Graduate Catalog 1994-1995
Degrees and Degree Requirements
University Policies and Procedures for the Ed.D. Degree

   The professional degree of Doctor of Education is conferred in
recognition of distinguished advanced preparation in the field of
educational leadership as evidenced by the satisfactory completion of a
prescribed program of study, the completion of two educational leadership
summer institutes, and the successful defense of three executive position
papers of original scholarly work that meet accepted literary and
professional standards for scholarship in the field.

   Senior faculty members in educational leadership serve as mentors for
each student. The mentors are assisted by an advisory committee in
determining a student's readiness for (a) advancement to candidacy and (b)
defense of the executive position papers.

   COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND TIME LIMITS. The Ed.D. program consists of a
total of 54 graduate semester hours including 42 hours of doctoral study
plus 12 hours of executive research and writing. A student may transfer a
maximum of 9 hours of advanced graduate work (post master's) for which a
grade of B- or better is earned from an accredited institution of higher
learning. No transfer credit is permitted to substitute for core
requirements. Students are required to enroll for a minimum of 6 hours of
specified study from units outside the College of Education.

   Students are required to complete the 54 semester hours in a period of
three years: a total of 21 semester hours per year (6 hours in both fall
and spring semesters and 9 hours in the summer session) for two consecutive
years plus 12 hours during the third year (research requirements--the
executive position papers).

   RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT. The residency requirement consists of four
consecutive regular semesters of 6 hours each and two consecutive summers
of 9 hours of study. Each summer program consists of 6 hours of course work
plus an educational leadership institute.

   EXAMINATIONS. Students are required to complete successfully the
following three examinations during their program of study:

   1. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION. Prior to admission to the program students
      are required to complete a preliminary examination specifically
      designed to test competencies in the area of written communication
      and logical thinking.
   2. QUALIFYING EXAMINATION. Prior to admission to candidacy, students
      must (a) be recommended by their mentors, (b) have successfully
      completed the first year of study that includes core courses plus one
      educational leadership institute, and (c) have passed a qualifying
      examination of the first year's work. The qualifying examination is
      above and beyond final examinations completed by the student in each
      of the core courses. The examination, which is prepared and evaluated
      by the program mentors, is designed to assess the students' readiness
      for admission to candidacy.
   3. DEFENSE OF EXECUTIVE POSITION PAPERS. The candidate's oral defense of
      the executive position papers must be evaluated by the Advisory
      Committee.