Degree Requirements
The Doctor of Education program is designed to be completed in three years. The curriculum for the first two years requires 48 credit hours. Of these 48 hours, 42 are in the classroom, while the remaining 6 credit hours will focus on mentorship and guided research. The third year requires 12 credit hours of dissertation work.
Following a modified-residency format and operating on a quarter-system, students come to on-campus seminars four times per year: spring (March), summer (June), fall (October), and winter (December). The modified-residency format allows students to earn an EdD while living anywhere in the U.S.
Seminars
Students in the EdD in Christian Education track will complete 36 hours of education seminars (including Advanced Statistics) plus an additional 12 hours of mentorship and specialized study (see below) for a total of 48 credit hours. Students in the EdD in Christian Counseling track will complete 18 hours of counseling seminars plus an additional 30 hours of education seminars (including Advanced Statistics) for a total of 48 credit hours.
Advanced Statistics
Graduate studies in empirical research methodologies, statistical analysis, and computer applications serve as substitutes for foreign language studies in the Doctor of Education program. Actual foreign language studies are not ordinarily required unless mandated by the dissertation research topic.
Specialized Studies Courses (Christian Education track)
Students complete 6 hours of course work related to their area of academic interest. Students who take courses at institutions other than SEBTS will pay fees and tuition charges prescribed by the host institution. If the student is simultaneously taking courses for credit at SEBTS, the student also will pay the seminary registration fees.
The student is responsible for requesting that an official transcript of coursework taken at other institutions be sent to the Registrar’s office at SEBTS. No student will be cleared to take Comprehensive Examinations until the official transcript(s) have been received and evaluated by the Doctor of Education Committee at SEBTS.
Mentorship
The EdD program includes a mentorship; that is, a focused series of interactive academic meetings including personal tutoring in the field by the student’s major professor. As this process takes place, the professor interacts with the student to provide academic direction and advice as the student develops increasing depth and skill in the area of research interest. Preparation of the dissertation normally begins during the mentorship stage of the student’s program. The mentorship and guided research will help the student specify the title, the proposed method, content of research, and demonstrate that the resources necessary to successfully complete the dissertation are available to the student.
Comprehensive Examinations
Comprehensive exams will consist of eight hours of written examinations following the completion of all course work and prior to advancing to candidacy.
Dissertation
Production of a dissertation that makes an original contribution to the student’s academic field is the final stage in the EdD Program.
In order to graduate with a Doctor of Education, the student must complete 60 hours of study.
