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Doctor of Education - Columbus State University

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Academics

Doctor of Education

Program Description

With the present climate of accountability, there is a substantial demand for educators who have a high level of expertise in school improvement, professional learning, and educational research.  Educators who work with various student populations should be able to identify current needs, examine or explore those needs, and implement practices and/or policies based on empirical literature to improve those needs.  The College of Education and Health Professions at Columbus State University is committed to developing this level of expertise through the Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Leadership Program.  The EdD Program offers three specialization program tracks: (1) Curriculum, (2) Educational Leadership, and (3) Higher Education Administration.

The Educational Leadership program track follows a cohort model implemented through a blended format of online and face-to-face instruction at Frank Brown Hall in Uptown Columbus, Georgia.  Courses in the 63-credit hour, doctoral program are intended for school administrators, district personnel, and other individuals seeking professional expertise in educational leadership.  Program completers in the Educational Leadership specialization program track who have certification in Educational Leadership from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission can have their current certification upgraded to the doctoral level (i.e., L-7).

Additional program information can be found on the CSU Department of Counseling, Foundations, and Leadership website.

Career Opportunities

Careers, such as assistant school principals, school principals, and school district superintendents, are available to individuals who earn a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Leadership with a specialization in educational leadership.

Admission Requirements

Admissions decisions are based on a holistic combination of criteria, including the interview, writing assessment, recommendations, professional experiences, academic transcripts, and GRE scores. 

  • Applicant must hold at least a master’s degree from an accredited United States institution, or the equivalent from an international institution.

  • Good academic standing at previous institution(s).

  • Cumulative 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 and post-baccalaureate coursework.

  • Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores within the last 5 years.  Preferred minimum scores include a combined total of 297 for the general portion (Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning) and 3.5 for the Analytical Writing component.

  • Four (4) years of experience in a school setting or in a leadership role in the private sector.

  • Background check to verify no criminal record or discharge from the armed services that would prevent recommendation for related teacher, counseling, or leadership certifications.

  • Successful completion of interview and timed writing assessment.

  • For international students, additional criteria may be required.  See International Graduate Admissions for more details.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

  • Demonstrate the ability to conduct research that contributes to the education profession.
  • Demonstrate the ability to create and maintain a district culture of student learning and professional growth.
  • Demonstrate the ability to manage a school district’s operations and resources.
  • Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with faculty and community stakeholders.
  • Demonstrate the ability to understand and influence the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context to ensure a district system of accountability.

Additional Program Requirements

Additional Program Requirements

  • Completion of all required EdD coursework (i.e., minimum of 63 semester hours and a minimum of 51 semester hours in residence) with a 3.25 GPA and no more than one grade of C applying toward the degree (i.e., good academic standing).
  • Appointment of an approved EdD dissertation committee.
  • Approval of the Dissertation Prospectus by the EdD Dissertation Committee.
  • Approval of the Dissertation Proposal by the EdD Dissertation Committee.
  • Met all program requirements (i.e., successful defense of final dissertation and approval of final dissertation publication by the EdD Dissertation Committee, Director of Doctoral Program in Education, Director of COEHP Office of Graduate Studies, Dean of COEHP, and CSU Library).
  • Maintained continuous enrollment in EDUF 8999 (The Dissertation) until completion of the EdD dissertation.

Program of Study

RESEARCH Required Hours: 15
EDUL 8101 Management of Educational Organizations
EDUL 8102 Leading for Change
EDUL 8104 Supervision of Teaching and Learning
EDUL 8105 Leadership Theory
EDUL 8115 Educational Policy and Ethics
EDUL 8126 Politics of Education
EDUL 8129 System Level Finance
EDUL 8128 Educational Facilities, Development and Implementation

DISSERTATION Required Hours: 12
EDUF 8000 Dissertation Defense
EDUF 8129 Developing the Dissertation Prospectus
EDUF 8999 Dissertation
EDUF 8999 Dissertation
EDUF 8999 Dissertation

ELECTIVES Required Hours: 12 
12 approved semester hours in discipline as approved by advisor

Total Required Hours: 63

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