Doctor of Education

Examines the politics of education at the building, district, state, and national level. Topics include policy development and the changing role of government in education.

Introduces the complexities of managing an organization at the university level. Topics include student development, funding, executive communication, academic leadership, managing enrollment and admissions, working with board of trustees, and recruiting faculty, staff and students.

Investigates the instructional leaders’ role in supporting K-20+ teachers’ professional growth and success through coaching, effective communication, and effective collaboration. Specific topics include coaching models, cycles, mindset and tools. Strategies for effective communication and collaboration and the impact of instructional coaching to mitigate teacher stress and burnout are also addressed.

The course will investigate the instructional leader's role in planning and implementing innovative instructional strategies within the K-12 school setting. Specific topics include discovering research-based innovative instructional strategies, exploring the connections between positive school culture and innovative instructional design, and designing professional development to ensure implementation of innovative instructional design. 

Explores research-based support services for the university student. Topics include student development theory, retention, housing, commuter services, understanding diverse populations, public safety, community life, and health and wellness services. 

Investigates the Chief Academic Officer’s role in supervising the planning, preparation, and implementation of academic programming at the collegiate level. Supervision of faculty, academic staffing, and academically related activities will also be emphasized.

Analyzes significant developments and trends in curriculum and instruction. Emphasis will be placed on analysis of differing points of view concerning policies and practices of curriculum and instruction. Visionary Leadership will be a focus of the discussion regarding current and future educational practice.

Investigates the responsibilities of an institution of higher education’s Chief Development Officer and Chief Financial Officer and how the responsibilities interact to support the institution.  Topics include the development and oversight of financial policies, systems, and operations that adhere to state and federal regulations and board of trustee goals, budgeting procedures, strategic planning, and coordination of risk management and safety functions. 

Explores funding sources in education that support curriculum and instruction initiatives and helps students identify sources of funding available through government Title programs, private partnerships, sponsorships, and grants.  Activities for the course include skill development in researching available educational funding, grant writing, and budgeting.

Investigates the current trend toward personalizing education for K-12 students to ensure their success whether they are college or career-bound upon leaving high school. The instructional leader’s role in planning and implementing success-ready instructional strategies within the K-12 school setting is a focus of this course. Specific topics include determining the true definition of a success-ready student, understanding the assessment and planning required for developing appropriate curriculum and instruction, and designing professional development for teachers and leaders regarding success-ready instructional design and student outcomes.

Students develop a draft dissertation research proposal. Students will discuss theories of research and the process of hypothesis development.