Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership
The Ed.D. degree in Educational Leadership is designed to provide in-depth knowledge and skills to educational leaders who seek to develop and refine their knowledge and skills to help transform through practice the educational institution. The program emphasizes the application of scholarship (theory) to the improvement of educational practice. It is intended for individuals in educational leadership careers. Students accepted into the program will be part of a cohort. The Ed.S. degree program was also designed for a seamless transition into the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership program if the applicant meets department requirements. Students entering the Doctor of Education program, who have an earned Specialist in Education degree in Educational Leadership from an approved institution, may receive up to a maximum of 27 credits toward the Doctor of Education. Remaining Doctor of Education requirements must be completed at Central Michigan University.

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

Admission:

In order to be considered for admission to the program, an applicant must have completed a master's degree with a minimum graduate grade point average of 3.5 and must have completed three years of professional education experience. (Preference will be given to those with leadership experience.)

There are two application deadlines, April 1 and July 1. Preference will be given to April 1 applicants. Admission will continue until the cohort is filled. A completed application packet will include the following materials:
To the College of Graduate Studies:
  1. Graduate Application
  2. Application Fee
  3. Official transcript(s) pertaining to all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework
To the Department of Educational Leadership:
  1. Three Recommendations: Use the Ed.D. Letter of Recommendation Form (Click Here) and submit recommendations from three individuals familiar with your academic and scholarly work.
  2. Personal Statement: A two- or three-page typewritten statement describing your educational and professional goals as they relate to pursuing the Doctor of Education at Central Michigan University.
  3. GRE Score: An official score report from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) earned within the last five years.
  4. TOEFL Score: If your native language is not English, submit an official score report from the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL is required of all non-native speakers unless they have completed two years of university-level coursework in an English-language institution.
  5. Current Resume or Vita
  6. Signed Declaration of Commitment (Click Here)
  7. Participation in Doctor of Education Interview/Group Process
The Doctoral Program Committee will make all decisions regarding admissions, selecting the cohort from those interviewed. Preference will be given to those applicants who have a demonstrated history of educational leadership and who have career goals consistent with the expectations of this program. The total application package will be evaluated holistically.

Program Requirements

Progress through the program is based upon obtaining satisfactory grades (a 3.25 GPA average overall), passing written and oral comprehensive exams, and completing a doctoral dissertation. Students who have an earned Educational Specialist degree may be able to waive some program requirements.

Research Requirements (9 hours)

The research component encompasses both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The competencies to be developed are essential to interpreting and evaluating research studies to be encountered in all course work as well as to completing the dissertation requirement.
EDL 700 - Advanced Administrative Research 3(3-0)
EDL 800 - Qualitative Research in Educational Leadership 3(3-0)
EDL 801 - Quantitative Analysis in Educational Leadership 3(3-0)

Academic Core (15 hours)

The academic core component includes all of the critical areas of study for future educational leaders: foundations, organizational and leadership analyses, and the issues which change and dominate over time. The courses are designed to provide students with the underpinnings to understand and to act effectively upon the challenges confronting the educational organization.
EDL 815 - Ethical Leadership 3(3-0)
EDL 855 - Organizational Culture and Change in Educational Institutions 3(3-0)
EDL 860 - Organizational Theory in Educational Institutions 3(3-0)
EDL 899 - Doctoral Seminar 3-6(Spec)

Concentration (12 hours)

There are four choices from which students may select a concentration, based upon their needs assessment. The specific courses will be determined in consultation between the student and the academic advisor.

Concentration I: K-12 Leadership
EDL 775 - Educational Policy Analysis 3(3-0)
Plus nine hours of electives to be chosen in consultation with program advisor.

Concentration II: K-12 Curriculum
EDL 773 - Instructional Supervision for Educational Leaders 3(3-0)
Plus nine hours of electives to be chosen in consultation with program advisor.

Concentration III: Higher Education Leadership
EDL 876 - Higher Education Policy 3(3-0)
Plus nine hours of electives to be chosen in consultation with program advisor.

Concentration IV: Educational Technology
EDU 707 - Seminar: Issues in Educational Technology 3(3-0)
Plus nine hours of electives to be chosen in consultation with program advisor.

Cognate (9 hours)

The cognate, to be determined jointly by the student and advisor, can be completed in one academic discipline or by taking a combination of courses from more than one academic discipline.

Field-Based Experience (3-6 hours)

This internship experience will assist students in strengthening their leadership competencies. The number of credit hours required will be determined with the student's advisor based upon the student's past professional experience and personal career objectives. Forty-five contact hours will be required for each credit earned. A letter of understanding will be developed between the student, district, and university supervisor as to the responsibilities and expectations for the experience.
EDL 880 - Doctoral Internship 3-6(Spec)

Comprehensive Exams

Students will be expected to take written qualifying exams upon the completion of their academic core classes. Qualifying exams will be administered in the fall and spring of each year. Comprehensive review of all program materials is completed with the successful defense of a student's dissertation proposal. At this point, students are advanced to candidacy.

Dissertation (15 hours)

The student will complete three steps in the dissertation process:
  1. the proposal review stage in which there is a formal defense of the dissertation proposal;
  2. conducting the research, analyzing the results, and writing the final document;
  3. an oral defense of the dissertation.
Total: 63-66 semester hours

Note: Students with an earned Ed.S. may be eligible for fewer than the maximum total program credits indicated if they meet university requirements.