Program Overview

The program in educational and policy leadership, leading to the doctor of education (Ed.D.) degree, has two strands: one is designed for educators in pre-K-12 settings and the other is designed for leaders in higher education settings. The program is designed for candidates who wish to develop the conceptual understanding and advanced leadership skills needed to create organizational learning environments to address inequities, optimize teacher performance, and maximize student learning. Candidates work in learning communities with faculty and administrators to gain a deeper understanding of themselves as educational leaders and to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for visionary, collaborative, strategic, and ethical leadership in schools, districts and institutions of higher education.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have completed a master’s degree and submit the following materials, in addition to the application:

1. A detailed resume of professional and related experiences.
2. A statement of purpose for advanced study in context of personal and professional goals.
3. Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate study.
4. An official report of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), with scores at or above the 55th percentile.
5. Three professional recommendations, submitted through the ETS Personal Potential Index service.
6. An interview with the doctoral program director.

In addition, applicants to the K-12 strand must provide:

7. Proof of New York state certification in teaching or pupil personnel, and administration (if completed)

Application Deadline

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 79 minimum

The minimum course requirement for the doctorate is 79 semester hours. Candidates can apply 30 hours toward this requirement from either a New York state-approved administrative certification program (for the k-12 strand) or a master’s degree in higher education (for the higher education strand). Candidates may be required, however, to complete more than 79 s.h. upon the recommendation of program faculty. The doctoral program consists of three components.

Phase I: Professional Studies - Semester Hours: 30

Prior to earning the Ed.D., the majority of students in the k-12 strand will have completed requirements for administrative/leadership certification. K-12 students who enter the Ed.D. program and have not yet earned certification may complete these course requirements as part of the advanced certificate in educational leadership  or school district business leadership . K-12 students who have already earned certification may transfer up to 30 s.h. from an accredited institution toward the course requirements in Phase I.

Typically, higher education students who enter the Ed.D. program will have an earned master’s degree in higher education leadership/administration from an accredited institution, of which up to 30 s.h. can be applied to the course requirements in Phase I. For those who do not have a prior master’s, a master’s in higher education can be earned at Hofstra, either in face-to-face or online mode.

Phase II: Advanced Professional Studies - Semester Hours: 40

Requirements consist of the doctoral core, advanced educational leadership courses and other electives. Candidates complete core requirements as a learning community. In addition to course work, candidates must satisfy residency requirements and complete written competency requirements in two areas: critical analysis and synthesis of scholarly work, and research design and analysis and also satisfy residency requirements. Continuation in the program depends on satisfactory completion of each of the core course and competency requirements. Students who fail to complete these requirements satisfactorily are subject to probation and/or dismissal.

Prior to beginning Phase III, candidates meet with faculty for Doctoral Oral Examination A: A Self-Assessment of Personal Learning. Those who complete course requirements in Phase I and Phase II are eligible to receive the professional diploma.

Phase III: Doctoral Dissertation - Semester Hours: 9 minimum

Following completion of the Doctoral Oral Exam A: A Self-Assessment of Personal Learning, candidates begin the final phase of the program, involving a minimum of nine semester hours.  Students may work with faculty and peers to develop a dissertation study or project (EADM 601 ) or, depending on their readiness, they may develop the proposal through individual consultation with the dissertation adviser (EADM 602 ). The effort culminates in a presentation of the proposal (Doctoral Exam B) and, upon its completion, presentation of the dissertation, (Doctoral Exam C). In preparing the proposal, students may register for EADM 601 and/or EADM 602, on advisement, for a maximum of four semesters.  Once the proposal is accepted, students may apply up to six semester hours toward dissertation requirements.  Failing to complete the dissertation proposal within four semesters is grounds for dismissal. After the proposal is formally approved, students register for dissertation advisement (EADM 604 ) each semester until the dissertation is approved. Once the dissertation is accepted, students may apply up to 6 s.h. toward the dissertation requirements. If students must interrupt work toward the degree, they must request a waiver and must maintain matriculation (see General Information and Policies ).

Additional Program Requirements

In addition to the course work and dissertation requirements, students will complete the following:

• A written competency examination consisting of two parts:
  • Competency in Critical Analysis and Synthesis of Scholarly Work
  • Competency in Research Design and Analysis
• Doctoral Oral Examination A: A Self-Assessment of Personal Learning
• Doctoral Examination B: Proposal Hearing
• Doctoral Examination C: Dissertation Oral

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of all program requirements.
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in overall graduate course work.