Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Educational Leadership, Ed.D. (Higher Education Leadership Concentration) (available online)


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General Program Information


Graduate School Contact:
Marc Tucker; tuckermr@etsu.edu; (423) 439-6590

Donald Good, Ed.D., Graduate Program Coordinator
506 Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70550
(423) 439-7612
e-mail: gooddw@etsu.edu

Faculty: Jill Channing; Susan Epps; Don Good; Terence Hicks; Hal Knight; Jim Lampley; Jasmine Renner.

The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis has as its primary purpose the graduate preparation of individuals who will serve as educational leaders in community/technical colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and other organizations/agencies that offer educational programs and services. Student programs are designed to develop educational leaders through the study and practical application of educational foundations, theory, research, and practice.

Program Admission Requirements


An applicant seeking admission to a doctoral degree program must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree. For doctoral programs that will admit students with only a bachelor’s degree, a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA (on a 4.0 scale) is required however most doctoral degree programs have higher requirements. International students are subject to additional specific requirements and should refer to the appropriate sections in this document or in the graduate catalog. The following must be submitted before an applicant will be considered for admission:

  1. Nonrefundable application fee.
  2. A completed application form.
  3. One official transcript from each undergraduate or graduate institution attended, except previous coursework taken at ETSU. Applications will not be considered without all transcripts.
  4. A personal essay.
  5. Official scores on the general portion of the GRE.
  6. Four (4) letters of recommendation.
  7. All applicants must submit a current resume with their application.

 Residency Requirements


A “Declaration of Intent to Establish Residency,” approved by the student’s advisor prior to the beginning of the residency period, must be filed with the deans of the College of Education and the School of Graduate Studies, the department, and the chair of the student’s graduate advisory committee. Students should consult with their advisor to determine a residency option from the program approved choices. 

Any modification of the residency plan must be approved, in writing, by the student’s graduate advisory committee chair.

Matriculation Limits


The time limit for completion of the Ed.D. program by a student who holds the Ed.S. degree or equivalent is five (5) years from the date of enrollment in the earliest course applied toward the degree. The time limit for completion of the doctoral program by students who begin a program after a Master’s degree is seven (7) years from the date of enrollment in the earliest course applied toward the degree.

Educational Leadership, Ed.D.


Students admitted to this concentration are members of a cohort with a planned sequence of courses comprised of six credits each fall, spring, and summer semester.

The qualifying exam is scheduled at the end of the student’s coursework and has both written and oral components. An application for candidacy for the doctoral degree is submitted upon successful completion of the qualifying exam.

A doctoral candidate will identify a dissertation topic, conduct research, and write the paper with the guidance of a dissertation committee. The dissertation is a major component of the doctoral degree. Each doctoral candidate must register for a minimum of three (3) credits of ELPA 7960  each semester, including Summer, until completing the required twelve (12) dissertation credits, followed by three (3) of ELPA 7990  each semester, including summer, until the successful dissertation defense.

Educational Leadership, Ed.D. Degree Requirements: 66 credits


For qualified students already possessing valid master’s degrees, or the equivalent, and seeking an Ed.D. degree leading toward endorsement as a Beginning Administrator, the requirements are for a minimum program of 66 credits.

Core Requirements 18 credits
Concentration 15 credits
Advisor Approved Electives 15 credits
Cognate Requirements 6 credits
Dissertation 12 credits
TOTAL 66 credits

Higher Education Leadership Concentration: 15 credits


Advisors may recommend substitutions of other courses that would better address an individual student’s needs. Any proposed substitution is subject to approval by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

Advisor Approved Electives: 15 credits


Choose 15 credits from the list below. The courses needed to meet this requirement should come from the list below or advisors may recommend substitutions of other courses that would better address an individual student’s needs.

Cognate Requirements: 6 credits


  • Six (6) credits in a cognate area other than Educational Leadership.

Dissertation: 12 credits


Students with Ed.S.: 42 credits*


* For students already possessing a valid Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree the minimum requirements for the doctoral program are for a 42 credit program which includes the following courses and activities.

Higher Education Leadership Concentration: 3 credits*


Advisors may recommend substitutions of other courses that would better address an individual student’s needs. Any proposed substitution is subject to approval by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

Advisor Approved Electives: 9 credits*


Choose 9 credit from the following. The courses needed to meet this requirement should come from the list below. However advisors may recommend substitutions of other courses that would better address an individual student’s needs.

Dissertation: 12 credits*


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