Valdosta State EdD in Leadership

I had not come across this one before. Granted, it isn't a PhD, but unlike most other EdD programs I've seen, this one doesn't seem to be very focused on the education sector. https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/education/ltwd/pos-edd-leadership.php

Assuming a student took one class at a time every 8 weeks, you'd finish in 10 semesters (a hair over 3 years) at a total cost of $16,500 in tuition ($300 per hr x 55 hrs) and $4420 in fees ($442 per semester for 10 semesters). Total cost of $20,920. not bad at all for a RA doctorate from a state university.

 

LSU also has a similar "non-education" EdD in Leadership available online via their Shreveport campus. Cost there is comparable to this.

 

I guess I don't understand the awards here. The professional doctorate ought to be consistent with preparing practitioners to be at the apex of their respective professions. Thus, the content should be consistent with the title, and the title should be consistent with the profession. It is not a generic blanket title like "Doctor of Philosophy" or "Doctor of Technology."

The title "Doctor of Education" should mean just that: someone who is atop the professional knowledge in the field of Education. Not leadership.

I hold a "non-PhD" title, the Doctor of Social Sciences. While I studied Human Resouce Development within it, and I did my research creating a grounded theory on the Chief Learning Officer, I also had to take a series of social science courses, and my thesis is situated within--and builds upon--sociological theory.

Similarly, a Doctor of Education should be well-versed in educational theory and practice. If it's a degree in Leadership, the title of the award should reflect that.

 

Four of the courses are specific to education. The rest of the courses are either focused on research training or general leadership, and we don't know whether the leadership assignments focus on educational leadership.

Correction: The description for one of the leadership courses does say that it's focused on educational and organizational issues. This very much looks like an educational leadership program.

 

American College of Education (ACE) Also offers an Ed.D. in Leadership that is not limited to the education field - it is applicable to all fields.
https://ace.edu/degree-programs/doctoral-degrees/doctoral-education/doctor-of-education-in-leadership/?utm_source=google(paid-search)&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_campaign=14957313542&utm_term=ace%20college&utm_kxconfid=v3pjtpd8f&utm_promo=&intent=directresponse&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAhP67BhAVEiwA2E_9g65rXx-PaGW9NOmobD_eTcyjHpH445X4HDDF8HSD0h11qVxg4GlWNhoCdrUQAvD_BwE

You can choose focus areas like Business Management, Executive Leadership, Non-Profit Leadership and a host of Educational field specialties.

 

I tend to agree with you. It would be confusing for me to try to explain to someone in the business world that that Ed.D was actually a business degree. Conversely, in the education sector, I'd be pretty disappointed to learn that my new school district manager had a Ed.D that had little or nothing to do with education. The MBA, for example, comes in all shapes and sizes. Some are heavy on economics and accounting, others not so much or not at all. Some are heavy on marketing and management, others you get just a sprinkle. But at least all course in the MBA are business oriented. You'd think the same would be true of a Doctor of Education, right? I might still consider such a degree despite the confusion if the price and curriculum were right, but I agree, it doesn't mKe sense.

 

I just went to the ACE catalog to view the full course list for rhe Ed.D Leadership degree. There are literally no courses in the program that have anything to do with education. The curriculum looks identical to a PhD or DBA depending on the selected specialization. Very odd.

 

You must have been looking at the core courses and missed the 18 Semester credits in your chosen discipline. ( a six course focus) it can be in Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Higher Education, Instructional Leadership, Instructional Technology, Literacy, Second Language Instruction, Special Education, STEM Education. All of which are Education focuses. In addition they offer Public and Non-Profit Leadership, Health and Wellness, Executive Leadership, and Business Management.

The structure is 24 credits in Leadership (core classes), 22 credits is Research (shared across all focus areas) and 18 credits in your chosen focus area. In addition they have 5 elective classes if you want or need them that will help you with your dissertation, writing, and research.

https://catalog.ace.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=74&poid=7509&_gl=1*1oq2qzr*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MzY3NTQ2NTMuQ2p3S0NBaUFoUDY3QmhBVkVpd0EyRV85ZzY1clh4LVBhR1c5Tk9tb2JEX2VUY3lqSHBINDQ1WDRIRERGOEhTRDBoMTFxVnhnNEdsV05ob0NkclVRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTQ4NzU3NzQzNC4xNzMyNTU2Mzgw*_ga*MTYyNTc5MTk5MS4xNzI0MzQ1MzE2*_ga_TLVMP7GLJR*MTczNjc1NDY1Mi4yOC4wLjE3MzY3NTQ2NTIuNjAuMC44NDA2MTgxNTA.