Doctorate of Education

About the Program

Doane’s Doctorate of Education (EdD) prepares candidates for leadership roles through the development of research and analysis skills that allow the candidate to create in-depth and highly specialized knowledge and expertise in a specific discipline or field of study. While the major focus of the EdD degree program of studies is research, the Doane University EdD is a practitioners’ degree in which students apply the research process to present issues, problems or programs which, in turn, will define the scope of study in which the candidate will be engaged.

EdD graduates will develop the capacity to have an impact in their professional and personal roles in the communities in which they serve, through the development of expertise in a discipline or topic/field of study that has both immediate and future relevance to their professional roles in education. As well as, the development of the knowledge, skills and dispositions to maintain their capacity to be continuously engaged in issues of policy, program and practice throughout their professional career.

This degree is for anyone involved in education at pre-K, K-12, postsecondary, industry, healthcare and not-for-profit organizations who seeks the advanced degree as a capstone of their preparation. It is also a pathway to a doctorate for those with a master’s degree who desire a route to the capstone degree of the doctorate.

Mission

The doctorate of education (EdD) prepares candidates for leadership roles through the development of in-depth and highly specialized knowledge and skills in a specific discipline or specific field of study. While the major focus of the EdD degree program of studies is research, the Doane University EdD is a practitioners’ degree and as a result the application of the research to present issues, problems or programs which, in turn, will define the research in which the candidate will be engaged.

Vision

EdD graduates will develop the capacity to have an impact in their professional and personal roles in the communities in which they serve, through:

Development of expertise in a discipline or topic/field of study which has both immediate and future relevance to professional roles in education.
Development of the knowledge, skills and dispositions to maintain their capacity to be continuously engaged in issues of policy, program and practice throughout their professional career.

Program Outcomes

The following are the strategic outcomes of the EdD degree experience.

The leader has a clear and working philosophy of leading based on:
- In-depth knowledge, skills and dispositions about leadership
- In-depth knowledge of a specific discipline or body of knowledge.
The leader demonstrates the capacity to act ethically according to a clear set of core values that are informed and complemented by a deep understanding of a discipline or body of knowledge.
The leader demonstrates the capacity to design and adapt practices and programs to a clear vision, core values and guiding principles of leading complemented by an in-depth knowledge of a discipline or body of knowledge.
The leader demonstrates the capacity and value of collaborative work in the setting of goals and in the design, development and implementation of strategies resulting from their knowledge, skills and dispositions.
The leader demonstrates the capacity to evaluate and set goals for improvement including the evaluation of innovation potential, implementation of the innovation and the effects of the innovation.
The leader demonstrates the capacity to use reflection as a leadership strategy to develop deep understanding of personal and professional levels of knowledge, skill and dispositions.
Demonstrates the capacity to use reflection as a means of identifying and selecting options for future growth and the selection of roles in which to engage their leadership knowledge, skills and dispositions.
The leader demonstrates the capacity to access appropriate data and to use data in ways that result in deciding priorities and goals, for evaluating and guiding implementation and to make judgments about program/practice effects.
The leader develops and utilizes in-depth knowledge of a discipline or body of knowledge to design, implement and evaluate effective practices or programs.
The leader demonstrates the understanding of social, cultural and other diversity issues as they relate to the field or topic of their expertise.
The leader demonstrates the understanding of systems and the connections to the system-programs, practices and policies–that are inherent in their field of expertise.
The leader demonstrates the capacity of advocacy for their respective fields of expertise and to advocate for ways in which their expertise can most effectively influence programs, policy and practices at local, state and national levels.

Admissions Eligibility

The candidate has completed and MA/MS program from an accredited institution.
Successful completion of at least six hours of graduate-level coursework in the past five years or documentation of completion of the equivalent in continuing-education units.
Completion of a disclosure statement of criminal history and any history of violations of the Code of Ethics of the Professional Practices Commission.

Application Process

Completion of the Application for Admission to Graduate Studies in Education- Education Doctorate Program plus $30.00 application fee.
Upon receipt of the application form and fee, an admission packet will be sent to the candidate. Completion requires:

An official transcript showing the candidate’s undergraduate degree mailed directly from the institution
Official transcript(s) of all graduate hours completed and graduate degrees received
A resume or vitae that includes all professional experiences
A written statement by the candidate of the reasons for interest in the program including professional goals for leadership in his/her field, and the candidate’s philosophy on the role of research and scholarly knowledge (250-500 words).
Three letters of recommendation
A copy of the candidate’s current certifications g. A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Selected candidates will participate in an interview that will include a discussion of the candidate’s personal philosophy of education, ability to engage others collaboratively, use of reflection for self-learning and discovery, ability to design and implement a research plan, plan for completing the program and other evidence of capacity related to the program outcomes.

Selection Process

To be selected for an interview, the application and admission materials and documents will be reviewed by faculty of the Graduate Division of Doane University.

Full Graduate Standing

Full Graduate Standing will be granted to students upon the successful completion of 9 hours of Graduate Education credit with a 3.00 or higher cumulative grade point average. A student receiving any grade below a B for any graduate course will have his/her file reviewed even though the student’s cumulative GPA may be 3.00 or higher.

Decisions are communicated to the student in writing as soon as practical after the student completes 9 hours of Graduate Education credit

Advising Policy

The Advising Office is housed on the Lincoln campus. The Director of the Doctorate of Education program and the Dean of Education advise the doctoral students until such time that they have finished their course work and begin working on their dissertation. After doctoral students complete the required program coursework and while they are working on their dissertation, advising will be done by the Director of the program, the Dean of Education, and the dissertation chair.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit will be assessed by the Dean prior to beginning Doctorate of Education coursework.

Time Limitations

In the Doctorate of Education program, a student is expected to complete the degree within a maximum of ten years of beginning the doctoral program at Doane University. If a student withdraws a review by the Graduate Committee of the Whole will be required prior to resuming courses. The Dean will determine if a student can resume participation in the program if the time away from the program extends beyond one year. If the course material is no longer relevant, the student must then retake appropriate graduate courses as part of the program of study. If a student stays out three years or more then the coursework must be repeated.

Program Completion Criteria

All students must successfully meet the following requirements to complete the Doctorate of Education degree.

Successful completion of a minimum of 57 credit hours in courses numbered 600-999
Successful completion of all doctoral core courses
A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher
Successful completion and defense of a dissertation
File an application for degree form no later than the required date

Programs