Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Educational Leadership, Higher Education Leadership Concentration, Ed.D.


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Educational Leadership Concentration


Student Learning Outcomes:

Candidates who complete the program are educational leaders who have the knowledge and ability to promote the success of all students by:

  • Applying their knowledge of research methodology. 

  • Applying and synthesizing content knowledge in Higher Education. 

  • Applying and synthesizing content knowledge in PreK-12 Administration and Supervision. 

Admission Requirements for Pre-K-12 Administration and Higher Education Leadership Concentrations

Admission to the program requires the applicant to have a master’s or specialist degree from an accredited university, a graduate cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better on a 4.0 scale on the last graduate degree, and submission of an official report of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score or Millers Analogies Test (MAT) Score. All applicants must submit test scores at the time of application.

All application materials must be submitted to the Graduate School by the deadlines given here. These dates apply to both on and off campus sites.

The admissions committee will review and evaluate the entire academic and professional record in making the admission decision. Consideration will be given to (a) previous graduate GPA; (b) GRE or MAT scores; (c) three (3) letters of recommendation indicating probable success in the program from professional sources on official letterhead; (d) an acceptable work experience record (curriculum vita or resume); (e) an acceptable score on an interview; and (f) an acceptable score on a scholarly writing sample. These criteria listed above will be evaluated to determine the applicant’s overall potential for success in the program as compared to other applicants in the admissions cycle. All criteria are weighted equally, and no one criteria will keep a student out of the program. There are no conditional admissions.

Higher Education Leadership Admission Deadlines (Ed.D.)

  • Submit by February 1st for admission in the fall semester.

Higher Education Leadership Concentration


Program of Study


Degree Requirements (Higher Education Administration)


The doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Leadership is designed to offer students the experience of advanced study and research in their field of specialization. Study at the doctoral level requires a high level of motivation, dedication, and persistence by students who are committed to: (1) improving their personal and professional goals, and (2) advancing knowledge in their chosen field of study through independent and high quality dissertation research.

The degree requirements consist of the following:

  1. A minimum of sixty (60) credit hours of approved coursework beyond the Master’s degree;
  2. Twelve (12) credit hours in the doctoral core;
  3. Thirty-three (33) credit hours in the major core;
  4. Nine (9) credit hours of electives; and,
  5. Six to fifteen (6-15) credit hours for the satisfactory completion of the doctoral dissertation.

Also required is the successful completion of a written qualifying and comprehensive examination and residency of a minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours over a period of four (4) semesters. All courses must be taken in order. Candidates must see their advisor prior to registering each semester.

Grades of “C” or lower cannot count toward the doctoral degree, nor does the grade of “C” or lower meet eligibility requirements for the Comprehensive Examinations. Courses with a “C” or lower must be retaken for a higher grade. Students can only retake a course a maximum of two times. Students failing to complete a course with a grade of “B” or better after the second attempt may be dismissed from the degree program.

Electives (9-credit hours)


Consultation with your advisor is required in the selection of electives.
  • EDAD **** - Elective (3)
  • EDAD **** - Elective (3)
  • EDAD **** - Elective (3)

Dissertation (6-15 credit hours)


Minimum required hours for the Ed.D. (60-credit hours)


Consultation with your advisor is required before registering for courses.

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