Program Overview

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Policy, Planning, and Administration - Curriculum and Instruction Concentration

Curriculum

• Professional and Research Core
  • EDD 700: Doctoral Seminar in Educational Studies (3 credits)
  • EDD 701: Introduction to Educational Leadership (3 credits)
  • EDD 720: Educational Research Design and Measurement (3 credits)
  • EDD 722: Qualitative Methods for Educational Researchers (3 credits)
  • EDD 723: Quantitative Methods for Educational Researchers (3 credits)
  • EDD 724: Mixed Methods for Educational Researchers (3 credits)
• Curriculum and Instruction Concentration Area
  • EDD 702: Innovation in Curriculum Development and Evaluation (3 credits)
  • EDD 704: Political and Legal Trends in Educational Policy (3 credits)
  • EDD 703: Critical Issues in Educational Justice (3 credits)
  • EDD 705: Critical Issues in Special Education (3 credits)
• Focal Area Electives
  • 9 credits of graduate-level coursework related to candidate’s area of focus
• Pre-Dissertation
  • EDD 800: Pre-Dissertation Seminar (3 credits)
• Comprehensive Exam
  • Students are required to sit for a comprehensive exam following the satisfactory completion of all courses at the 700-level, courses in the elective focus area, and EDD 800.
• Integrated Dissertation
  • EDD 801: Education Research Experience I: Research Questions/ Literature Review (3 credits)
  • EDD 802: Education Research Experience II: Instrumentation and Data Collection (3 credits)
  • EDD 803: Education Research Experience III: Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis (3 credits)
  • EDD 804: Education Research Experience IV: Findings and Conclusions (3 credits)

Sample Course Plan

Year One

• Fall
  • EDD 700: Doctoral Seminar in Educational Studies (3 credits)
  • EDD 701: Social and Ethical Foundations of Education Policy Research (3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 6
• Spring
  • EDD 702: Innovation in Curriculum Development and Evaluation (3 credits)
  • EDD 720: Educational Research Design and Measurement (3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 6
• Summer
  • EDD 703: Critical Issues in Educational Justice (3 credits)
  • EDD 705: Critical Issues in Special Education (3 credits)
  • Focus Area Course 1 (3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 9

Year Two

• Fall
  • EDD 722: Qualitative Methods for Educational Researchers (3 credits)
  • EDD 723: Quantitative Methods for Educational Researchers (3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 6
• Spring
  • EDD 704: Political and Legal Trends in Educational Policy (3 credits)
  • EDD 724: Mixed Methods for Educational Researchers (3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 6
• Summer
  • EDD 800: Pre-Dissertation Seminar (3 credits)
  • Focus Area Course 1 (3 credits)
  • Focus Area Course 1 (3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 9

Year Three

• Fall
  • EDD 801: Education Research Experience I: Research Questions/ Literature Review (3 credits)
  • EDD 802: Education Research Experience II: Instrumentation and Data Collection (3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 6
• Spring
  • EDD 803: Education Research Experience III: Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis (3 credits)
  • EDD 804: Education Research Experience IV: Findings and Conclusions (3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 6
• Total Credits: 54

Notes

• Course selection and timing will be decided upon in consultation with an advisor.
• The Ed.D. Integrated Dissertation Model is embedded in the entire program. It culminates in a series of five courses whereby students demonstrate mastery of required competencies through the completion of a final culminating independent applied research dissertation.
• Candidates will conduct the project in a setting related to their area of concentration, presumably their current employment setting.
• The student will enroll in EDD 800-EDD 804 and select a committee who will serve to provide support, feedback, and approvals throughout the Integrated Dissertation.
• The Integrated Dissertation Advisor will be the instructor of EDD 800-EDD 804 and serve as the chair of the committee.
• All Ed.D. candidates will, in consultation with their Integrated Dissertation Advisor, solicit participation of committee members to be maintained for the entirety of the Integrated Dissertation EDD 800-EDD 804 (a minimum of two semesters).
• The committee shall consist of the following: 1 Integrated Dissertation Advisor and 2 WCU faculty members who hold terminal degrees.
• At least one member of the committee should be designated as the methodologist and have familiarity with the research methods proposed by the candidate.
• In addition to the three required committee members, candidates have the option to add a fourth committee member who can serve as either a research site advisor or content specialist.
• They must hold a terminal degree and be approved by the Program Advisor in consultation with the Integrated Dissertation Advisor.