Tracks

Two Ed.D. programs available:

• K-12 Education Cohort

Cohort is offered every other year.

Prerequisites

Applicants seeking admission to the ELPS Ed.D. must take certain pre-application steps prior to formal consideration for admission. The following describes the steps in the pre-application process. The applicant shall present and undertake the following:

• Master's degree (minimum) from an accredited graduate school. The degree should be in a field related to the goals of the ELPS Program. 
• Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher or graduate grade point average of 3.75 or higher on a 4 point scale.
• Applicants with three years of current relevant experience in a role(s) appropriate to the aims of the program.
• Foundational Coursework
  • Those individuals seeking administrative roles in K - 12 education should have completed a Master's Degree/Education Specialist Certificate with an academic foundation in a field related to ELPS. 
• A maximum of 30 graduate semester hours earned prior to admission as a doctoral applicant may be accepted for transfer, but not necessarily in place of specific course requirements. Only grades of "B" or better (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) are acceptable for transfer

Application Procedures

On satisfactory completion of the pre-application procedures, the applicant may proceed with the formal application. All students should complete an online application through the Office of Graduate Admissions. Official transcripts of all college-level work, both undergraduate and graduate, are to be mailed or sent electronically (by the institution where the work was completed) directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. (Autobiographical Statement/Vitae/Resume) 

The Autobiographical statement/Vita/Resume should present significant information regarding education, training, experience, accomplishments, current professional employment, and organizational memberships and activities, community involvement, and avocation interests. 

Two professional and one academic references are required from persons who know the applicant's academic and/or professional career potential.  Two of the three recommendations should be from college or university professors familiar with the work of the applicant as a student.

Two professional and one academic references are required from persons who have knowledge of the applicant's academic and/or professional career potential.  One of the three recommendations should be from college or university professor familiar with the work of the applicant as a student.

After the pre-admission and admission requirements have been satisfied and received by the Department, the applicant may be invited to an interview conducted by the ELPS faculty admissions committee.

Post-Admission Procedures

If admitted, the applicant is assigned to a faculty advisor. The applicant may request a specific advisor, advising loads permitting

Student and advisor develop the Ed.D. Plan of Work, which lists all required courses and dissertation credits. The plan of work, bearing the signed recommendation of the major advisor, is filed with the Education Graduate Office, Room 489, for final approval. The plan must be submitted in the semester in which the student is completing the first 18 semester hours of coursework under advisement.  The minimum number of credit hours for the degree is 75 hours, which may include credits from the student's Master's Degree and Education Specialist Certificate Coursework.

Residency Requirement: 

1. At least 25 semester hours beyond the Master's Degree, exclusive of dissertation credit, must be taken in residence at WSU; 
2. At least six semester hours of regular course work must be completed in each of 2 consecutive semesters anytime AFTER admission to the doctoral program; 
3. At least 30 semester hours, exclusive of dissertation credit, must be taken in coursework open only to graduate students ("700" course level or above).

The student's doctoral Committee shall consist of a minimum of three graduate faculty members: a) The major advisor (Chairperson of the Committee); b) a third member of the graduate faculty from inside or outside the College of Education.  If all three members of the Advisory Committee are from within the College of Education at least one of the members of the Committee must be from outside the division in which the major area of concentration resides. At least two of whom hold a Regular Graduate Faculty Appointment (RGFA). The major advisor must be one of the two members with a valid RGFA.

Course Requirements K-12 Cohort

Area of concentration

25 semester hours (minimum). The courses constituting the area of concentration are specified by the ELPS program. 

Advanced EPS Courses

15 hours in the following advanced courses.

• EPS 9600 Seminar in Theory and Research in Educational Leadership Cr. 3 
• EPS 9610 Seminar in Educational Policy Development Cr. 4
• EPS 9620 Seminar in Educational Policy Initiatives Cr. 4
• EPS 8710 Readings in Educational Policy Studies Cr. 4

Research Techniques

At least 10 semester hours in research techniques are required from the following:

• EPS 8180 Research Seminar Cr. 4
• EER 7640 Fundamentals of Quantitative Research Cr. 3
• EER 7870 Qualitative Research I: Introduction Cr. 3

Electives

Electives should be chosen with the advisor's advice.

Dissertation

20 semester hours. A dissertation is required. It is completed under the direction of the WSU major advisor. The research project is to be based on concepts related to policy studies.

• ED 9989 Doctoral Dissertation Research and Direction 20 Cr.

Post course Work

• Qualifying Examination 
• Dissertation Research
• Candidacy
• Defense of the Dissertation ('final oral")
• Time Limitation (must complete within 7 years)
• Graduation Schedule
• Graduation

Curriculum

Course Requirements - Higher Education Cohort

Area of concentration

25 semester hours (minimum). The courses constituting the area of concentration are specified by the ELPS Unit. 

Advanced EPS Courses

15 hours in the following advanced courses.

• EPS 8530 Seminar in the History of Education Cr. 4
• EPS 8560 Administration in Higher Education Cr. 4
• EPS 8570 Contemporary Issues in Higher Education Cr. 4
• EPS 9600 Seminar in Theory and Research in Educational Leadership Cr. 3 

Research Techniques

At least 10 semester hours in research techniques are required from the following:

• EPS 8180 Research Seminar Cr. 4
• EER 7640 Fundamentals of Quantitative Research Cr. 3
• EER 7870 Qualitative Research I: Introduction Cr. 3

Electives

Electives should be chosen with the advisor's advice.

Dissertation

20 semester hours. A dissertation is required. It is completed under the direction of the WSU major advisor. The research project is to be based on concepts related to policy studies.

• ED 9989 Doctoral Dissertation Research and Direction 20 Cr.

Post course Work

• Qualifying Examination 
• Dissertation Research
• Candidacy
• Defense of the Dissertation ('final oral")
• Time Limitation (must complete within 7 years)
• Graduation Schedule
• Graduation

Curriculum - Higher Education Cohort

Courses are available in online, hybrid and traditional format.

Professional Licensure Program Disclosure

The University has determined that the curriculum of the administrator and advanced certification and endorsement programs at Wayne State University in the College of Education, leading to a credential as a certified administrator or school professional, meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states. However, there may be specific state requirements beyond the reciprocity agreement.

Career insights

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