Doctor of Education Program

Evangel University's Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction program is an online, cohort-based program. The practical degree program is student centered and project based. Evangel EdD students come from a variety of backgrounds including teacher leaders, instructional coaches, university staff and faculty, and K-12 administrators. The program includes two required, one-credit residency courses that are held in the summer each year. The doctoral program is designed for the educator whose career goal is to become an instructional expert and organizational leader. The program provides a unique opportunity to integrate study, research, and practical experience to enhance the educator's expertise. The program requires candidates to develop and produce original research adding to the knowledge base, develop comparative and analytical thinking skills, and develop an understanding of the skills and traits of successful leaders in the field of education at either the K-12 level or Higher Education.

With an emphasis in curriculum and instruction, this degree would provide the education and training for an individual to be a curriculum specialist, an assessment officer, or a professor in an educator preparation program. In all coursework, use of technology as an instructional tool will be emphasized and articulated.

Program Pathways

The EdD in Educational Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction offers pathways for Instructional Leadership, K-12 Administration (meets Missouri requirements for Superintendent and/or Building Principal Certification through DESE), and Higher Education Leadership. Students must choose a pathway within the first year of the program. To receive an EdD degree, you must complete a minimum of 80 hours of coursework beyond a bachelor's degree. A minimum of 30 credit hours must be at the master's level (500-600 level) and a minimum of 50 at the specialist/doctoral level (700+ level). Programs of study are created by the program coordinator aligned to the students' previously completed coursework and pathway choice.

Admissions Policy

Candidates for admission to the EdD program must meet the following criteria:

  • Hold an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in their master's program coursework
  • Provide official results of required entrance examinations

Transfer Policy

The EdD program coordinator may approve transfer of a maximum of 9 credit hours earned beyond the master's degree from another accredited institution upon admission to the EdD program. Prospective students who have completed a Specialist of Education (EdS) in Educational Administration or Curriculum and Instruction may transfer up to 15 credit hours from their EdS degree program to satisfy coursework in the EdD program.

Courses considered for transfer credit must be applicable/ equivalent to coursework required in the EdD program with an earned grade of at least B-. Transfer courses must also have been completed within 10 years of the candidate's admission to the EdD program.

Candidacy and Satisfactory Progress

Students become candidates for the Doctor of Education (EdD) upon acceptance into the program. Course Embedded Assessments (CESAs) and course grades are used as benchmarks to determine satisfactory student achievement of program outcomes and completion. Evidence of satisfactory progress toward completion of the EdD must be shown each term for a doctoral candidate to continue in the program. The evidence includes:

  • Maintaining a 3.0 GPA
  • Satisfactory and timely completion of assignments
  • Satisfactory attendance in the online program
  • Earned scores of 3 or 4 on each Course-Embedded Assessment (CESA)

Learning Outcomes for Doctor of Education

  1. Facilitate the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.
  2. Promote a positive culture and an effective instructional program, applying best practice to student learning, and designing comprehensive professional growth plans for staff.
  3. Demonstrate ability to lead personnel and managing the organizational structure and resources in a way that promotes a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
  4. Demonstrate ability to collaborate with families and other community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of the school leader’s responsibility acting with integrity, responsibility and in an ethical manner.
  6. Demonstrate understanding of responding to and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.
  7. Demonstrate understanding of a leader’s responsibility to monitor and implement best practices in education administration and school-related areas as evidenced by establishing a plan for his/her professional development each year.
  8. Supporting appropriate applications of technology for their field of specialization.
  9. Use of research and understanding of qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed methods research methodologies.
  10. Use data to improve learning.

Degrees and Certificates