Doctoral Program (Ed.D.)
For those seeking to generate and apply research in the solution of complex real-world challenges facing our communities.
The College of Education, Health, and Human Services’ Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) focuses on development of a high level and advanced proficiency in the education field of study as well as acquisition of research and leadership skills. It aims to produce graduates who can solve practical problems in a specific education-related context. The Ed.D. is ideal for educators who seek new skills and new opportunities for leadership and is designed to meet a critical need in southeastern Michigan for educational leaders who can transform education at the PK-12, community college and university levels.
Individuals who apply for either the Elementary and Secondary (PK-12) School Administrator Certificate (ES) or the Central Office School Administrator Certificate (CO) must pass a newly created MTTC. Effective January 1, 2025, individuals must make an attempt at the test, although a passing score is not required. Effective May 1, 2025, a cut score will be required. Upon completion of your academic program, please contact your advisor to verify which MTTC you need, based upon your program. The programs and MTTCs are uniquely different and not interchangeable.
- School Administrator Certificate (ES) requires MTTC #139
- Central Office Certificate (CO) requires MTTC #140
Course Information
Graduates of the Doctorate of Education will conduct scholarly research including:
- Identifying important/practical questions or problems that can be addressed through scholarship.
- Reviewing, critically analyzing, and synthesizing literature that addresses an important question or problem in education.
- Collecting and analyzing appropriate types of data.
- Communicating results of that research in writing and orally with diverse audiences.
Program Information: The Ed.D. Program is a 60-credit hour program with 24 credit hours of core courses, 24 credit hours of concentration area courses and 12 credit hours dedicated to a dissertation or applied studies project.
Students must maintain a “B” average (cumulative grade point average of 3.0) to remain in good standing in the Ed.D. program.
Transfer of Credit: Up to six credit hours from another (non-U-M) accredited university may be accepted as transfer credits with approval of the program adviser. Students may transfer up to one-half (1/2) the minimum number of credit hours required for the Ed.D. degree from the Ann Arbor and Flint U-M campuses.
Courses must be at the 500 level or above. The student’s program adviser must approve the transfer of the course and credits.
Transfer of Credit will be considered if:
- Graduate credits were completed within five years of application to the Ed.D. program at another accredited institution.
- Graduate credits were completed at another U-M School or College (including Flint and Ann Arbor).
- Graduate Extension courses were completed at any of these campuses:
- University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Northern Michigan University and Oakland University.
- Courses were taken at an undergraduate institution, only if:
- Students completed the course during their junior or senior year
- They were approved for graduate credit by the graduate school of the institution where and when the student took the course
- The courses were not used in whole or in part, in any way, to meet requirements for a degree
- The student’s program adviser approves the transfer of the course and credits
Time to Completion: The Ed.D. program is designed for completion of the degree requirements within four calendar years. Students will not be allowed to register for credits in the program after ten years without the approval of a formal petition by the Ed.D. Faculty Advisory Committee.
Core Courses (24 hrs)
EDA 725. Seminar in Metropolitan Education
EDB 722 Seminar in Educational Leadership
EDC 740. Seminar in Educational Psychology/Special Education
EDD 717 Seminar in Curriculum and Practice
EDK 700. Introduction to Educational Research
EDK 823 Quantitative Research Methods
EDK 825. Qualitative Research Methods
EDK 850. Research Design & Proposal Development
Concentration Area Courses (24 hrs)
Eight graduate level courses must be selected in the area of concentration with prior written approval from the doctoral program adviser. The professional studies courses are offered through the College of Education, Health, and Human Services and other units of the university. The student will work with their faculty adviser to determine which concentration area courses are appropriate to the student’s needs and professional goals. This plan will be submitted to the doctoral program coordinator for approval within one year of admittance to the program.
