Department of Adult & Higher Education
Additional Requirements for the Ed.D.
In addition to the coursework requirements noted for each program of study, Ed.D. students must also fulfill the following departmental requirements (please also consult the Graduate School's Graduate Policies for Ed.D.):
Comprehensive Preliminary Examination
Continuous Enrollment Requirement
Application of Master's Course Hours to Doctoral Program
Residency Requirement
Residency is satisfied by completing at least two residence credits, as defined below, during continuous residence (registration in consecutive semesters) as a graduate student at the University. Failure to take work during the summer does not break continuity; however, summer work may be used in partial fulfillment of this requirement.
Residence credit is determined by the number of semester hours of graduate work undertaken during a given term. During a regular semester, residence credit is calculated in the following manner:
Semester Credit Hours for Residence Credits:
- 9 or more credit hours = 1 residence credit
- 6-8 credit hours = 2/3 residence credit
- less than 6 credit hours = 1/3 residence credit
The residence credit for a six-week summer term is equal to one-half of the corresponding amount for a regular semester. For example, six semester hours taken during a summer session will earn one-third of a residence credit; less than six credit hours will earn one-sixth of a residence credit.
Comprehensive Preliminary Examination
Before beginning the dissertation process, students must demonstrate their preparedness through a written examination, representing Options A, B, or C. The written examination is followed by an oral examination. The student's committee prepares the examination and determines the dates, according to these three options: Option A (proctored exam), Option B (take-home writtens), and Option C (negotiated written project). The advisor and student will determine the option with approval of the committee. In all cases, exams should be typed. The exams are graded by the full committee and the grades are as follows: "Unconditional pass," "conditional pass," or "fail." Rewrites of the examination may occur once at the discretion of the Committee. (The options are discussed further in the explanation of doctoral preliminary examination policies.)
Dissertation
The Ed.D. culminates in the preparation and defense of a dissertation. The dissertation is prepared under the supervision of the major professor and three other faculty committee members selected by the student. A Graduate School Representative may also be part of the committee.
Continuous Enrollment Requirement
Students must maintain continuous enrollment from the completion of their comprehensive examinations until the defense of their dissertations. (Summer school is not required as part of this continuous enrollment). Students must register for at least three credit hours every semester until completing their dissertation.
Time Limitations
Students must be admitted to candidacy within six years of the start of their course work. Admission to candidacy is met by successfully completing all coursework other than EAC 895, completing the written and oral preliminary examination, and presenting a research proposal which is approved by the student's committee. A maximum of ten calendar years is allowed for completing all degree requirements.
Application of Master's course hours to doctoral program
Each student may be able to apply up to 18 credit hours from their master's program to the required 72-hour minimum Ed.D. doctoral program.
