Doctoral Degree

Seeking talented applicants from the United States and abroad who wish to develop scholarly capacity through advanced study in educational leadership and policy, the doctoral program in Educational Administration at Ohio University offers a challenging and relevant curriculum, a supportive faculty, and innovative approaches to adult learning.

Students are organized into cohorts that work together from the beginning to the end of the program. Coursework follows a prescribed sequence, which enables doctoral students to finish all course requirements within two years. The sequence of courses spans all four quarters--fall, winter, spring, and summer.

Throughout the sequence, students typically complete two (2) courses per quarter. A four-quarter-hour course typically requires three (3) weekend sessions, and a five-quarter-hour course typically requires 4 weekend sessions; thus, completing two courses typically means a commitment of 6-7 weekends per quarter. Internship courses, while carrying six quarter hours of credit, usually meet twice during a quarter, with extensive field work expected (e.g., as part of an applied research project).

Following completion of course work, students study together to prepare for the comprehensive examination. Once an individual passes the comprehensive exam, he or she works intensively with a committee of faculty to develop a dissertation proposal and, then, to conduct a dissertation study. Members of the cohort meet periodically in seminars to discuss and critique their on-going dissertation work. Students who are highly focused are able to complete the entire program - including the dissertation - within four years.

For admission requirements and application procedures, please refer to “ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS & APPLICATION PROCEDURES.”

Doctoral Program in Educational Administration
Program overview
The doctoral program in educational administration combines conceptual and field-based study at an advanced level, preparing individuals for scholarly work in education and related policy arenas. The program strengthens students’ use of both formal and informal methods of inquiry as the basis for confronting educational dilemmas.

Program features

An emphasis on new and innovative approaches to engaging educational issues
Strong theoretical grounding with practical applications
Focus on specific contexts (e.g., rural, comparative and international, developing nations)
Cultivation of a small cohort
Weekend format for working professionals

Frequently Asked Questions

**How do I apply? See “ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS & APPLICATION PROCEDURES”

**When can a student begin studies? See “ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS & APPLICATION PROCEDURES”

**When and where are classes offered in the program?
Classes are offered on the weekends at the Ohio University main campus in Athens. Typically, class attendance requires a commitment of six weekends per quarter.

**What courses will be offered in the cohort program?
The following table represents the curriculum from which the cohort’s program of studies will be developed:

Leadership and Policy Core	5-6 courses	The foundational knowledge for all EDAD doctoral students, regardless of specialization
Contextual Core	5-6 courses	The contextual element of the doctoral programs---for example, (a) rural/Appalachian, (b) comparative and international#
Scholarly Tools	4 courses	The research foundation for all EDAD majors
Field Experience	2 courses	Professional and/or Research Internship for all EDAD majors
Dissertation

Click HERE for details about the new specialization in Comparative and International Educational Leadership.

The weekend doctoral cycle enables students to complete all course work within two years. Following successful completion of the two-year cycle, students prepare for the comprehensive examination. After passing the comprehensive exam, he or she works intensively with a committee of faculty to develop a dissertation proposal and, then, to conduct a dissertation study. Members of the cohort meet periodically to discuss and critique their on-going dissertation work. Students who are highly focused are able to complete the entire program - including the dissertation - within four years.

For additional information please contact the Co-coordinators,
Jerry Johnson, Ph.D.
The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education and Human Services
Telephone: (740) 597-3364
E-mail: johnsoj9@ohio.edu
or
Francis Godwyll, Ph.D.
The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education and Human Services
Telephone: (740) 593-4484
E-mail: godwyll@ohio.edu