
The Doctor of Education degree program is designed to prepare Christian educators who are currently in or planning to pursue leadership roles in K–12 or higher education institutions.
The Doctor of Education program is designed to produce scholar-practitioners who can make a meaningful impact in formal educational settings. The structure of the EdD allows students to remain in their current place of employment or ministry without relocating to Dallas. Each course assumes educational experience, and faculty endeavor to integrate learning with the student's present context and future goals.
requirements
The EdD requires the DTS MACE or an MA in Education with 36 hours of leveling work.
Admission Requirements and Process
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.
Course Requirements
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 Credit
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.
Admission to Candidacy
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.
Dissertation Requirements
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.
Graduation Requirements
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.
The Curriculum
Core Requirements
- ED7100 Orientation
- ED7105 History & Philosophy of Formal Education
- ED7110 Faith Integration
- ED7115 Learning Theory
- ED7120 Administration & Leadership in Formal Education
- ED7125 Legal Issues in Formal Education
Research Courses
- ED7210 Educational Statistics
- ED7220 Quantitative Research
- ED7230 Qualitative Research
- ED7240 Research Development
- ED7250 Dissertation
Electives
- ED7310 The Adult Learner
- ED7320 Writing for Academic Publication
- ED7330 Selected Topics of Education Issues in Today’s World
- ED7340 Teaching in Formal Christian Education
- ED7345 Teaching Practicum
- ED7360 Thinking Theologically in Formal Education
Program Details
Program Goals
The students in the EdD program will be able to:
- manifest a maturing and Spirit-filled character;
- integrate a biblical and theological framework with educational theories and practices related to academic leadership, teaching, and student development;
- demonstrate competent leadership skills in personal and organizational team development and administrative practices with an awareness of the internal and external influences on the given educational setting;
- exhibit biblically and theologically sound research in the social sciences that provides contextualized solutions leading to improved educational practices and results;
- demonstrate competent writing skills suitable for academic publication or communication with stakeholders in their given academic setting; and
- establish a plan for ongoing personal, spiritual, and professional development.
EdD FAQS
What is the difference between a PhD and an EdD?
The PhD usually prepares scholar teachers who contribute to education through research and teaching in the classroom. The EdD prepares educational leaders to fill administrative leadership roles in K-12 and higher education as well as teach on a limited scale in the classroom.
Do I have to live in Dallas to attend classes?
No, you can attend classes remotely online if you live outside the DFW area. We love having students in the classroom with us, but we realize not everyone can pick up and move to Dallas to get their doctorate. Therefore, classes are structured such that students that are in the area may attend class in person while people who are across the country may attend in real time online.
I work during the day at school, when are classes scheduled?
The EdD classes at DTS have been created with working adults in mind. Classes are normally once a week in the evenings. Some are scheduled in a Friday night and all-day Saturday hybrid fashion a few times a semester where work is also assigned in-between class meetings. Either way, you can remain in your current ministry/work position and pursue your doctorate.
What are courses like?
Our courses run during the normal fall-spring-summer academic calendar. Students prepare for class by reading assigned books/articles and completing practical assignments. Whereas undergraduate and graduate school is often mostly lecture, our EdD courses are primarily seminars. There is some lecture while the professor introduces a topic or a student makes a presentation, but then we launch into discussion and problem-solving exercises where real-world educational issues are wrestled with. Students are expected to engage in this conversation because everyone brings their experience to class. We learn best when we learn with and from each other.
What degree and requirements do I need in order to start my EdD?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Hold the DTS MACE (or its equivalent), the MDiv, ThM or other theological master’s degrees plus leveling courses as necessary to provide DTS MACE equivalence. Applicants may also hold a Master of Education (MEd) degree plus leveling courses as necessary to provide DTS MACE equivalence.
- Usually have at least three years of educational experience and show evidence of growth and competence in educational skills and leadership.
- Have an academic record that demonstrates superior ability and shows promise of success in doctoral studies.
- Test results from either the GRE or MAT.
- Be able to affirm agreement with the doctrine statement.

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