Program Overview
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership degree program at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU), a Member of the Texas A&M University (TAMU) System, is an online degree program emphasizing leadership in rural education at primary, secondary, post-secondary, and professional levels. The program operates on a cohort model, admitting one student cohort each calendar year. Students may select to pursue one of three pathways of study in the program that will advance their personal and professional goals. The pathways of study include EC-12 Educational Leadership in which the student may earn the Texas Superintendent Certificate, Higher Education Leadership, and Educational Business and Finance Leadership. The curriculum for each pathway requires the completion of 60 semester credit hours (SCHs) of coursework, inclusive of 48 SCHs of content-related coursework and 12 SCHs dedicated to writing and research. Options for specialized, advanced credentials are offered for those who elect to pursue them.
A scholarly delivery requirement replaces a traditional dissertation. The scholarly delivery is comprised of a qualifying examination and the production of one written scholarly deliverable that is a publishable empirical research study in the field of educational leadership or a related field. The scholarly deliverable is the outcome of the doctoral student’s empirical research conducted under the direction of a doctoral scholarly delivery committee.
The program requires participation in an annual, on-campus immersion experience that provides collaborative, practical work application focused upon problems of practice and opportunities for innovative design. The immersion experience broadens the educational and cultural perspectives of doctoral students through extensive interactions among faculty members, students, professionals, and cohorts. The Ed.D. program degree requirements, inclusive of coursework and scholarly delivery, can be completed in three (3) years.
Meet Our First Cohort
The first cohort of WT's Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership graduated on December 11, 2021. Five of the graduates shared their inspiring stories and experiences in the program with us.
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I See Me at WT Special Feature
Did you know that only 0.02% of doctorate degrees are held by Latin women? These four ladies from WT's Doctorate of Education program decided to make their dreams a reality and to improve that statistic. Together, they became "Las Chicas", and are inspiring others from minority groups to pursue their dreams.
