Higher Education: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) [Online]

Program Description

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with an emphasis in Higher Education is designed for current college and university administrators who desire to emphasize a practitioner focus in their doctoral studies. The degree is offered in an online format.

The purpose of the Ed.D. with emphasis in Higher Education is to enhance higher education practitioners communication, assessment and evaluation, and leadership skills. The degree culminates with a dissertation in practice project. The DiP provides the opportunity for Ed.D. students to hone expertise in a content area, learn and apply assessment and evaluation principles, and self-author career plans to help colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations improve equity and demonstrate accountability.

It is possible to complete degree requirements over a three-year period. The degree requires completion of 48 semester hours of post-master’s coursework and the successful defense of a dissertation-in-practice.

The School of Education at the University of Mississippi is a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED), which is a consortium of over 80 colleges and schools of education which have committed resources to work together to advance the understanding of the contemporary doctorate in education.

Admissions Requirements

A competitive applicant will:

• Meet the priority application deadline (March 1)
• The GRE is required for this doctoral program with a preferred score of 4.0 or higher on the Analytical Writing portion of the GRE
• Have strong grade point averages for previous study (undergraduate, master’s, or first-professional degree transcripts)
• Statement of purpose: Please discuss how your life experiences (personal, academic, and/or professional) have fostered your interest in pursuing a graduate degree in higher education, the strengths you bring that will help you be successful in the program, areas of research interest you have, and how earning the degree might help you achieve your goals as a professional serving in higher education.
• Submit a resume that demonstrates experience in higher education and ability to advance in the profession
• Provide contact information for three professional references, one of these being a current or previous supervisor who is willing to write a strong letter of support.

Priority application deadline for the Ed.D. Program is March 1.

Program Delivery

The Ed.D. is designed for the career needs of working professionals in higher education seeking a practitioner-driven program delivered within a part-time format.

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