The Southeastern University Doctor of Education degree is designed to provide advanced preparation for a variety of careers. The purpose of this program is to develop competent and effective experts to assume critical leadership roles. Specialized courses develop the skills necessary to assume a key facilitating role in the field of the candidate’s choice with two concentration areas: 1. Curriculum and Instruction or 2. Organizational Leadership. The courses help those interested in various educational and organizational careers to develop strong educational, leadership, and decision-making abilities.
Career Options
Depending upon the concentrations chosen, career opportunities include any leadership position in an organization including, but not limited to:
Curriculum & Instruction Organizational Leadership
Supervising Teacher/Instructor Principal
Curriculum Specialist School District Superintendent
College Instructor Assistant Superintendent
Master Teacher Organizational Leader/Administrator
Business Trainer Business Consultant
Christian Education Director Supervisor
Specialized District Supervisor Non-profit Leader/Administrator
Personnel Leader
The Doctor of Education program is a non-licensure program. If candidates wish to obtain any type of state certification, they will need to contact their state department of education for specific requirements and applications.
Program Summary
Total Credits - 54 Credit hours with four components:
Doctoral Core (15 hours)
Research Core (9 hours)
Concentration (18 hours)
Dissertation (a minimum of 12 hours)
Program Length - 3-4 years
Coursework - 6 credit hours per 16 week semester – one course-at-a-time for 8 weeks
Dissertation - 2 credit hours minimum per 16 week semester
Program Delivery
Three 16-week semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer)
Hybrid Model with online and face to face course work
Two one-week intensive courses will be completed on campus face-to-face either in January or June/July corresponding to when students begin the program
Dissertation defense on campus or from a remote location
Entrance Requirements
All of the components listed below are required and will be utilized by our COE Ed.D. Committee in making an admittance decision. However, failure to meet one of these standards may not immediately disqualify a candidate depending upon the strength of the other components. For example, an applicant with a 3.5 GPA but only two years of experience may still be considered by the Ed.D. admissions committee. Applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis, and the decision of the committee is final.
- Regionally accredited graduate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- For non-native English speakers a current TOEFL score at the mean level or higher
- Current Professional Vita
- Christian faith statement essay: 2-3 pages
- Minimum of 3 full-time years of successful experience in a related field
- Professional writing sample: minimum of 5 pages (Examples: articles, graduate research papers/assignments, published work, etc.)
- Interview and/or timed writing components may be required
Other Policies
Non-Degree Seeking Students
Students may take up to 18 hours as a non-degree seeking student. This status may appeal to those already holding a graduate degree that need further graduate hours to qualify for teaching a specific discipline at the university level. It may also appeal to those not yet sure if a doctoral degree is their goal but want to explore the possibility. Contact the graduate admissions office for details on admissions criteria for the courses desired.
Transfer Credits
A maximum of 14 credits of graduate coursework from accredited universities may be
transferrable to a student’s doctoral program if they meet the following requirements:
- The courses are doctoral level courses at 6000 level or above;
- The courses are earned at an accredited university;
- The courses are less than 8 years old;
- The courses are relevant to the coursework at SEU; and
- The advisor approves the transfer based on information provided by the student in the course substitution form.
The COE Ed.D. Committee will evaluate and award transfer credit based on a case- by-case basis. The College of Education Ed.D. Committee has determined that once an Ed.D. student begins his or her coursework at SEU, no transient credit (future courses taken at another university) will be allowed. The student must request an evaluation of transfer credit as soon as possible so the determination of transfer credit can be completed before the end of the student’s first semester of enrollment in the program.
Students accepted without provision who have an earned EdS or higher from a regionally accredited institution may be considered for Advanced Standing (AS). AS students may be eligible for exemption for up to 30 credits. AS students will still be expected to complete a minimum of 30 hours at SEU (including dissertation) in order to earn the Ed.D.
Continuous Enrollment
Once a student enters the dissertation phase, the student must stay continuously enrolled for each fall and spring. The summer term is optional but must be approved by the dissertation chair.
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