Doctoral Program Mission Statement

The mission of Ashland University's Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies is to prepare ethical and competent professionals who are able to provide effective leadership in a variety of educational settings.  The Ed. D. is a professional terminal degree program, which is designed to engage individuals in a highly rigorous process of research, inquiry, and site-specific practice.  The doctoral program conceives of leadership within the context of organizational renewal.  The goal of the program is leadership which focuses on common values among professionals within an organization, a vision of what education can be, and the pursuit of higher order institutional and personal goals.

The admission procedures for the doctor of educational leadership degree are designed to recruit the highest quality professional educators, representative of a culturally diverse population. A comprehensive system, including both qualitative and quantitative measures, will be used to assess personal characteristics, academic skills, communications and leadership. Acceptance into the doctoral program is by cohort (15 or fewer students per year), and is based upon a competitive evaluation of applications.

 

The Doctoral Admission and Retention Committee will review the credentials of each candidate, focusing on the following requirements:

Applicants for the Doctor of Education degree must:

A. Possess a master's degree from an accredited institution;

B. Have a cumulative post-baccalaureate grade point average of at least 3.3 on a   4.0 scale.

The Admission portfolio for each candidate consists of seven items:

• Documentation/description of a record of successful administrative experience in education and/or documented evidence of educational leadership activities;
  Examples of leadership competencies include:
  • peer leadership roles/positions
  • leadership in writing curriculum
  • leadership - supervising instruction
  • specific administrative assignments/positions/committees/chair role
  • leadership in professional organizations
  • grant writing
  • program administration and/or administration of extracurricular programs
• Scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the past five years or MAT scores:
• Four letters of reference, two from people familiar with the applicant's academic ability and two which describe professional performance citing specific examples of leadership ability;
• An approximately two-page personal statement describing career goals and reasons for wishing to undertake a doctoral program of study;
• A complete resume which includes work experience, educational background, professional experience, professional activities, honors, professional publications or presentations, and other relevant information relating to the applicant's leadership background;
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate study.
• A sample of writing ability approximately five pages in length.

       Send all materials to:  Dr. Judy A. Alston, Director of Doctoral Studies

                                            127 Schar College of Education

                                             Ashland University

                                             Ashland, OH 44805

                                            419.207.4983

        Finalists will be invited for an interview with members of the Admission and Retention Committee.

 

 

  The deadline for receipt of the application portfolio is March 1 each year. Applicants are encouraged to begin to prepare materials four to six months prior to the March 1 deadline. It is recommended that applicants register for the GRE as early as possible.

Accreditation

Ashland University holds accreditation in the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities and in the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels. Authorization to offer the Doctor of Education degree was granted by the Ohio Board of Regents in 1997, and permanent degree authority for the Doctoral of Education in Leadership Studies degree program (Ed. D.) was granted in 2001.

 

Graduation Application

Click here for form  http://www.ashland.edu/registrar/app-edd.html