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College of Education

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program prepares experienced educational professionals to lead through scholarly practice.

About the Program

The University of Findlay’s fully online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program prepares experienced educational professionals to lead through scholarly practice in ways that meaningfully improve individuals, organizations, and communities. Grounded in applied research, the program emphasizes the use of evidence-based inquiry to address complex, real-world challenges facing educational and organizational settings. 

The program integrates rigorous applied coursework with sustained dissertation support, guiding students in translating research into effective systems of instruction, supervision, and leadership. Graduates of the University of Findlay Ed.D. program are prepared to lead change, influence policy and practice, and steward the profession through informed, reflective, and scholarly leadership. 

Highlights

Offered Entirely Online

Can Be Completed in Three Years

Day-One Dissertation Support

Annual Summer Institute

Quality Matters Certified Courses

Course Requirements

Students earning a Doctorate degree in Education must complete the following curriculum.

The education core consists of required courses grounded in doctoral identity and scholarly formation; leadership, policy, and improvement; innovation and knowledge dissemination; global and affective perspectives; and research methodologies. View the full core curriculum in the University of Findlay Graduate Catalog.  

Admission Requirements

  • Possess a master’s degree from an accredited institution, with the possible exception of first-professional doctorate-degree holders, specifically when no master’s degree was offered (e.g., DPT and PharmD). 
  • Have a minimum graduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 
  • Submit an online application form. 
  • Supply two letters of recommendation, which will include an assessment of the candidate’s ability to perform doctoral-level work. 
  • Submit official transcripts, which can be in the form of attested credentials from a university-recognized document verification agency, of all graduate-level work. 
  • Supply a Curriculum Vita or Resumé. 
  • Supply a Statement of Research Interest. 
  • Supply a scholarly writing sample. 
  • Interview (face-to-face or online) with College of Education faculty.  
  • To obtain complete student doctoral status, EDUC 700: Writing as a Doctoral Scholar must be passed with a “B-” or better. 

  • Students whose native language is not English and who have not graduated from American universities must meet the previously listed admissions conditions, plus: 
  • Score at least 79 on a verified TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) with a minimum of 4.5 in speaking and  writing,  a verified International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic score with a minimum overall band score of 6.5, a Pearson Test of English (PTE) academic minimum score of 61, or a Duolingo minimum score of 105. International students can take the program online and enter the U.S. for the annual, one-week Summer Institute. To facilitate this, the Office of International Admissions would create a new SEVIS record with a new initial I-20 each time, and the student would need to pay the SEVIS fee each time. 
  • Provide an affidavit of financial support (original), if not an American citizen or permanent resident. 

Careers

Career options for Ed.D. holders include, but are not limited to: 

  • Superintendent 
  • Program Administrator 
  • College Administrator 
  • Higher Education Faculty 
  • Social and Community Service Manager 
  • Preschool and Childcare Center Administrator 

Accreditation

University of Findlay’s College of Education is accredited by recognized regional and national bodies, ensuring your degree holds weight with employers and institutions nationwide. The College of Education holds national accreditation through CAEP.