Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership, Management, and Innovation

College of Education and Human Performance

Dr. Nicole Ennis, Interim Dean

Interim Program Director: Dr. Richard Whitehead, [e-mail]

West Liberty University offers a 60 credit-hour course of study leading to a Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.). The Ed.D. program is open to graduate-level students and is designed to provide doctoral-level work in a three-year, accelerated Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership, Management, and Innovation with a culminating dissertation requirement. Each cohort for the program begins with the year one summer term and doctoral students will enroll consecutively in summer, fall, and spring terms for the full three years. The program will require the completion of coursework and a successful dissertation defense to meet the requirements for graduation.

 

Coursework includes 27 credit-hours in the area of emphasis in leadership, management, and innovation content courses. Additionally, Ed.D. candidates will complete 18 credit-hours in dissertation-based application courses and 15 credit-hours of research-based studies. There is also a built in and required on campus seminar within summer term II in years two and three of the program.

 

Courses are scheduled in two eight-week terms during the fall and spring semesters, and two six- week terms during the summer. Courses are in an online format. During the last semester of coursework, all Ed.D. candidates will complete a semester-long (16-week) dissertation experience in which they will be expected to present their results and defend their dissertation. 

 

This program is developed to support working professionals in a variety of occupations by implementing research-based practice to create positive change and innovative methods of teaching, learning, and leading. This includes managers and leaders in the workforce and professionals who wish to pursue collegiate or other high-level teaching and administrative positions.

Admission Requirements

General application requirements:

▪ Submit official transcripts.

▪ Students must have a graduate G.P.A. of 3.5 preferred and 3.25 required from a regionally accredited institution.

▪ Submit an up-to-date résumé

▪ Submit three reference contacts

▪ Submit a writing prompt, prompt to be determined by the committee

▪ Complete interview with application committee

▪ Complete the online application form