The School of Education offers graduate programs which lead to the Doctor of Philosophy, the Doctor of Education and the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Counseling Psychology). Both the Ed.D. and the Ph.D. degrees require similar levels of quality and effort and both require a high degree of inquiry and scholarship proficiency.

The difference between the two degrees is best understood in terms of their relationship to the following three major research and development functions of a professional graduate school of education.

(1) Expansion of relevant knowledge bases - in terms of data, general principles and theoretical models - for the organization of education, clarification of the dimensions of educational practice and the assessment of effects.

(2) Development and validation of strategies for translating developed knowledge into practical and effective educational technologies and procedures.

(3) Application - implementation, operation and evaluation - of organized knowledge and technologies to defining and addressing problems in an operating educational context.

A major distinction between the Ph.D. and Ed.D. can be made on the basis of the functions performed. Generally, the Ph.D. is identified with function number one above and the Ed.D. with function number three. Function two clearly is neither one's exclusive province; the degree program chosen would likely be determined on the basis of the student's motives and career objectives.

On this basis, the Ph.D. program emphasizes a need for the student to develop a strong identification with theory-based parent disciplines and the substantive content required to support the chosen areas of inquiry. Similarly, the Ed.D. program emphasizes a need for the student to become well grounded in the relevant technologies and substantive professional content that are appropriate both for the inquiry and the functions the student will perform as a practicing professional.

Both degrees emphasize the acquisition of appropriate research and inquiry skills, but the application of these skills is expected to differ. The Ed.D. student is trained to use educational inquiry skills to solve contemporary educational problems, while the Ph.D. student is trained to contribute to the general and theoretical knowledge about educational issues. Thus, the Ed.D. student engages in research and development efforts aimed at the direct improvement of educational practice; the Ph.D. student is expected to make contributions to theory and general knowledge that, while anticipated to be relevant to a problem solution, carry no mandate that they be applied to current educational practice.

Both doctoral programs place strong emphasis on the acquisition of inquiry skills and on the collaborative and interdisciplinary study of issues mutually engaging to both students and the School of Education faculty members.

Although essentially the same amount and quality of work are required for either doctorate, the person seeking a Ph.D. must meet specific requirements of the Graduate School (which has jurisdiction over all Ph.D. programs in the university) in addition to those of the School of Education.

The Ed.D. and Ph.D. degrees are conferred on the basis of high scholarship, demonstrated research skill, proven professional competence and personal dedication and integrity as judged by the faculty - not on the basis of credit hours accumulated or time spent at USC. The formal requirements in course work and residence are merely the minimum framework within which the essential study is undertaken.

Sources of Additional Information

Students admitted to graduate study for Ph.D. or Ed.D. degrees should also familiarize themselves with any materials prepared by the academic division which describes more specifically the major requirements and/or procedures.

Ph.D. students should also familiarize themselves with the Graduate School section of the USC Catalogue.

General Requirements for Doctoral Degrees

Faculty Advisor

Academic advisement of entering graduate students will be provided by the faculty member designated in the letter of acceptance. Advisement will become the responsibility of the guidance or advisement committee when it has been established.

Transfer of Course Work

The Degree Progress Department determines whether course work taken elsewhere is available for transfer credit. The available work is recorded on the Graduate Credit Statement prepared by that office.

The maximum number of transfer credits which may be applied toward a doctoral degree is 20 units. The faculty of the student's degree program determines whether such credit is applicable toward a specific graduate degree.

Program of Studies

A Program of Studies form for the appropriate doctoral degree is mailed to the student upon passing the preliminary review. The advisor or guidance committee and the student plan a course of studies which is recorded on this form. Any changes in the program must be approved in writing in advance by the advisor or committee chair. Final approval of the program is based on a determination that all USC regulations and program requirements have been met. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Services for advisement regarding university regulations.

Program Unit Requirement

A minimum of 66 units of approved course work, exclusive of 794 Doctoral Dissertation, is required.

Proposal for Doctoral Dissertation

Preparation for the dissertation begins in course 791 Proposal for Doctoral Dissertation. This one-unit course is completed within the major division. It may not apply toward major requirements; it is applicable toward the 66-unit total requirement. The proposal must be approved by the guidance committee. Registration in 791 following the semester of admission to candidacy does not waive enrollment in 794 Doctoral Dissertation.

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.

Doctor of Philosophy

Areas of Study

Doctoral degree programs are offered in the following areas.

The Division of Counseling Psychology offers the Ph.D. with an area of emphasis in counseling psychology.

The Division of Curriculum and Teaching offers the Ph.D. with specializations in curriculum and instruction and in language, literacy and learning.

The Division of Educational Administration and Policy offers the Ph.D. with specializations in policy and organization and in intercultural and international education.

The Division of Educational Psychology offers the Ph.D. with a specialization in educational psychology.

Preliminary Review

The preliminary review, a screening procedure prerequisite to continuation in the doctoral program, must be arranged after completion of between nine and 21 units. Specific criteria for the preliminary review are available from the division.

Ph.D. Guidance Committee

The guidance committee is composed of five faculty members and is established after the student passes the preliminary review. The chair of the committee is generally a tenured faculty member in the major area and at least one member of the committee must be from a department outside the School of Education which grants a Ph.D. under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School.

Ph.D. Research Methodology

Twelve units of research methodology are required for the Ph.D. Students must complete three units in advanced research design in education followed by three units in analysis of variance/multiple regression. Students are also required to take three units in qualitative research methodology and select the remaining three units from one of the following research areas: advanced qualitative methods, measurement theory, multivariate statistical techniques or survey research.

Ph.D. Outside Course Work

Three courses (three or four units each) outside of the School of Education are required. Each course must relate directly to an area within the program of studies (i.e., research methodology, specialty or major).

Ph. D. Qualifying Examinations

Both written and oral examinations will be administered on the University Park Campus. All portions of the examination must be completed within 60 days. Postponement of the examination must have approval of the dean of graduate studies.

Dissertation Committee

After admission to candidacy and approval of the dissertation proposal, the Ph.D. guidance committee is known as the dissertation committee and is usually reduced to three members. The committee will include one faculty member from outside the School of Education and will be chaired by a tenure track faculty member of the specified program major.

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 approval of the proposal by the guidance committee. 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 known 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 Ph.D. 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.

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