Online Ed.D. Program

Complete the coursework for your Ed. D. in just six semesters!

This accelerated doctoral program is delivered fully online, and is designed to fit into the busy schedules of full-time educators and working professionals. In addition to the planned program of study, you will complete a residency requirement of 18 consecutive semester hours in three consecutive semesters in order to graduate. Students ordinarily meet this requirement during their first year of study. 

We believe that increasing the access and effectiveness of education is the key to developing a sustainable world with just societies that value knowledge, promote peace, celebrate diversity and defend human rights. The program is founded on core values of commitment, excellence, integrity, respect, service and quality.


Choose Your Concentration

Global Leadership

The Global Leadership concentration is purposefully designed with a unique and distinctive focus: to equip education leaders to be innovative change agents in local, national and international settings – regardless of their geographical setting. We acknowledge that our world is increasingly interconnected and that our responsibility and influence as educators extends to all regions and peoples of the world. Graduates of this program are prepared to work as transformational leaders at the highest levels of education.

Educational Technology Innovation

The Educational Technology Innovation concentration will give you opportunities to design, implement and assess technology-based projects connected to technology and curriculum standards. The program also provides you the opportunity to acquire critical leadership skills necessary to complete the principal certification examination.

How to Apply

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Lamar University is a member of Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate

Best Colleges Best Online Doctorate

Lamar University has been selected as one of BestColleges.com's Best Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership programs for 2019
FAQIs the doctoral program completely online?

Professors utilize Blackboard for coursework and AdobeConnect and Teams for web conferences. You are never required to be on campus.

How many hours are required to complete the doctoral program?

A total of 48 hours of course work and a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation courses must be completed to earn a Doctor of Education degree.

How long will it take me to graduate?

The doctoral program is designed to be completed within six semesters, including fall, spring and summer semesters. In addition to the planned program of study, students must complete a residency requirement of 18 consecutive semester hours in three consecutive semesters. Students will ordinarily meet this requirement during their first year of study. Residency must be completed in order to graduate.  All coursework, including the dissertation defense, that counts toward the degree must be completed within a 10-year time frame.

How much cost is incurred for a regular fall or spring semester during the doctoral program? What is the cost of the program?

All students in the doctoral program pay in-state tuition rates regardless of residency.  Please visit Tuition Information for information regarding fees and tuition.

Is the program designed to cater to the working professional?

Yes. The majority of doctoral students are full-time, working professionals.

 

My GRE score is over five years old. Must I re-take it to be considered for the program?
  • Yes. If your score is more than five years old, you will be required to retake the exam.

What are the selection criteria to be accepted to the program?
University Application
  • Apply for admission to the university via ApplyTexas and pay a one-time application fee of $25. Applications must meet all university admission requirements prior to being considered for admission to a graduate program. 
  • Send transcripts to: Lamar University Graduate Admissions

Department Application

Department Application Requirements:

1. Completed master’s degree from an accredited university GRE is waived for the 2022/2023 admissions cycle2. CV or Resume detailing the following:a. Educationb. Work Historyc. Teaching Experience in Educationd. Leadership Experience in Educatione. Other Leadership experiencesf. Education Certifications3. Application Essay (not to exceed 1500 words) that addresses the following:a. What is your goal in pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership?b. Why are applying to the Lamar program?c. What do you anticipate having to change in your current schedule to be successful in the doctoral program?

4. Provide three (3) professional references:  Request for references

Courses 

EDUD 6306: Dynamics of Global Leadership (3 hours)
This course is a study of the importance of a global leader. Educational systems change will be the focus of course topics and discussion. An emphasis on the educational leader as scholar-practitioner will guide the examination of change theory. 

EDUD 6314: Academic Research Writing I (3 hours)
This course is designed to provide guidelines and techniques for academic and scholarly writing. Course topics include: academic writing organization, structure, tone, clarity, and the use of scholarly literature. 

