Central Michigan University

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the review of applications begin?

March 1 completed applications will be reviewed. Applications will continue to be reviewed until the cohort is filled. Preference will be given to those who meet the March 1 guideline.

Are there any prerequisites for the Ed.D. program?

EDL 600 is required for students who have not completed a research methods/statistics course. EDL 660 is required for students who have not completed an organizational theory course. These two courses will be offered the summer before the cohort sequence begins.

What is a cohort?

CMU’s Ed.D. program is offered in a cohort format. Each fall a new cohort begins doctoral course work. Over their first two years, the core and research courses are offered in a scripted order. These courses are taken as a group.

How many students are in a cohort?

12-20.     

What is the professional make up of the cohorts

Cohorts consist of educational leaders in precollegiate and postsecondary learning environments. Students with the K-12 emphasis are typically teachers, assistant principals, principals, and superintendents. Students with the college and university emphasis are higher education administrators and faculty. Most students work full-time in education while taking classes.

When are the courses offered?

The core classes are offered every other weekend: Fridays 4:00-10:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Students will complete the core sequence after four semesters and one summer coursework.

What other credits need to be completed after the core?

Students complete 12 credits of concentration either in higher education, school administration, or educational technology. They also complete a nine credit cognate outside of Educational Leadership. Last, students complete 15 dissertation credits.

How long does it take the average student to complete the degree?

It takes most students 3-3 ½ years to complete the coursework. The average student takes 18-24 months to complete the dissertation.

How long does a student have to complete the degree?  

A student is allowed to take up to eight years to complete the degree

Can any of my post-master’s credits count toward the Ed.D. degree?

It is possible that graduate-level courses taken post-master’s degree may count toward the Ed.D. Once admitted to the program, students are assigned advisors. It is recommended that students discuss possible transfer credits with their advisors.

Is financial aid available?

To learn more about financial assistance, please visit financialaid.cmich.edu. Students need to be enrolled in at least five credits per semester to receive aid.

What is your acceptance rate?

Approximately 50%

Is there a comprehensive exam?

All students take a comprehensive exam at the completion of their core courses.

What is the dissertation?

The dissertation is the capstone project for the doctoral degree. It is an independent and unique research project that is approved by three faculty. A student’s work is defended to a dissertation chair, who is a member of the Educational Leadership faculty, and two other committee members.