Doctor of Education
Northwest is cooperating with the University of Missouri-Columbia to offer an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. The program is also available through several other regional campuses in Missouri. The degree is awarded by the University of Missouri-Columbia and was designed through the collaboration of professors, school administrators, teachers and other educational and business leaders across Missouri.
Program Design
The program is an advanced study in educational leadership for administrators, program leaders, and teachers/researchers for a variety of positions in public and private education, government and industry. The goal is to enhance the knowledge and competencies of leaders so they provide optimal leadership for education of all learners.
Characteristics of the Program
- Students progress through the program as a “cohort.”
- Students from each regional institution are a site cohort, with students from all institutions forming a state cohort.
- Coursework is completed in six concurrent trimesters, beginning in the summer and concluding in the spring trimester two years later.
- Dissertation research follows the two years of coursework.
- Coursework instruction occurs at each regional site during the fall and spring trimesters. Summer instruction is in residence at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
- Technology is used as a medium for instructional delivery throughout the program.
- Curriculum is integrated, thematic and problem-based.
Program Curriculum
Some primary themes of the curriculum:
Leadership Theory and Practice
Leadership skills and theory
Ethical and moral issues
Internal/external communication
Conflict resolution
Organizational culture
Organizational Analysis
Organizational theory/analysis
Strategic planning
Change facilitation
Problem analysis/solving
Infrastructure issues
Resource acquisition
Social implications of technology
Content and Context for Learning
Diverse learners
Learning theories and models
Instructional models
Technology in learning
Program assessment
Analyzing Educational Policy
Educational inquiry
Policy analysis
Social, political, legal issues
Research, Inquiry and Evaluation
Educational planning/evaluation
Qualitative research
Quantitative research
Application and Admissions Process
Students interested in application to the program should contact the Department of Professional Education at Northwest (660) 562-1095 and visit with the campus liaison or call (573) 882-8221 at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Superintendent Certification Option with Completed MU/Northwest Doctorate
CIP: 130411
Prerequisites
- Accepted and enrolled in Cooperative Doctorate Program
- A valid teaching certificate
- A valid elementary or secondary principal certificate
- Recommendation from Northwest Department of Professional Education faculty
Requirements
Required Courses to Fulfill Program Competencies
| School Personnel Administration | 3 |
| School and Community Relations | 3 |
| School Plant Design | 2 |
| The Superintendency | 3 |
| School Finance | 3 |
| Completion of the Ed.S. Comprehensive Examination | |
| Doctoral Dissertation (Focus on PK-12) | |
Upon successful completion of the doctorate degree and all optional requirements, the Department of Educational Leadership will make the recommendation for superintendency.
Requests for the Superintendent Certification Option with a Completed Doctorate in Educational Leadership from another accredited university must be evaluated and approved by the program advisor.