Nov 23, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Higher Education, Ed.D.

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The Ed.D. in Higher Education is designed to prepare midcareer professionals from a variety of postsecondary institutional types and settings. These include public and private institutions; community colleges; and state, regional and national governance systems and organizations. Students are engaged with program faculty 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 postsecondary leaders, as well as the organizations they serve.

Degree Requirements

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 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.

Requirements for the Major

Core Courses

Total: 21 Credit Hours

Content Courses

Total: 39 Credit Hours

Degree Total: 60 Credit Hours

Admission Requirements

All applicants must possess a master’s or post-baccalaureate degree by August and complete the online SMU application. The application requires the following:

  1. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts with a GPA of 3.000 or higher.
  2. GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores taken within the last five years with the institution code 6660.
  3. TOEFL English language proficiency test scores for students whose native language is not English.
  4. Statement of professional purpose For Ed.D. in Higher Education.
  5. 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 to attend classes (for time on Fridays and summer terms). 
  6. A resume/curriculum vita.

Applicants may be invited to interview with faculty members.

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

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