Ed.D. Program: Higher Education Specialization
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education is designed to prepare college and university professionals to serve as administrators, with special attention to the needs of smaller independent institutions of higher education. The degree program is delivered in a combination of campus, blended, and online courses to ensure service to a national community.
The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education articulates goals which include the university’s guiding principles of academic excellence, Christian values, development of the whole person and personal attention. Union’s mission “to provide Christ-centered higher education that promotes excellence and character development in service to Church and society” serves as a guiding framework for the higher education program. The degree will be offered by the School of Education whose mission is “to prepare educators of character and competence as they reflect Christ as they serve and lead in their schools and communities.”
The Ed.D. program seeks to:
- Focus on issues, practice and research in the field of higher education;
- Foster scholarly inquiry in areas of professional and intellectual interest;
- Provide highly individualized experiences which meet individual career goals;
- Foster analysis and problem solving skills and expertise;
- Prepare leaders who effectively deal with the challenges facing higher education; including best practices in teaching and learning;
- Encourage ethical service in a framework of Christian values.
School of Education Mission Statement/Conceptual Framework
The mission of the Education Department is to prepare educators of character and competence who reflect Christ as they serve and lead in their schools and communities. The Ed.D. degree is guided by the conceptual framework of the Teacher Education Program: a teacher-student dynamic of sensitivity, reflection and faith.
Purpose and Description of the Doctorate in Educational Leadership
The Ed.D. Degree 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. degree 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 Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at Union University 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 Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree is a 60-semester hour post-Masters program offered by Union University, the College of Education and Human Studies, and the School of Education
Ed.D. Course of Study/Higher Education Emphasis
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) curriculum has three components: Leadership Issues, Leadership Practice, and Leadership Research. The Higher Education Program emphasis courses for each component are categorized below:
Leadership Issues
- History and Philosophy of Higher Education
- Higher Education Policy and Assessment
- Leadership, Organizations and Change
- Strategic Planning and Marketing for Higher Education
- Legal Issues in Higher Education
- Faith and Ethics in Educational Leadership
Leadership Practice
- Engaged Learning
- The American College Student
- Service-Learning
- Curriculum Design and Evaluation in Higher Education
- Comparative Higher Education
- Proseminar Series
- Leadership Internship
Leadership Research
- Research Issues in Educational Leadership
- Intermediate Statistics
- Research Methods and Design
- Advanced Statistics and Design
- Dissertation
Doctoral Processes
Listed below are the steps or processes that the doctoral student completes:
- In consultation with the program director and faculty, doctoral students are assigned a dissertation committee chair by a graduate director during the spring semester before their comprehensive exams in the summer. Selection of the committee chair is a critical step in the completion of the doctoral degree. Factors considered in selection are (1) expertise in area of proposed research, (2) availability, and (3) compatibility. A student works with his/her chair to recommend two other graduate faculty who will serve on the committee. They will be assigned as early as the Fall and no later than the Spring semester of the first year of the Research-Dissertation component. In addition, the various faculty who teach one or more of the research courses (EDR 700, 710, 720, 725) serve as research design and statistics resource faculty for all the dissertation committees.
- Written Comprehensive Examinations--upon completion of all courses prior to the Dissertation (48 credit hours). Students receive clearance to take the Comprehensive Examinations when the following requirements are met: a GPA of 3.2 in the first 48 credit hours of Ed.D. coursework as specified in the student’s Program of Study; an approved doctoral committee. These examinations cover issues, practice and research in Educational Leadership. The written exam is prepared by the student’s doctoral committee and takes place over the course of three exam days. The exam reflects the course emphasis categories including: 1). Leadership issues; 2). Leadership practice; and 3). Leadership Research. The exam consists of questions that are designed to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to analyze and synthesize pertinent knowledge in educational leadership while addressing significant problems and issues in their field. The exam is administered under supervision without the aid of texts or related materials. An oral Critique/Clarification with the student’s doctoral committee follows. Successful completion of the comprehensive examination advances the student to Doctoral Candidacy, a requirement for registration for Dissertation credit hours.
The Dissertation - handbook & forms
The Doctoral dissertation is the culminating experience and exit requirement in the Doctor of Education degree program. It is a scholarly inquiry into an area of professional and intellectual interest. It is a highly individualized experience for the graduate student; thus, the topic of the research may vary depending on the professional goals and area of specialization of the student and expertise of the faculty. Working with an adviser early in the program and with faculty throughout the coursework, the student develops a research problem and proposal. Using the expertise and knowledge developed in the research core courses (EDR 700, 710, 720, 725), and under the direction of a faculty dissertation adviser and committee, the student conducts the research and produces a quality report of the findings. The student must achieve dissertation proposal approval by the doctoral dissertation committee as a prerequisite for registration for dissertation hours. It is expected that the dissertation will follow standard accepted research methodologies and format. Requiring a broad-based understanding of theory and research, the Ed.D. dissertation should integrate knowledge and provide solutions to problems in the educational community, focusing on a specific setting. Results should include specific solutions or changes in educational practice. As a final demonstration of scholarly competence, the student conducts an oral presentation and defense of the research.
