Doctor of Education

Doctoral Degrees, page 3
School of Education

Doctor of Education

Ed.D. Instructional Centers

The Ed.D. program presently includes seven instructional delivery centers in addition to the regular USC University Park Campus program. The network of centers offers practicing professionals convenient access to the USC doctoral program with no loss of academic integrity.

Each center is organized as a "cohort" of students that progresses as a group through the complete cycle of course work over a two-year period. The student becomes a member of a cohesive, mutually supportive group under the mentorship of a full-time faculty member from the University Park Campus.

Even though each doctoral student is a member of a cohort representing one of the centers, participation in the total doctoral program ensures that each is also a member of the entire School of Education network and Trojan family. The seven instructional centers are: Central Valley (Fresno), Orange County (Irvine), Northern California (Sacramento), Inland Empire (San Bernardino), San Diego County (San Diego), Bay Area (San Jose), and Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

Instruction at the seven centers is organized using an intensive weekend format, with classes held on Friday evenings and Saturdays. A typical course meets for four weekends over a two-month period, usually every other weekend. Including residency and the dissertation, students can complete the program in three years.

Ed.D. Preliminary Review

The Ed.D. Preliminary Review is a screening and guidance procedure that occurs after the student has taken three courses (four courses if EDPT 550 Educational Statistics was one of the first three). Passing the preliminary review is prerequisite to continuation of the program.

Completion of the preliminary review involves (1) assembling a preliminary review dossier consisting of a statement not to exceed five double-spaced pages that describes the student's professional goals and objectives; copies of all available written work (i.e., papers, essay examinations) completed in the three pre-review courses; and a separate page that identifies the three courses and instructor in each; (2) providing two copies of the dossier to the advisor.

A preliminary review panel composed of the advisor and two instructors will review the dossier in addition to the original application for admission and transcript. Each member of the panel will vote on whether continuation in the doctoral program is recommended. Continuation is not recommended if there is more than one dissenting vote. Notification of preliminary review results will be by official letter from the Dean of the School of Education.

Ed.D. Core Courses

A minimum of 11 core courses is required. All students must complete EDPT 502, EDPT 550, EDPT 552 and EDPT 570.

Ed.D. Electives and Specializations

While students may select their own set of courses, areas of specialization consisting of a minimum of 12 units are available. Each cluster of courses defines either an educational function or a content/discipline area such as business and finance, community college administration, curriculum and instruction, personnel administration, politics and policy, the principalship and site-based management, the superintendency, teacher education, and in-service training.

Ed.D. Advisement Committee

The student selects a three-member advisement committee in consultation with the advisor upon applying to take the qualifying examination. The chair must have expertise relevant to the student's prospective dissertation area.

Ed.D. Qualifying Examination

The primary purpose of the qualifying examination is to test the student's capacity to do independent research and to examine the student's ability to master thoroughly the subject matter in the program core and specialization.

Application to take the qualifying examination is made with Student Services during or immediately following the last semester of course work and is due before September 30 for an examination in the fall semester or January 31 for one in the spring. The examination will focus extensively on the core program but may also focus on the specialization or the elective course work. The examination will be prepared by the committee chair and approved by one Ed.D. Steering Committee member before it is provided to the student.

Advisement committee members will read and evaluate the examination on a pass/fail basis. Ed.D. examinations cannot be passed if there is more than one score of "fail." Notification of qualifying examination results will be by official letter from the Dean of the School of Education.

Repeating the Qualifying Examination

If the student fails the qualifying examination, the guidance committee may permit one retake. In such a case, the student must follow the procedure that was used in applying for permission to take the examination the first time.

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to candidacy is a formal action taken by the faculty of the School of Education. That action is based upon passing the qualifying examination and the recommendation of the advisement committee. Notification of admission or denial of admission to candidacy is by letter from the Dean of the School of Education.

Dissertation Committee

Generally the Ed.D. guidance committee continues to serve as the dissertation committee after admission to candidacy and approval of the dissertation proposal.

Dissertation Program

A dissertation based upon original research is required. An acceptable dissertation must show technical mastery of a special field, capacity for independent research and scholarly ability. Preparation of the dissertation proposal begins in course 791 and culminates with the guidance committee's approval of the proposal. The student must be enrolled in 794 Doctoral Dissertation each semester except summer session after admission to candidacy until all degree requirements have been completed. A minimum of two semesters (four units) is required. Enrollment in 794 prior to admission to candidacy is not permitted and such registration is invalid. Continuous enrollment is required until the dissertation has been approved and the final typing card has been signed by the dissertation committee.

Defense of the Dissertation

After completing the dissertation, the candidate must defend it in an oral examination. An oral examination on an approved rough copy is know as a Defense Oral; an oral on the final copy is known as a Final Oral. The type of oral to be held is at the discretion of the dissertation committee. Candidates for the Ed.D. degree may obtain instructions for defense of the dissertation from the Office of Student Services. Regulations with regard to format and method of preparation are contained in Regulations for Format and Presentation of Theses and Dissertations.

Submission of the Dissertation

The final typed dissertation must be submitted to the Graduate School within six months after committee approval for final typing. Late submission will be subject to a late fee equal to one unit of tuition for each semester after six months.

Dissertation Time Limit for the Ed.D.

The doctoral dissertation must be completed within three years from admission to candidacy. If the dissertation has not been completed by the end of three years, it is possible to petition the Student Services Committee for an extension of time. Requests for further extensions require appointment of a new dissertation committee.

Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
Joye Day
day@mizar.usc.edu