The 54-credit Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and Change is designed to prepare mid­-career practicing professionals to hold leadership positions in higher education, where graduates serve as change agents. The Educational Leadership and Change program uses a scholar-practitioner model, which starts with the assumption of self-directed, collaborative learning among researchers, practitioners, educators, and students to produce scholar­ practitioners. Scholar-practitioners apply their scholarship to practice being able to develop and create new knowledge which informs their work and the work of others (Shapiro, 2003).

Learning in a community of practice through cohorts is one of the central tenets of this program. It is facilitated through face-to-face and online interaction among students and faculty. Four residencies are held in total: a virtual residency at the start of the first year, followed by three two-to-three day residencies in person in May/June. These face-to-face meetings are held in Saratoga Springs and encompass workshops and course meetings. Each cohort constructs its community of practice throughout the program, learning together in embodied and integrated ways, and is supported by an innovative programmatic e-learning space. A sense of shared commitment and responsibility is nurtured over time. This cohort provides an environment for this model of learning to occur. Students culminate their program with a directed research project based in their own site of practice or directed at issues in their field.

Program Delivery and Tuition Rate

Most of the Ed.D. program is delivered online asynchronously. In addition, the program is supported by four required cohort residencies which provide interpersonal experiences, and access to a community space that supplements the online course work.

The first cohort residency is typically held at the start of the first term, followed by a short in-person residency in May/June at the end of years one, two and three. Students should refer to the catalog calendar, course syllabi, and the Term Guide for exact dates, locations and times.

This program is billed at the non-MBA rate.

Admission

The audiences for this program are higher education professionals and faculty who are looking to advance into upper leadership positions in the higher education ecosystem. Applications for admission are reviewed using a holistic approach that takes into account the totality of an applicant’s educational and professional accomplishments and potential for successful completion of the program and leadership in higher education. Applicants to the Ed.D. in ELC program are required to have an earned master’s degree in a related area. At minimum, applicants should have coursework or significant related experience in History and Philosophy of Higher Education, and Economics and Finance of Higher Education. Following program admission, students have up to one academic year to complete any outstanding prerequisite courses (a maximum of two courses).

Please review full admission requirements and procedures found on the Admissions page of this catalog.

Program Curriculum

The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Change requires a total of 54 credit hours beyond the master's degree. The required prerequisite master's coursework in the areas recommended by the Council for the Advancement of Higher Education Programs, provide the foundation on which the Ed.D. builds to prepare mid-career professionals to be successful leaders in higher education.

Required Courses

The program begins with 12 credits of core coursework in the fundamental areas of leadership and change, 9 credits of research coursework, and 12 credits of advanced core coursework. Students then complete 6 credits of electives and the capstone sequence, which includes both a comprehensive portfolio assessment and a dissertation.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CORE COURSES		12
EDLC 7000	Foundational Seminar: Critical Analysis and Communication
EDLC 7001	Principles of Higher Education Leadership
EDLC 7015	Organizational Change Theory and Practice
EDLC 7008	Ethical Leadership in the Academy
RESEARCH COURSES		9
EDLC 7007	Research Methods in Education
EDLC 7004	Qualitative Research Analysis through Applied Research
EDLC 7009	Quantitative Research Methods
ADVANCED CORE COURSES		12
EDLC 7003	Models of Organizational Administration and Finance
EDLC 7005	Leading Change in Social Justice and Diversity
EDLC 7020	Perspectives on Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership
EDLC 7021	Institutional Culture and Strategic Change Management in Higher Education
ELECTIVES (Choose 2)		6
EDLC 7014	Immigration and Higher Education (3 Cr.)
EDLC 7013	Data Informed Decision Making in Higher Education (3 Cr.)
EDLC 7996	Special Topics in EDLC (3 Cr.)
EDLC 7998	Individualized Studies in EDLC (1-8 Cr.)
CAPSTONE COURSES		15
EDLC 8000	Professional Portfolio Seminar
EDLC 8001	Advanced Research Methods
EDLC 8002	Dissertation I
EDLC 8003	Dissertation II
EDLC 8004	Dissertation III
Total Credits		54

