Education (Educational Administration P-12) EdD

Overview

The Doctor of Education in Educational Administration prepares graduates for P-12 school leadership at the building and district levels. The program provides a practitioner-focused curriculum that requires students to complete an administrative practicum experience and a field-based capstone project rather than a traditional dissertation.

The administrative practicum requires students to identify a mentor (building or district-level administrator) who will agree to supervise the student during the practicum experience and evaluate the student’s performance at its conclusion. The capstone consists of a four-chapter project, approved by the capstone instructor and/or the program coordinator, completed over the course of four semesters. At the conclusion of each capstone semester, students must submit the required deliverables in order to pass the course and continue in the program.

The program is a fully online cohort model, with new cohorts beginning each fall semester.  Each cohort can accommodate only a limited number of students; therefore, prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. This program of study meets Mississippi’s state standards for advanced licensure. Students who intend to seek licensure in another state should verify that this program of study meets the desired state’s licensure requirements. For additional information on professional licensure, see the Professional Licensure page https://www.usm.edu/professional-licensure-certification-disclosures/index.php

Campus: Online 100%

Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements detailed in Admission Requirements and Procedures , applicants must meet the following requirements and submit the following documents:

1. Master’s or Specialist degree required
2. Statement of Purpose - In a letter or essay format, describe your professional experiences and goals and how obtaining this degree will help you to realize those goals.
3. CV/Résumé
4. Three Letters of Recommendation
5. Copy of current educator license (with at least three years of teaching experience) 

This program admits new students each fall. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

See General Degree Requirements  and General Academic Information .

Course Requirements (54 hours)

• EDA 628 - Contextual Dimensions of the Principalship 3 hrs. or
• EDA 755 - The Superintendency 3 hrs.

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• EDA 700 - Public School Finance 3 hrs.
• EDA 704 - School Community Relations 3 hrs.
• EDA 706 - Education Facilities Development and Management 3 hrs.
• EDA 710 - School Law 3 hrs.
• EDA 722 - Introduction to P-12 Education Policy 3 hrs.

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• EDA 736 - Practicum in Educational Administration 3 hrs. or
• EDA 738 - Practicum in Supervision 3 hrs.

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• EDA 731 - Practitioner Inquiry I 3 hrs.
• EDA 780 - Educational Leadership Seminar 3 hrs.
• EDA 794 - Capstone in Educational Leadership 1-3 hrs. Students must take 4 times (3 hrs. each) for a total of 12 hours. 
• EDA 800 - Seminar: Theories in Educational Organization and Administration 3 hrs.
• EDA 608 - Socio-Political Issues and Educational Leadership 3 hrs.
• REF 602 - Introduction to Educational Statistics 3 hrs.
• EDA 732 - Practitioner Inquiry II 3 hrs.
• EDA 733 - Practitioner Inquiry III 3 hrs.