Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling, Ed.D.

Ed.D. Program Requirements

The Ed.D. requires completion of 42 credits beyond the master's or education specialist (CAGS) degree. Nine of these credits are focused on dissertation research. The research for the Ed.D. is applied in nature and may examine an issue pertinent to a local setting. The Ed.D. program requires completion of 11 online courses (33 cr) and 9 credits of dissertation research support through online dissertation seminars. Additionally, candidates must attend a week-long summer residency each year they are in the program.

In order to complete either degree, candidates must:

• Complete the required minimum number of credits in the specified program;
• Complete all courses, including residency requirements, with a cumulative grade point average of B or better;
• Have no more than two courses below the grade of B counted toward their degree;
• Pass two doctoral examinations;
• Satisfactorily complete and defend a dissertation proposal;
• Satisfactorily complete and defend the dissertation;
• Submit all required paperwork at each stage of the degree;
• Maintain continuing matriculation if not enrolled in coursework or dissertation research credit;
• Conform to all human subjects requirements for research as specified by the Institutional Research Board (IRB);
• Complete the program within eight years from the date of admission.

Program Requirements

To be recommended for a University of Massachusetts Lowell doctorate degree, candidates must satisfy all of the general requirements below, plus any additional requirements that may be required by the department through which the program is offered. Any additional requirements for this program are either listed below or may be found in the University's Graduate Program Catalog.

General Requirements:

• Students must complete the program of study designed by the Department in which they are enrolled and approved by the University.
• Satisfactory grades in all subjects offered for the degree must be earned. See Academic Standing.
• All financial obligations, including tuition, fees and expenses, must be satisfied as evidenced by completion.
• Upon completion of all their courses, graduate degree candidates must submit a signed Declaration of Intent to Graduate (DIG) form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Graduate Program Policies

In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.

Admission Requirements

The Ed.D. is an online cohort-based program that begins once each year, in May. Applications are accepted during the preceding year, between April - October 15, the priority deadline. Priority applications are reviewed after the 10/15 deadline. Applications with missing materials are not reviewed. Admission decisions are sent by year end, with a commitment date in January for accepted applicants. Should spots in the cohort become available, waitlisted applicants will typically be notified in February. Applications are accepted after the priority deadline but will only be processed on a case-by-case basis if there are open spots in the cohort.

• An M.Ed., Ed.S. or master's degree in a field relevant to K-12 education
• Should be currently working in a K-12 school or other setting that serves these students, have at least three years' experience as a teacher and/or as an instructional leader, have a commitment to continuing to serve such students as a leader who will influence excellence and equity
• Official transcripts from previously earned degrees
• Two letters of reference that speak towards the candidate's capacity for/record of leadership or STEM leadership in or relevant to K-12 settings and their commitment to learning and continued personal and professional growth including an ability to give and receive feedback/engage in interchange of ideas.
• A professional resume
• A two-page statement of purpose in which the applicant describes their understanding of equity-based educational problems and identifies and articulates the reasons to address a contextually relevant, equity-based problem (for STEM applicants should have a STEM focus).