D
O C T O R O F
E
D U C A T I O N
Overview
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program is designed to meet professional development needs as a Christian
educational leader. Birthed from Columbia International University’s long-standing commitment to Christian
school and Christian higher education, the Ed.D. program aims to develop educators to lead, model, think,
communicate, and research with biblical excellence. They will grow in ability to enhance God’s Kingdom work in
Christian educational institutions and to represent Christian education perspectives in the broader society.
Students are admitted in cohort groups during the summer. Courses are provided online and in summer intensives.
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D) graduates complete a concentration in Christian Higher Education Leadership,
Christian School Leadership, or Curricular and Instructional Leadership.
Purpose
The Ed.D. strives to produce leaders who have a biblical perspective and mentor educational communities while
addressing needs through education.
Objectives
Students will demonstrate learning in specified areas of educational leadership. The program specifies 17
competencies which students must satisfactorily demonstrate for completion of degree requirements. Six
competencies are addressed in a summative portfolio of student assignments and projects, nine are addressed in
the qualifying exam taken near the conclusion of coursework, and two are addressed through the doctoral
dissertation.
The competencies are supported by program courses. All candidates must demonstrate satisfactory competence in
all required outcomes; no competencies will be waived. Students who do not take a specified program course or
elective which is associated with a specified competency must still prepare to demonstrate that outcome through
the portfolio or qualifying exam.
Candidates will understand:
•
Biblical perspectives, foundational theories, research findings, cultural/sociological dynamics, and
alternative models for educating diverse learners in contemporary Christian educational institutions. They
will also analyze, synthesize, and evaluate these elements so as to enhance Christian education.
•
Biblical perspectives, theoretical approaches, research findings, and alternative models of effective
leadership and functioning of organizations, groups and individuals within organizations. They will also
analyze, synthesize, and evaluate these elements so as to enhance their understanding of quality Christian
education leadership.
•
The components and process of quantitative and qualitative research which produce new theory,
knowledge of effective practices, and solutions to educational questions and problems within an
educational institution.
Admission Criteria
A graduate faculty admissions panel reviews applicants, which includes an interview in person (or by phone) and
recommends acceptance according to their satisfaction of the following criteria:
•
Master’s degree is from an accredited institution and provides a relevant foundation for doctoral studies in
educational leadership. An education or education-related field is the strongly preferred focus of the
master’s degree.
•
Performance in graduate coursework indicates an ability to be successful in doctoral-level studies
•
Speaks and writes the English language effectively as evidenced in a writing sample that demonstrates the
ability to do doctoral research and writing
•
Christian maturity appropriate for leadership
•
Administrative or teaching experience (K-12
th
grade, higher education) and other evidence indicating that
the doctoral degree will enable the applicant to enhance his or her leadership role and contribution to the
cause of Christian education
OLUMBIA NTERNATIONAL NIVERSITY
OLLEGE OF DUCATION