Educational Leadership, EDD

Program Overview

The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program is designed to provide the following:

1. To enhance the knowledge and competencies of leaders so they provide optimal leadership for the education of all learners, both youth and adult.
2. To prepare leaders who are inquiring, reflective practitioners.
3. To prepare leaders who are competent in identifying and solving complex problems in education.
4. To prepare leaders who understand the multitude of leadership and management theories and practice related to their professional settings.
5. To prepare leaders who value, encourage, and facilitate the professional development of self and others in the organization.
6. To prepare leaders who demonstrate effective communication skills in both school and non-school settings.
7. To prepare leaders who value, understand, and support diversity in their school organizations.
8. To prepare leaders who make contributions to the profession.

Note: The doctoral program is NOT designed to lead to initial Educational Leadership Certification for the State of Louisiana. Students who have not completed a course in graduate statistics must include this course in their program of study.

Program Admission Requirements

Application Process: The prospective student must submit a completed application to study at Southeastern Louisiana University and satisfy all University graduate admission requirements including a completed immunization form, non-refundable fee, and official copies of all transcripts. The University application must be submitted online at the graduate admission site. 

Applicants for Regular Admission must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average on the undergraduate degree, verified by official transcripts. Cumulative grade point averages below a 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis and may receive Provisional Admission. The official transcript must also verify that the applicant earned a Master’s degree from an accredited university and has satisfactory standing at the last institution attended. 

In addition to the grade point average requirement, applicants must submit the following documents through the University application portal.

1. Professional resume;
2. A writing sample that the applicant believes is indicative of their ability to write on an academic or professional subject;
3. A formal letter of application that must provide:
   1. An introduction of the applicant to the admissions committee, including career goals; and
   2. Reasons why the applicant seeks admission to the doctoral program in educational leadership.
4. Names, addresses (office and e-mail), and telephone numbers of the following three individuals:
   1. An individual who has direct knowledge of the applicant’s work ethic;
   2. An individual who has direct knowledge of the applicant’s leadership ability, and;
   3. An individual who has direct knowledge of the applicant’s academic ability.
5. At least three (3) years of appropriate professional experience.

Program Admissions Process

After all application materials have been received, the Educational Leadership Doctoral Admissions Committee will jointly review the applicant’s materials. The Committee will determine which applicants will move forward in the application process. Applicants who are selected by the committee to continue in the application process will:

1. Draft an extemporaneous writing sample in response to a writing prompt that will be provided.
2. Participate in at least one interview with members of the admissions committee.

Upon receipt of a letter of official acceptance into the program, the individual may enroll in the initial courses for the program:

1. Submit Proof of Immunization and Application fee to Graduate Studies.
2. Participate in optional interview as requested by the Doctoral Admissions Committee.
3. Enroll in the initial courses for the program.
4. Attend the required orientation session.

Program Elements

Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship
Students who take six (6) or more hours per semester are eligible to be awarded a graduate assistantship and/or graduate fellowship. Please see the Program Coordinator for more information.

Course Work Requirements and Transfer of Credits
Subject to approval by the doctoral advisory committee, a maximum of 6 hours of appropriate course work completed as part of another doctoral program may be transferred from other accredited institutions.

Academic Expectations
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.00 in all doctoral course work. No more than two courses in which a grade of “C” has been earned may be applied toward the fulfillment of degree requirements.

Continuous Enrollment
The continuous enrollment requirement necessitates that candidates are enrolled each academic term including summer, fall, and spring until completion of all degree program requirements.

Residency Requirement
The residency requirement in graduate programs is intended to ensure that candidates become integrally involved in the academic life of their program and of the university. During the course of study for the Ed.D. degree, candidates are required to have an enrollment period of three (3) consecutive academic terms with a minimum of six (6) credit hours per academic term.

Admission to Candidacy and Time Limits
All degree requirements must be completed within six calendar years following admission to candidacy. An extension may be granted if approved by the Dean of the College of Education. Prior work applied to the degree (including transfer and locally-earned credits) must have been completed within nine calendar years immediately preceding the date on which the degree is conferred.

Dissertation
All doctoral candidates are required to complete a dissertation which represents a significant contribution to the body of knowledge in the discipline. Doctoral candidates must (a) form a dissertation committee, (b) prepare and successfully defend a dissertation prospectus and proposal before the dissertation committee, (c) complete data collection and analysis, and (d) prepare and successfully defend the final dissertation before the dissertation committee. All candidates must be officially enrolled for dissertation credit, whether the candidates are on or off campus.

Additional Requirements
Prospective and enrolled graduate students are reminded that the general academic, financial, and student conduct policies and rules as stated in the university catalogs remain in force and effect unless specifically modified by graduate rules and policies included in the graduate section of the catalog.

For More Information
Please contact the Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations at 985-549-5713 for additional information.