Suggested Enrollment Sequence

The table below outlines the typical half-time schedule sequencing. Supplementing this online coursework will be close mentorship, four short required residencies; one virtual and three face-to-face, and access to an online community space.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
First Cohort Virtual Residency and Orientation
EDLC 7000	Foundational Seminar: Critical Analysis and Communication	3
EDLC 7001	Principles of Higher Education Leadership	3
	Credits	6
Spring
EDLC 7015	Organizational Change Theory and Practice	3
EDLC 7007	Research Methods in Education	3
	Credits	6
Summer
EDLC 7003	Models of Organizational Administration and Finance	3
EDLC 7008	Ethical Leadership in the Academy	3
Second Residency (2-day Face-to-Face)
	Credits	6
Second Year
Fall
EDLC 7009	Quantitative Research Methods	3
EDLC 7021	Institutional Culture and Strategic Change Management in Higher Education	3
	Credits	6
Spring
EDLC 7004	Qualitative Research Analysis through Applied Research	3
EDLC 7005	Leading Change in Social Justice and Diversity	3
	Credits	6
Summer
Third Residency (2-day Face-to-Face)
EDLC 7020	Perspectives on Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership	3
Elective		3
	Credits	6
Third Year
Fall
EDLC 8000	Professional Portfolio Seminar	3
Elective		3
	Credits	6
Spring
EDLC 8001	Advanced Research Methods	3
	Credits	3
Summer
EDLC 8002	Dissertation I	3
Fourth Residency (2-day Face-to-Face)
	Credits	3
Fourth Year
Fall
EDLC 8003	Dissertation II	3
	Credits	3
Spring
EDLC 8004	Dissertation III	3
	Credits	3
	Total Credits	54

Dissertation

The Final Project of this Doctoral program is an applied dissertation which is:

• Research embedded in the student’s professional context;
• Requires implementation process of an intervention or an action plan after conducting an extensive study of the topic using appropriate research designs;
• Designed to demonstrate the student’s ability to use data/research to solve practical problems;
• Provides the opportunity to design new curricula, new policies, and/or new ways of introducing reform in their college or university; and
• Is an exercise whereby doctoral students demonstrate their ability to frame change as leaders and implement it using data to drive their professional efforts.

Students should be mindful of the six, non-course critical points of the program as described below and must successfully address the requirements at each point to progress.

Non-course Ed.D. Critical Points

Critical Point 1 - Year 1 Residencies

• First residency is held shortly after the start of the fall term and is a virtual meeting.
• Second residency is held shortly after the start of the summer term and is an in-person meeting.
• Attendance is required at both residencies.

Critical Point 2 - Year 2 Residency

• Third residency is held a few weeks after the start of the summer term.
• This is an in-person meeting and attendance is required.

Critical Point 3 - Professional Portfolio and IRB

• Need successful completion of EDLC 8000 and approval of Dissertation Prospectus & Portfolio form before enrolling in EDLC 8002
• FORM 1 = Dissertation Prospectus & Portfolio form - to be submitted after EDLC 8000.
• FORM 2 = Dissertation IRB Approval form - to be approved (if applicable) after EDLC 8000 with supervision of the Dissertation Chair.

Critical Point 4 - Dissertation Committee and Candidacy

• FORM 3 = Dissertation Committee form - to be approved at the beginning of EDLC 8001 as part of the course.
• FORM 4 = Dissertation Candidacy form - to be approved before enrolling in EDLC 8002.

Critical Point 5 - Final Residency

• Fourth residency is held a few weeks after the start of the summer term.
• This is an in-person meeting and attendance is required.

Critical Point 6 - Completion of Dissertation

• During last term of enrollment, student completes online application for graduation from the Ed.D. program.
• At the completion of EDLC 8004, student defends dissertation. Defense is an open event, typically two hours in length and may be held virtually or in-person.
• FORM 5 = Dissertation Completion form - to be approved if student passes defense.
• When all requirements are met as discussed with the doctoral committee, and any necessary revisions are addressed, student submits final dissertation for publication in library repository.¹

Students should be in regular contact with their academic advisor and refer to the Ed.D. Student Handbook for guidance regarding the dissertation's specific policies and procedures. The handbook and all required forms can be found on MySUNYEmpire under the Graduate Student Center link.

¹

Graduation clearance also involves verification that the dissertation was submitted to and approved for publication in UMI/ProQuest.

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Effectively communicate in oral and written form to a variety of stakeholders (e.g. students, employees, accreditors, and scholars) in both professional and scholarly settings;
• Apply research and data analysis to make leadership decisions that guide an institution of higher education through the process of innovation and change;
• Translate theories and principles of higher education leadership, change management, and innovation to practice as a scholar-practitioner to make leadership decisions that guide an institution of higher education through the process of innovation and change;
• Overcome barriers to the implementation of strategic change in higher education institutions;
• Make ethical leadership and management decisions to complex problems, in ambiguous situations, with multiple stakeholders; and
• Lead an institution of higher education to become more socially just through policies and strategies.

Ed.D. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should the prerequisite courses be completed before I apply to the program?

A holistic review of your application will be performed to determine admission to the program, including a transcript review to identify if prerequisite coursework has been completed. Your application may be accepted with the requirement that any missing prerequisites be met through completion of applicable graduate level coursework. In these cases, prerequisite coursework must be completed during the first year of the program.

