Curriculum and Leadership: Education Doctorate (Ed.D.)

Program Description

With the present climate of accountability, there is a significant demand for educator among administrative ranks and in the classroom who have a high degree of expertise in school improvement, research, and professional learning. The Columbus State University College of Education and Health Professions is committed to the development of educators with this level of expertise. The development of professional educators with the research skills necessary to improve student achievement in schools is critical given the need for leadership frameworks, curriculum models, and instructional practices that are supported by research. Rigorous testing demands investigation of multiple variables affecting, and affected by, the implementation of a practice. Once the practice is tested, those conducting research may choose to modify the practice to meet the needs of a specific situation. This program develops educators with the skills to meet these demands.

Graduates will:

•  Develop a high degree of expertise in school improvement, research, and professional learning.
• Develop and implement leadership frameworks, curriculum models, and instructional practices that are supported by research.
• Develop research models similar to those implemented to test the efficacy of specific treatments in the field of medicine.
• Identify problems in the schools, employ research strategies, analyze data, and make appropriate program revisions that positively impact student learning and achievement.
• Identify practices, rigorously test those practices, and ascertain best practices to implement in a specific environment.

Admission Requirements

• The applicant must hold at least a master’s degree from an accredited United States institution, or the equivalent from an international institution.
• The applicant must be in academic good standing at the institution last attended.
• The applicant must file an official application and related documents with the Columbus State University (CSU) Admission Office.
• GPA of at least 3.5 on all graduate course work at an accredited United States institution in fulfillment of the requirement for a graduate degree.
• The applicant must submit a copy documentation of satisfactory scores on the general portion (quantitative and verbal) of the Revised Graduate Record Exam (GRE) with a satisfactory score on the “writing assessment” component.
• Four (4) years of experience in a school setting or in a leadership role in the private sector.
• The successful applicant must not have a criminal record or discharge from the armed services that would prevent recommendation for related teacher, counseling or leadership certifications.
• The successful applicant must not have been removed from or denied admittance to a teacher education program or student teaching.

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Career Opportunities

With a Doctorate in Curriculum and Leadership, you obtain a more competitive degree for job positions in educational leadership.  Careers such as assistant school principals, school principals, school district superintendents, and college presidents are all available to doctorate degree holders.  You have a higher level resume with a doctorate degree in all of these careers, but with careers such as school district superintendents and college presidents it is almost required to have a doctorate level degree.  There is an expected 25% rise in the assistant principal positions before the end of the decade.  Therefore, this is the right time to further your degree.

Faculty

Requirements for Graduation

Requirements for Graduation

1. Completion of all required coursework (minimum of 63 semester hours) with a 3.5 GPA and no more than one grade of C applying toward the degree
2. Completion of dissertation
3. Successful defense of dissertation
4. Acceptance of dissertation by the COEHP Office of Graduate Studies
5. Residency of a minimum of 39 semester hours

Course of Study

The Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Leadership is comprised of a course of study that has four distinct phases: Research (15 semester hours); Specialization in either Educational Leadership or Curriculum (21 semester hours); Dissertation (a minimum of 12 semester hours); and approved electives in specific discipline areas (a minimum of 15 semester hours).

Program Requirements

The Ed.D. degree requirements are located in the Academic Catalog.

Accreditation

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Additional Information

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Graduate Academic Regulations
Registration Graduate Assistantships Study Loads Class Attendance and Withdrawal Grades and Grade Point Averages	Course Eligibility Repetition of Courses Academic Misconduct Academic Standing Residence and Time Limits Graduation
Graduate Admission
General Requirements Classification of Students Transfer Credit	Readmission Requirements International Students Residency Requirements