Dr. John R. McConnell III
Professor and Chair, Department of Educational Specialties
Location: Claxton Building, Room 304A
Phone: (931) 221-7757
Email: mcconnellj@apsu.edu
Dr. Sherri Prosser
Assistant Professor
Doctoral and Graduate Coordinator
Location: Claxton Building, Room 319
Phone: (931) 221-7516
Email: prossers@apsu.edu
The doctoral program in Educational Leadership is designed for professionals working in schools or other institutional settings. Program faculty are committed to the creation and study of environments that promote lifelong learning for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The program is designed for working professionals attending the university part-time to complete the program in three years. Students can choose from concentrations in (a) K–12 Leadership, (b) Higher Education Administration, and (c) Nurse Educator. Students in the K–12 Leadership concentration have the option of completing three additional courses to be eligible for TN instructional leader licensure.
The program requires 60 credit hours, a comprehensive examination and a dissertation. There are 39 hours of core courses, 9 hours of approved concentration area courses, and a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation research. Students typically take two courses each spring and fall and three courses each summer. Specific graduation requirements are provided below. Courses are conducted asynchronously online or in hybrid format; hybrid courses are offered on weekdays at or after 4:30pm. Students may attend on-campus class sessions remotely via web conferencing software.
The doctoral program in Educational Leadership aims to enhance the knowledge and competencies of leaders so they may provide optimal conditions for the education of youth and adult learners. The program is designed to enhance intellectual understanding of leadership theory and policy, deepen leadership capacity, and position students for elevated organizational responsibility. The objectives of the program are to prepare leaders who (a) are inquiring, reflective practitioners; (b) are competent in identifying and solving complex problems; (c) understand the multitude of leadership and organizational theories and techniques related to their professional settings; (d) value, encourage, and facilitate the professional development of self and others in their organization; (e) value, understand, and support diversity in their organizations; (f) make contributions to the profession; and (g) make data-driven decisions.
Austin Peay State University is a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate, which is the knowledge forum on the EdD. It has a membership of over 100 schools of education in the United States and Canada that working collaboratively to improve professional preparation in education at the highest level.
This program is intended to prepare practicing educational professionals to draw on educational theory and research, and the expertise of colleagues and faculty, to address the pressing problems of practice facing educational leaders today. Those with an EdD may work in a variety of higher education institutions, K–12 district- and school-level settings, private schools, healthcare settings, non-profit organizations, businesses, and government. This program is not intended to prepare educators for tenure-track faculty positions in research-intensive universities.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the College of Graduate Studies requirements of an application fee and all official transcripts, the Educational Leadership Doctor of Education program requires:
- A master’s degree from an accredited institution;
- A minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.00;
- Resume or curriculum vitae;
- Statement of Purpose Essay: Using APA format, describe your reasons for pursuing this degree, current role, and long-term career goals. Additionally, please include how your research, work, and life experiences have prepared you for this doctoral program. Include citations and references (not to exceed 500 words);
- Problem of Practice Essay: Using APA format, describe the specific problem of practice you are interested in investigating during your doctoral study. Discuss the potential underlying causes for, or contributing factors related to, this problem and one or two strategies for change that might result in more equitable outcomes for the students or adults in your context. Include citations and references (not to exceed 750 words);
- Scholarly Writing Sample: Provide an example of your academic writing, with citations and references (e.g., scholarly publication, paper from a graduate course);
- Two (2) letters of recommendation:
- One letter from your graduate professor who can speak to your competency to conduct rigorous scholarly work,
- One letter from a school or organization official who can attest to your qualifications to pursue a doctorate and the impact you have had within your professional context; and
- An interview via videoconferencing software with the doctoral admissions committee.
Applicants who are seeking TN instructional leader licensure must submit additional components, which can be found on the MAEd in Educational Leadership Studies page.
Some University Programs have additional requirements and information included in the Program Handbook. Program Handbooks, which are incorporated into herein by reference, are available by selecting the following link: Doctor of Education.