Higher Education – Doctorate
Using the highly successful and unique Maryville Ed.D. model, this new 2 1/2 year doctoral program is for professionals in school, university, or other professional settings who want to build their skills in college and university leadership, administration, and teaching. Earning a doctorate degree might seem like a daunting task but at Maryville, it’s completely manageable. Our Doctor of Education program is designed for people like you, who are currently working in the field and have already completed a master’s degree. This Ed.D. concentration will allow you to develop the expertise to effectively teach in higher education, understand the dynamics affecting college students, and lead positive organizational change around critical higher education issues.
Maryville’s doctorate in education program has become a highly-valued stamp of excellence across the St. Louis region. This innovative program is unique in providing personal mentoring from dedicated faculty-practitioners, supporting students through a cohort-model and built-in components to complete the program successfully, incorporating elements of business, political, and social leadership, and providing a practitioner focus within the larger context of the role of higher education in a democracy. Our program is designed to produce leaders who have a deep understanding of higher education, who are change agents capable of initiating and sustaining positive change, and who are reflective learners with skills to gather information in a democratic environment. See the program outcomes for more detail on our objectives.
For more information: email us at hstanwich@maryville.edu or call 314.529.9542.
Program Features
Recognized for Excellence
The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Maryville University has quickly become recognized as the premier program in the St. Louis region for preparing K-12 administrators. With the approximately 130 graduates already rising to positions of authority throughout the area, our Ed.D. approach has proven highly effective in preparing the next generation of school leaders. The Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership will likewise provide you with opportunities for excellence on every level. You’ll work with outstanding faculty members and exemplary professionals in the field. You’ll enjoy small classes, innovative approaches and plenty of opportunities for professional growth. With a strong foundation of theory, practical application, and a developed personal philosophy about leadership, you’ll be highly respected in your field.
Cohort Approach
Our program is organized around a cohort plan: cohorts, or student groups, usually consist of 15 to 22 students who advance through their classes together. This builds camaraderie among your peers, provides a supportive educational resource, and helps you recognize your own strengths. Your cohort becomes your learning community and a permanent network of trusted colleagues as you proceed through the two and one-half year program and afterwards into your career. Cohorts will focus exclusively on the higher education concentration and not be mixed with K-12 educational leadership concentration cohorts.
Built-in Research Project
A capstone project is begun early in the doctoral degree program and is completed at the conclusion of the last class (7th semester). The purpose of this action research is for practitioners to investigate their practices and initiate procedures that will, ultimately, increase their effectiveness as practitioners. The capstone should be one that occurs and is supported in their professional context and has a practical positive impact for their university, school or organization.
Internship Experiences
Candidates proceed through the 42-credit-hour program by taking six hours each semester. An internship experience is completed over the course of the program, designed to provide a focused, hands-on experience with professionals involved in various aspect of the operations and governance of higher education institutions. Careful personal supervision by Maryville faculty ensure you learn all aspects of higher education leadership.
Professional/Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this program allows you to pursue many levels of higher education leadership in colleges, universities, and similar institutions. Completing the doctorate prepares you for both teaching and leadership in higher education. Graduates may seek roles in higher education teaching, support, and leadership within such varied areas as student affairs, enrollment management, student services, and the academic professions. Maryville’s doctorate in education program is a highly-valued stamp of excellence across the St. Louis region.
Degree Offerings and Requirements
Cohorts begin each fall; the first cohort will begin fall 2011. Courses are for Higher Education Leadership concentration students only – not K12 Educational Leadership students. See the course descriptions for more details.
Semester 1: Fall
EDL 730 Renewing and Re-examining Yourself as an Educational Leader
EDL 731 Introduction to Research
Semester 2: Spring
EDL 735 Advanced Research for Leaders
EDL 733 Understanding the Change Process
Semester 3: Summer
EDL 734 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
EDL 739 Advanced Internship (i.e., community college, university, state department, school, etc.)
Semester 4: Fall
EDL 732 Skills for Data-Driven Leadership & Decision-Making
EDL 737 Student Development, Student Service, Student Retention
Semester 5: Spring
EDL 738 Policy Making and Leadership in Higher Education
EDL 740 Legal and Financial Management
Semester 6: Choose 2 from these 4: Summer
EDL 741 Teacher Education Curriculum, Pedagogy, Research
EDL 742 Student Affairs in Higher Education
EDL 747 Enrollment Management in Higher Ed
EDL 748 American Community College
Semester 7: Fall
EDL 743 Issues in Moral Leadership
EDL 744 Capstone and Final Internship
The program will be offered on-campus at the Maryville campus, one evening per week with two courses back to back and additional web-based interaction.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the doctorate program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. You must have maintained at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. (Upon evaluation, up to 9 hours of post-M.A. credit may be transferred to the Ed.D.)
- Complete an application for admission to the program (online).
- Submit three letters of recommendation from qualified professionals, including one from a current or recent supervisor who can address your leadership experience and potential.
- Submit the application essay to demonstrate that you have the necessary leadership competencies for the program, including 3 to 5 years of professional experience.
- Complete an interview and on-site writing sample with the program faculty.
- International students must submit appropriate TOEFL scores.