Doctor of Education (EdD)
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Since its inception in 1993, SPU’s doctor of education (Ed.D.) program has served individuals who are primarily interested in preparing for a variety of leadership positions in the K–12 educational system, including superintendent, district office, school counseling, and other administrative areas.
In addition, the program also serves students who have interest in other related careers in education, including nonprofit and higher education administration, and other education-related professions.
PROGRAM DISTINCTIONS
To maximize the experience for those seeking such leadership positions, SPU’s Ed.D. program
- Offers relevant educational theory and practice to students who are seeking school leader endorsements — such as superintendent and principal. Teaching is applicable to current K–12 school issues, including leadership models, ethical decision making, school change, educational policy, and organizational systems
- Focuses on research that has immediate value and meets the needs of school leaders
- Aligns its curriculum for school leaders — both endorsement and degree — with best practices found at regional competitors and at exemplary national programs
- Makes clear distinctions between empirical research-focused and practitioner degrees, by offering a Ph.D. in education in addition to its longstanding Ed.D.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
The following items are required for application to the Ed.D. program in education
- Application and fee
- Official transcripts documenting excellent undergraduate and graduate GPAs
- Master’s degree in education or related field
- Minimum of three years successful experience as an educator
- GRE score (minimum of 1000 on verbal + quantitative preferred) taken within five years of application. A Miller Analogies Test score may be substituted.
- Four letters of recommendation (two academic and two professional recommendations)
- Personal statement, including goals and proposed area of study (no more than 500 words)
- Personal interview with at least two SPU core doctoral faculty members
Learn more about admissions, enrollment, and costs
PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the program’s course curriculum, Ed.D. students must fulfill the following requirements to complete the degree
- Completion of coursework with 3.2 GPA or better
- Passing mark on a publishable colloquium paper
- Passing mark on three comprehensive examinations (research, foundations, specialization)
- Passing mark on written dissertation
- Passing grade on oral defense of dissertation
Dissertation
The Ed.D. dissertation is designed to integrate theories and tools learned throughout the program, and should demonstrate mastery of concepts and methods. The project is an inquiry activity that focuses on an educational problem and results in a written, orally defended report. It may also take the traditional form of a research study.
At the suggestion and review of faculty members, students choose problems of practice originating from external practitioners and policymakers. External practitioners may include school districts; educational service districts (ESDs), universities, state agencies, and research groups.
QUESTIONS?
Learn more about admissions, enrollment, and costs
For complete information about the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program, or if you have questions regarding admission requirements, contact SPU’s Graduate Center at gradadmissions@spu.edu or 206-281-2091 (800-601-0603).
If you have questions about School of Education doctoral programs or your candidacy, contact Dr. Andrew Lumpe, director of doctoral programs, at 206-281-2369 or lumpea@spu.edu.
REQUIRED COURSES
The Ed.D. program requires 90 quarter credits and consists of the following:
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Foundations and Instructional Leadership (24 credits) |
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EDU 6085 Moral Issues in Education (3 credits) |
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EDU 6120 American Education: Past and Present (3 credits) |
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EDU 7101 Instructional Theory (3 credits) |
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EDU 7102 Curriculum Design (3 credits) |
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EDU 7106 Trends and Research in Global Education (3 credits) |
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EDU 7910 Seminar in Educational Values (3 credits) |
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EDAD 7120 Educational Organizations and Systems (3 credits) |
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EDU 7990 Leadership Colloquium (3 credits) |
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Inquiry and Dissertation (30 credits) |
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EDU 7107 Program Evaluation (3 credits) |
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EDU 7201 Educational Inquiry and Research I (3 credits) |
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EDU 7202 Educational Inquiry and Research II (3 credits) |
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EDU 7991 Dissertation Orientation Seminar (1 credit) |
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EDU 7995 Dissertation (20 credits) |
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Students are encouraged to take additional research courses linked to their specific capstone dissertation project methods and design. |
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Specialization and Electives (36 credits) |
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Students may choose from the following: |
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School Leadership |
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Superintendent Endorsement |
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Program Administrator Endorsement |
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Other Non-School Leadership Areas |
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Curriculum and Instruction (may include a specific K–12 content area) |
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Teacher Preparation |
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Global Education |
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Literacy Education |
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Educational Technology |
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School Counseling |
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Prerequisite Coursework
Depending on a student’s educational background, the following prerequisites may be required for the doctoral degree:
- EDU 6975 Interpreting & Applying Educational Research I
- EDU 6976 Interpreting & Applying Educational Research II
- EDU 6655 Human Development & Principles of Learning
- EDU 6524 Approaches to Curriculum Design
- EDU 6526 Survey of Instructional Strategies
- EDU 6613 Standards-Based Assessment