2. I have extensive experience in higher education, but my master’s is in another area/discipline, would I still be a good candidate for this program?

Yes, you are. A holistic review of your application will be carried out to determine which prerequisite coursework you will need to complete upon your admission in the program. As mentioned above, you will be required to complete pre-requisite coursework within the first year of the program. We offer prerequisite courses each summer term.

3. Does the program require an entrance exam?  Is there a minimum score required?

No. Exam scores (GRE or Miller Analogies) are not required.

4. I am looking to transition to a career in higher education.  Would this be a good program for me?

Yes, because the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Change (ELC) is designed to prepare mid-career practicing higher education professionals to hold leadership positions in higher education, where graduates serve as change agents.

5. What can I do with this degree?

An Ed.D. in higher education can be applied to a variety of industries, including higher education institutions, in positions of administration overseeing areas such as faculty research, academic affairs, finance, admissions, or student affairs.

6. Can I become a P-12 principal with this degree?

No. This degree is for those who are working in higher education and is not appropriate for those desiring a leadership position in a P-12 educational setting.

7. Is this program 100% online?

The courses are delivered online. However, we host four residencies during the program.  Students and faculty meet for workshops/presentations relevant to the stage of study, including faculty-led seminars, guest speakers, and individual time with faculty to the dissertation process.  The first residency is held virtually and takes place in early September. The next three residencies take place in May/June at the end of years one, two, and three and are held in Saratoga Springs.

8. Does this program cater to working individuals?

Yes. The program is designed for practitioners pursuing higher education leadership roles. It is a professional doctorate best suited for experienced and mid to senior working educators and professionals who want to lead and implement change in their higher education organizations.  Due to its practical nature as a program, Ed.D. students are not only expected to research their areas of interest, but to also leverage that research in ways that could positively impact the decision-making process in their organization.

9. How long will it take to complete this Ed.D.?

The Ed.D. is designed to be completed in four years.

10. Can I transfer credits into the program?

Yes. Admitted students have the opportunity to transfer a maximum of 6 credits. They must be 7000+ level, no more than 6 years old at the time of admission, have been earned with a minimum grade of “B”, and relevant to the degree program.

11. What are the dissertation requirements?

The dissertation should be an applied study in this program. It requires the implementation process of an intervention or an action plan after conducting an extensive study of the topic using appropriate research designs. It is an exercise whereby you can demonstrate your ability to frame change as a leader and implement it using data to drive your efforts. One option is to pursue a three article dissertation, which allows for slightly different approaches to an umbrella research question.

12. Is financial aid available for this program?  Do you offer grants, scholarships/fellowships, or assistantships?

Financial aid is accepted for this program. If you are an employee, student or member of a partner organization you may qualify for some additional benefits. We are not able to offer Teaching Assistantships at this time but are pursuing funding for Research Assistantships calling for about 5 hours/week of work.

13. What are the admissions requirements?

• A Master’s Degree is required. Additionally, at minimum, applicants should complete coursework in content areas recommended by the Council for the Advancement of Higher Education Programs (CAHEP) for master’s degrees in higher education administration; please note that these courses may be completed before the program begins (they are offered at Empire during the summer term) or within one calendar year of program entry: History and Philosophy of Higher Education and Economics and/or Finance of Higher Education. Additional requirements include:
• A GPA of 3.0 or above at the Master’s level; letters of recommendation; writing samples describing goals for the program and intended dissertation; and interview with faculty representatives of the program

14. What are some examples of completed or in-progress dissertation titles?

• Financial literacy among former foster youth enrolled in higher education in NY
• What is the association between burnout and productivity among faculty members at research-intensive institutions?
• Supporting indigenous students' success: the SUNY system
• A qualitative analysis of culturally-based fraternities and sororities on student experiences and outcomes in higher education
• Transforming Teacher Education for Social Justice
• Workplace learning among graduate students: Website content analysis of four-year institutions
• Experiences of Women Serving in U.S. College or University Presidencies for 5+ Years
• Creating Industry-Driven Clean Energy Worker Training and Apprenticeships
• Campus medical center training of future health-care providers: Qualitative inquiry around a proposed programmatic intervention
• Community colleges and post-COVID strategic enrollment in NY state: responding to a staff survey and student focus groups
• Families and College Decision-Making: Examining family involvement in the college decision-making process for Latino students in NY
• A Phenomenological Study on the Impact of Anti-DEI Legislation to Higher Education Institutions in Midwestern and Southeastern States through the Perspective of DEI Personnel
• Academic supports for community college student athletes

15. Whom should I contact for more information?

Please contact program coordinator Dr. Lisa Unangst at lisa.unangst@sunyempire.edu!