Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Developmental Education

Graduate Faculty

Department Head: Dr. Cheyrl Ensley

Professors: Dr. Larnell Flannagan, Dr. Vernon Farmer, Dr. Janet Guyden, and Dr. Olatunde Ogunyemi

Associate Professors: Dr. Twana Hilton-Pitre, Dr. Ellen Smiley, and Dr. Reuben Wanjohi

Assistant Professors: Dr. Carolyn Jackson, Dr. Liangyue Lu, and Dr. Daphne Williams

 

Overview

The Department of Educational Leadership has as its mission the preparation of personnel for positions ranging from teaching to administrative and supervisory positions in education-related and other human service settings.

The Department of Educational Leadership has responsibility for four graduate programs: the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Developmental Education, the Post Masters Certificate in Developmental Education, and the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Developmental Education.

The program is designed to prepare researchers, practitioners, and leaders for postsecondary education, business, industry, government, and human services. Developmental educators work both in the traditional classroom and in the workplace, using counseling, administration, management, and instructional design skills to help the nontraditional learner.

 

Vision

The vision of the Doctor of Education in Developmental Education is to be the nation’s premier producer of faculty, executive-level leaders, researchers, learning assistance professionals, and practitioners in the field of developmental education.

 

Mission

The mission of the Doctor of Education in Developmental Education is to prepare executive-level leaders, researchers, and practitioners for work in public and private post-secondary educational systems or education-related positions in industry, business, government, human and social service agencies.

 

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Goal 1.    To prepare candidates who possess the skills necessary to expand research and knowledge in the field of developmental education

Goal 2.   To prepare candidates who are knowledgeable in the current research and best practices in learning theory, pedagogy, andragogy, and learning assistance in the field of developmental education

Goal 3.    To prepare candidates who possess an understanding of the major issues confronting the field of developmental education, some of the problems associated with those issues, and the ability to critically analyze literature in the field

Goal 4.   To prepare candidates with the skills necessary to design, develop, implement, and evaluate innovative and effective developmental education policies, programs, services, curricula, and pedagogical best practices

 

Admission Requirements

Following admission to the Graduate School, the individual must submit to the Department of Educational Leadership an application for admission to the Ed.D. program. Applicants must have three recommendations sent by appropriate individuals to the department.

When an individual’s application materials are complete, they are evaluated by the department’s graduate admissions committee, and the student is notified of the committee’s decision regarding admission to the Ed.D. program.

The Department admits students twice a year during the fall and spring semesters. To be considered for admission for the fall semester, the Department must receive the student’s complete application package by April 1. To be considered for admission for the spring semester, the Department must receive the student’s complete application package by October 1.

Requirements for regular admission to the program include the following criteria:

  • A master’s degree form an accredited college or university
  • At least a 3.0 grade point average on the last degree earned
  • At least a score in the 30th percentile on the GRE
  • Writing sample
  • Interview with Admissions Committee

Requirements for conditional admission to the program include the following criteria:

  • A master’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • At least a 3.0 grade point average on the last degree earned
  • At least a score in the 20th percentile on the GRE
  • Writing sample
  • Interview with Admissions Committee
  • Evidence of compensating strengths as defined by the department and evaluated by the admissions committee

The status of a student admitted conditionally is reevaluated after 12 hours of work has been completed. If the GPA is 3.5 or higher, the conditional status is removed and the student is granted regular standing. If the GPA is less than 3.5, the student is dismissed from the program.

 

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Developmental Education Curriculum Plan

Major Courses

Developmental Education 549

3

Developmental Education 600

3

Developmental Education 607

3

Developmental Education 631

3

Developmental Education 649

3

Developmental Education 719

3

Developmental Education 726

3

Developmental Education 792

3

Developmental Education 793 or 705

3

 

English Proficiency

Developmental Education 634*

3


*May be satisfied by earning a score of 3.5 or more on the Analytical section of the GRE

 

Evaluation and Research

  

Developmental Education 643

3

Developmental Education 728

3

Developmental Education 736 or 735

3

 

Electives+

3

+Selected from transfer or other GSU graduate courses

 

Internship**

  

Developmental Education 734

3

**Placement determined by concentration

 

Option/Concentration

12

 

Option/Concentration Areas

Curriculum and Instructional Design 

Developmental Education  605

3

Developmental Education  618

3

Developmental Education  621

3

Developmental Education  704

3

Developmental Education  706

3

Developmental Education  709

3

Developmental Education  793

3

 

Higher Education Administration and Management 

Developmental Education  618

3

Developmental Education  622

3

Developmental Education  660

3

Developmental Education  702

3

Developmental Education  712

3

Developmental Education  713

3

Developmental Education  714

3

 

Student Development & Personnel Services 

Developmental Education  617

3

Developmental Education  618

3

Developmental Education  701

3

Developmental Education  708

3

Developmental Education  715

3

Developmental Education  718

3

 

Program Completion

To complete the program, a student must:

  • Take 66 semester credit hours consisting of

  • 27 hours of core courses,

  • 9 hours of evaluation and research courses,

  • a 3-hour English proficiency course,

  • 6 hours of elective courses,

  • a 3-hour internship, and

  • 12 hours in an option (A number of these courses are offered online.).

  • Pass Qualifying and comprehensive examinations

  • Complete a minimum of 6 hours of dissertation preparation, and

  • Oral dissertation defense.

 

Requirements for Doctoral Qualifying Examination

  • Complete no more than 27 hours in the program. Students who have completed 27 hours and have not taken or passed the Qualifying Examination will not be allowed to take any more classes until after passing the examination.

  • Complete the following courses DEED 549, DEED 600, DEED 631, EDL 549 or equivalent, and EDL 573 or equivalent.
  • Exam offered only on campus
  • A student who fails the exam would be allowed to retake it one time. A student who fails the examination after the second attempt would be dismissed from the program.

 

Requirements for Doctoral Comprehensive Examination

  • Complete all courses in the program except DEED 796 and DEED 800.
  • Exam offered only on campus
  • A student who fails the exam would be allowed to retake it one time. A student who fails the examination after the second attempt would be dismissed from the program.

 

Requirements for Oral Dissertation Defense

  • Complete and defend dissertation proposal.
  • After proposal is signed by Committee Members, Department Head, and Graduate School Dean, complete appropriate IRB form. Student must not collect data until IRB form has been approved by the Institutional Review Board.
  • Complete Dissertation
  • Abide by timelines published by Department every semester

 

Graduation Requirements

  • Complete application for graduation
  • Complete Certification of Completion of Degree Requirements
  • Complete Exit form
  • Pay Binding and Publication Fees
  • Complete Survey of Earned Doctorates Form
  • Complete Doctoral Dissertation Agreement Form (UMI)