1. Why Should I Pursue an EdD Rather than a PhD?
As a leader in the field of education, your EdD coursework will allow you to develop both the knowledge and the skills to transform theory into practice. Scholar-practitioners who earn an EdD are prepared to use systems thinking to address significant issues ranging from teaching and learning to administration, finance and leadership. These practitioners know how to collect and analyze data, consume relevant reference material, conduct learning sessions, and create positive learning communities.
2. What Makes the Regis EdD a good fit for me?
EdD students at Regis receive the individual support and guidance that they need to find their own paths toward earning a doctorate. Students are challenged to stretch academically while being supported by a small cohort model of peers. Students are encouraged to bring their experiences into the classroom where outstanding faculty - using strategic andragogy (Knowles, 2011) - will guide and encourage intellectual growth, ethical leadership skills, and a scholar-practitioner perspective on resolving organizational issues.
The Regis doctor of education program utilizes the Carnegie Project on the EdD (CPED) format that is based on creating a small, innovative, and supportive learning cohort as our model. The CPED community is working towards creating an EdD that uses action research to improve an area of practice. Our students will consider authentic problems of practice and design, implement possible solutions, and report findings so that others may benefit from their experiences.
Additionally, like all graduate programs at Regis, the EdD takes into account that students are busy adults, often working full time with many outside commitments. For this reason, the program offers courses in a hybrid model with classes that meet one Saturday per month with online work between class meetings during the academic year. Summer courses are also offered in a hybrid model.
3. Why a Dissertation in Practice?
Unlike the traditional dissertation, at Regis College you will complete a dissertation in practice project that allows you to take an in-depth look at a critical issue in higher education and share your work with the higher education community. This project is designed for you to create new research regarding higher education leadership that will be put into practice immediately and influence positive change in higher education.
The Dissertation in Practice Includes
- Problem identification and literature review
- Methods and data collection
- Reporting conclusions
As a student, you will enroll in courses that provide continuous support and guidance on the development of your dissertation in practice. Through the coursework, you will have full support from the program faculty and classmates. During the project, you will also be provided a primary advisor and dissertation in practice committee to ensure your project is as effective as possible in leading change.
