Doctor of Education in Educational Administration

Qualifying Course Descriptions

EDU 602 PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION
4 Semester Units

This course provides an overview of the dominant philosophical perspectives which have framed the evolution of education, from the time of Plato, to the present day.  The major philosophers throughout history have included the nature and purpose of education in their writings.  This course illustrates the historical, social, cultural, and educational contexts of the most prominent of those writings, and discusses their implications for the evolution of education over the last 2,500 years.

EDU 610 LEARNING THEORY
4 Semester Units

This course examines theories of learning and the functions of the human brain which have evolved over the past century.  Information processing, memory, conditioning, motivation, developmental characteristics, transfer, problem-solving, social aspects of learning, and classroom applications are covered in a comprehensive overview.

EDU 614 HISTORY OF EDUCATION
4 Semester Units

This course provides an overview of the history of American education, including the most important persons, dates, events, and movements that shaped the nation’s system of education. Students are introduced to historical research through engaging historical studies. The basic concepts and theories that underlie current educational practice are presented in comprehensive form. Also included is treatment of new educational delivery systems such as distance learning, online resources, computer based research and emerging educational technologies as well as international and global influences and trends in education.

Core Course Description

EDU 618 ANALYSIS OF CURRENT ISSUES IN EDUCATION
4 Semester Units

This course provides the student with an opportunity to examine controversial topics in education such as finance, zero tolerance school discipline, and school reform. Emphasis is placed on uncovering the underlying the social and ideological philosophies that lie below the surface of each issue.

EDU 621 ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP
4 Semester Units

This course relates the study of organizational behavior and how it impacts educational leadership and how leaders can embrace the challenge of effective school reform. The course encompasses the paradigms of the evolution of educational thought, organizational theory, human capital and decision-making that educational leaders face in a hypercompetitive global educational environment.

EDU 591 PUBLIC POLICY
3 Semester Units

This course reviews educational policy from a micro and macro perspective.  It reviews the general concepts of public policy, and looks at the socioeconomic context of the school, as it relates to economics, demographics, politics, culture and values.  It also analyzes the policy process, the key players, and the typical issues involved, as well as a historical perspective to aid in understanding the current education reform climate.

EDU 592 LEGAL ASPECTS OF EDUCATION
3 Semester Units

This comprehensive course explores the legal aspects of education. It emphasizes a variety of school law issues faced by school administrators today and expands on the legal implications of recognizing diversity in a multi-cultural society. Emphasis is placed on areas of school law that are most likely to be used by school administrators.

EDU 652 EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
4 Semester Units

A required course completed by all Doctoral students to prepare them for the development and writing of a Proposal and Dissertation. The course presents a balanced presentation of quantitative and qualitative research. It examines the fundamental issues of research so that students learn how to begin to conduct research as well as to read and evaluate research studies. By using the concepts and research techniques presented in this course, students and faculty will work together to develop the student’s knowledge of the Dissertation process.

Specialization Course Description

EDU 627 MANAGING HUMAN RESOURCES
4 Semester Units

This course involves the management of people in organizations. The human resource function, information systems and enrollment projections will be explored. Strategic planning and recruitment and retention will enable educational leaders to plan the day-to-day utilization of people as organizational resources to achieve optimal productivity, satisfaction and continuous improvement. Performance appraisal will be reviewed in lieu of compensation and the employee review process. Continuity of employment considerations pertaining to enhancing the employment life of individuals as employees will be addressed along with employee development and unionism.

EDU 630 EDUCATIONAL FINANCE
4 Semester Units

Educational Finance is concerned with the process of understanding that resources, social progress, technological advancement and wealth are created through a sound and continuously improving educational system.  Such a system itself depends upon many kinds of inputs, one of the most important of which is adequate funding.  This course examines the sources of educational funding, and the issues surrounding how that funding is acquired, administered, and dispersed, by the federal government, states, communities and local school districts.

EDU 645 ADVANCED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
4 Semester Units

This course provides a comprehensive analysis of the process of curriculum development. It begins with an examination of the theoretical dimensions of curriculum development, looks at the roles of various personnel who have primary responsibility for developing curriculum, and describes a number of models of curriculum development. The process of curriculum development is examined beginning with stating the philosophical beliefs and broad aims of education, specifying curriculum and instructional goals and objectives, implementing curriculum and instruction, and evaluating curriculum and instruction.

EDU 647 EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
4 Semester Units

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the accountability movement, its dimensions and its implications.  It is designed to facilitate leadership in the promotion of educational accountability and in the development of further research and scholarship in the accountability movement.

Comprehensive Examination Description

EDU 687 COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
2 Semester Units

Candidates will complete a written Comprehensive Examination.  This final requirement will be in the form of an essay examination, based upon major areas of education.  Students are asked to integrate course information, professional experience and outside source materials into a comprehensive framework, reflecting their accumulated knowledge in the field of education.

Research and Dissertation Phase Description

GRM 712 PROPOSAL

This course focuses on the preparation of research. This includes conceptual tools, techniques for conducting scientific research, evaluation of the value of research proposals and planning and executing research projects. The student will learn how to organize knowledge within his/her field for presentation in a standardized, scholarly fashion. This course requires that the student present an acceptable proposal for review and analysis in lieu of a final course examination.

GRM 715 DISSERTATION AND ORAL DEFENSE
12 Semester Units

The Proposal (GRM 712) must be successfully completed and approved before a student is permitted to begin work on this course. The candidate will develop and compile an original work, demonstrating ability to add to the body of knowledge in his or her field for presentation to and acceptance by the University. After the student’s Dissertation is approved and bound, the candidate is responsible for appearing before their Dissertation Committee in person for the purpose of orally responding to committee member questions as they pertain to the candidate’s Dissertation.