Doctoral Degree Programs | Education | SIU

This is practice-based degree, which emphasizes creating, evaluating, and revising educational initiatives to improve outcomes for students, schools, institutions, communities, and society. The program offers a set of general administrative courses to all students enrolled in the Ed.D. in Educational Administration program. Current and prospective students should contact program faculty members for information on courses, sequences, and other requirements.

The Ed.D. has three concentrations:

• The Higher Education concentration focuses on cultivating expertise in higher education administration, policy formulation, teaching, and curriculum design pertinent to post-secondary educational settings.
• The School Leadership concentration is designed to equip students with leadership skills for roles in public and private education, policymaking, and research. Graduates are empowered to make meaningful contributions to the development and success of students and educators alike.
• Individuals specializing in Special Education within the Ed.D program are equipped to support students with diverse needs across various environments, including public and private schools, speech and language centers, advocacy groups, and governmental bodies. Their training enables them to make meaningful contributions to the education and well-being of students with special needs.
• The Teacher Leadership concentration, which includes the state Teacher Leader Endorsement, is a research-based, technology-rich program designed to meet the needs of school districts as well as individuals who have expressed a desire to become quality teacher leaders. The program builds upon teachers' classroom experience, knowledge, and skills to further develop leadership and mentoring capacity for schools and school districts and to enhance student learning.

• Admission Requirements for the EdD Program
  • To be eligible for our Ed.D. program, you must hold a master's degree, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in graduate courses, and possess 3-5 years of experience in education. Your application should include a completed form, three reference letters, and a writing sample.
• Preliminary Exams
  • You'll reach candidacy status after passing the preliminary exams, offered twice annually. These exams focus on educational administration relevant to both P-12 and Higher Education Tracks. Before applying for exams, you should have completed most coursework, identified your capstone topic, and received faculty approval.
  • If you fail the first exam, you get two more chances. Failing all attempts leads to program dismissal.
• Advancing to Candidacy
  • After meeting coursework, residency, and preliminary exam requirements, your capstone advisor will submit your candidacy forms. The doctoral degree won't be conferred less than six months post-candidacy without special approval.