The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in educational policy and leadership studies is designed for educators who seek a terminal doctoral degree to practice upper-level leadership in pre-kindergarten through higher education (PK-20) settings. Based on the scholar-practitioner model, the Ed.D. differs from the Ph.D. degree in that it allows for a more practical-based approach to use and perform applied research in educational settings grounded in problem-based learning pedagogy. Students elect to join their cohort class either on campus in Iowa City or though a hybrid program. The Ed.D. employs a blended learning delivery of online, in-person, condensed, and weekend courses.
Educational Outcomes
Ed.D. graduates will be able to:
- apply the knowledge, skills, and inquiry strategies to solve significant problems related to educational policies and practices;
- evaluate and use data to make judgments to improve practice and policy;
- understand and apply evidence of effective organizational and systemic change for equity, inclusion, and justice;
- frame situations from multiple perspectives;
- identify and meet contemporary challenges facing schools and higher education;
- embrace differences of persons and perspectives;
- develop a critical and professional perspective that is ethical and promotes change for equity and inclusion;
- link theory with systematic inquiry and assessment to improve educational policy and practice; and
- execute a scholarly project that addresses real and complex problems in practice.
The Doctor of Education program in educational policy and leadership studies with a higher education subprogram requires a minimum of 75 s.h. of graduate credit. Up to 36 s.h. in transfer credit may be applied to the degree with advisor approval. Students who earned an Ed.S. degree may apply up to 48 s.h. toward the Ed.D. with advisor approval. All students must earn a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00 in UI and transfer coursework.
The Ed.D in educational policy and leadership studies with a higher education subprogram requires the following work.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| EPLS:6217 | Theory and Practice of Leadership | 3 |
| EPLS:6307 | Professional Seminar for Ed.D. Students: Orientation to the Ed.D. | 1 |
| EPLS:6321 | Social Advocacy Summit | 1 |
| One of these: | ||
| EPLS:5240 | Topics in Education (when topic is facilitating controversial dialogue/facilitator preparation) | 3 |
| EPLS:6275 | Diversity and Equity in Higher Education | 3 |
| EPLS:7432 | Multicultural Initiatives | 3 |
Applied Research
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| EPLS:6266 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| EPLS:6352 | Action Research in Educational Settings | 3 |
| An introduction to quantitative research in education course (consult advisor) | 3 | |
| A doctoral capstone proposal course (consult advisor) | 3 | |
| A capstone research project course (consult advisor) | 4 | |
Higher Education Coursework
Students must complete coursework in higher education as follows.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| EPLS:5252 | Administration of Higher Education and Student Affairs | 3 |
| EPLS:6216 | Finance in Higher Education | 3 |
| EPLS:6218 | The Law and Higher Education | 3 |
| EPLS:6225 | Higher Education Policy | 3 |
| EPLS:6336 | Impact of College on Students | 3 |
Electives
In consultation with their advisor, students must complete the remaining semester hours in elective coursework.
Admission
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. They must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from another country as determined by the Office of Admissions; a master's degree with a g.p.a. of at least 3.00 in higher education, student affairs, student development, K-12 leadership, or another related field; and have at least three years of full-time experience in education.
Required application materials include transcripts from all higher education institutions attended, a résumé or curriculum vitae, official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (the GRE requirement has been suspended for the 2020-21 admissions cycle), letters of recommendation from an administrator and a faculty member, and a statement of purpose.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For specific score requirements, see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College on the Graduate College website.
The Doctor of Education program in educational policy and leadership studies with a PK-12 administration subprogram requires a minimum of 75 s.h. of graduate credit. Up to 36 s.h. in transfer credit may be applied to the degree with advisor approval. Students who earned an Ed.S. degree may apply up to 48 s.h. toward the Ed.D. with advisor approval. Students who have a current endorsement (State of Iowa endorsement 171) may include up to 42 s.h. transfer credit applied to the degree with advisor approval. All students must earn a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00 in UI and transfer coursework.
The Ed.D. in educational policy and leadership studies with a PK-12 administration subprogram requires the following work.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| EPLS:6217 | Theory and Practice of Leadership | 3 |
| EPLS:6307 | Professional Seminar for Ed.D. Students: Orientation to the Ed.D. | 1 |
| EPLS:6321 | Social Advocacy Summit | 1 |
| One of these: | ||
| EPLS:5240 | Topics in Education (when topic is facilitating controversial dialogue/facilitator preparation) | 3 |
| EPLS:6275 | Diversity and Equity in Higher Education | 3 |
| EPLS:7432 | Multicultural Initiatives | 3 |
Applied Research
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| EPLS:6266 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| An introduction to quantitative research in education course (consult advisor) | 3 | |
| An action research in educational settings course (consult advisor) | 3 | |
| A doctoral capstone proposal course (consult advisor) | 3 | |
| A capstone research project course (consult advisor) | 4 | |
PK-12 Administration Coursework
Students must complete coursework in PK-12 administration as follows.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| EPLS:6265 | Standards-Based Education and Accountability | 3 |
| EPLS:6270 | Policy and Politics | 3 |
| EPLS:6329 | Legislative Summit | 1 |
| Additional coursework toward the superintendency endorsement or electives | 8 | |
To obtain superintendent endorsement, all requirements for the endorsement must be met including an additional 12 s.h. in PK-12 administration.
Electives
In consultation with their advisor, students must complete the remaining semester hours in elective coursework.
Admission
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. They must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from another country as determined by the Office of Admissions; a master's degree with a g.p.a. of at least 3.00 in higher education, student affairs, student development, K-12 leadership, or another related field; and have at least three years of full-time experience in education.
Required application materials include transcripts from all higher education institutions attended, a résumé or curriculum vitae, official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (the GRE requirement has been suspended for the 2020-21 admissions cycle), letters of recommendation from an administrator and a faculty member, and a statement of purpose.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For specific score requirements, see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College on the Graduate College website.