Design of Program

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership – K-12 Leadership Concentration

Program Requirements

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership K-12 is a 60-hour research doctorate program that is highly personal and is designed to produce servant leaders. Graduates possess the critical thinking skills necessary to integrate faith and learning for the purpose of transforming students and improving education. The degree consists of the following:

• 24 hours of core studies in educational leadership
• 6 hours of research studies
• 21 hours of cognate studies
• A minimum of 9 hours treatise research and writing

Study alongside a cohort of leaders with significant and diverse professional experiences in education.

• The cohort structure allows students to complete six credit hours (two courses) per semester for continuous enrollment. Each fall and spring, the classes meet on campus only three weekends a semester (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday). Projects, papers, and readings are assigned between class meetings.
• During the summer semester, the format converts to a symposium. Students meet for seven to nine days (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). This summer schedule facilitates travel during the first and second years in the program.
  • Year One – students travel to Austin, Texas.
  • Year Two – students travel to Washington, D.C.
  • Year Three – students travel to Dallas, Texas.

No additional costs are incurred for this travel. Students pay regular tuition for the six hours of instruction. DBU covers students’ airfare, hotel, and two meals a day.

An exceptionally qualified faculty directs the Ed.D. program, including a number of current or former K-12 educational leaders. The Vance Memorial Library offers a multitude of services and electronic databases; plus, an array of instructional technology is available, featuring the Blackboard courseware management system.

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership K-12 does meet the requirements for Texas State Superintendent Certification. Once students complete the doctoral program, they can attend test preparation and apply for Superintendent Certification.

The final doctoral project of the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership K-12 program is the doctoral treatise. The Treatise functions the same way as a traditional dissertation with five chapters of research supervised by a small doctoral committee. The Treatise topic is meant to serve as a practical research project that can be used to solve problems in the students’ own district as a way to give back to the community. Students work on the treatise components as they complete coursework and complete the treatise during the 4^th year of study.