Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2020 through summer 2021. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Education Theory Courses
EDUC 701	Advanced Learning Theory and Research	3
EDUC 703	Theories of Historical and Social Foundations of Education	3
Total Hours		6

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Education Leadership Core Courses
EDUC 741	Theories of Educational Leadership 1	3
EDUC 746	Conflict Resolution	3
EDUC 840	Issues and Trends in Educational Leadership	3
Choose six credits of the following:		6
EDUC 723
EDUC 730	Issues & Trends in Learning Technologies 1
EDUC 745	Organizational Analysis and Problem Solving
EDUC 848	Culture and Educational Leadership
Total Hours		15

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Elective Courses
EDUC Elective 1		3
EDUC Elective 1		3
Total Hours		6

1	Choose any 500-800 level EDUC course, except EDUC 798 Advanced Research and Writing (3 c.h.)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Research Courses
EDUC 812	Advanced Educational Statistics	3
EDUC 815	Quantitative Methods of Research	3
EDUC 817	Qualitative Methods of Research	3
EDUC 860	Literature Review for Advanced Research	2-3
EDUC 980	Research Concepts & Methodology 1	3
Choose one of the following:		3
EDUC 915	Advanced Quantitative Methods of Research
EDUC 917	Advanced Qualitative Methods of Research
Total Hours		17-18

1	Once the student enters the Dissertation phase (after completion of EDUC 980 Research Concepts & Methodology (3 c.h.)), he/she must maintain continuous enrollment (Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters) until all degree requirements are completed.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Dissertation Courses 1
EDUC 987	Dissertation I 2	5
EDUC 988	Dissertation II 2	5
EDUC 989	Dissertation III 2	5
EDUC 990	Dissertation IV	3
Total Hours		18

1

Once the student enters the Dissertation phase (after completion of EDUC 980 Research Concepts & Methodology (3 c.h.)), he/she must maintain continuous enrollment (Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters) until all degree requirements are completed.

2

Ph.D. students are allowed to enroll in EDUC 987 Dissertation I (5 c.h.), EDUC 988 Dissertation II (3,5 c.h.), and EDUC 989 Dissertation III (3,5 c.h.) only one time. Once enrolled in EDUC 989 Dissertation III (3,5 c.h.), students may repeat the course one additional time as needed. Extensions for additional repeats of EDUC 989 Dissertation III (3,5 c.h.) for exceptional circumstances must be approved by the School of Education.

All applicable prerequisites must be met

Graduation Requirements

• Complete 60 hours
• A maximum of 50% of a post-graduate and doctoral degree may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
• 3.0 GPA
• No grades lower than a B- may be applied to the degree
• Successful defense of dissertation
• Degree must be completed within 7 years
• Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student's anticipated graduation date
  • Applicants who have previously completed an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) or equivalent degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education will be considered for advanced standing (up to 24 hours) in the Ph.D. program. Students who have earned an Ed.S. degree through Liberty are permitted to apply up to 27 hours (as applicable) from that degree toward the Ph.D.
  • There is a limit of 5 years for completion of the Ph.D. for students who were granted 18 hours or more of advanced standing credit from a previously completed Ed.S. or equivalent degree.

Program Offered in Online Format