Doctor of Education

In addition, the following prerequisites apply to EdD applicants. All applicants must:

• give evidence of growth and competence in educational ministerial skills and leadership;
• have an academic record that demonstrates superior ability and shows promise of success in doctoral studies (3.0 or above is desired);
• provide a GRE or MAT test score; and
• hold a DTS Master of Arts in Christian Education (MACE) or its equivalent, or an MA in Education or a related degree from an accredited institution plus leveling courses as necessary to provide DTS MACE equivalence.

Specific prerequisites apply to EdD applicants depending on the applicant’s prior master’s-level preparation. Applicants with a theological master’s degree (MACE or its equivalent) are eligible to enroll in the 48-hour EdD program with little to no leveling work required. Applicants with a non-theological master’s degree in education or a related field are eligible to enroll in the EdD program after completing the appropriate leveling work. The final determination of an applicant’s eligibility to enter the EdD program is at the discretion of the Doctor of Education office. Applicants who lack the necessary educational background in education may enroll in the DTS MACE program, which serves as the prerequisite for the EdD.

Courses needed to meet the DTS MACE equivalence requirements must cover the breadth and scope of DTS’s curriculum and commitment to Scripture as prescribed by the EdD office. Courses required for MACE equivalence may be earned at DTS (including its extension sites) or other accredited institutions. For more information on MACE equivalence, please contact the EdD office.

Applicants must supply the requisite written admission materials and must have a personal or remote interview with members of the faculty. Prospective EdD students may apply for admission at any time. The normal deadline for applications for admission in the fall is March 15, but applications will be considered on a continual basis and individuals may be admitted as space allows. Further details on admission requirements and procedures are available from the Admissions office.

The EdD program requires 48 credit hours, 39 of which are coursework (including 36 hours of prescribed and elective courses), 3 hours of Research Development Capstone and comprehensive exams, and 9 hours of dissertation work on a research topic selected by the student. The program typically requires at least 3 years of study.

The EdD operates within the standard fall-spring-summer academic calendar. All work leading to the Doctor of Education degree must be completed in no less than three and no more than six years from the time of matriculation. A minimum grade of B- must be received in every course credited toward graduation, on the comprehensive exams, and on the dissertation. Additional information on EdD policies and procedures is provided in the Doctor of Education Handbook.

Transfer of up to 10 hours of doctoral-level credit may be applied toward the EdD degree if those hours constitute equivalent work. Normally only courses taken after receiving an MA, MDiv, ThM, STM, or equivalent degree can be credited toward the EdD degree. Requests for transfer of credit should be sent to the director of EdD studies. Plans to take other courses for transfer credit must be approved by the EdD committee prior to taking the course.

Students may be admitted to candidacy for the EdD degree by action of the faculty only after these requirements have been met: (1) completion of all residency requirements leading to the degree; (2) the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework; (3) evidence of proven Christian character; (4) effectiveness in Christian ministry; and (5) adherence to the following doctrines: the authority and inerrancy of Scripture, the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of Christ, the spiritual lostness of the human race, the substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection of Christ, salvation by faith alone in Christ alone, and the physical return of Christ.

Students applying to candidacy for the EdD degree must also provide a written letter of reference from the local church or organization where the student is serving, endorsing the student’s ministry / work.

Students must be admitted to candidacy, successfully submit an accepted prospectus and successfully complete their comprehensive exams before they can register for ED7103 Dissertation.

Transfer of up to 10 hours of doctoral-level credit may be applied toward the EdD degree if those hours constitute equivalent work. Normally only courses taken after receiving an MA, MDiv, ThM, STM, or equivalent degree can be credited toward the EdD degree. Requests for transfer of credit should be sent to the director of EdD studies. Plans to take other courses for transfer credit must be approved by the EdD committee prior to taking the course.

Transfer of up to 10 hours of doctoral-level credit may be applied toward the EdD degree if those hours constitute equivalent work. Normally only courses taken after receiving an MA, MDiv, ThM, STM, or equivalent degree can be credited toward the EdD degree. Requests for transfer of credit should be sent to the director of EdD studies. Plans to take other courses for transfer credit must be approved by the EdD committee prior to taking the course.

Transfer of up to 10 hours of doctoral-level credit may be applied toward the EdD degree if those hours constitute equivalent work. Normally only courses taken after receiving an MA, MDiv, ThM, STM, or equivalent degree can be credited toward the EdD degree. Requests for transfer of credit should be sent to the director of EdD studies. Plans to take other courses for transfer credit must be approved by the EdD committee prior to taking the course.

Details on the procedures and deadlines for proposal and for first and final drafts of the research project are available in the Doctor of Education office and in the EdD Handbook.

Transfer of up to 10 hours of doctoral-level credit may be applied toward the EdD degree if those hours constitute equivalent work. Normally only courses taken after receiving an MA, MDiv, ThM, STM, or equivalent degree can be credited toward the EdD degree. Requests for transfer of credit should be sent to the director of EdD studies. Plans to take other courses for transfer credit must be approved by the EdD committee prior to taking the course.