Doctor of Education (EdD)

+ Qualifying Courses

EDU608 Educational Administration (3 credits)

This course examines conceptual foundations of educational administration with the aim of using theory and research to solve the problems of practice. The focus of this course is on the school as a social system with special emphasis on structure, politics, decision making, and quality outcomes.

EDU609 Leadership in Institutional Settings (3 credits)

This course explores concepts of leadership and leadership styles in the context of educational administration. Students examine the role of institutional leader, as well as factors that influence decision making, initiating change, psychological constraints, and techniques for establishing and maintaining a unique culture in the institutional setting.

EDU517 Educational Finance (3 credits)

This course explores the economic theories of institutional finance. Emphasis is on the management and evaluation of fiscal operations in an institutional setting.

EDU616 Organizational Behavior in the Educational Setting (3 credits)

This course studies theory, strategies, and techniques of effective organizational behavior in educational/institutional settings. Intervention techniques will be studied to improve organization effectiveness.

EDU600 Qualifying Examination (Pass/Fail)

+ Core Courses

RES622 Basic Academic Writing (3 credits)

This is an 8-week course on developing a student's understanding of academic writing for a doctoral program. The final assignment for the class will be a composite of weekly assignments to create a concept paper relating to the potential Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP). Students leave the course with a quality draft Concept Paper for their Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP).

EDU615 The Laws and Politics of Education (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of the legal and political framework of education in the nation. Emphasis is on current issues and how they affect the learning environment.

EDU618 Principles of Curriculum Development (3 credits)

This course provides an analysis of the influences of curriculum and instruction from a philosophical, psychological, and sociological perspective. Various approaches to the design and evaluation of curriculum and instruction will be examined.

EDU619 Societal Diversity (3 credits)

This course examines diversity in society and in schools. Emphasis is on understanding the similarities and differences in culture, economic backgrounds, and academic diversity. It will prepare teachers for the wide diversity of students that they are certain to meet in their classrooms, schools, and communities. It provides an updated and broad treatment of the various forms of human diversity found in today’s schools, including nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, class, language, sexual orientation, and ability levels – highlighting the need for differentiation of instruction.

EDU512 Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3 credits)

This course deals with systematic philosophies, with attention to individual philosophers who developed important philosophical and educational ideas and with a critique of each philosophy to present its strengths and weaknesses. We also review major social influences as they are applied to current movements in educational instruction, research, and curriculum.

EDU514 Educational Psychology (3 credits)

This course studies psychological principles as related to learning. Learning theories, motivation, and quantitative methods will be explored.

EDU605 Management of Adult/Occupational Programs (3 credits)

This course presents an examination of the social forces involved with adult education. The history and philosophy of adult and occupational training will be reviewed, as well as training and development programs in both public and private sector settings.

EDU620 Contemporary Topics in Educational Policy (3 credits)

This course allows students to examine several broad range contemporary topics in institutional management and policy.

EDU613 Emerging Educational Technologies (3 credits)

This course presents emerging technologies and engages educators in applying emerging technologies, while preparing for perceived changes in the future, with an aim to structure more student-centered lesson plans, which are adaptable to the devices and mobility available to them.

EDU621 Research Methods (3 credits)

This course emphasizes the types of research designs and the skills needed to develop and organize research studies in institutional settings.
(This will be the last course prior to the dissertation phase.)

EDU601 Comprehensive Examination (Pass/Fail)

+ Dissertation/ADP Phase

RES623 Advanced Academic Writing (3 credits)

This is an 8-week course on developing a student's understanding of advanced academic writing for a doctoral program. The final assignment for the class will be a composite of weekly assignments to create a Literature Review relating to the potential Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP). Students leave the course with a quality draft Literature Review chapter for their Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP).

AND

EDU706 Dissertation Proposal (6 credits)

This course assists students through the process of organization and design of a formal proposal, including a substantive research topic of original work. An accepted proposal constitutes the framework for the Statement of the Problem (Chapter 1), Review of the Literature (Chapter 2), and Research Methodology (Chapter 3).

EDU707 Dissertation (9 credits)

The successful completion of a dissertation results in a quality research effort, documented and written following American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines, an oral defense consisting of a PowerPoint presentation presented to the student’s dissertation committee, and written in a format ready for publication. The completed dissertation document is a five-chapter dissertation beginning with the Introduction to the Problem (Chapter 1), Review of the Literature (Chapter 2), Research Methodology (Chapter 3), Research Findings (Chapter 4), and Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations of the Researcher (Chapter 5). In addition, the final document will include the frontal pages as described in the University’s Dissertation Handbook, as well as necessary appendices, references, and other appropriate documents.

