Coursework

The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 72 units with an emphasis on theory and research. Ph.D. candidates take doctoral courses in the College of Education at the 500 level or higher. There are three groups of courses that are part of the 72-hour Ph.D. requirement. First, there are courses in Educational Leadership and Policy, including some that are required and some that are electives. Additionally, there are required courses in research that form the foundation for candidates’ dissertation research. The last group is courses in a minor area of study.

Core (12 credit hours)

• EDL 606: Policy Analysis in Education
• EDL 620: Advanced Foundations in Educational Leadership: Theory, Research & Practice OR other theory class in another department
• HED 633: Introduction to Critical Race Theory in Education OR EDL 626: Leadership for Social Justice: Ethics and Law
• EDL 625: Leadership for the School and the Diverse Community (Required for students who started prior to Fall 2022. Recommended but not required for students who started in Fall 2022 or later.)
• EDL 622: Research and Data-Based Decision Making (Required for students who started in Fall 2022 or later. Recommended but not required for students who started prior to Fall 2022.)

Research Methods (12-15 credit hours)

• HED 605: Qualitative Methods in Higher Education OR EDL 605: Qualitative Methods in Education
• EDL 696: Quantitative Research Methods
• Research Design, Advanced Qualitative Methods or Advanced Quantitative Methods

Minor Program (9-12 credit hours)

This is coursework taken outside the EDLP unit that will complement your major and your research interests. Work in this program must be approved by your minor department advisor.

Electives (12-15 credit hours)

In consultation with their advisors, Ph.D. candidates will select electives that support research interests or enhance skills and theoretical knowledge.

Dissertation (18 credit hours)

Units of dissertation are taken AFTER completing the Comprehensive Exam.