Degrees and Programs Offered

Professional Certifications

Professional Certification in Administration (Principal Certification)

Superintendent Certification

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) provides master’s level prepared educators with advanced studies leading to a doctoral degree. The program consists of 24 credit hours of core courses, 12 credit hours in one of two concentration areas (curriculum and instruction or educational leadership), 3 hours of coursework in related fields or electives, and 9 hours of dissertation study. The program is designed for students to successfully complete the 48 credit hour program in three years, with a time limit of ten years.

Core Learning Outcomes

Theory and Practice

Graduates will be able to:

• Analyze, evaluate, and explain the history, philosophies, major theories, and contemporary issues that impact education now and in the future.
• Develop, analyze, and apply the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to effectively evaluate and manage educational environments in an ethical and culturally diverse manner.
• Demonstrate the skills to forecast, plan for, and manage organizational change based upon data driven decisions and the creation of an inclusive, collaborative culture.

Research

Graduates will be able to:

• Engage in all parts of the research process, including specifically describing formation of the problem, design and logic of the study, sources of evidence, measurement and classification, and analysis.
• Apply the required skills, knowledge, and dispositions to design, implement, and evaluate appropriate research methodology to effectuate educational achievement at both the local and national levels interpretation, generalizability of results.
• Demonstrate the ability to think critically and produce well-crafted scholarly writing. 

Two areas of concentration are offered in the program, 1) curriculum and instruction, and 2) educational leadership.

Curriculum and Instruction

Graduates will be able to:

• Research, identify, and evaluate, current trends and issues impacting curriculum and instruction.
• Identify, select, apply, and evaluate appropriate resources to support curriculum and to facilitate effective instruction.
• Identify and provide appropriate staff development to meet the professional needs of faculty.
• Interpret and implement local, state, and federal standards/changes impacting curriculum and instruction.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to implement culturally relevant instruction and curriculum for a variety of student backgrounds.

Educational Leadership

Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate the development, articulation, and implementation of shared vision of learning that is supported by the community.

• Examine and apply the skills to manage the resources of the community to provide a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately to the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural landscapes.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to develop and sustain a collaborative culture with all community stakeholders by responding to diverse community interests and needs.
• Analyze, describe, and evaluate characteristics of a effective school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.