Doctorate of Education Course Descriptions

45 Total Credit Hours

Ed.D. Core Course Requirements

• EDU 817 – Academic Writing This intensive seminar empowers doctoral students to build a strong dissertation proposal. Through workshops, students dissect key proposal components, build an annotated bibliography and craft a concise literature review. They formulate a preproposal, explore ethical considerations, and gain clarity on program expectations for research and writing. This prepares them to present research plans and confidently launch their doctoral research journey.

• EDU 820 – Quantitative Foundations This advanced seminar strengthens researchers’ quantitative skillset in education. It explores sophisticated statistical techniques like multivariate analysis to uncover complex relationships in educational data. Students delve into longitudinal analysis for tracking student development, explore psychometrics and educational measurement tools, and gain expertise in designing rigorous experimental and quasi-experimental research to evaluate educational interventions.

• EDU 823 – Qualitative Foundations This advanced qualitative research course explores diverse methodologies for in-depth educational inquiry. Students engage with grounded theory and case study approaches, delve into ethnographic methods for understanding educational cultures, and explore narrative inquiry and phenomenological methods for capturing lived experiences. Additionally, the course examines critical discourse analysis for analyzing social power in education and equips researchers with action research strategies for fostering positive change.

• EDU 826 – Curriculum Planning and Learning Design This course equips educators with a comprehensive framework for effective teaching and learning. It explores contemporary theories of learning and instruction, delving into cognitive development and sociocultural perspectives on learning. Participants will master curriculum design and evaluation, classify learning outcomes using Bloom’s Taxonomy and other tools, and assess diverse learners. The course compares pedagogy and andragogy, and helps navigate the ever-present impact of technology on achieving learning outcomes. Through real-world case studies, educators will gain practical strategies and techniques to foster success in today’s dynamic learning environments.

• EDU 829 – Inclusive Leadership in Education This course fosters inclusive educational practices across three key perspectives:

1. 1. Instruction: Participants learn strategies to design inclusive learning environments, lessons, and topics that cater to diverse learners.
   2. Administration: The course explores methods to promote inclusion throughout the learner’s journey, from admissions to alumni relations, ensuring accessibility in facilities, lectures, exams, and program completion.
   3. Technology: It addresses the digital divide and unequal access to education, exploring strategies to bridge this gap and ensure equitable access to educational resources.

• EDU 832 – Strategic Decision-Making and Market Forces in Education This course explores demand and decision-making within the educational sphere. Focusing on the K-12 landscape, learners delve into the mechanisms shaping school choices, including vouchers, charter schools, and budget private schools. Discussions extend to accountability frameworks and the dynamics of the teacher labor market. Additionally, the course scrutinizes the collegiate education market, analyzing determinants of tuition and the efficiency of student-college matching. With an emphasis on organizational supply intricacies, participants gain a nuanced understanding of features, pricing, and costing within educational institutions.
• EDU 835 – Evaluating Education Programs This course focuses on metrics for evaluating educational programs. Participants learn to identify key evaluation questions, establish criteria, and collect and analyze data to assess programs against predefined metrics and standards. Emphasis is placed on effective communication of findings. By mastering these skills, educators gain the ability to critically evaluate educational initiatives and communicate their assessments accurately and persuasively.

Students should select one (1) specialization from the following

Emerging Technologies in Education Specialization

• EDU 879 – Immersive Technology in Education This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the Foundations of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), exploring their applications in education. Participants analyze successful case studies of VR and AR implementation and learn strategies for integrating these technologies effectively across diverse educational disciplines. The course also covers gamification and its role in learning, offering use cases and case studies from various educational fields. Educators gain insights and techniques for leveraging VR, AR, and gamification to enhance educational experiences.
• EDU 883 – Generative AI in Education This course delves into the foundational principles of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), exploring its potential applications in education. Participants examine use cases and successful case studies of Generative AI implementation in educational settings. They acquire tips and techniques for effectively integrating Generative AI across diverse disciplines within education. By the conclusion of the course, educators will have acquired a comprehensive understanding of the transformative potential of Generative AI in reshaping pedagogical approaches, thereby facilitating the emergence of innovative educational paradigms.
• EDU 887 – Emerging Technologies and Educational Equity This course critically examines the utilization of emerging technologies (ET) to advance equity within educational contexts. Participants analyze use cases and case studies highlighting the equity-related challenges and opportunities associated with integrating ET in education. Additionally, the course explores strategies for leveraging ET to foster more inclusive learning environments, with a particular emphasis on adaptive learning methodologies tailored to the needs of special education.

Online Learning and Education Technology Specialization

• EDU 859 – Digital Learning and Instructional Design This course contrasts pedagogy and andragogy while exploring constructivist and transformative perspectives, including various pedagogical approaches such as design-based, inquiry-based, and game-based learning. Participants also delve into instructional design frameworks like ADDIE, Merrill’s Principles of Learning, Levels of Instructional Strategy, and Gagne’s Events of Instruction, gaining insights into effective instructional strategies for diverse learning contexts.
• EDU 871 – Digital Learning Tools and Techniques This course rigorously defines and categorizes Digital Learning Tools (DLTs), delving into learning theories and principles underpinning their design. Participants analyze and assess the effectiveness of DLTs, exploring how they align with established educational theories and principles. Through critical examination, educators gain a deep understanding of how DLTs can be optimally designed and implemented to enhance learning outcomes across diverse educational settings
• EDU 875 – Monitoring Student Success in Digital Learning This course examines the necessity and significance of Distance/Online Learning Programs, addressing critical issues and considerations inherent in their design and implementation. Participants learn project management techniques tailored to Distance/Online Learning Programs, ensuring effective execution. Additionally, educators explore methodologies for evaluating and enhancing the quality of such programs, equipping themselves with the skills necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of online education effectively.

