Program

Nova Southeastern University's Fischler School of Education and Human Services' (FSEHS) doctor of education (Ed.D.) is designed to offer students a curriculum with a solid foundation in leadership, research, and the study of current trends and issues, while customizing each student's program of study to meet their individual professional and personal goals.

The FSEHS doctor of education program is designed to provide doctoral and continuing professional development programs to education practitioners. The program prepares professionals in the field of education to be at the forefront of their industry. The degree is distinguished by its accessibility to learners, flexibility in programs and operation, and creativity in outlook. The doctor of education program promotes academic standards of quality, consistent with excellence in professional practice, and embraces diversity among learners and faculty. With nine concentration areas within the field of education, the program was developed to meet and exceed the development needs of professionals in the areas of Educational Leadership, Healthcare Education, Higher Education, Human Service Administration, Instructional Leadership, Instructional Technology and Distance Education, Organizational Leadership, Special Education, and Speech-Language Pathology.

The program is designed to prepare professionals in the field of education for new challenges, opportunities, and increased responsibility. This objective is accomplished by combining the latest instructional technology with an outstanding curriculum developed by our faculty. The menu-driven approach to the doctor of education offers students more flexible curriculum choices and instructional delivery options. Students gain expertise in their chosen concentration and supplement that area of study with an additional concentration, a minor in another area, or with electives from multiple disciplines.

Certification/Licensure

Enrollment in the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) does not guarantee certification or licensure at the local, regional, or state level. Students seeking certification/licensure should contact the Department of Education in the state in question to confirm certification or licensure requirements.

Program Goals/Learning Outcomes

Depth and Application of Knowledge 

Graduates of the doctoral program in education and related disciplines will be able to:

1. Use appropriate technology to support assessment, communication, information access, and decision-making.
2. Apply theoretical, conceptual, and practical knowledge to improve situations in the work setting.
3. Function as leaders in the field of education and related disciplines.
4. Interpret the complex relationship of education to the community, the nation, and the world.
5. Describe historical highlights and contemporary issues in their professional field.
6. Demonstrate a multidisciplinary perspective along with more focused specialty knowledge.
7. Apply knowledge and theory to practice with competence in a specific discipline.
8. Apply basic principles of practice to specific cases

Inquiry

Graduates of the doctoral program in education and related disciplines will be able to:

1. Conduct scholarly research.
2. Locate, attend to, consider, and question information and arguments from a variety of sources including teachers, peer-reviewed literature, the Internet, media , and raw data.
3. Evaluate the validity of all sources of information.
4. Create cohesive, persuasive arguments relative to their discipline by evaluating, applying, or integrating appropriate information from various sources.

Problem Solving

Graduates of the doctoral program in education and related disciplines will be able to:

1. Identify and analyze a problem and its constituent parts.
2. Synthesize information from appropriate sources to form a deeper understanding of a problem and its relation to issues in their field.
3. Evaluate multiple perspectives and potential solutions.
4. Propose and justify the most appropriate solution to a given problem.

Communication

Graduates of the doctoral program in education and related disciplines will be able to:

1. Communicate effectively in writing using field specific terminology and conventions in a variety of forms for appropriate professional audiences.
2. Use appropriate technology to communicate effectively to the visual, aural, and other senses.
3. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication skills in professional settings.
4. Incorporate and draw upon multiple cultural perspectives in written, oral, and interpersonal communications.

Professional Development

Graduates of the doctoral program in education and related disciplines will be able to:

1. Describe the various components of leadership capacity, philosophy, approaches, and styles.
2. Analyze and discuss the motivating forces of one's own behavior and perceptions.
3. Practice systematic self-assessment and reflection.
4. Identify the limitations of one's own knowledge base and the social, historical, and cultural factors that influence one's knowledge.
5. Conduct oneself according to professional and ethical standards.
6. Demonstrate commitment to life-long learning.
7. Develop an appropriate career path.