The Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction at the University of West Florida is designed to meet the educational needs of regional place-bound, full-time employed professionals who will be selected from a wide range of educational backgrounds. These backgrounds include, but are not limited to, public school personnel, community college and university personnel, social and health related personnel, and military personnel. The Ed.D. program will prepare professionals in the community to assume administrative and leadership positions and to conduct and evaluate applied research studies that emphasize local, regional, and state educational issues and problems. To accomplish this task the research and course work will be substantive and focused. Rigor of the program will be maintained by recruitment and admissions policies and procedures, closely monitored curriculum development, and benchmarks of progress such as written and oral exams and successful completion of a dissertation.

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAMS
The College of Education offers a Doctor of Education in curriculum and instruction with specializations in alternative/special education, educational management, elementary education, mathematics/statistics, and social science. The criteria listed below are the minimum Ed.D. program requirements. Each specialization area may have additional requirements. Contact should be made with the specialization areas to determine if additional requirements exist.

Admission
Applicants to the Doctor of Education program are required to:

1. have a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
2. have an official GRE score;
3. have met two of the following:
   1. a total quantitative and verbal GRE general test score of 1000 or higher,
   2. a master's degree GPA of at least 3.5,
   3. A GPA of at least 3.0 on the last 60 semester hours of the bachelor's degree;
4. submit three letters of recommendation from persons in a position to comment about the applicant's academic capability and leadership potential;
5. submit a one-page written goal statement to be reviewed by the faculty in the selected specialization area;
6. attend an orientation session.

Degree Requirements
To be eligible for a Doctor of Education degree in curriculum and instruction, a student must:

1. be admitted to the program;
2. submit an approved degree plan;
3. complete 62-66 graduate semester hours beyond the master's degree which include a professional core (26-27 semester hours), a specialization (18-21 semester hours), and a dissertation (18 semester hours minimum);
4. complete degree requirements from seven years of admission;
5. successfully pass a written and oral preliminary examination and be advanced to candidacy;
6. successfully complete and orally defend a dissertation;
7. be recommended for graduation by the doctoral committee, departmental chairperson, and the College of Education graduate office.

Professional Core Requirements (26-27 sh)
EDF 7191, EDF 7685, EDF 6475, EDF 7407, EDG 7346, EDA 7990 (Critical Issues), EDG 6344, and an advanced technology course.
Electives (3 sh)
To be individually planned with advisor.
Specialization Area Requirements (18-21 sh)
Alternative/Special Education, Elementary Education, Mathematics/Statistics, Social Science
Students will select 18 semester hours from courses listed within each specialization area. The specific courses will be individually planned with advisor.
Educational Management
EDA 7217, EDG 7270, MAN 6156 or SOP 6669, MAN 6285 or SOP 6668 or EDG 7326
Option 1: School Leadership
EDA 7423, EDA 7331, and EDA 7931
Option 2: General Leadership
Students will select 9 semester hours from courses listed within each specialization area. Specific courses will be individually planned with advisor.