When are classes offered?
The doctoral courses are offered Monday evenings (4:30-7 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m.) in the fall and spring semesters. The summer courses are offered in a condensed format during summers one and two.
If I make appropriate progress, when can I anticipate finishing?
The program is a 3-year sequence of courses; the program can be finished in 3 years assuming all core coursework, EDLS 690, and the dissertation have been successfully completed.
How many courses are required to complete the EdD degree?
The program includes the following: 14 doctoral seminars (3 credit hours each), and the dissertation (12 credit hours).
Is there a comprehensive exam?
Yes. Upon completion of doctoral seminar coursework, all students must pass an oral comprehensive exam that will address key questions arising from the doctoral seminars.
What is the focus of the dissertation? How many credit hours does it carry?
The dissertation is intended to be relevant and rigorous. Students will work with faculty advisors and their dissertation committee to select and implement their research project. Although options will be available, the primary emphasis for the dissertation requirement will be on projects that are consistent with key research and program foci of the doctoral students’ employing agency, school, or organization. A minimum of 12 semester credit hours must be completed, intended to be taken during the fall and spring semesters respectively (6 credit hours each semester) of the third year of doctoral study.
What happens if I do not finish the dissertation in the third year of the program?
During each semester subsequently in which the student continues to pursue completion of the dissertation, he/she will be required to enroll in three additional credits of dissertation study. Students are expected to complete the program within a maximum of 6 years, including any requested leave of absence.
Will there be subsequent cohort programs? When will they begin?
The sixth cohort began May 2021. Subsequent cohort programs will begin in the summer of odd years and the next one is scheduled to start in Summer 2023.
Who serves as student advisors?
Faculty advisors include individuals who are involved in the teaching of doctoral seminar courses and who also serve as dissertation chairs and/or committee members. Efforts will be made to match student participants with advisors who share common professional interests.
Who will serve as faculty chairs for dissertations? As faculty committee members?
Faculty from throughout the academic disciplines offered at University of Lynchburg serve as dissertation chairs. In addition, two other faculty members serve on a student’s dissertation committee. By request, one of these committee members may be an appropriately qualified individual who may not be a full-time member of the University of Lynchburg faculty.
What is the tuition for the doctoral seminars?
Information about tuition and fees for the EdD in Leadership Studies can be found on the graduate studies tuition page.
Is the University of Lynchburg post-masters tuition voucher applicable to coursework within the program?
The post-masters tuition voucher is intended only for the use of individuals who have previously completed a graduate degree at University of Lynchburg and are taking coursework at the Master’s level. As a result, such tuition vouchers will be valid only for the EDLS 690 course and not for doctoral courses.
Are there any scholarship funds available for participants?
There are limited scholarship funds available through endowed funds established (and implemented through the graduate studies office) for students who participate in the program. In addition, students who are not full-time employees at the time of enrollment will be eligible to apply for University of Lynchburg graduate assistantships, including two such assistantships that are tied directly to the doctoral program. Further, students are encouraged to meet with professional staff in the University of Lynchburg financial aid office to determine what other sources of support may be available.
Who can I contact for additional information?
Emma Savage-Davis, EdD
Professor of Education
Dean of the College of Education, Leadership Studies, and Counseling
Professor of Education
Dean of the College of Education, Leadership Studies, and Counseling
