Purpose

The Doctor of Education program is designed to prepare competent effective leaders and practitioners with a biblical worldview who will model high standards and assume a leadership role within the discipline of education. Leaders in the field of education are seen as those who assume a facilitating role in accomplishing the goals and objectives of an education system whether it be as a superintendent, principal, curriculum director, instructional supervisor, college instructor, teacher, or university administrator.

Program Learning Outcomes

A graduate of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program:

1. Knows research competencies synthesized with Christian values, moral dimensions, and ethical implications.
2. Implements leadership, teaching and learning competencies as a gift from God because teaching /learning is a calling from God.
3. Believes foundation competencies consistent with our mission to prepare competent professionals with a biblical worldview for Christian, public, and private school.

• 1a. Evaluate historical, philosophical, and theoretical influences pertaining to development and revision of curriculum and instruction.
• 1b. Incorporate assessment and data analysis to improve instructional practices and student outcomes.
• 2a. Analyze literature of the discipline in order to inform best practices in curriculum and instruction.
• 2b. Conduct original research that facilitates problem-solving in the field of curriculum and instruction.
• 3a. Integrate a biblical worldview throughout decision making, analysis, and research in the field of education.

Program Specific Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements, specific admission procedures for the Ed.D. are listed below. Submit the following items to the Office of Graduate Admissions prior to registering for any graduate courses. Where noted, forms are available online at: http://www.liberty.edu/apply.

1. Academic Records.  Applicants must submit an official transcript indicating successful completion of a master’s degree program from an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Transcripts should be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions from all schools previously attended.
2. Ed.D. applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above on graduate degree required for entrance to the program.

Transfer of Credit

All graduate transfer credits are subject to the approval of the School of Education (SOE) Graduate Committee. Such courses must carry a grade of at least a B- and be comparable to Liberty University graduate courses. Transfer credit will only be considered from institutions or schools accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. With approval, up to 15 hours may be transferred into the Ed.S. program and up to 27 semester hours may be transferred into the Ed.D. program. It is the responsibility of each applicant to supply official transcripts along with a written request to have credit applied to the degree program. Transfer credits must have been completed within the previous seven (7) years to be eligible for transfer to the Ed.D.

Applicants who have previously completed an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) or equivalent degree from an institution or school accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education will be considered for advanced standing (up to 24 hours) in the Ed.D. program. Students who have earned an Ed.S. through Liberty may apply up to 27 hours (as applicable) from that degree toward the Ed.D. This may include credit for up to 27 hours of actual coursework toward satisfaction of Ed.D. requirements. Where previous courses from an Ed.S. degree are appropriate, this entails credit for up to half of the actual courses required for the Ed.D.

Course Requirements

Ed.D. candidates have the option of completing concentrations in the areas of Educational Law¹, Educational Leadership or Curriculum and Instruction.  General requirements are as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Education Theory Core		6
Curriculum & Instruction Core		12
Research Evaluation Core		12
Cognate Area 1		9
Capstone		15
Total Hours		54

¹

The Educational Law Concentration is open to currently enrolled Liberty University School of Law students and Liberty University School of Law alumni only. Please see the School of Law Dual Degree section of this Catalog for more information.

Time Limits for Degree Completion

The time limit for completing the degree from the date of admission to the program is seven years for the Ed.D. Only in unusual circumstances may the candidate be granted an extension. Granting of an extension of time may result in additional requirements.

There will be a time limit of five years for completion of the Ed.D. for candidates who were granted 18 hours or more of advanced standing from a previously completed Ed.S. or equivalent degree.

Any candidate who does not complete coursework within the permissible time limit, for any reason including discontinued enrollment, must reapply for admission. A candidate may reapply only once, and will be subject to the current standards and curriculum. The SOE Graduate Committee will determine if any previous courses are sufficiently time sensitive and must be repeated. Beginning with the date of readmission, the candidate’s time limit for degree completion is determined by the number of hours remaining.

Delivery Format: Online Only

(Select optional intensives available)

• Curriculum Specialist
• Elementary Educator
• Gifted-Student Instructor
• Instructional Supervisor
• Middle School Educator
• School Administrator
• Secondary School Educator
• Special Education Instructor
• Teacher
• University Professor