Benefits
What distinguishes SPU's doctoral programs?
- Designed for full-time working educators
- Cohort-based programs with small classes, personalized instruction, and a sense of community
- Expert faculty with a desire to help students succeed
- Opportunities for involvement in undergraduate and graduate programming at SPU
- Focus on educational research, theory, and practice applicable to current needs of schools
- Clear differentiation between empirical, research-focused degree (PhD) and practitioner degree (EdD)
- Writing workshops to support the dissertation writing process at every stage
- Flexible learning providing the benefits of both online learning and face to face courses
Degrees
Education (EdD)
The Doctor of Education (EdD) at SPU is a degree program for school leaders and educators who want to develop as practitioners. It is designed to prepare you for a variety of leadership positions, such as superintendent or district office administrator, in the P–12 educational system.
Education (PhD)
SPU's PhD in Education is a degree program for educators who want to develop as scholar-teachers. It is designed to prepare you to become a college- or university-level educator capable of both teaching and conducting publishable research.
Core Doctoral Program
All doctoral students in the School of Education, regardless of their terminal degree, take the same foundation courses, including a Leadership Colloquium. These core classes are designed to develop leadership by focusing on knowledge applicable to all fields and levels of education. Students will then begin their individual course sequences and specializations, which culminate in comprehensive exams and a dissertation. The schedule and requirements are described in more detail under each degree.