How the Ed.D. in Education Program Works
The Ed.D. is composed of three interrelated program components – the core, a concentration, and a capstone/dissertation experience.
The Core
(24 credits)
A sequence of classes that provide all Ed.D. students with foundational knowledge and skills for leading in educational contexts in the 21st century, the core is organized around four areas: Leadership, Organizations, and Change; Social Contexts; Learners and Learning; and Inquiry.
Concentration
(24 credits)
Honing in on a specific area of leadership and practice, students select from
five areas of study:
Dissertation
(24 credits)
The Ed.D culminates with a year-long dissertation experience. The dissertation requires students to identify and investigate a problem of practice systematically using relevant research literature, and inquiry methodology.
The Schedule
Designed with full-time working professionals in mind, the program may be completed in three years plus one summer and features early evening courses.
| Summer 1 | Fall 1 | Spring 1 |
| Learning & Learners (3 credits)
Leadership (3 credits) Inquiry I (3 credits) |
Social Contexts (3 credits)
Concentration (3 credits) |
Learning & Learners II (3 credits)
Concentration (3 credits) |
| Summer 2 | Fall 2 | Spring 2 |
| Leadership II (3 credits)
Social Contexts II (3 credits) Concentration (3 credits) |
Inquiry II (3 credits)
Concentration (3 credits) |
Concentration (6 credits) |
| Summer 3 | Fall 3 | Spring 3 |
| Concentration (6 credits)
Capstone (3 credits) |
Capstone (6 credits) | Capstone (6 credits) |
| Summer 4 | ||
| Capstone (9 credits) |