Doctor of Education

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree prepares leaders to understand research, policy, and practice, and the relationships among them. Drawing upon resources from across the University, we prepare students to assume roles as university faculty members, senior-level educational leaders, policy makers, and researchers.

The concentrations give students great latitude in designing a highly individualized course of study based on their research interests.  Within the doctoral program, HGSE offers six concentrations: Education Policy, Leadership, and Instructional Practice; Human Development and Education; Culture, Communities, and Education; Quantitative Policy Analysis in Education; Higher Education; Urban Superintendents Program (which enrolled its last cohort in Fall 2009). Underlying the HGSE doctoral program is the premise that leaders need expertise in at least one perspective and understanding of other perspectives to contribute to solving educational problems in the United States and around the world. The program embraces this premise through a core curriculum that includes a first-year course on the interdisciplinary nature of education (which features an innovative, extended case study analysis of a single school system), rigorous training in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and a variety of experiences designed to stimulate learning from colleagues with different backgrounds, experiences, and career goals.

Prospective students should investigate the research interests of the HGSE faculty, examine the courses offered at the school and prepare early to complete the application for admission. For additional questions on the doctoral program, don't hesitate to contact us. Questions about funding the doctoral program should be directed to the Financial Aid Office.

Please view our Student Profile and Alumni Profile pages to learn more about our doctoral students.

Our 2009 Ed.D. graduates pursued a wide range of topics for their dissertation work. You are welcome to review the dissertation titles and committee members for our most recent doctoral graduates. View 2009 graduate dissertations (170KB pdf).