Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)
Purpose
The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program is designed to prepare competent effective leaders and practitioners with a biblical worldview who will model high standards and assume a leadership role in education as a superintendent, principal, curriculum director, instructional supervisor, college instructor, teacher, or university administrator. Practicing leaders are seen as collaborators who shape the direction of objectives and goals, curriculum and instruction, community, and policy in the field of education.
Program Learning Outcomes
A graduate of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program:
- Knows research competencies synthesized with Christian values, moral dimensions, and ethical implications.
- Implements leadership, teaching and learning competencies as a gift from God because teaching /learning is a calling from God.
- 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 educational leadership.
- 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 educational leadership.
- 2b. Conduct original research that facilitates problem-solving in the field of educational leadership.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.