Program Director: Monica Smith-Woofter Email: smithwmb@jmu.edu Phone: (540) 568-2886
Program Description
The Ed.D. in Education with concentrations in Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Equity and Leadership, Equity, Innovation and Learning is founded on basic principles that acknowledge the importance of in-depth contemplation of the histories, social/political/cultural practices and equity that contribute to educational success and failure. The degree program will prepare educational leaders who are committed to access, opportunity, and representation, innovative and transformative practices, and positive, sustainable change. It will also provide necessary critical thinking skills, theoretical knowledge and the historical/contemporary understandings of the field to ensure effective leadership at the executive/senior level with a commitment to educational equity, innovation and change.
The Ed.D. in Education culminates in the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research. The dissertation must demonstrate the candidate’s ability to conduct independent scholarly inquiry, apply appropriate research methods, analyze evidence, and contribute to knowledge or praxis.
This program is designed to be completed in 4 years. Summer courses are required.
Admission Requirements
Applicants will be admitted into one cohort each year via the Graduate School admissions application. Admission requirements are listed below:
Satisfactory completion of a master's degree in education or related field with grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Unofficial transcript(s) from all higher education institutions attended are needed for submission with the application. Upon selection, official transcript(s) will be required prior to enrollment in the first course.
Submission of GRE score1 (waived if overall master's degree grade point average is 3.5 or higher)
1
No minimum score is required but the GRE score is considered as a component of the entire application, when the master's GPA is less than 3.5. A GRE analytical writing score of 4 or higher is preferred, but factors as only one data point of consideration for the application, if GRE is needed.
Applicants are required to submit the following:
3 letters of recommendation (ex. from former faculty, current supervisors, etc.)
Current curriculum vita (CV)
Statement of Purpose (up to 1000 words, 12-point font, double-spaced) describing your reasons for pursuing a doctoral degree and your intended impact in some aspect of P -16 education after graduation
Statement of Demonstrated Leadership and Contributions to Education (up to 1000 words, 12-point font, double-spaced)
Recorded video responding to specific questions included within the application.
New cohorts begin in the Spring semester and are not recruited every year. When the program is accepting applicants, applications will open in December and the deadline will be in July. Visit this program's Application Deadlines and Requirements web page for more.
Degree Requirements
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Education offers two concentrations:
Curriculum, Instruction, and Educational Equity (CIEE)
Leadership, Equity, Innovation and Learning (LEIL)
A cohort of 12-15 students will be admitted for each concentration. Students will complete 60 credit hours, offered in a blend of instructional modalities. Two one-week, in-person, summer sessions are required and the qualifying experience is completed in conjunction with the 12 restricted elective credits.
Students complete an advanced course of study that includes the following components:
Core course work (12 credits)
Research Requirements (6 credits)
Concentration course work (18 credits)
Restricted electives (12 credits) (includes two, one-week, summer, in-person sessions and the qualifying experience)
Dissertation (12 credits)
Course List
Code
Title
Credits
Core Courses
Students complete all core courses regardless of concentration.
Choose one of the following concentrations (see below for more information):
18
Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Equity
Leadership, Equity, Innovation and Learning
Subtotal
18
Restricted Electives1
Students select 12 credits from the following courses. Courses on the restricted electives list are offered during the summer as available. Other courses may be considered as a restricted elective upon approval by the Program Director or Academic Unit Head.
Doctoral Dissertation (a total of nine credit hours are required)
9
Subtotal
12
Total Credits
60
1
Qualifying Experience and Summer Requirements
The qualifying experience requirement is completed by selecting the restricted elective courses that align to a student's problem of practice, as approved by the advisor.
Students complete the qualifying experience over two, one-week, summer, in-person sessions.
Concentrations
Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Equity Concentration
The Ed.D. in Education with a concentration in Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Equity is designed to provide advanced knowledge as leaders of curriculum, educational equity and excellence, and teaching and learning initiatives in a school division or educational setting.
Leadership, Equity, Innovation and Learning Concentration
The Ed.D. in Education with a concentration in Leadership, Equity, Innovation and Learning is designed to provide leaders with opportunities to advance their knowledge and skills in order to lead an organization as the chief executive officer, implement the vision and mission of the governing body, strategically navigate within micropolitical arenas, and ultimately ensure the overall success of the organization.
