Doctoral students
must conform to all of the policies and regulations contained in
previous sections of this catalog as well as those contained in the
current Doctoral Student Handbook. Students should also consult their individual departments for additional information. In order to be awarded the Doctorate in the
program to which they have been admitted, students must complete all
requirements which are specified in the subsequent curriculum section of
this catalog. Doctoral students also are expected to complete each
stage of the program as described in the following:
First Year Portfolio (Competency) Requirement:
The initial admission to any of the doctoral programs -
International & Multicultural Education, Learning & Instruction,
Organization & Leadership, and Catholic Educational Leadership - is
a preliminary decision. Students develop a portfolio during their
first year in order to demonstrate competence in research methodology
and department specific content. During this period, students work
closely with department faculty in the preparation of their portfolios.
Check with the department Program Assistant for specific requirements.
Qualifying Presentation
Some doctoral programs in the School of Education require
successful completion of a qualifying presentation. Information may be
obtained from the program faculty advisor.
General Education Requirements
All Doctoral Students must complete four General Education
courses for a total of twelve credits.
The following 6 credits are required of all students:
- GEDU 708 Research Methods of Education
- GEDU 706 Applied Educational Statistics
One of the following Educational Foundation courses (for a
total of 3 credits):
- GEDU 700 Philosophical Foundations of Education
- GEDU 701 Anthropology of Education
- GEDU 702 Sociology of Education
- GEDU 704 Psychological Foundations of Education
- GEDU 705 Law and Education
- GEDU 720 Technology and Education
One of the following Advanced Research Design courses (for a
total of 3 credits):
- GEDU 707 Advanced Statistics
- GEDU 710 Analysis of Variance Designs
- GEDU 711 Survey Research
- GEDU 712 Qualitative Research in Education
- GEDU 713 Content Analysis
- GEDU 714 Educational & Psychological Measurement
- GEDU 715 Anthropological Research in Education
- GEDU 716 Program Evaluation
- GEDU 718 Ethnicity and Multicultural Issues in
Research
- GEDU 721 Correlational Designs
- GEDU 722 Meta-analysis
- GEDU 723 Participatory Research
- GEDU 724 Introduction to SPSS
Overall Description of the Dissertation
The doctoral dissertation is a piece of original,
independent research in an area of educational significance. It reflects the candidate's knowledge and understanding of the related
literature and of the research methodology appropriate to the
investigation. The dissertation in the form of an organized and
competently written study should represent a contribution to the
knowledge base in the candidate's field or area of specialization.
Formation of a Dissertation Committee
A doctoral dissertation committee includes a chairperson and
two additional members of the faculty who are qualified in either or
both the substantive area of the student's research topic and the design
and procedures of the student's research method. The dissertation
committee guides the student's development of a research topic and
reviews and evaluates the dissertation proposal and the dissertation.
Doctoral students are required to file an Application for Appointment of
a Doctoral Dissertation Committee during or upon completion of
Dissertation Proposal Seminar 709 or 729. Approval of the dissertation
committee is required prior to enrollment in 790, Dissertation Proposal
Development.
Dissertation Proposal
Before beginning the research of a doctoral dissertation, students
must submit a dissertation proposal to the dissertation committee. The
proposal should describe the problem to be investigated, the
methodology/design to be used, instrumentation, the proposed plan of
data collected and analysis, a theoretical rationale, a review of the
literature, the probable contribution the dissertation would make to the
field, and procedures for the protection of human subjects when
appropriate. Students should submit an application to the IRBPHS for the
research design and methods prior to the defense. The proposal must be
approved by the dissertation committee (during an oral dissertation
proposal defense) while enrolled in 790, Proposal Development, and
submitted for approval to the Associate Dean of the School.
Advancement to Candidacy
After a student completes a minimum of 51 credits, passes any
qualifying presentation required by the program, submits a dissertation
proposal approved by the dissertation committee, and receives approval
from the IRBPHS, he/she is ready to apply for advancement to candidacy.
This application helps to verify that, upon successful completion of all
required courses and the submission of an approved doctoral dissertation,
the student has satisfied all requirements and is eligible for the
Ed.D. degree. The student will need the signature of the chair of the
dissertation committee before submitting the application to the Dean's
Office.
The Advancement to Candidacy Form is submitted at the same
time as the approved proposal. The student will receive written notice
from the Associate Dean when advanced to candidacy. Advancement to Candidacy is
necessary prior to enrolling in 791, Dissertation Research and Writing.
Final Dissertation
A dissertation developed from a proposal must demonstrate
mastery of an area of specialization and the ability to investigate a
problem in an analytic, creative, and scholarly way. The final work
must be submitted to and approved by the student's Dissertation
Committee (during the oral defense) while enrolled in 791, Dissertation
Research and Writing. Guidelines are published in the Doctoral Student
Handbook and the Final Procedures Packet.
