in the academy and other career paths. The specialization reinforces principles in leadership, research, appreciation of literature, and data driven decision making, allowing graduates to create or enhance their own niche in the many disciplines of athletic coaching and sport management. Students will integrate professional and ethical essentials of leadership including DEI in athletic coaching and sport management and validate research principles to make data driven decisions in athletic coaching and sport management. Further, students will justify continual professional development in athletic coaching and sport management and cultivate effective communications with all audiences using a variety of delivery modalities. Finally, students will synthesize literature for research-based practice in athletic coaching and sport management and develop specialization content knowledge in the core and related courses. The specialization blends coursework, research, and practical experience to prepare the graduates for careers in interscholastic, intercollegiate, professional, and recreational sport settings.
Specialization Courses – 12 credit hours
Leadership in Higher Education (LHE) Specialization
This specialization prepares you to lead in a variety of higher education institutions. You will examine leadership across different functions, such as student services, strategic planning, and academic program and curriculum development, as well as different types of institutions, such as public, private, for profit, and non-profit. You will also explore the leader’s role in other institutional operations related to legal and financial considerations.
Specialization Courses – 12 credit hours
Students are required to take 4 specializations courses. Students will be required to take the first three specialization courses and then choose one of the remaining specialization courses listed below.
Nursing Education (NUR) Specialization
The principal mission of this specialization is to prepare nurse educators and leaders in nursing education. In this interdisciplinary specialization, students take courses in the Sanford College of Education and the School of Health Professions, Department of Nursing. The recent shortage of nursing faculty has resulted in a scarcity of enrollment vacancies in U.S. nursing programs. It is this gap that the University’s Nursing Education specialization is designed to fill.
Note: Students who choose the Nursing Education specialization must take two additional specialization courses for a total of 54 credit hours.
Specialization Courses – 18 credit hours
Online Teaching and Learning (OTL) Specialization
This specialization integrates curriculum development, instructional design and course delivery using technology and online learning management systems. The specialization focuses on providing a knowledge base of current research for the planning and implementation of teaching and delivery modalities using instructional design methodologies incorporating educational media.
Specialization Courses - 12 credit hours
Select 4 courses from the following:
Organizational Leadership (OL) Specialization
Designed for professionals aspiring towards leadership roles in education, corporate, government, or community organizations, this specialization equips students with the tools necessary to make things happen in any organization. This specialization concentrates on the strategies to forge alliances, build confidence, and inspire a shared vision. This curriculum is grounded in applied research and provides exploration of issues and resolutions in contemporary organizations.
Specialization Courses – 12 credit hours
Students are required to take 4 specializations courses. Students will be required to take the first three specialization courses and then choose one of the remaining specialization courses listed below.
School Safety, Security and Emergency Management (SEM) Specialization
The school safety, security, and emergency management specialization is designed to allow learners to focus on the three areas unique to the specialization title. Students who feel safe and secure at school are better able to learn by engaging with the curriculum, their teachers, and their peers. This specialization offers K-12 professionals and other related emergency management or district management personnel the opportunity to learn about diverse topics such as technologies to manage safety, security, and emergencies; threat assessments of people and facilities; restorative justice, and other alternatives to student discipline; and how to contribute, implement and improve school safety plans.
Specialization Courses - 12 credit hours
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialization
The Social Emotional Learning (SEL) specialization is focused on mid-career or advanced classroom teachers, school counselors or psychologists, and school/district administrators who desire a more intensive examination of the five core competencies identified by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL): self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness. From a practitioner’s perspective, you will examine how these competencies are applied across classrooms, schools, homes, and communities. While individuals outside of the K-12 school context would benefit from the specialization, the courses do use a K-12 lens.
Specialization Courses – 12 credit hours
To fulfill the four-course elective requirement, students are required to take SEL-7100 and SEL-7600, with a choice of two of the remaining four courses in between. SEL-7100 should be taken as the first course and SEL-7600 should be taken as the last course.
Special Education (SE) Specialization
The program is designed for students who work with gifted and disabled students in a variety of settings. The course offerings in this specialization cover a wide spectrum of issues related to individuals with disabilities, including the development and characteristics of students, learning differences, and instructional strategies to address the needs of these students. Additionally, the specialization will provide the skills to plan, assess, and deliver instruction to students with mental, physical, behavioral, learning disabilities, and the gifted student.
Specialization Courses – 12 credit hours
Trauma-Informed Educational Practices (TRA) Specialization
The EdD is an applied practitioner degree, which affords students the opportunity to implement change and practices within their own environment. This degree will build on practice-based knowledge and skills related to teaching and learning with a focus on specific trauma-informed educational practices. This applied study will extend across various educational settings and populations. You will explore the fundamentals of practice in trauma-informed approaches to education, explore how trauma manifests in different populations and communities, specific trauma-informed strategies for the classroom, and practices common to strengthening resilience among both students and educators.
Specialization Courses - 12 credit hours
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