Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

The degree of doctor of education attests proficiency in a program of graduate
study in which the emphasis is upon preparation for competent performance
in professional education. This program is intended primarily for students pursuing careers in which teaching, administration, or school services predominate, rather than those in which research predominates. The Ed.D. degree in curriculum and instruction is offered in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction; the degree in educational administration is offered in the Department of Educational Management and Development.

The requirements for doctoral degrees in the two departments of the College
of Education have the following distinguishing elements:

1. The qualifying examination consists of a written and an oral section,
both of which are administered prior to admission to the program. Successful
completion of the qualifying examination is tantamount to acceptance of the student for doctoral admission. Residency of at least two consecutive semesters cannot commence until the semester after the qualifying examination is successfully completed.

2. Comprehensive examinations are usually administered three times
annually. The written examination tests the major and related areas of concentration. Within two weeks after successful completion of the major and related area examinations, the student takes a comprehensive oral examination. Candidacy follows the successful completion of the orals. A student who fails any part of the comprehensive examination may present him- or herself for re-examination of the failed part of the exam before moving on to the next part.

3. The major area of study must be within the College of Education. A
minimum of nine planned and integrated credits constitutes the related area and can be taken in any department of the university with the approval of the student's committee. The related area must be specifically planned with the major and minor departments in order for the doctoral fields to be mutually supportive.Any transfer credit or predoctoral course work to be included in the related field must have the approval of both the major and minor department at the outset. Specified course work in both research and statistics is required for this degree. Other requirements are described in the departmental sections of this catalog.

Requirements for the Doctoral Degrees