Ed.D. in Educational Administration

Program Coordinator:
Dr. Jerry Mathews
Location: Room 214-B
Phone: 325-7270
E-mail: jmathews@colled.msstate.edu

The Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration Program is designed for experienced educational administrators who have the capability to lead and transform schools, school districts, educational associations, foundations, and state departments of education. The program features include:

The Program's Curriculum

Four distinct but connected thematic areas comprise the curriculum: (1) leading and managing in educational environments, (2) applied research, (3) supporting area courses, (4) approved electives and (5) dissertation research. Many of the courses in the program are taught using an intensive weekend (Friday-Saturday) format supplemented with studio-based distance learning and online e-learning.

1. Leading and Managing in Educational Environments: The focus of this area is on leadership and management. To satisfy the requirements for this area, students must select and successfully complete (3.00 grade point average) a minimum of eight (8) educational administration courses from these listed below:

EDA 8163 Public School Finance
EDA 8190 Workshop in Educational Administration and Supervision
EDA 8223 Seminar in Educational Administration
EDA 8273 Educational Administration and Supervision
EDA 8283 Educational Leadership
EDA 8293 Professional Development of Educational Personnel
EDA 8323 Educational Facilities Design
EDA 8343 School Personnel Administration
EDA 8353 Applications of Theory to Educational Administration
EDA 8383 Ethical Decision Making in Educational Administration

2. Applied Research: The focus of this area is on statistics and research methods. To satisfy the requirements for this area, students must select and successfully complete (3.00 grade point average) a minimum of five (5) research courses from the list below:

EPY 8214 Advanced Educational and Psychological Statistics
EDF 8363 Function and Methods of Research in Education
EPY 9213 Advanced Analysis in Educational Research
EDF 9373 Educational Research Design
EDY 8223 Psychological Foundations of Education
EDF 9313 Philosophy of Education

In addition to successfully completing at least five of the above mentioned courses, students are expected to demonstrate competency in research skills in one of three ways: (a) publish a research paper in a recognized journal, (b) present a research paper at an annual meeting of a regional or national association, or (c) pass an examination in statistics and applied research administered by the Department.

3. Supporting Area Courses: Students must successfully complete a minimum of five (5) coursesoutside of professional education or from related fields in professional education (15 credit hours).

4. Approved Electives: Students must successfully complete a minimum of four (4) electives. Courses from the student's previously completed degree(s) should satisfy this requirement (12 credit hours).

5. Dissertation / Research: The focus of this area is on writing a dissertation. To satisfy the requirements for this area, the student must successfully complete a minimum of twenty (20) dissertation research credits (EDA 9000).

"Each student is responsible for knowing university, college and department or school requirements as stated in the catalog and in college and department or school printed materials." from "Academic Advisement," Academic Programs, Mississippi State University.

Disclaimer: The many academic programs described on this site operate under the policies and procedures specified by Mississippi State University; the College of Education; the Department of Instructional Systems, Leadership, and Workforce Development; the Office of Graduate Studies; and appropriate accrediting agencies. These policies and procedures are subject to change without notice. The descriptions of department programs on this site are meant to provide only an information capstone of each program. Interested individuals should contact the department for additional information. A letter that is sent directly to students informs them of their acceptance into the program in the Department of Instructional Systems, Leadership, and Workforce Development and indicates the faculty advisor they have been assigned. All students are given a faculty advisor at the time of acceptance into the program.