Admission Requirements
Doctoral programs require considerable faculty time and resources, necessitating the admission of a limited number of students each year. Applicants for the doctorate must meet graduate admission requirements (see graduate catalogue) as well as Ed.D. criteria:
- Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees from regionally accredited institutions
- Documentation of at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
- Grade Point Average—3.2 or higher on graduate credit hours.
- Interview—submission to an interview by graduate faculty pertinent to the student’s potential for doctoral study
- Graduate Record Examination—submission of scores from the GRE taken within the past 5 years.
Application Procedure
Classes for new cohorts begin each June. Students may be admitted throughout the year in an ongoing process so that they can begin the necessary prerequisites and complete their doctoral admission file.
The items below must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies in Education in Jackson. After they have been received, the applicant may be contacted to schedule a formal interview with graduate faculty in education. When a decision is reached, students will be notified of their status by letter.
- A completed doctoral application
- A $25 assessment fee
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions where the student has taken work
- A personal statement which: (a) reflects the individuals’ professional experience; (b) discusses future professional plans and goals; and (c) includes a rationale for pursuing the doctoral degree. This statement is not to exceed 300 words.
- Official Report scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)—taken within past 5 years
- Three current letters of recommendation—rating forms from three present or former employers who can attest to the candidate’s leadership potential.
Program of Study
At the time of admission, a student may transfer up to 9 comparable graduate semester credit hours (recent “A” or “B” work from a regionally accredited institution) into the doctoral program with the approval of the Director of the Higher Education Program. Transferred credits become a part of an official Program of Study that is furnished to the student. It is the student’s responsibility to follow the Program of Study carefully in scheduling classes.
Degree Completion
A 3.2 program minimum GPA and a minimum of 60 semester credit hours are required for graduation. All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within 6 years from the first semester of enrollment. Students needing more than 6 years to complete the degree must file a time extension petition with the Dean of the College of Education and Human Studies.
Description of Program
The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education is a 60-semester-credit hours post-Masters program to be offered by Union University, the College of Education and Human Studies and the School of Education.
Course of Studies (60 Credit Hours Total)
- Required Courses (39 credit hours)
- Engaged Learning (3 credit hours)
- Leadership, Organizations and Change (3 credit hours)
- History and Philosophy of Higher Education Course (3 credit hours)
- Higher Education Policy and Assessment (3 credit hours)
- Strategic Planning and Marketing for Higher Education (3 credit hours)
- Faith and Ethics in Educational Leadership (3 credit hours)
- The American College Student (3 credit hours)
- Service-Learning in Higher Education (3 credit hours)
- Research Issues in Educational Leadership (3 credit hours)
- Intermediate Statistics (3 credit hours)
- Research Methods and Design (3 credit hours)
- Advanced Statistics and Design (3 credit hours)
- Curriculum Design and Evaluation in Higher Education (3 credit hours)
In order to meet individual student needs, 9 credit hours may be taken from the following:
Proseminar, Special Topics and/or Internship.
- Proseminar in Higher Education
- Special Topics in Higher Education
- Comparative Higher Education
- Legal Issues in Higher Education
- Internship
- Dissertation (12 credit hours)
Projected Course Schedule
June: (6 credit hours)
Faith and Ethics in Educational Leadership, 3 hours, Campus-based
Leadership, Organizations and Change, 3 hours, Campus-based
September through December: (9 credit hours)
Research Issues in Educational Leadership, 3 hours, Blended (campus & online)
The American College Student, 3 hours, Online
Strategic Planning and Marketing for Higher Education, 3 hours, Online
February through May: (6 credit hours)
Intermediate Statistics, 3 hours, Blended (campus & online)
Higher Education Research, 3 hours, Online
June: (6 credit hours)
Engaged Learning, 3 hours, Campus-based
History and Philosophy of Higher Education, 3 hours, Campus-based
July: (3 credit hours)
Curriculum Design and Evaluation in Higher Education, 3 hours, Online
September through December: (6 credit hours)
Research Methods and Design, 3 hours, Blended (campus & online)
Higher Education Policy and Assessment, Online
February through May: (6 credit hours)
Advanced Statistics and Design, 3 hours, Blended (campus & online)
Dissertation Research, 3 hours, Online
June: (3 credit hours)
Proseminar: Special Topics or Internship (Elective), 3 hours
July: (3 credit hours)
Service-Learning in Higher Education, 3 hours, Online
September through December: Comprehensive Exams, Proposal Approval
January through November: Dissertation (12 credit hours), Doctoral Defense
Key:
- * = existing Ed.D. program course
- C = anticipated primary delivery on Union campus
- B = anticipated primary delivery blended on-campus and online
- O = anticipated primary delivery online
