Students in the Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision study to become effective leaders in Pre-K to grade 12 schools in the U.S. They use research-proven methods to guide their thinking about schools to support innovative and responsive models of education. The program allows students to build an area of research specialization that caters to their professional goals and/or personal interests.  Students could develop a program that prepares to serve a PreK-12 district, become faculty in educational leadership, or assume a leadership role in a public or private organization.

The EdD in Educational Administration and Supervision is a 60 semester hour program. Students take courses in educational leadership along with education courses selected with faculty based on the student's interests and goals. The program culminates with the completion of original research addressing a problem in educational leadership based on the student's area of concentration. Coursework is completed through a combination of on-campus and online courses. 

Admission to the EdD in Educational Administration and Supervision

In addition to admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, admission to the doctoral program requires the following:

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university

• A minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for all previous graduate academic work

• Previous academic work necessary to successfully complete a doctoral program in the area of study

• A statement of purpose that describes why you wish to pursue this doctoral program and includes information on previous study, educational experience, professional accomplishments, immediate and future professional goals, a proposed time schedule for completing the degree, and any other information that you believe is relevant for admission into this doctoral degree program

• Evidence of academic writing ability such as a master’s thesis, proctored writing sample, a written research report, one or more reprints of publications, a paper presented to a professional society, or similar evidence 

• Current resume reflecting educational and work history, professional and volunteer experience

What to Submit with Your Application

• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education

• Statement of purpose

• A sample of academic writing (e.g., report, thesis, project, or academic paper)

• Resume or curriculum vitae

A professional interview may be required after the completion of the written application. 

Requirements for the DE in Educational Administration and Supervision

For the Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision degree, students must complete the following program requirements:

• A minimum of 60 semester hours of approved doctoral level (7000/8000 level) course work

• A minimum of 18 semester hours of educational leadership core including EDAS 8110, 8220, 8420, 8440, 8620, and 8930

• A minimum of 12 semester hours of research tools 

• A minimum of 12 semester hours of research specialization for educational leadership with courses pre-approved by the faculty advisor 

• A written comprehensive (major) examination

• A minimum of 18 semester hours of dissertation research

• A oral presentation and defense of a dissertation research proposal

• An oral presentation and defense of the completed dissertation research in a public forum

• A written document of the completed dissertation research in approved style and format

All coursework and requirements of the doctoral degree must be taken within a seven-year period immediately preceding the date the degree is awarded.

Plan of Study

A plan of study identifying the courses for the doctoral degree is required before 18 credit hours are completed, generally by the end of the first year of full time study. The doctoral plan of study must include the following within the 60 semester hour minimum:

• 18 semester hours of educational leadership core

  • EDAS 8110, 8220, 8420, 8440, 8620, and 8930 are required

• 12 semester hours of research tools courses

• 12 semester hours of research specialization for educational leadership

• 18 semester hours of dissertation research

• Comprehensive written examinations

Other Program Requirements

Coursework Phase

• A doctoral program committee is required before the completion of 18 credit hours. The doctoral program committee has a minimum of three members who are selected from the membership of the graduate faculty of the University. The doctoral program committee is responsible for assisting the student in the development of a plan of study and assuring competence by overseeing the comprehensive written examination.

• A plan of study is required before the completion of 18 credit hours. The plan of study must be approved by the doctoral program committee, department chairperson, and associate dean of the college, and submitted to the College of Graduate Studies. Revisions to the plan of study must also be approved and updates submitted to the College of Graduate Studies, usually within the semester a revision occurs.

Dissertation Research Phase

• A doctoral dissertation committee is required immediately after the completion of the required coursework, comprehensive written examination, and comprehensive oral examination. The dissertation committee has a minimum of four graduate faculty members including one who is not in the discipline major. The dissertation committee is responsible for guiding dissertation research and approving the dissertation research proposal and the completed dissertation research, both the written dissertation and oral dissertation defense. Student must work closely with the committee throughout the dissertation process. 

• All research must be approved by the Institutional Research Board before beginning any phase of the research study. Student must complete IRB training as defined by the University's Human Research Protection Program.

• A public defense of the dissertation is required.

• The final written dissertation must be approved by the dissertation committee and formatted according the guidelines of the college and the College of Graduate Study. Electronic submission of the dissertation to OhioLINK ​is mandatory.

Guide for Developing a Plan of Study

Below is a guide for developing a Plan of Study for the EdD in Educational Administration and Supervision. Students should work with their faculty advisor to identify specific courses to fulfill program requirements. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Educational Leadership Core
Select the following:		18
EDAS 8110	Legal Aspects Of School Administration
EDAS 8220	Administration Of Special Programs
EDAS 8420	Micropolitics Of School Communities
EDAS 8440	Equity Issues In Educational Finance And Economics
EDAS 8620	Politics And Policy Analysis And Development
EDAS 8930	Doctoral Seminar In Educational Administration And Supervision
Research Tools
Select 12 credits as approved by faculty advisor		12
RESM 7110	Quantitative Methods I (Recommended)
RESM 7330	Qualitative Research I: Introduction And Basic Methods (Recommended)
RESM 8120	Quantitative Methods II (Recommended)
RESM 8340	Qualitative Research II: Design And Analysis (Recommended)
Other research tools courses as approved by faculty advisor
Research Specialization for Educational Leadership
Select 12 credits as approved by advisor		12
Dissertation Research
Select the following:		18
EDAS 8960	Doctoral Dissertation In Educational Administration And Supervision
Comprehensive Written Examination
Total Hours		60

• PLO 1. lead an organization; \\n
• PLO 2. understand, interpret, and implement policy to achieve justice for all stakeholders; \\n
• PLO 3. understand and implement finance in public education or other public institutions; \\n
• PLO 4. discuss and apply legal principles governing public education; and\\n
• PLO 5. interpret and engage in current research impacting the field.