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2017-2018 Catalog (March 2018) 
    
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2017-2018 Catalog (March 2018)

Education Policy, Leadership, and Management (P–20) - PhD in Education

Return to: PhD in Education–School of Education and Professional Licensure  

This specialization is designed for leaders across the education spectrum, from preschool through higher education (P–20), who want to build on their leadership and management abilities to influence policy at local, national, and institutional levels. Students explore the principles, perspectives, and strategies that today’s education professionals need to be informed, dynamic leaders; affect policy; and guide the change process at all levels of the education system.

Learning Outcomes

As graduates of this program, students will be prepared to:

  1. Develop strategies to address P-20 education’s political issues that are collaborative as well as research and data based.
  2. Apply economic principles to inform decisions about education policy.
  3. Evaluate critical issues in education leadership from an ethical, legal, and governance perspective.
  4. Advocate for or against P–20 educational initiatives.
  5. Apply best practices in education utilizing culturally responsive education perspectives, leadership theory, and management strategies.
  6. Act as an agent for organizational social change utilizing foundational principles of educational policy, leadership, and management.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to conduct research that positively impacts social change.

Curriculum

Foundation Course (5 cr.)

Specialization Courses (30 cr.)

Doctoral Support Courses (11 cr.)

Core Research Sequence (15 cr.)

Courses composing the core research sequence are conducted online and require weekly readings, participation in discussions, and assignment completion. Course instructors guide discussions and evaluate discussion and application assignments. RSCH 8100 or 8110 must be completed prior to Residency 2 of the academic residencies. RSCH 8200 or 8210 and RSCH 8300 or 8310 must be completed prior to beginning the dissertation or attending Residency 3.

Advanced Research Course (5 cr.)

Those enrolled in this specialization are required to complete an advanced research course. The university offers three advanced research courses: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods. When the prospectus is approved, students will take the advanced research course selected as the methodology approved for the dissertation.
 
Students are required to complete one of the following courses:

Dissertation (20 cr.[minimum requirement]-120 cr. [8-year maximum timeframe])*

  • EDPD 8990 - Completing the Dissertation *To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the Chief Academic Officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete an approved dissertation, which usually requires more than the minimum terms in the dissertation course shell.

Course Sequence

Course Credits
EDPD 8002 - Leading the Future of Education♦  OR EDPD 8006 - Leading the Future of Education♦   (6 weeks) 5 cr.
EDPD 8040 - Governance and Politics of Education♦   5 cr.
EDPD 8041 - The Economics of Education♦   5 cr.
RSCH 8100 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods  OR RSCH 8110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods♦   5 cr.
EDPD 8044 - Leadership and Management for Change in Education♦   5 cr.
EDPD 8043 - Policy Development and Implementation   5 cr.
EDPD 8113 - Tools for Doctoral Research Success   3 cr.
RSCH 8200 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis  OR RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis♦    5 cr.
EDPD 8045 - Capacity, Capability, and Sustainability   5 cr.
EDPD 8114 - Demystifying Doctoral Writing for Research   3 cr.
RSCH 8300 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis  OR RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis♦   5 cr.
EDPD 8046 - P–20 Education Law, Policy, and Governance   5 cr.
EDPD 8910 - Completing the Prospectus   5 cr.
RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis  OR RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis  OR RSCH 8460 - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis   2 cr.
EDPD 8990 - Completing the Dissertation * 20 cr. (minimum requirement)–120 cr. (8-year maximum timeframe)*

Students will be registered for two courses every 11 weeks, following the completion of your foundation course. Students who wish to reduce their course load during one or more terms should contact their academic advisor.

*To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the Chief Academic Officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.

In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete an approved dissertation, which usually requires more than the minimum terms in the dissertation course shell.

Note on Endorsement, Licensure, or Certification

This program does not lead to an endorsement, certification, or licensure. Walden makes no representation, warranty, guarantee, or commitment that successful completion of this program or coursework for graduate credit within this program will permit a graduate to obtain state certification or licensure. 

The graduate degree program and coursework within the program in which you are enrolling may be accepted by many states toward upgrading or renewing a license or obtaining a salary increase (depending on state or district policy). Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement. Walden enrollment advisors can provide guidance on program requirements; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state and school district requirements.