Rutgers University

CPED-Influenced Program

Education Doctorate

School/Department where the Program is Housed

Rutgers Graduate School of Education

Program Description

The Ed.D. program at the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education helps future and current leaders develop the knowledge and skills to solve problems of practice and improve instructional quality. Graduates will learn how to be change agents who improve the lives of all students and their families and communities. The program is specifically designed for working professionals. It provides a sequence of coursework, apprenticeships, and mentoring that enhance participants’ pedagogical, research and leadership expertise.

This 72 credit program is typically completed in 3 years plus one summer. Students concentrate in one of five areas: design of learning environments; education, culture, and society; educational leadership; special education; and teacher leadership.

Philosophy and Mission

Through a sequence of coursework, hands-on apprenticeships, and individualized mentoring, participants learn how to:

• Work with instructional staff to enact improvements.
• Critically interpret and use research and data efficiently and effectively to solve problems of practice.
• Create networks and community partnerships to enact policy and improve educational opportunities.
• Hone their pedagogical skills to lead instructional improvements at the classroom and local levels.
• Advocate on behalf of their educational community.

Admissions Requirements

Students applying to this program will need:

• Master's Degree
• GRE scores (from within the last 5 years) – Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytic Writing scores will be considered
• 3 Letters of Recommendation – at least 1 from someone who can talk about their academic potential and 1 who can speak to their leadership potential
• Transcripts – undergraduate and masters
• Professional/Personal Statement that:

• What do you hope to learn from participating in the EdD program?
• How will participating in the program advance your career?
• What experience do you bring to the program that will help you succeed and benefit other students?

• Answers these questions:
• Describes one experience in your professional life where you made a major contribution. What did you do and why? What helped or hindered you, and what were the outcomes?

• Lists all state certifications you have earned.

Description of each year of the Program — number of courses, credits, time frame; core, specializations, dissertation/capstone

Each year students take 3 courses in the summer and two courses each semester. Credits are divided evenly between core courses (the same 24 credits for all students), the concentration (24 credits), and the dissertation (24 credits). Core courses are front loaded with the dissertation taking up the last year of course work.

Milestones Employed in the Program — comprehensive/qualifying exams, papers, or products necessary for graduation

During the spring of the second year, students complete a qualifying process and write their dissertation proposals. The dissertation is completed by the summer of after the third year. (Because the first cohort began in the summer of 2010, specific policies are still being developed.)

Signature Pedagogy

The Rutgers EdD uses a mix of classroom instruction and analysis of ongoing instruction through field research and internships. While most courses are face-to-face, some are hybrid.

Inquiry Courses

The core includes two inquiry courses that help students learn how to apply both quantitative and qualitative research methods to analyze and solve problems in schools. These courses also help students formulate a dissertation problem. Each concentration also has methodological requirements, but these vary.

Capstone

The capstone is intended to be a study of a problem of practice, typically in the student’s workplace. The final results will included an extended report that describes method and findings and one or more reports intended to influence practice either in the setting of the study or in the surrounding policy context. Detailed requirements are still being developed.

Syllabi

• Leadership in Schools and Community (Part 1)
• Leadership in Schools and Community (Part 2)

Key Contact Person

Dr. Sharon Ryan
Email: sharon.ryan@gse.rutgers.edu

Cost Structure

Total cost for the first year (summer, fall, and spring) is $15,793.

Program Handbook

Download the 2012 GSE EdD Handbook

Program Link

http://gse.rutgers.edu/edd