OR

EDU708 Applied Doctoral Project Proposal (6 credits)

The commencement of the Applied Doctoral Project begins with development of the ADP Proposal. The Proposal consists of three phases: Phase 1 is the Project Justification; Phase 2 is the Review of the Literature; Phase 3 is the Project Approach. The Project Justification should include a discussion of the specific problem you propose to address. You should then provide a brief description of the methodology you plan to use and why the methodology is appropriate (for example, review and analysis of previous work versus new research). The Review of the Literature entails a critical analysis, synthesis and integration of work that others have done in order to show where the proposed study fits into current debates and inquiries. Phase 2 is thus a formal summary and analysis of the literature directly related to your particular study. The Project Approach describes the procedures that will be followed in conducting the study. The format and content of this phase will vary depending on the nature of the study. For example, a project that requires collection of data will differ significantly from a project that analyzes data from a third party or a study that relies on a scholarly review of the literature.

EDU705 Applied Doctoral Project (9 credits)

The Applied Doctoral Project (ADP) is an alternative to the traditional dissertation in the Doctor of Education program. The ADP students are expected to expand and apply existing knowledge and research to existing problems in their professional field. It allows a student to apply theories, principles, and processes they have learned in the Taft EdD program to an actual problem in education or an issue of interest and relevance to them in their professional activities. The focus of the work in the ADP is on development of an extensive scholarly document that will provide a professional value to the student’s work as an educator.

+ Qualifying Courses

EDU608 Educational Administration (3 credits)

This course examines conceptual foundations of educational administration with the aim of using theory and research to solve the problems of practice. The focus of this course is on the school as a social system with special emphasis on structure, politics, decision making, and quality outcomes.

EDU609 Leadership in Institutional Settings (3 credits)

This course explores concepts of leadership and leadership styles in the context of educational administration. Students examine the role of institutional leader, as well as factors that influence decision making, initiating change, psychological constraints, and techniques for establishing and maintaining a unique culture in the institutional setting.

EDU517 Educational Finance (3 credits)

This course explores the economic theories of institutional finance. Emphasis is on the management and evaluation of fiscal operations in an institutional setting.

EDU616 Organizational Behavior in the Educational Setting (3 credits)

This course studies theory, strategies, and techniques of effective organizational behavior in educational/institutional settings. Intervention techniques will be studied to improve organization effectiveness.

EDU600 Qualifying Examination (Pass/Fail)

+ Core Courses

RES622 Basic Academic Writing (3 credits)

This is an 8-week course on developing a student's understanding of academic writing for a doctoral program. The final assignment for the class will be a composite of weekly assignments to create a concept paper relating to the potential Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP). Students leave the course with a quality draft Concept Paper for their Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP).

EDU626 The Laws and Ethics of Educational Technology (3 credits)

This course presents relevant information related to laws, policies, ethics, and safety within schools, with an emphasis on issues related to 21st century learning with technology and the internet.

EDU619 Societal Diversity (3 credits)

This course examines diversity in society and in schools. Emphasis is on understanding the similarities and differences in culture, economic backgrounds, and academic diversity. It will prepare teachers for the wide diversity of students that they are certain to meet in their classrooms, schools, and communities. It provides an updated and broad treatment of the various forms of human diversity found in today’s schools, including nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, class, language, sexual orientation, and ability levels – highlighting the need for differentiation of instruction.

EDU512 Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3 credits)

This course deals with systematic philosophies, with attention to individual philosophers who developed important philosophical and educational ideas and with a critique of each philosophy to present its strengths and weaknesses. We also review major social influences as they are applied to current movements in educational instruction, research, and curriculum.

EDU514 Educational Psychology (3 credits)

This course studies psychological principles as related to learning. Learning theories, motivation, and quantitative methods will be explored.

EDU624 Online Learning Instructional Design & Methods (3 credits)

This course presents the learner with tools, skills, methods, research, and related knowledge to design and manage curriculum for online learners in a variety of educational settings, including K-12, Post-Secondary, and corporate environments.

EDU611 Technology Management in Education (3 credits)

This course presents theory and practical applications of managing educational technology and integrating technology into the curriculum, in face-to-face, and in online education environments.

EDU620 Contemporary Topics in Educational Policy (3 credits)

This elective course allows students to examine several broad range contemporary topics in institutional management and policy.

EDU613 Emerging Educational Technologies (3 credits)

This course presents emerging technologies and engages educators in applying emerging technologies, while preparing for perceived changes in the future, with an aim to structure more student-centered lesson plans, which are adaptable to the devices and mobility available to them.