EDUD 6355: Educational Research Methods (3 hours)
Review of research and research methods related to informed decision making related to schooling problems/issues. Emphasis is given to conceptualizing problems, selection, and application of research literature and critical judgment of the quality of research studies. 

EDUD 6317: Academic Research Writing II (3 hours)
The purpose of this course is to build and refine scholarly writing through the use of archival research, documented sources and library databases. This course is also designed to provide an overview of the literature review as it pertains to the research process and assist students in beginning to create a knowledge base about scholarly writing. 

EDUD 6302: Global Education Ethics and Values (3 hours)
This course focuses on the ethical practices of global educational leadership and on the ethics of equity and social justice. Specific philosophical approaches and ethical theories will be discussed.

EDUD 6356: Quantitative Research Methods (3 hours)
This course serves as one of three research courses in the doctoral program’s research series. Throughout the semester, this course builds upon students’ understandings of quantitative research, its theory, and methods. 

EDUD 6305: Global Leadership Issues (3 hours)
This course is a study of the importance of a global leader. Educational change will be the focus of course topics and discussion. An emphasis on the educational leader as a scholar-practitioner will guide the examination of change theory. 

EDUD 6312: Global Communication (3 hours)
This course facilitates excellence in leadership by exploring current knowledge and research related to communication that builds positive relationships and community in a global society. Issues discussed include, but are not limited to, socioeconomic, ethnicity, literacy, gender, age and other issues that require courageous communication. 

EDUD 6320: Foundations of Distance Education (3 hours)
A foundational study of teaching and learning at a distance for both k-12 and higher education. Topics include: the history of distance learning, administrative models, policy development, faculty and student support, and current research and future trends.

EDUD 6301: Adult Learning Theories in Practice (3 hours)
Seminar in which you will read and discuss adult learning theories, as well as how these theories might be implemented in best practices with adult learners. Because of the nature of the doctoral program, special emphasis will be placed upon these theories in educational leadership settings.

EDUD 6313: Seminar: Contemporary Issues (3 hours)
Examination of current trends, emerging issues and research-based practices in education organized around broad themes to complement doctoral course requirements. May be repeated for credit when the topic varies

EDUD 6357: Qualitative Research Methods (3 hours)
This course serves as one of three research courses in the doctoral program’s research series. Throughout the semester, this course builds upon your understandings of qualitative research, its theory and methods. As a doctoral-level research course, the material covered will be intended to prepare you for successful completion of a qualitative doctoral dissertation. 

EDUD 6335: Strategic Planning and Educational Research (3 hours)
This course serves a guide for writing and implementing a strategic plan for your organization. Assessments and lectures lead to gaining an understanding into why a plan is needed for long-term planning in the fields of both k-12 and higher education. 

EDUD 6330: Fundamentals of Program Evaluation (3 hours)
This course serves to provide you with the research and evaluation skills required to implement various program evaluation models. Further, the course provides you with the opportunity for systematic study of methods of gathering information for decision making with respect to development, modification and acceptance of programs.

EDUD 6353: Synthesis (3 hours)
Student proficiency assessment comprised of portfolios, synthesis paper and synthesis paper oral presentation. Successful completion allows student to apply for candidacy.

EDUD 6325: Leadership in Higher Education Administration (3 hours)
This course is an overview of the purposes of higher education; the environment of higher education institutional issues in higher education; specifically governance and infrastructure, and impact of the external operational functions of higher education, including development, accreditation and accountability and social and political challenges.

EDUD 6307: Global Education Leadership and Policy (3 hours)
The theory and practice of policy making and the political influences brought to bear on policy issues in education. Understanding the legal basis for educational policy is important in a changing world. Effective leaders should be able to analyze, synthesize and apply research and theory derived from social sciences, educational policy, politics, policy-making literature and the law. 

Dissertation – 12 hours minimum

EDUD 6361: Dissertation I (3 hours)
EDUD 6362: Dissertation II (3 hours)
EDUD 6363: Dissertation III (3 hours)
EDUD 6364: Dissertation IV (3 hours)