Ed.D. Program Schedule

Note: Each course is 3 credits.
For detailed descriptions, please visit the Graduate Catalog.

First Semester

MODULE I: Professional Seminars in Doctoral Studies and Executive Leadership

• Course 1 - DEXL 701: Doctoral Studies Seminar
• Course 2 - DEXL 702: Contemporary Issues in Executive Leadership

Dissertation Milestone: Identify Possible Dissertation Topic, Potential Problem Statements, and Research Sources

Second Semester

MODULE II: Leading and Managing Complex and Diverse Organizations

• Course 3 - DEXL 703: Research Methods and Design
• Course 4 - DEXL 704: Leadership and Cultural Change
• Course 5 - DEXL 705: Field Experience I

Dissertation Milestone: : Start Literature Review and Select Proposed Dissertation Topic

Third Semester

MODULE III: Using Research, Best Practice, and Technology to Lead and Facilitate Change

• Course 6 - DEXL 706: Applied and Action Research
• Course 7 - DEXL 707: Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
• Course 8 - DEXL 708: Field Experience II

Dissertation Milestone: Complete Literature Review and Develop Problem Statement and Research Questions

Fourth Semester

MODULE IV: Implementing and Evaluating Effective Communications and Marketing Strategies

• Course 9 - DEXL 709: Public and Human Relations
• Course 10 - DEXL 710: Assessment, Evaluation, and Organizational Improvement
• Course 11 - DEXL 711: Field Experience III

Dissertation Milestone: Complete Research Design and Methodology

Fifth Semester

MODULE V: Linking Governance, Policy, Law and Ethics

• Course 12 - DEXL 712: Public Policy, Law and Ethics
• Course 13 - DEXL 713: Executive Leadership and Shared Governance
• Course 14 - DEXL 714: Field Experience IV

Dissertation Milestone: Complete and Defend Dissertation Proposal

Sixth Semester

MODULE VI: Connecting Finance and Human Resource Development and Management

• Course 15 - DEXL 715: Finance and Resource Development
• Course 16 - DEXL 716: Human Resource Development and Continuous Improvement
• Course 17 - DEXL 717: Guided Dissertation Seminar I

Dissertation Milestone: Collect and Analyze Data and Draft Findings

Seventh Semester

MODULE VII: Promoting Diversity to Achieve Equity and Excellence

• Course 18 - DEXL 718: Leadership and Diversity
• Course 19 - DEXL 719: Guided Dissertation Seminar II
• Course 20 - DEXL 720: Guided Dissertation Seminar III

Dissertation Milestone: Finalize Conclusions and Recommendations; Complete and Defend Dissertation

Eighth Semester

(optional semester if additional time is needed)

MODULE VIII: Dissertation Completion

• Course 21 - DEXL 721: Guided Dissertation Seminar IV
• Course 22 - DEXL 722: Guided Dissertation Seminar V

Dissertation Milestone: Complete and Defend Dissertation