EDU621 Research Methods (3 credits)

This course emphasizes the types of research designs and the skills needed to develop and organize research studies in institutional settings.
(This will be the last course prior to the dissertation phase.)

EDU601 Comprehensive Examination (Pass/Fail)

+ Dissertation/ADP Phase

RES623 Advanced Academic Writing (3 credits)

This is an 8-week course on developing a student's understanding of advanced academic writing for a doctoral program. The final assignment for the class will be a composite of weekly assignments to create a Literature Review relating to the potential Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP). Students leave the course with a quality draft Literature Review chapter for their Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP).

AND

EDU706 Dissertation Proposal (6 credits)

This course assists students through the process of organization and design of a formal proposal, including a substantive research topic of original work. An accepted proposal constitutes the framework for the Statement of the Problem (Chapter 1), Review of the Literature (Chapter 2), and Research Methodology (Chapter 3).

EDU707 Dissertation (9 credits)

The successful completion of a dissertation results in a quality research effort, documented and written following American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines, an oral defense consisting of a PowerPoint presentation presented to the student’s dissertation committee, and written in a format ready for publication. The completed dissertation document is a five-chapter dissertation beginning with the Introduction to the Problem (Chapter 1), Review of the Literature (Chapter 2), Research Methodology (Chapter 3), Research Findings (Chapter 4), and Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations of the Researcher (Chapter 5). In addition, the final document will include the frontal pages as described in the University’s Dissertation Handbook, as well as necessary appendices, references, and other appropriate documents.

OR

EDU708 Applied Doctoral Project Proposal (6 credits)

The commencement of the Applied Doctoral Project begins with development of the ADP Proposal. The Proposal consists of three phases: Phase 1 is the Project Justification; Phase 2 is the Review of the Literature; Phase 3 is the Project Approach. The Project Justification should include a discussion of the specific problem you propose to address. You should then provide a brief description of the methodology you plan to use and why the methodology is appropriate (for example, review and analysis of previous work versus new research). The Review of the Literature entails a critical analysis, synthesis and integration of work that others have done in order to show where the proposed study fits into current debates and inquiries. Phase 2 is thus a formal summary and analysis of the literature directly related to your particular study. The Project Approach describes the procedures that will be followed in conducting the study. The format and content of this phase will vary depending on the nature of the study. For example, a project that requires collection of data will differ significantly from a project that analyzes data from a third party or a study that relies on a scholarly review of the literature.

EDU705 Applied Doctoral Project (9 credits)

The Applied Doctoral Project (ADP) is an alternative to the traditional dissertation in the Doctor of Education program. The ADP students are expected to expand and apply existing knowledge and research to existing problems in their professional field. It allows a student to apply theories, principles, and processes they have learned in the Taft EdD program to an actual problem in education or an issue of interest and relevance to them in their professional activities. The focus of the work in the ADP is on development of an extensive scholarly document that will provide a professional value to the student’s work as an educator.

+ Qualifying Courses

EDU608 Educational Administration (3 credits)

This course examines conceptual foundations of educational administration with the aim of using theory and research to solve the problems of practice. The focus of this course is on the school as a social system with special emphasis on structure, politics, decision making, and quality outcomes.

EDU609 Leadership in Institutional Settings (3 credits)

This course explores concepts of leadership and leadership styles in the context of educational administration. Students examine the role of institutional leader, as well as factors that influence decision making, initiating change, psychological constraints, and techniques for establishing and maintaining a unique culture in the institutional setting.

EDU517 Educational Finance (3 credits)

This course explores the economic theories of institutional finance. Emphasis is on the management and evaluation of fiscal operations in an institutional setting.

EDU616 Organizational Behavior in the Educational Setting (3 credits)

This course studies theory, strategies, and techniques of effective organizational behavior in educational/institutional settings. Intervention techniques will be studied to improve organization effectiveness.

EDU600 Qualifying Examination (3 credits)

+ Core Courses

RES622 Basic Academic Writing (3 credits)

This is an 8-week course on developing a student's understanding of academic writing for a doctoral program. The final assignment for the class will be a composite of weekly assignments to create a concept paper relating to the potential Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP). Students leave the course with a quality draft Concept Paper for their Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP).

EDU615 The Laws and Politics of Education (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of the legal and political framework of education in the nation. Emphasis is on current issues and how they affect the learning environment.

EDU618 Principles of Curriculum Development (3 credits)

This course provides an analysis of the influences of curriculum and instruction from a philosophical, psychological, and sociological perspective. Various approaches to the design and evaluation of curriculum and instruction will be examined.

