Application for Admission

Apply before May 1 for admission in the subsequent fall semester. Applications completed after May 1 will be considered late and will be reviewed only if there are openings.

Admission Requirements

1. A completed application form. An application form completed online.
2. Official transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate course work. Applicants must hold master’s and bachelor’s degrees from accredited institutions. Either the bachelor’s or master’s degree must closely relate to the doctoral specialization sought by the applicant. A minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 in graduate course work and 3.0 in undergraduate course work is required. Student copies of transcripts must be uploaded to the application website. Official transcripts must be sent to Hofstra’s Graduate Admission Office.
3. An official report of scores on the GRE. Register online. Student copies of score reports must be uploaded to the application website. Applicants need to request that official score reports by submitted to Hofstra’s Graduate Admission Office.
4. A typed statement of intent and rationale for pursuing doctoral studies (500-1000 words). This statement must be uploaded to the application website.
5. Three professional references from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s potential for doctoral studies. These references should use the program’s recommendation form, which is available on the program’s website, from the graduate program director, and from Graduate Admission. The forms should be mailed to the graduate program director.
6. A minimum of two years of successful full-time teaching experience or the equivalent.
7. Interview and on-site writing task (scheduled after all other admissions materials have been received).

Program admissions reflect the belief that no single criterion reliably predicts applicants’ potential for success in the program.  Prospective applicants are encouraged to apply if they do not meet one or more criteria but believe that other aspects of their experience might compensate.  However, since many factors are considered in the selection process, meeting application criteria does not ensure admission to the program.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of the required 60 semester hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.  
2. Satisfaction of residency requirements for doctoral studies at Hofstra University.
3. Successful completion of a Qualifying Examination.
4. Completion of a satisfactory Qualifying Paper Proposal and Qualifying Paper.
5. Completion of a satisfactory dissertation proposal and dissertation.
6. Satisfactory performance in an Oral Examination administered following completion of the dissertation.
7. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 each semester, receive no more than one course grade of C or lower per semester, and receive no more than three C’s or lower in the EdD program.  Students who fail to meet any of these requirements will be dismissed from the program.
8. If a student earns a grade of C-, D+, or D in a course, the instructor of the course will inform the Program Director, who will convene a meeting with the student’s adviser to discuss the circumstances under which the grade was earned.  If this is the first C-, D+, or D earned during the student’s course of study, the student will be placed on probation and the Adviser will develop a remedial plan for the student.  In such a case, course credit will not count toward the degree but the grade will be included in the student’s GPA, and the course or its equivalent must be repeated. A second grade of C-, D+, or D received in any course while enrolled in the program is grounds for dismissal.
9. A grade of F in any course is grounds for dismissal from the program.
10. Students are expected to behave in an ethical and professional manner according to the guidelines for student conduct and academic honesty at Hofstra University and the School of Education. Satisfactory interpersonal behavior and professional performance at all times is expected. If a report is received concerning an ethics violation or an incident of inappropriate behavior as defined by the Judicial Code, established University procedures will be followed to investigate the issue and determine the course of action. 

Advisement and Plan of Studies

Upon entering the program, the student is assigned an adviser, a full-time faculty member with expertise in the student’s area of specialization. Assignments are made by agreement of the student, faculty member, and program director. Students may change advisers upon approval of the new adviser and the program director.

The adviser will assist the student in completing the Doctoral Plan of Studies, a document indicating how and when the student will complete program requirements. The Doctoral Plan of Studies also indicates how the student will fulfill the program’s residency requirements, which mandate that students enroll for at least 6 s.h. of course work in each of the first three semesters of the program and participate in colloquia and special events offered by the Department of Teaching, Learning and Technology . 

A total of 12 s.h. in related course work will be considered for transfer credit, subject to approval by the student’s adviser and the program director. Credits previously applied to an academic degree are typically not approved for transfer credit. Should a student have previously completed course work that the adviser and program director deem similar to course work required in the doctoral program, the student will be permitted to substitute alternative courses (with approval of the adviser and program director).

Program Requirements

The doctoral program is comprised of two phases: the candidacy phase and the dissertation phase.

Phase I - Candidacy-Semester Hours:51

II. Single-Subject Studies

Phase II - Dissertation - Semester Hours: 60

Prior to enrolling in CT 601 at the outset of the Dissertation Phase, students must complete all Qualifying Procedures and fulfill coursework requirements in the Core Component, Research Methods Component, Qualifying Component, and Specialization Component. In the Dissertation Phase, students appoint two Examiners who join the Dissertation Committee in reviewing and approving the Dissertation Proposal, Dissertation, and Oral Examination. Examiner appointments require approval of the adviser and Graduate Program Director. Students in the Dissertation Phase must enroll in two 600-level courses per school year until the program is completed. At minimum students are required to complete one semester each of CT 601, 602 and 604, totaling nine semester hours. Should students need additional time to complete the Dissertation Proposal, an additional semester of CT 602 may be required. Students who do not complete the Dissertation Proposal after two iterations of CT 602 are required to enroll in CT 603. Students unable to complete the Dissertation Proposal in CT 603 are dismissed from the program. Three semester hours only are applied to the degree regardless of how many iterations of CT 602 and 603 are enrolled. Should students need additional time to complete  he Dissertation, one or two additional semesters of CT 604 may be required. Students who do not complete the Dissertation after three iterations of CT 604 are required to enroll in CT 605.

Students unable to complete the Dissertation in CT 605 are dismissed from the program. Three semester hours only are applied to the degree regardless of how many iterations of CT 604 and 605 are enrolled.

• CT 601 - Dissertation Seminar Semester Hours: 3
• †  CT 602 - Dissertation Proposal Preparation Semester Hours: 3
• ††  CT 603 - Extended Dissertation Proposal Advisement Semester Hours: 3 (if necessary)
• †††  CT 604 - Dissertation Advisement Semester Hours: 3
• ††††  CT 605 - Dissertation Extension Semester Hours: 3 (if necessary)

•  

  † - Students may enroll in this course for a total of two semesters, pending completion of a satisfactory Dissertation Proposal; three credits will be applied toward the degree when the Dissertation Proposal has been approved.

  †† - For students who have not completed a satisfactory Dissertation Proposal in CT 602; no credit will be applied toward the degree.

  ††† - Students may enroll in this course for a total of three semesters depending completion of a satisfactory dissertation; three credits will be applied toward the degree when the dissertation has been approved.

  †††† - For students who have not completed a satisfactory Dissertation in CT 604; no credit will be applied toward the degree.