University of Oklahoma

CPED-Influenced Program

Executive Ed.D. in District Level Administration

School/Department where the Program is Housed

Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education/Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department

Program Description

The Executive Ed.D. is designed to prepare educational administrators for K-12 leadership positions. The program is suitable for working professionals who are expected to serve with distinction in demanding positions while completing the degree. The degree is a district-level leadership skills program approved by the Oklahoma State Department of Education for certification purposes. Program offerings are located on both the Norman and Tulsa (cohort) campuses.

The Executive Ed.D. program emphasizes practical knowledge. Mentored, organized fieldwork is an integral part of the coursework.

Philosophy and Mission

EACS Program Mission, Beliefs & Goals

The mission of EACS is to promote critical inquiry that addresses important issues relating to teaching, learning, and leadership in order that service and collaboration among colleagues and the professional communities may be enhanced.

The beliefs of the EACS Program include:

• continuous, formative assessment of the program through critical inquiry;
• shared decision making that includes input from the communities we serve; and,
• valuing the expertise of colleagues and their collaborative contributions to the program.

The goals of the EACS program are to:

• prepare educators for leadership roles in educational institutions;
• produce, disseminate and consume research that informs leadership practices;
• provide service to the professional, scholarly, and University communities;
• promote the increased use and integration of technology into the program; and,
• provide more extensive mentoring, to include Master's level students and practicing professionals.

Admissions Requirements

Admission Requirements

A complete doctoral application consists of the following:

• Letters of reference from at least three persons.
• Graduate Record Examination general test scores. (Only scores within the past five years can be considered).
• A thorough professional biography emphasizing career experience.
• A statement of career objectives.
• A statement describing why applicant has chosen listed major field over other fields.
• Official copies of transcripts showing both graduate and undergraduate work.
• Two academic writing samples (preferably from a graduate course) or one academic writing sample and one administrative writing sample.

Applicants must have completed a Master’s degree or equivalent to be eligible for admittance. Additionally, the University of Oklahoma requires an application for admission to the Graduate College.

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

The program consists of classes forming a leadership core, required research tools classes, elective coursework forming a participant's individual plan of study, and dissertation research. All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated. The student's major professor and advisory committee will provide guidance, advice, and approval of the student's transfer and elective coursework.

Leadership Core: (25 credit hours)

EACS 6101 - Visionary Leadership
EACS 6203 - Instructional Leadership
EACS 6303 - Strategic and Financial Planning
EACS 6263 - Education and Community Relations
EACS 6503 - Ethics in Educational Admin.
EACS 6663 - Special Education Law
EACS 6663 - Educational Technology Leadership
EACS 6920 - District Level Internship (4 credit hours)

Research Tools: (15 credit hours)

EACS 6970 - Pro-seminar
EACS 6970 - Applied Qualitative Methods
EACS 6023 - Applied Quantitative Methods
EACS 6213 - Theory-based Evaluation
EACS 6970 - Integrated Inquiry
EACS 6970 - Prospectus Development

Electives: (15 credit hours) *

Minimum 15 credit hours, as approved by the student's doctoral committee

EACS 6103 - Admin. and Org. Theory
EACS 6223 - Policy Analysis in Education
EACS 5253 - Legal Aspects of Teaching

Dissertation Research: (6 credit hours) *

EACS 6980 - Doctoral Research

Students must complete 95 credit hours, including the master’s degree.

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

• Selection of research topic, after conceptual course sequence
• Comprehensive exam, after the end of inquiry sequence
• General exam, after completion of coursework & internship
• Oral examination (i.e, dissertation defense)

Program's Support Structure

Forthcoming

Signature Pedagogy

• Case Method
• Problem Based
• Adult Learning Theory
• Integration of Technical and Practical Knowledge

Laboratories of Practice

Field Experience and Internship

Students formally enroll in the internship at the end of their coursework, but socialization to district leadership responsibilities is embedded throughout the program of study.

In each course students have field-based requirements that progressively build as they develop conceptual understanding and inquiry competencies. Beginning with observations in different settings, students progress through more intensive experiences as they sequence through the program of study.

By the time they enroll in the internship, they have experienced many hours in district-level settings and they are ready to actively engage in leadership roles.

Inquiry Courses

Research Design and Methods

• Pro-seminar
• Applied Qualitative
• Applied Quantitative
• Theory-based Evaluation

Research Application

• Integrated Inquiry
• Prospectus Development

Capstone

• Progressive Experience that begins when students enter the program
• Integrated with conceptual strands of leadership of school social systems, leadership of teaching and learning, leadership of change and reform, and disciplined inquiry
• Four dissertation options: thematic, problem-based, evaluation study and traditional.

Syllabi

• Applied Quantitative Research
• Applied Quantitative Research Methods
• Visionary Leadership

Key Contact Person

Professor Patrick Forsyth
Program Coordinator

Program Link

http://education.ou.edu/departments/eacs_1