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Curriculum

The 48-credit curriculum includes a research core (12 credits), education core (15 credits), concentration area electives (9 credits), portfolio assessment (0 credits), residency (0 credits) and applied dissertation courses (12 credits). 

Research Core

• EDDR 701: Research Design (3 cr.)

• EDDR 702: Research and Professional Communication (3 cr.)

• EDDR 703: Qualitative Research (3 cr.). Cross-listed with PHD 710

• EDDR 704: Quantitative Research (3 cr.) Cross-listed with PHD 704

Education Core

• EDDR 705: Theories of Teaching & Learning (3 cr.)

• EDDR 706: Education Policies (3 cr.)

• EDDR 707: Curriculum (re)Design and Implementation of Transformative Change (3 cr.)

• EDDR 708: Technology for Transforming Education (3 cr.)

• EDDR 709: Frameworks of Transformative Education (3 cr.)

Concentration Area

A student will create their own concentration based on their professional and scholarly interests and career goals. Concentration areas may include but not limited to the following: innovation in education, higher education, educational leadership and administration, curriculum leadership. Concentration coursework includes three elective courses selected from the approved EDDR and PHD courses. The selected concentration area and electives shall be approved by the Program Director in advance of registration.

Portfolio Assessment

As an alternative to a qualifying examination, portfolio assessment includes (1) a portfolio that illustrates a student’s expertise in their inquiry area and (2) presentation at the Graduate Symposium & Networking Day.  Earning a satisfactory grade on the portfolio signifies a student’s readiness to begin their  dissertation courses.

Upon completion of the 27 credits of research, education, and concentration elective courses and before the start of the 12-credit applied dissertation coursework, a student will prepare and submit their portfolio. For their portfolio, a student may select one of the following options: 
• Option A: Revised papers written for the three completed courses and related to the area of inquiry that will be pursued in the applied dissertation. This option demonstrates a student’s general knowledge of their area of inquiry. 
• Option B: A grant proposal. This option demonstrates a student’s competency to obtain federal funding in order to promote a transformative change. Submission of the grant proposal is not required; however, the proposal will be evaluated by the same or similar criteria. 

Applied Dissertation

Completion of all core and elective courses and satisfactory portfolio assessment is required prior to the start of the applied dissertation. The Program Director’s approval is required for registration for each of the dissertation courses. 

• EDDR 801: Dissertation 1 (3 cr.)

• EDDR 802: Dissertation 2 (3 cr.)

• EDDR 803: Dissertation 3 (3 cr.)

• EDDR 804: Dissertation 4 (3 cr.)

Residency

Residency includes:

• A virtual day of program orientation.
• A day on campus (with virtual participation option): Graduate Symposium & Networking prior to the start of dissertation courses (Year 2).
• 5-day residency on campus or international residency (Summer semester of Year 2 or 3).
 

Graduate Symposium & Networking Day (second residency) includes:

• Making a presentation (not a poster) at the Symposium. Upon the approval of the Program Director, a presentation at a state, national, or international conference may count towards this requirement. 
• Participation in all sessions of the Graduate Symposium & Networking Day.
 

Tuition & Residency Cost

• Campus residency: $125 per week housing with meals not included
• International residency (may be chosen as an alternative): cost will vary

ABD Pathway

This pathway is for the applicant who has not completed the dissertation requirements of another Ed.D. program. The A.B.D. pathway requires a minimum of 18 hours of coursework to be completed at Alvernia. 

Admission Requirements

• Official transcript(s) indicating that the applicant has earned a master's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in a prior graduate program. Test scores (GRE or GMAT) must be required if GPA is below 3.0 
• Statement of Purpose. Two-page statement in which an applicant summarizes the value of the program for their personal or professional growth and discusses the area of transformative change they are passionate about 
• Professional resume
• Three letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors familiar with the applicant’s professional experiences and abilities necessary to succeed in a doctoral program
• Interview with the Program Director 
• International applicants may have additional requirements

Transfer Credit Policy

Up to 18 credits may be transferred. A transfer credit request requires approval of the Program Director.

• A maximum of 6 graduate credits at a doctoral level may be transferred from another accredited higher education institution*
• A maximum of 6 credits earned in Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s MED or PHD courses in the period of 2020- present may be applied to research core, education core, or elective courses (concentration area)**
• A maximum of 6 professional experience credits may be applied to the education core courses***
 

* Requires a review of the graduate transcript and course syllabus.
** Requires a review of the graduate transcript.
*** Based on a review of the resume and an interview.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete the 48-credit coursework with a minimum of GPA 3.0
• Pass the Portfolio Assessment
• Complete the residency
• Defend the applied dissertation
• Complete the graduate requirement in ethics, leadership and social responsibility