Ed.D. Higher Education Leadership Program Details

Total credits

61

Finish in as few as

3 years (plus dissertation)

Courses

• Historical, Cultural, and Philosophical Issues Impacting Higher Education (EDUC801)

  Exploration of the historical, cultural, and philosophical trends contributing to the higher education landscape. Current and emerging roles of educational leaders within this landscape are analyzed and practices of self-differentiation and reflection essential to the process of personal formation and ability to inspire and lead are applied.

  4 credits

• Organizational Leadership in Higher Education (EDUC807)

  Analysis of theories related to higher education leadership, organization, and culture, and associated application to decision making, organizational change and conflict management. Connection of organizational theories and cultural concepts with effective approaches to leadership that includes integration of faith and values into developing personal leadership capabilities.

  4 credits

• Curriculum Design and Instructional Management in Higher Education (EDUC812)

  Analyzes fundamentals of curriculum design, planning, and implementation, considering trends, issues, and forces in higher education. Explores connections between student development, personal formation, and professional growth with learning theories. Applies models for collaborating with academic departments and engages diverse culturally and academically student populations.

  4 credits

• Doctoral Research I (EDUC820)

  Assessment of the overall role of research in educational administration. Development of the philosophical foundations of empirical research with an emphasis on qualitative research design and methodology. Critique and analysis of qualitative research in the literature. Application of sound research principles in the design of a basic qualitative study.

  4 credits

• Leading in a Complex and Pluralistic Society (EDUC827)

  Analyzes strategies for engaging diversity in higher education. Explores the impact of cultural intelligence on leadership in complex, pluralistic systems. Develops personal formation strategies for effective leadership in diverse settings. Plans for greater inclusion of diverse members and enhances organizational capacity amid changing higher education demographics.

  4 credits

• Leadership of Academic & Support Systems (EDUC832)

  Explores functions within academic and support departments in colleges and universities. Analyzes institutional practices across academics, human resources, enrollment, student support, marketing, and development. Evaluates leadership skills to address higher education challenges and integrates personal values and belief systems with best practices in educational leadership.

  4 credits

• Institutional Assessment in Higher Education (EDUC837)

  Develops effective assessment plans for higher education academic or student life programs. Creates and evaluates assessment reports, synthesizes data from nationally normed instruments, and applies rubrics to measure outcomes. Examines intersections of faith, spirituality, and values with ethical issues in higher education assessment.

  2 credits

• Strategic Leadership in Higher Education (EDUC842)

  Comprehension of strategic and adaptive leadership practices and application to organizational challenges. Analysis of personal strategic leadership strengths and limitations. Identification of how leadership can improve diversity, inclusion, and equity in institutional settings. Analysis of behaviors and traits for strategic innovation. Identification of how faith/values impact leadership philosophy.

  2 credits

• Strategic Leadership in a Changing Higher Education Landscape (EDUC843)

  Develop strategic and adaptive leadership skills to navigate higher education. Examine critical issues and trends shaping the field. Analyze personal leadership strengths, values, and philosophy to lead transformational change. Integrate leadership theory with practical application to lead in an uncertain and rapidly changing higher education environment.

  4 credits

• Doctoral Research II (EDUC845)

  Development of the philosophical foundations of empirical research with an emphasis on quantitative research design and methodology. Critique and analysis of quantitative research in the literature. Application of sound research principles in the design of a basic quantitative study. Acquisition of human subjects research ethics.

  4 credits

• Academic Writing for Graduate Students (EDUC846)

  Application of the process approach and stylistic devices appropriate to research writing. Synthesis of others' work through summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting. Demonstration of knowledge and skill in using APA citation style. Practicing of curiosity, open-mindedness, humility, and intellectual courage. Scaffolded approach to creation of a research paper or literature review.

  4 credits

• Doctoral Research III (EDUC850)

  Exploration and examination of both qualitative and quantitative research, including sampling, measurement, data collection, and analysis. Training in the use of both qualitative and quantitative data analysis software. Integration of faith and/or ethical values in research. Application of research design and theories to the dissertation prospectus.

  4 credits

• Re-Imagining Higher Education (EDUC858)

  Consider the future of higher education and the leadership needed. Issues and trends in the current and emerging field higher education, including equity and access, finances and affordability, and competing models and non-traditional offerings, are revisited and intersected with personal growth and leadership formation.

  2 credits

• Legal Issues in Higher Education (EDUC862)

  Understanding of how the legal system influences post-secondary institutions, focusing on a leaders’ role in managing complex legal challenges. Analysis of the relationships between higher education institutions and external bodies, such as regulatory agencies and special interest groups. Exploration of how faith and ethics impact legal issues in higher education.

  4 credits

• Budgeting and Fiscal Management in Higher Education (EDUC867)

  Explains core concepts of nonprofit financial management and the role of budgeting in educational institutions. Applies accounting principles and financial management practices, develops effective budgeting strategies, evaluates financial decision impacts, and integrates faith and ethical considerations into higher education financial management.

  4 credits

• Doctoral Research IV (EDUC870)

  Application of research design principles including selection of participants, instruments/protocols, data collection approaches, data analyses, field tests. Analysis of limitations/delimitations and ethical issues in research. Evaluation and development of data collection tools and protocols. Analysis of data using appropriate methods and tools.

  4 credits

• Comprehensive Exam (EDUC881)

  Comprehensive examination and the portfolio review after completion of the student's final leadership course.

  1 credits

• Individualized Project in Higher Education (EDUC885)

  Students design and complete a practical application project that integrates concepts and insights from courses, research, and personal experiences.

  2-4 credits

• Dissertation Phase I (EDUC893)

  Development of the major research for one's academic doctoral degree. The four previous research courses provide the foundation for students to develop their dissertation proposals. Guidance is provided by the students' dissertation advisors.

  4 credits

• Dissertation Phase II (EDUC894)

  A continuation of EDUC 893. Following the Dissertation Procedures Guide, students work with their dissertation advisor and committee toward dissertation completion.

  3 credits

• Dissertation Phase III (EDUC895)

  A continuation of EDUC 894. Upon a successful final dissertation defense, a course grade is posted. Students not meeting requirements will be shifted to extension status.

  1 credits