Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling: STEM Option
Advance your skills as a researcher and instructional leader of PK-12 programs with UMass Lowell's Leadership in Schooling Ed.D. STEM Option. This 100% online program is for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educators or those who work in STEM fields in higher education. However, leadership aspects are focused on PK-12. Although this program is not a licensure program, graduates have progressed in their careers as STEM Department chairs, principals, superintendents, college faculty and curriculum coordinators.
Courses are online during the Summer, Fall and Spring semesters. Please note that there is a required one-week summer residency each year. New students begin studies in the middle of May, during the Summer semester, and complete the program as a cohort. You will take two courses each semester and complete the program over three years.
As a student in the Doctor of Education in Leadership and Schooling: STEM option, you will collaborate with STEM professionals around the world and work through a social justice lens to find solutions to problems of practice within your own schools and districts.
Career Outlook
Curriculum Outline
- Number of Courses Required: 14 (42 credits)
Required Courses (5 Courses / 15cr)
- EDUC.6227 Foundations of Student Learning in STEM fields
- EDUC.6910 Developing Inclusive School Contexts - Available Summer 2023!
- EDUC.6940 Systems Leadership I
- EDUC.6960 Strategic Partnering with Families and Communities
- EDUC.6991 Reading and Applying Educational Research
Research Design & Methods (4 Courses / 12cr)
- EDUC.6911 Applied Research Design - Available Summer 2023!
- EDUC.6921 Quantitative Data Analysis for Practitioner Leaders
- EDUC.6922 Qualitative Research Methods Practitioner Leaders
- EDUC.6931 Data Analysis for Practitioner Leaders - Available Summer 2023!
Specialization Courses (2 Courses / 6cr)
- EDUC.6225 Education Reform in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics
- EDUC.6226 Leadership and Research in STEM Education - Available Summer 2023!
Residency
One week residency required each summer*
Dissertation Planning and Execution (3 Courses / 9cr)
- EDUC.7501 Dissertation in Practice
- EDUC.7502 Dissertation in Practice: Data Collection and Analysis - Available Summer 2023!
- EDUC.7503 Dissertation in Practice: Dissertation Completion
Course Descriptions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
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.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.
Summer 2023 Tuition |
Cost Per Credit | Cost Per 3-Credit Course* |
---|---|---|
Graduate |
||
Online Education for Ed.D. and Ph.D.† | $495 | $1,485 |
Additional Costs |
|
---|---|
Term Registration Fee | $30 |
Late Fee | $50 |
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application | $50 |
Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Looking for Financial Assistance?
Apply
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
- Should have three years' experience as a STEM teacher or other roles in STEM within the district e.g. elementary STEM coordinator; mathematics coach
- 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).
Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?
Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).
For General Assistance:
For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!