Ed.D. Academic Program
The Ed.D. program takes a research-based, theory-into-practice approach to its standardized curriculum, including
- Leadership (self, team, and organizations)
- Research (applied research and statistics)
- Professional Practice (transformational change, cultural influences, strategic policy and planning, ethics, applicable theory, and technology)
Program of Study – Ed.D.: Leadership and Professional Practice
The Program of Study is a list of required courses offered. Course substitutions or transfer hours are not allowed. The 57-semester hour program requires a minimum of 27 months for completion. No transfer credit is accepted in the Ed.D. Program. The University is not obligated to any student who becomes disenrolled for any reason. Failure to follow course sequence will result in delayed graduation date and significant financial penalty. The program must be completed in a maximum of six years. The Ed.D. courses are taught in face-to-face and online delivery formats.
Academic Focus Face-to-Face
During the first summer of the Ed.D. program, each student will complete a form identifying an area of interest relating to the topic chosen for the dissertation. Examples include: administrative leadership, professoriate, business administration, corporate development, curriculum and instruction, higher education, mental health, non-profit organizations, nursing education, religious leadership, teacher leadership, technology, teaching and learning, or another area submitted and approved by the Ed.D. Director. The areas of interest chosen will be the student's area of focus in course work.
Academic Focus - Online
Program of Study - Ed.D.: Leadership and Professional Practice with specialization in Accountability and Instructional Leadership
The Program of Study is a unique Trevecca-based Ed.S. to Ed.D. opportunity allowing students to complete two degrees. This list outlines the courses required in addition to the 30 hours required within the Ed.S. Course substitutions or transfer hours are not allowed. The University is not obligated to any student who becomes disenrolled for any reason. Failure to follow course sequence will result in delayed graduation date and significant financial penalty. The Ed.D. courses are taught in face-to-face and online delivery formats.
Academic Focus
Total Credit Hours: 57
The Ed.D. program is built on specific competencies:
EDD 8002: Participants demonstrate an understanding and application of the elements required to present an academic rationale for a quality research project.
EDD 8003: Participants understand and demonstrate the various components in planning and developing a strategic policy.
EDD 8004: Participants demonstrate an understanding and application of research design including qualitative and quantitative.
EDD 8005: Participants conceptualize quality instructional environments.
EDD 8006: Participants reflect on one's own frame or lens through which we view diversity and develop a training manual applicable to leadership in various types of organizations.
EDD 8008: Participants demonstrate the ability to think with leadership and organizational theory in order to understand practical situations and make better decisions.
EDD 8010: Participants conduct a meta-analysis on ethical, power, and future issues related to their dissertation topic and develop an understanding of how these issues relate to their personal leadership.
EDD 8051: Participants demonstrate self-awareness and the desire and ability to continually improve in the defined areas of personal management.
EDD 8052: Participants demonstrate the skill of facilitating a team-based organization or learning culture.
EDD 8053: Participants demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate total system optimization.
EDD 8151: Participants successfully acquire skills to use technology to support academic pursuits.
EDD 8152, 8154, 8160: Participants understand the tests appropriate for their dissertations and successfully use SPSS to input and analyze their data, correctly reporting the results and drawing scholarly conclusions.
EDD 8211 - 8217: Participants demonstrate the ability to conceive, plan, execute, and report a quality research study.
*EDD 8152 and 8154 are offered online; EDD 8160 is offered face-to-face.
Intensified Summer Learning Experience (ISLE)
Face-to-face students are required to participate in an Intensified Summer Learning Experience (ISLE) each summer with peers and faculty members in scholarly and innovative activities. These learning experiences include both day and evening sessions.
All face-to-face doctoral students may reside in University residence halls during the summer sessions. Attendance in classes and all other scheduled activities is mandatory. Failure to comply with ISLE attendance requirements will result in grade penalties for coursework.
Dissertation
The dissertation is a major research endeavor of a significant issue related to professional practice. The dissertation involves identification of a problem, development of appropriate protocol, implementation and analysis of data, and dissertation defense. The dissertation is designed to equip the student to engage in scientifically-based inquiry and practice to effect problem identification and solutions in the environment of practice.
The dissertation experience begins in the first semester of the doctoral program and ends with a culminating experience of a dissertation defense with the dissertation team and a final stylized dissertation to the Program Director.
Students must earn a grade of "S" to identify them as making satisfactory progress on the dissertation project each semester. A grade of "U" identifies the student as not making satisfactory progress. Any dissertation course with an earned grade of "U" must be retaken the following semester. A student will not be allowed to take content courses until an "S" is earned for the dissertation course. A student who earns a grade of "U" in two consecutive dissertation courses is permanently terminated from the program. Additional details regarding the dissertation may be found in the Dissertation Research Manual. A grade of Incomplete may be given for extenuating circumstances and must be cleared within a brief, specified period of time as determined by the Ed.D. Director. See Grading System for more details.