K-12 Educational Leadership Specialization

• EDU 890 – Human Resource Development in Schools This course equips participants with the skills to navigate the dynamic educational landscape, addressing human resource management within the context of prevailing political, legal, social, and economic influences on schools.  Topics encompass recruitment, retention, training, workforce diversity, organizational structure, performance evaluation, and compensation models. Participants gain a comprehensive understanding of effective human resource management practices tailored to the complexities of contemporary educational environments.
• EDU 894 – Budgeting and Finance for Schools This course explores school budgeting and finance, focusing on analyzing financial statements specific to K-12 educational programs. Participants delve into considerations influenced by the regional demographics of learners, gaining insights into tailoring financial strategies to diverse educational contexts.
• EDU 898 – Policymaking and Evaluation in Education This course delves into critical aspects of educational policy-making, reform, and planning, focusing on evidence assembly, policy implementation, and monitoring/evaluation. Participants explore key interest groups and stakeholders shaping policy, mastering techniques like stakeholder mapping, negotiation, and communication of solutions. Perspectives studied with case studies include policymaking and evaluation for K-12, and policymaking and evaluation for higher education. By analyzing real-world scenarios, educators gain insight into effective policy strategies tailored to diverse educational contexts.

Higher Educational Leadership Specialization

• EDU 862 – Education Planning and Change Management  This course centers on cultivating high-quality teaching practices and fostering organizational environments conducive to effective instruction, curriculum development, and assessment. Participants gain skills in educational planning methodologies, focusing on leadership perspectives in K-12 and higher education. They learn to assess current organizational status, set future objectives, and surmount barriers. Additionally, the course addresses balancing business and student goals to create successful educational programs.
• EDU 867 – Financing and Operations of Higher Education Programs This course examines budgeting and finance within educational programs, teaching participants to analyze financial statements effectively. It covers resource mobilization and mapping strategies specific to education programs, preparing participants to manage them efficiently. Through practical application, participants gain skills to navigate the financial aspects of educational initiatives, ensuring effective management and sustainable operation.
• EDU 898 – Policymaking and Evaluation in Education This course delves into critical aspects of educational policy-making, reform, and planning, focusing on evidence assembly, policy implementation, and monitoring/evaluation. Participants explore key interest groups and stakeholders shaping policy, mastering techniques like stakeholder mapping, negotiation, and communication of solutions. Perspectives studied with case studies include policymaking and evaluation for K-12, and policymaking and evaluation for higher education. By analyzing real-world scenarios, educators gain insight into effective policy strategies tailored to diverse educational contexts.

Curriculum Studies and Learning Sciences Specialization

• EDU 851 – Leveraging Learning Environments Effectively This course delves into conceptualizing, analyzing, and enhancing learning by researching and designing innovative learning environments, technologies, tools, and experiences. Core perspectives encompass cognitive, sociocultural, developmental, and critical approaches to understanding how individuals learn in authentic settings. Topics include defining and categorizing digital learning tools (DLTs) and exploring learning theories supporting their design. Participants evaluate effective DLTs, equipping themselves with essential knowledge for advancing educational practices.
• EDU 855 – Designing Robust and Inclusive Assessments This course delves into advancing knowledge of theory, design, and research issues concerning the assessment of student learning outcomes (LOs). Participants critically explore assessment topics in both online and in-person settings. The aim is to equip educators with the skills needed to develop and evaluate assessments that are reliable, valid, and fair for diverse populations. By the end of the course, students will be better-informed assessment developers and evaluators, capable of fostering equitable learning environments.
• EDU 859 – Digital Learning and Instructional Design This course contrasts pedagogy and andragogy while exploring constructivist and transformative perspectives, including various pedagogical approaches such as design-based, inquiry-based, and game-based learning. Participants also delve into instructional design frameworks like ADDIE, Merrill’s Principles of Learning, Levels of Instructional Strategy, and Gagne’s Events of Instruction, gaining insights into effective instructional strategies for diverse learning contexts.

Doctoral Research Course Requirements 

• EDU 900 – Action Research This course uses the action research assignments completed in the content courses to develop and implement an action research project. Students gain valuable insights into scholarly research and academic writing. Students may use this course as a pilot study for their dissertation.
• EDU 901 – Doctoral Research Proposal – I Students edit Ch. 1-3 of their dissertation, complete CITI training, and submit IRB forms.
• EDU 902 – Doctoral Research Proposal – II Following IRB approval, students complete their oral proposal and collect data.
• EDU 903 – Doctoral Research: Defense I Students complete their data analysis and write Ch. 4 Findings/Results.
• EDU 905 – Doctoral Research: Defense II Students write Ch. 5: Conclusions and Recommendations. Students complete an oral defense and publish their dissertation.