Educational Leadership with a Concentration in Special Education (Ed.D.)

Overview

The mission of the Doctor of Education (Ed. D. degree) in Educational Leadership is to provide its student's opportunities to extend educational leadership knowledge and research in PK-12, higher education, and community settings.

The Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Special Education emphasizes preparation for leadership careers in PK-12 education, and universities. Graduates may secure faculty positions in Educational Leadership and other departments at universities. The program trains individuals to apply research and theory to practical problems. It enhances students' management skills that assist them in exhibiting informed leadership. The dissertation is expected to inform practice towards solving important education and human development problems. The educational objectives of the program are:

  • To prepare professional individuals capable of achieving the highest levels of educational competence in daily practice.
  • To prepare outstanding academic and administrative leaders for educational agencies at the campus, district, higher education institution, county, regional, state, and national levels, emphasizing leadership skills required to educate the emerging majority, racial and ethnic underrepresented populations, particularly Hispanics.
  • To provide a deeper understanding of the professional educator's legal, financial, and operational demands, as well as adequate historical and contemporary contexts that influence their role.
  • To provide an understanding of the theories and research methodologies that illuminate the significant role of the professional education practitioner.
  • To provide professional educators with problem-solving and applied research skills.
  • To offer access to a doctoral-level program in educational leadership to all Rio Grande Valley citizens with the qualifications and motivation to pursue it.
  • To assist in forming professionals who will serve in administrative and policy positions to enhance the educational and economic opportunities of persons who need the most development of their human potential.
  • To provide uniquely qualified leadership, teaching, and research skills required to meet the special needs of this area's culturally diverse student population.

A minimum of 51 semester hours of post-master's degree coursework, a written comprehensive exam, plus nine semester hours of the dissertation are required for the Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership at UTRGV. The majority of the coursework will be at the 8000 level.

In addition to these requirements, courses are offered at UTRGV in the Human Development and School Services Department that may be related to the doctoral student's particular area of interest. Students may choose from among those identified courses.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the doctoral program in educational leadership, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

  1. Master’s degree in Education or related field with a minimum GPA of 3.25
  2. Three years of full-time leadership, supervisory, and/or classroom experience in an educational setting (college/university level, school district) or related field.
  3. Three professional letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources (one person must be a current or past supervisor, another with a terminal degree who can attest to your academic ability, and a person of your choice).
  4. Applicant Statement - maximum of five pages double spaced, including the following headings: Purpose for Pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Special Education; Description of Professional Goals; and Commitment and Dedication.
  5. Resume showing professional presentations, publications, grants, recognitions (e.g., honors and awards for leadership, teaching, academics), leadership activity in community organizations, professional associations, or community service.
  6. Participation in, but not limited to, a professional interview, and a timed writing sample.

Application for admission must be submitted before the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Upon admission to the program, the student becomes a member of a doctoral cohort.

Transfer of Graduate Credit

A maximum of 9 semester hours of relevant coursework may be transferred to the doctoral program and applied to the degree plan. No course with a grade lower than B may be transferred.

Maximum Period for Completion and Progression Requirements

A student has a maximum of 10 years to complete the degree from the date of first entry into doctoral-level courses. Under special circumstances, an extension for an additional year may be granted. Students who transfer coursework into the EdD degree have 10 years to complete the degree from the date when the oldest course or courses were completed.

Students are expected to enroll in 6 hours of courses each semester and cumulate 24 credit hours each academic year for two years.

Individual Student Evaluation and Academic Standing

A student in the program is expected to enroll continuously in coursework. Once a student is eligible to enroll in dissertation courses (EDUL 8390 and EDUL 8395), the continuous enrollment policy only applies to fall and spring terms.

To be in good academic standing, students are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.33 or higher after two semesters or terms of enrollment and beyond, and receive grades above a C in core and research courses.

Upon receiving a grade of C or F in a course, the student will be on academic probation. In such a case, the student must make an appointment with his or her Academic Advisor and the Doctoral Program Coordinator to discuss future courses and expectations. In collaboration with the Advisor and the Doctoral Program Coordinator, the student will develop a written plan for improvement and retake the course. Upon successful execution of the terms of the plan, the student will be released from academic probation.

Upon receiving a second grade of C in a course, the student will be suspended from the program for one full semester, effective immediately upon receiving the grade. Returning to the program does not carry a guarantee of reinstatement of financial aid. The student may be asked to follow a plan of improvement to be decided by the Academic Advisor and the Doctoral Program Coordinator. The student will be dismissed from the program upon receiving a second F.

The student will be dismissed from the program upon receiving the third C. A student desiring to appeal such dismissal may petition the doctoral program coordinator. The appeal must be received within ten days of notification to the student of dismissal. A final appeal may be made to the dean of the College of Education and P-16 Integration.

Graduation Requirements

Students must successfully complete 51 hours of coursework including an internship, capstones (e.g., a written comprehensive exam), and nine hours of dissertation to earn the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.

Program Requirements

Required Courses - 27 Hours

Core Courses - 15 Hours

EDUL 8301Leadership and Organizational Behavior

3

EDUL 8302Theories of Learning and Instruction

3

EDUL 8304Social and Cultural Contexts of Education

3

EDUL 8306Ethics and Values in Educational Leadership

3

EDUL 8307Organizational Theory in Education

3

Research Courses - 12 Hours

Required - 9 Hours

EDRE 8300Introduction to Research Methods

3

EDRE 8301Qualitative Research

3

EDRE 8302Quantitative Research

3

Choose one from the following:
EDRE 8303Advanced Qualitative Research

3

EDRE 8304Advanced Quantitative Research

3

EDRE 8305Program Evaluation

3

EDRE 8307Selected Topics in Research

3

EDRE 8308Proposal Writing and Conceptual Framework Development

3

EPSY 8351Special Education Inquiry

3

Prescribed Electives - 6 Hours

EDUL 8300Scholarly Writing

3

EDUL 8336Problems in Education

3

EPSY 8350Historical and Theoretical Foundations of Special Education

3

EDUL 8336 may be used twice on a degree plan for a total of 6 credit hours.

Concentration Courses - 18 Hours

Required - 9 Hours

EDUL 8303Educational Politics and Policy

3

EDUL 8350Doctoral Internship

3

EPSY 8352Special Education Law & Practice

3

Choose three from the following:

EDUL 8350Doctoral Internship

3

EPSY 8351Special Education Inquiry

3

EPSY 8353Special Education Literature & Readings

3

EPSY 8354Social & Emotional Interventions in Special Education

3

EPSY 8355Special Topics in Special Education

3

EDUL 8350 may be taken twice for a total of 6 credit hours. EPSY 8355 may be taken three times for a total of 9 credit hours.

Written Comprehensive Exam

Dissertation - 9 Hours

EDUL 8390Dissertation Proposal Development

3

EDUL 8395Dissertation Research and Writing

3

EDUL 8390 and EDUL 8395 must be taken once. The additional three hours may come from either EDUL 8390 or EDUL 8395.

Total Credit Hours: 60