Ed.D. Programs

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is a blend of theory, research, scholarly inquiry, and best practice in a context of Christian values designed to prepare instructional leaders who can articulate the central issues and solve the salient problems of contemporary educational society.

The Ed.D. is the highest professional degree in education. Candidates for this degree are recognized for their commitment to the application of knowledge for the improvement of educational practice. The primary purpose of an Ed.D. program is to provide experienced educators with a broad and systematic understanding of educational theory and practice, and an ability to apply existing research findings to educational problems.

The six objectives of the Ed.D. are to:

1. Focus on issues, practice, and research in the field of educational leadership.
2. Foster scholarly inquiry in areas of professional and intellectual interest.
3. Provide highly individualized experiences which meet individual career goals.
4. Foster analysis and problem solving skill and expertise.
5. Prepare leaders who effectively deal with the real issues of school improvement.
6. Encourage ethical service in a framework of Christian values.

The objectives and statement of purpose emphasize commitment to service in education within a framework of Christian ideals, the essence of the institution’s mission and purpose. The Program Objectives are met within the context of a set of standards developed by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).