Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Master's: 48
Required Courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| EDUC 5262 | Introduction to Qualitative Research | 3 |
| EDUC 8402 | Policy Analysis | 3 |
| EDUC 8403 | Understanding Social Science | 3 |
| EDUC 8404 | Quantitative Analysis, Part I | 3 |
| EDUC 8405 | Quantitative Analysis, Part II | 3 |
| or HIED 8262 | Advanced Practice-Based Qualitative Research in Higher Education | |
| EDUC 9987 | Teaching Apprenticeship | 3 |
| EPSY 8627 | Introduction to Research Design and Methods | 3 |
| Advanced Methods Elective | 3 | |
| Concentration Courses 1 | 18 | |
| Research Courses 2 | 6 | |
EDUC 9998 | Dissertation Proposal Design | |
EDUC 9999 | Doctor of Education Dissertation | |
| Total Credit Hours | 48 | |
- 1
See the requirements for each of the 3 PhD concentrations in the course grids below.
- 2
Of the 6 credits overall, a minimum of 2 credits of EDUC 9999 must be taken.
Adult and Organizational Development Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AOD 8101 | Training and Organizational Development: Theory and Research | 3 |
| EDAD 8775 | Understanding Organizational Dynamics in Educational Settings | 3 |
| EDUC 9991 | Research Apprenticeship | 3 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
AOD 5402 | Negotiating Conflict | |
AOD 5404 | Organizational Development | |
AOD 5516 | Negotiation Processes | |
AOD 5518 | Third-Party Conflict Intervention | |
AOD 5527 | Training Design and Delivery | |
AOD 5533 | Team Development | |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
HRM 9001 | Managing Human Resources | |
SOC 5341 | ||
SOC 8111 | Classical Social Theory | |
SOC 8351 | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Higher Education Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 9991 | Research Apprenticeship | 3 |
| HIED 8101 | Advanced Seminar on Higher Education Administration | 3 |
| HIED 8102 | Higher Education Economics and Finance | 3 |
| HIED 8103 | Equity in Higher Education Policy and Practice | 3 |
| HIED 8104 | Seminar on Theory in Higher Education and Leadership | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Urban Education Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 9991 | Research Apprenticeship | 3 |
| URBE 5417 | The Urban Environment | 3 |
| URBE 5501 | Urban Schools | 3 |
| URBE 5565 | The Origins of Urban Education | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Theory Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Culminating Events:
Comprehensive Examination:
Students are required to complete their comprehensive examination by the end of their second year of doctoral studies. The specific nature of the examination is determined by the concentration selected by the student, but all comprehensive examinations require students to demonstrate proficiency in theory, research methodology, and discipline-specific content.
Proposal with Oral Defense:
The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. Minimally, the proposal should contain the context and background surrounding a particular research problem; a survey and review of the literature to a sufficient degree to provide the reader with enough information to understand why the research is being conducted; a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem; and a proposed timeline for completing the dissertation. The Doctoral Advisory Committee must approve the student's proposal, which is presented at a formal proposal defense.
Dissertation with Oral Defense:
The doctoral dissertation is an original piece of scholarship that makes a significant contribution to the field of Policy and Organizational Studies. A successful dissertation will be publishable in a refereed journal.
The Doctoral Advisory Committee oversees all aspects of the student's dissertation from the proposal to the oral defense. It is composed of three members of the Graduate Faculty. A member of the Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies faculty typically chairs the committee. At least one faculty member from outside the program must be on the committee. The student chooses their committee in consultation with the selected chair. A student may petition for a change of chairperson or member of the Doctoral Advisory Committee. This petition must be approved by the Department Chair and by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies. Complete details about the dissertation process are available in the College of Education and Human Development Dissertation Handbook, which is available from the Dean's office.
The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense. It is composed of the three members of the Doctoral Advisory Committee plus one additional faculty member, i.e., an outside examiner. One member may be assigned by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies. The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the dissertation and the student's ability to defend it. The committee votes to pass or fail the dissertation. The outcome of the defense is determined by majority vote.
Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation must confirm a date and time with the Dissertation Examining Committee. Notification of the date and time must then be submitted on the appropriate College form to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies no less than 3 weeks prior to the oral defense. The announcement of the oral defense is sent by the Associate Dean to the Graduate School no less than 10 days prior to the defense. A copy of the announcement is also sent to each member of the Dissertation Examining Committee and is posted on the bulletin board in the Office of Student Services of the College of Education and Human Development.