Portfolio Defense and Qualification for Proposal (3 hrs)
The portfolio defense is the first step in the process of moving from the pre-candidacy stage to the candidacy stage of the program. The purpose of the Ed.D. Portfolio is to provide the student with an opportunity to document their academic and professional growth and development in an organized, coherent, and selective record. The portfolio presentation and defense allows each student’s dissertation/applied study committee to evaluate their readiness to (a) conduct scholarly research, (b) connect with the community, and (c) engage in transformative leadership. The portfolio represents the student’s accomplishments in coursework, independent study, research experiences, internships, and other advanced learning activities. The portfolio also provides both a vehicle for self-reflection and a comprehensive account of a doctoral student's experiences and ongoing progress toward their academic and professional goals.
Dissertation/Applied Studies Project (9 hrs)
A student will become a candidate for the Ed.D. degree after completing the required coursework with a minimum GPA of “B” and after passing both qualifying as well as preliminary examinations. At this point, the student will be allowed to pursue the dissertation or applied studies work.
The student must submit a written copy of the dissertation or applied studies project to the dissertation/applied studies committee for approval before the oral defense will be scheduled. All members of the dissertation or applied studies committee are responsible for reading the dissertation or applied studies documents and submitting their written evaluations to the committee chair at least a week prior to the defense.
Admission is on a yearly-basis only. Materials must be submitted in full by March 15, annually.
Learn more about application forms and admission information
Concentration Areas
Students will complete 24 credits in one of the three concentration areas that will specifically target their professional interests.
Students in the Educational Leadership concentration can be recommended to the Michigan Department of Education for the MDE-required Central Office Administrator Certificate for educators in or aspiring to a K-12 district central office leadership position.
Course Requirements:
The concentration in Metropolitan Education prepares students to assume leadership positions in metropolitan school systems and other educational agencies with a focus on the historical, political, economic and socio-cultural context of communities and schools.
Become subject area leaders and/or a curriculum specialist. This is a flexible concentration that may include any of the disciplines in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services such as mathematics, science, literacy, social studies, early childhood education and English as a Second Language.
Featured Links
Admission Requirements
We utilize a holistic approach to reviewing applications and take into consideration all materials submitted when making admission decisions. In order for us to complete this holistic review, students must submit the follow items with their application. The GRE is not required for admission to this program. The Office of International Affairs lists additional admission requirements for international students.
- Bachelor's and Master's degree from accredited institutions
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- 3.3 GPA or higher on submitted transcripts
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Writing sample that addresses one of the provided prompts
Ed.D. Alumni Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund originated as an idea in 2017 and was established by generous graduates of the Doctorate of Education program in 2018, most of whom were from the early cohorts when the Ed.D. program was launched. The $10,000 to establish the fund was raised through donations and multi-year pledges. Donors to the fund include Ed.D. alumni, UM-Dearborn faculty and administrators, as well as friends of the University.
The fund is expected to generate a $500 annual scholarship for Ed.D. students beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year.
Everyone is invited to make a donation to the fund.
Licensure Statement
The pathways in our Educator Preparation Program were designed to satisfy educational prerequisites to initial and advanced licensure in only the state of Michigan. We encourage students to contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state in which they are located or, if different, the state in which they intend to seek licensure for more information. While the Educator Preparation Program pathways may or may not fully satisfy educational prerequisites to licensure in other states, academic advisors work with students on an individual basis and are available to discuss teaching certifications and reciprocity opportunities in other states. In addition, the Education Commission of the States website provides solid information as to the expectations each state and the District of Columbia has for obtaining licensure beyond Michigan licensure.
Contact Information
CEHHS Office for Student Success
262 Fairlane Center South (FCS)
[email protected]
313-593-5090
Academic Advisor
Stein Brunvand, Ph.D.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Brunvand please contact:
CEHHS Office of Student Success
email: [email protected]
phone: 313-593-5090.
Christopher Burke, Ph.D.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Burke please contact:
CEHHS Office of Student Success
email: [email protected]
phone: 313-593-5090.