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.
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.
In addition to the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies applicants must also submit the following:
1. A one-page letter (essay) stating interest in the Ed.D. Higher Education Leadership Concentration;
2. A vita or resume with a list of four professional references including contact information
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 toward 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 |
Educational Leadership, Ed.D. Core Requirements: 18 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 |
Educational Leadership, Ed.D. Core Requirements: 18 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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