EDU619 Societal Diversity (3 credits)

This course examines diversity in society and in schools. Emphasis is on understanding the similarities and differences in culture, economic backgrounds, and academic diversity. It will prepare teachers for the wide diversity of students that they are certain to meet in their classrooms, schools, and communities. It provides an updated and broad treatment of the various forms of human diversity found in today’s schools, including nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, class, language, sexual orientation, and ability levels – highlighting the need for differentiation of instruction.

EDU512 Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3 credits)

This course deals with systematic philosophies, with attention to individual philosophers who developed important philosophical and educational ideas and with a critique of each philosophy to present its strengths and weaknesses. We also review major social influences as they are applied to current movements in educational instruction, research, and curriculum.

EDU514 Educational Psychology (3 credits)

This course studies psychological principles as related to learning. Learning theories, motivation, and quantitative methods will be explored.

EDU613 Emerging Educational Technologies (3 credits)

This course presents emerging technologies and engages educators in applying emerging technologies, while preparing for perceived changes in the future, with an aim to structure more student-centered lesson plans, which are adaptable to the devices and mobility available to them.

EDU590 Charter School Marketing Management (3 credits)

This course examines strategic marketing and branding, and their contribution to effective charter school recruitment and operations. Topics include marketing strategy development, marketing research, communications, media relations, building partnerships, public relations, and fund raising.

EDU591 Charter School Governance & Administration (3 credits)

This course explores the administrative workings of charter school operations. Topics include facilities location, staffing, sourcing and reporting revenue, budgeting, auxiliary services, legal issues, and safety and security. The course also examines the practical skills necessary to work effectively with authorizers, the charter school board, and other groups that are critical to the success of the charter school, as well as the legal framework of charter school education at the national, state, and local levels.

EDU621 Research Methods (3 credits)

This course emphasizes the types of research designs and the skills needed to develop and organize research studies in institutional settings.
(This will be the last course prior to the dissertation phase.)

EDU601 Comprehensive Examination (Pass/Fail)

+ Dissertation/ADP Phase

RES623 Advanced Academic Writing (3 credits)

This is an 8-week course on developing a student's understanding of advanced academic writing for a doctoral program. The final assignment for the class will be a composite of weekly assignments to create a Literature Review relating to the potential Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP). Students leave the course with a quality draft Literature Review chapter for their Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project (ADP).

AND

EDU706 Dissertation Proposal (6 credits)

This course assists students through the process of organization and design of a formal proposal, including a substantive research topic of original work. An accepted proposal constitutes the framework for the Statement of the Problem (Chapter 1), Review of the Literature (Chapter 2), and Research Methodology (Chapter 3).

EDU707 Dissertation (9 credits)

The successful completion of a dissertation results in a quality research effort, documented and written following American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines, an oral defense consisting of a PowerPoint presentation presented to the student’s dissertation committee, and written in a format ready for publication. The completed dissertation document is a five-chapter dissertation beginning with the Introduction to the Problem (Chapter 1), Review of the Literature (Chapter 2), Research Methodology (Chapter 3), Research Findings (Chapter 4), and Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations of the Researcher (Chapter 5). In addition, the final document will include the frontal pages as described in the University’s Dissertation Handbook, as well as necessary appendices, references, and other appropriate documents.

OR

EDU708 Applied Doctoral Project Proposal (6 credits)

The commencement of the Applied Doctoral Project begins with development of the ADP Proposal. The Proposal consists of three phases: Phase 1 is the Project Justification; Phase 2 is the Review of the Literature; Phase 3 is the Project Approach. The Project Justification should include a discussion of the specific problem you propose to address. You should then provide a brief description of the methodology you plan to use and why the methodology is appropriate (for example, review and analysis of previous work versus new research). The Review of the Literature entails a critical analysis, synthesis and integration of work that others have done in order to show where the proposed study fits into current debates and inquiries. Phase 2 is thus a formal summary and analysis of the literature directly related to your particular study. The Project Approach describes the procedures that will be followed in conducting the study. The format and content of this phase will vary depending on the nature of the study. For example, a project that requires collection of data will differ significantly from a project that analyzes data from a third party or a study that relies on a scholarly review of the literature.

EDU705 Applied Doctoral Project (9 credits)

The Applied Doctoral Project (ADP) is an alternative to the traditional dissertation in the Doctor of Education program. The ADP students are expected to expand and apply existing knowledge and research to existing problems in their professional field. It allows a student to apply theories, principles, and processes they have learned in the Taft EdD program to an actual problem in education or an issue of interest and relevance to them in their professional activities. The focus of the work in the ADP is on development of an extensive scholarly document that will provide a professional value to the student’s work as an educator.