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Dec 04, 2024
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2019-2020 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
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Includes Preparation for Superintendent Certification
The Ed.D. in educational leadership (pre-K to grade 12) is designed to prepare mid-career professionals for a variety of leadership roles in school districts, independent schools, charter management organizations, public agencies and nonprofit organizations. Students are engaged with program faculty members and their cohort in all course content, which includes the individual development and execution of a problem-based dissertation. Program activities benefit the students in their roles as system-level leaders or policy professionals, as well as the organizations they serve. The program is designed to allow individuals to continue working as they complete this three-year doctoral program.
Program Structure. The Ed.D. curriculum is delivered in a three-year executive-style format in which students meet 10 weekends each year in addition to summer intensive sessions. The schedule is designed for midcareer professionals to further their education while continuing to work. Students remain together in a cohort as they progress through the program. Some online assignments are given between weekend sessions. Five cross-cutting themes infuse courses and other learning opportunities:
- Academic leadership.
- Strategic and organizational leadership.
- Policy and political leadership.
- Evidence-based leadership.
- Personal and ethical leadership.
An applied dissertation that serves as a capstone experience is designed for students to build upon and demonstrate leadership competencies through engaging in a multifaceted inquiry project based on a problem of practice.
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Requirements for the Major
Admission Requirements
- The online SMU application.
- A master’s or post-baccalaureate degree.
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts with a GPA of 3.0 or higher desired for all degrees.
- GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores taken within the last five years, with the institution code 7464.
- Applicants with a degree from countries where the predominant language is not English are required to supply scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service. The minimum scores for admission speaking 26, listening/reading 22, and writing 21.
- Statement of professional purpose with no more than 2 pages ((double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins) on each of the following parts:
- (Part one) Why are you pursuing the SMU Ed.D. at this time in your career and how will it help you achieve your goals? What personal and professional experience have prepared you for doctoral study?
- (Part two) In reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, what do you consider to be your greatest talents and strengths and how will you use these to contribute to enriching the cohort experience?
- (Part three) What is a problem of practice in PK-12 education that you might want to explore further through the SMU Ed.D.? How might you systematically investigate this problem in order to work towards a plan of action to address it?
- Three letters of recommendation. Letters should be from individuals who can speak to the candidate’s academic and professional skills and potential. One letter should be from a direct supervisor in the candidate’s organization. The supervisor will also be asked to indicate agreement for the student to miss work in order to attend classes (for time on Fridays and summer terms).
- A resume/curriculum vita
- Official transcripts must be sent directly by the institution to SMU.
Promising applicants may be invited to engage in an interview and additional selection processes.
Electronic transcripts should be sent directly by the institution to: gradappmaterials@smu.edu
Paper transcripts should be sent directly by the institution to:
Graduate Application Processing
PO Box 518
Dallas, TX 75275-0518
If applying for the Superintendent certificate, please provide the following as well:
- A letter of agreement from the superintendent or other system-level administrator indicating that the school district will provide internship activities and a district mentor for the candidate
- A copy of a Principal certificate or the equivalent issued by the TEA, another state or country.
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