Apr 19, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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


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General Program Information


Donald Good, Ed.D., Graduate Program Coordinator
506 Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70550
(423) 439-4430
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. For applicants seeking a Tennessee Instructional Leader license, the GPA for the applicant will be considered in context of the overall cohort GPA average, which must meet or exceed the accrediting body’s (Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation) minimum of 3.0. ​
  4. A personal essay.
  5. Four (4) letters of recommendation.
  6. All applicants must submit a current resume with their application.

Articulation Agreements


The 15 credits that are required for the Community College Leadership Certificate can be applied to the Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership (HEDL) concentration. A participant who wishes to pursue an ETSU Ed.D. degree in Educational Leadership with an HEDL concentration concurrently with the certificate must also apply and be admitted to the degree program.

Students who have completed the Higher Education Teaching Graduate Certificate and subsequently are admitted into the Ed.D. Educational Leadership (Higher Education Leadership Concentration) may have up to fifteen (15) of the certificate credits applied toward the degree program of study as long as the courses fall within the matriculation limits, a grade of B (3.0) or better was earned for the course, and courses taken as electives in the Higher Education Teaching, Graduate Certificate are approved by the Higher Education Leadership program coordinator for articulation.

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 dissertation 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 credits of ELPA 7960 - Doctoral Dissertation  each semester, including Summer, until completing the required 12 - 24 credits. Students exceeding 24 credits of dissertation will enroll in ELPA 7990 - Readings and Research  each semester, including summer, until the successful dissertation defense.

Educational Leadership, Ed.D. Degree Requirements: 60-72 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 program of 60-72 credits.

Core Requirements 18 credits
Concentration 15 credits
Advisor Approved Electives 15 credits
Dissertation 12-24 credits
TOTAL 60-72 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


  • Any 6000 or 7000 level ELPA course (15 credits)

Dissertation: 12-24 credits


Students with Ed.S.: 42-54 credits*


* For students already possessing a valid Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree the minimum requirements for the doctoral program are for a 42-54 credit program which includes the following courses and activities.

Core Requirements 18 credits
Concentration 3 credits
Advisor Approved Electives 9 credits
Dissertation 12-24 credits
TOTAL 42-54 credits

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*


  • Any 6000 or 7000 level ELPA course (9 credits)

Dissertation: 12-24 credits*


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