Education Department information
The Doctor of Education (EdD) program is designed for practicing educational professionals who aspire to expand their leadership capacities. The program has a cohorted structure in which students complete 36 credits in courses and research leading to the EdD degree: eight courses (24 credits) in the core area, which can be completed in two years, and an additional 12 credits focusing on dissertation research. Students work with the doctoral advisor to determine what courses are needed for program completion.
Admission Information
The Graduate Programs Office serves as the primary source of information for all prospective graduate students, providing detailed guidance and resources to facilitate the application process. Up-to-date and comprehensive details regarding admissions procedures, requirements and deadlines can be found on the program page on the Graduate Programs website.
Comprehensive Examination
The program begins with 24 credits of preparatory coursework followed by a comprehensive examination designed to check doctoral students for overall leadership knowledge, skills and dispositions. The comprehensive exam must be passed within one year after all required courses have been completed, in order for the student to advance to doctoral candidacy and the dissertation.
Dissertation Study
Dissertation study may be completed in three Fall and Winter semesters. (Dissertation candidates will not be supported by faculty members during the summer semester.) Students will take a series of three 4-credit dissertation courses to support their dissertation work. In the final semester, the student will complete an oral defense of the dissertation, overseen by a group of faculty members.
A student who steps out of the dissertation cohort will need to wait a full year to rejoin the dissertation process.
Petition to Complete a Five-Chapter Dissertation
Most students will complete a systematic literature review for their dissertations. Some students may be approved to complete a traditional five-chapter dissertation, based on need and faculty availability. In order to be eligible, the student must petition the Education Department faculty.
Petitions are submitted to the Department Chair and are due by March 15 of the semester before dissertation study begins.
The petition must include the following information in 3 to 5 pages:
• The topic and the need for the suggested study (based on literature)
• Clear research questions
• Methodology (not a full methodology but a description of what the researcher wants to do)
• A clear timeline for completion
• Suggested committee members (who do not need to be asked)
• A description of why the quantitative or qualitative dissertation is important for the student’s future career goals
If the Department approves the petition, the candidate will be assigned a three-person faculty dissertation committee, and the student must complete the traditional five-chapter dissertation within three years of the date of petition approval. If the Department denies the petition, the student may complete the systematic literature review dissertation. All decisions made by the Education Department are final.
Transfer of Credit
Three (3) graduate semester credit hours earned at an accredited institution following completion of an EdS degree may be accepted for transfer into the Doctor of Education program. All credit transfers must be approved by the EDL faculty. See Transfer of Credit in the Graduate Study section for additional information on University of Michigan-Flint policies regarding the transfer of graduate credit.
Time Limit for Degree Completion
The EdD program is designed for completion of coursework and advancement to candidacy in two years, and completion of all degree requirements in three to five years. Total registered time in the program is not expected to exceed six years and may not exceed seven years. Requests for extension beyond this timespan must be submitted in writing to the SEHS Academic Standards Committee and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact the department for more details on approved deadlines. Decisions of the Committee are final.
Academic Rules and Regulations
See the Education (EDU) , College of Arts, Sciences & Education (CASE) and Graduate Study sections for additional rules and regulations pertaining to Education Department graduate programs.
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