Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities (Ed.D.)
Program Highlights & Benefits
Flexible schedule; Fully Online
Option to obtain SBL or SDL Certification
No GRE required
For
The Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities (Ed.D.) program is designed to prepare teachers, school administrators, related educational professionals and future professors for instructional leadership roles that embrace diversity, social justice and equity.
Through intensive study of leadership, curriculum and instruction, graduates will offer their unique scholarly and collaborative contributions to the advancement of curricular and instructional leadership.
What You Learn
The broad-based goals of the program are to prepare educational leaders and advocates who possess:
- Knowledge of leadership, diversity and advocacy for equity education
- Knowledge of various research methods, data collection and assessment techniques
- The ability to communicate research findings and inform issues of diversity
- Skills and dispositions for ethical decision making for issues in equity, diversity and public policy
- Vision, pedagogical knowledge and critical thinking skills to question and challenge inequities in schools and communities
- Understanding, appreciation and respect for the value of collaborative approaches to problem-solving, leadership and action research
- Skills and competency to think locally and globally to build partnerships, share leadership techniques and demonstrate integrity of the highest magnitude in order to effect change.
How You Learn
Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities Ed.D. program is offered on a part-time basis. Participants will complete six credits each semester. The cohort-based course work may be completed in 2.5 years, followed by the dissertation sequence, which may be completed in three additional semesters, or one and a half years. The Ed.D. curriculum includes required courses, cognates (electives) and guided dissertation development. Participants will complete a minimum of 54 credits of coursework, including the dissertation design courses. Continuous registration is required until the dissertation is defended.
Curriculum includes:
- 40 hours of synchronous and/or asynchronous online learning experience
- 5 hours of field work per course
Unique Multiple Mentorship Design
To ensure that you receive the guidance necessary to help you complete your doctoral studies, you will receive an initial adviser, cohort mentor and dissertation mentor who will work with you to facilitate your progress of study, advisement and research development. Your cohort adviser guides you through the program’s required coursework. Your dissertation mentor is determined in year three once your dissertation research topic is finalized.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities (Ed.D.) program are prepared to:
- Serve as leaders in advancing the field of education for diverse learners through practitioner-oriented authentic research, collaborative inquiry and policy analysis
- Participate fully in diverse educational communities to promote the creation of knowledge that advocates for reform initiatives in equity education
- Generate, test and extend knowledge through research and theory development and disseminate the findings to directly impact schooling and education
- Influence educational policy to advance best practices at the local, regional, state and national levels
- Integrate research in educational equity with practice through coursework, fieldwork, dissertation writing, publication and active membership in scholarly, professional organizations
- Embrace the Molloy University hallmark of the Four Pillars of the Dominican Tradition of study, spirituality, service and community
- Support the ideals of educational reform, collaboration and change through the stewardship of teaching and leading
- Examine educational service delivery models and determine if they are fair, equitable and just
- Develop strategies to foster shared decision making and build teacher capacity to support student learning needs in diverse communities
- Initiate and advance approaches to develop research that informs instruction and determines best practices for student achievement
Degree Requirements
Course Sequence
| Course | Title | Hours |
| EDU 6020 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3 |
| EDU 6040 | Change Leadership for Equity, Advocacy and Excellence | 3 |
| EDU 6060 | Ethical, Moral, and Legal Issues in Educational Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 6080 | Quantitative Research | 3 |
| EDU 6080A | Quantitative Research Lab | 1 |
| EDU 6120 | Learning, Cognition, and Diversity | 3 |
| EDU 6140 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
| EDU 6140A | Dissertation Writing Seminar | 1 |
| EDU 6160 | Critical Issues in Education | 3 |
| EDU 6180 | Preparing for the Dissertation: The Literature Review | 3 |
| EDU 6220 | Curriculum Theories and Best Practices for the Diverse Learner | 3 |
| EDU 6240 | Research Internship | 3 |
| EDU 6260 | Collaborative Leadership in 21st Century Diverse Educational Organizations | 3 |
| EDU 6280 | Dissertation Research Design | 3 |
| EDU 6280A | Preparing for the Comprehensive Exam | 1 |
| Cognates/Electives (6 credits): Examples – | ||
| EDU 6300 | Educational Assessment of the Diverse Learner | 3 |
| EDU 5920 | Reimagining Education | 3 |
| Dissertation Sequence (9 or more credits): Prior to the Dissertation Sequence, a doctoral comprehensive examination must be passed. | ||
| EDU 7000 | Dissertation Seminar I | 3 |
| EDU 7001 | Dissertation Seminar II | 3 |
| EDU 7010 | Dissertation Progression | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 54 | |
| EDU 7020 | Dissertation Continuation (continued enrollment for 1 credit per semester until dissertation defense) | 1 |
