The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies require a master’s degree from an accredited institution or 30 graduate semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree from an accredited graduate school with no grade lower than ‘B’ and a graduate GPA of at least 3.50. In addition, an Autobiographical Statement to include career/academic goals and research interests (1000–1500 words), three recommendations (two professional and one academic), and an interview may be required.

The  Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program with provisions for educational leadership, including special administration, is designed for a person to who is planning on working in the field primarily as a practitioner; interested in educational research in settings such as a school district or educational institution; interested in developing continued leadership in education; and policy-making roles. 

The general requirements for the degrees are stated in the College's Academic Regulations.  In addition, all students must complete at least a fifteen-credit sequence in the major.  Specific requirements for the major are determined in consultation with the assigned advisor. 

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS) requires a master’s degree from an accredited institution or 30 graduate semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree from an accredited graduate school with no grade lower than ‘B’ and a graduate GPA of at least 3.50. In addition, an Autobiographical Statement to include career/academic goals and research interests (1000–1500 words), three recommendations (two professional and one academic), and an interview may be required.

The  Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program is designed for practitioners in the field of education who are interested in attaining upper level administration positions at the central office, or pursuing careers in educational advocacy and policy. In addition to coursework designed to enhance educational leadership skills, the program focuses on developing students’ practical application of educational research.

The minimum number of credit hours for the degree is 66, which may include up to 30 credits from the student's Master's Degree and Education Specialist Certificate Coursework.

Residency Requirement:

a) At least 25 semester hours beyond the Master's Degree, exclusive of dissertation credit, must be taken in residence at WSU;

b) 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;

c) At least 30 semester hours, exclusive of dissertation credit, must be taken in coursework open only to graduate students (7000 course level or above).

Course Requirements

• A total of 66-68 credit hours are required:
  • At least 15 semester hours of coursework in the major is required. 
  • For the Central Office Administrator concentration, the Internship is required.
  • Research Techniques: At least 10 semester hours from the courses listed in the table below.
  • A dissertation of at least 10 credit hours is required and completed under the direction of the WSU major advisor. For those not electing the Central Office Administrator concentration, an additional hour of dissertation credit is required to meet the minimum total hours for the degree.   
  • Up to 30 credit hours of graduate coursework may be transferred in accordance with the College's Academic Regulations.
  • Electives, if required, should be chosen with the advisor's advice.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
EPS 9600	Seminar in Research and Theory of Administration	3
EPS 9630	Educational Policy Seminar	3
EDA 8620	School Personnel Administration	3
EDA 8630	Supervision	3
EDA 7670	Economic Issues in Education	3
Internship
An Internship is required for Central Office Certification. For those with prior or current Central Office work experience, the Internship is completed for 1 credit hour. All others will complete the Internship for three credit hours.
EDA 8990	Internship in Administration	1-3
Research Techniques Courses
EPS 8180	Research Seminar	2
EPS 8180	Research Seminar	2
EER 7640	Fundamentals of Quantitative Research	3
EER 7870	Qualitative Research I: Introduction	3
Dissertation Hours
ED 9989	Doctoral Dissertation Research and Direction	2
Taken with the second EPS 8180. Two credit hours of dissertation are permitted prior to or with the Qualifying Exams.
ED 9989	Doctoral Dissertation Research and Direction	4
ED 9989	Doctoral Dissertation Research and Direction	4
The remaining eight hours of dissertation listed above are completed after passing the Qualifying Exam.
Transfer/Electives Courses		30
Total Credits		66-68

Following completion of ED 9989 and if the dissertation has not been defended, students should maintain registration each Fall and Winter using ED 9995, Candidate Maintenance Status: Doctoral Dissertation Research and Direction Cr. 0, for a flat fee.  

Students must be registered the semester of the Final Defense (typically in ED 9989 or ED 9995).

Courses are available in online, hybrid and traditional format.

All coursework must be completed in accordance with the academic procedures of the College of Education and the Graduate School's regulations governing graduate scholarship and degrees.