College of Education

FAQ for Doctor of Education Programs

Are information sessions offered?

Information sessions are held periodically at each site. Please review the dates and times located on the Information Sessions web page.

What if I am not sure which concentration I should apply?

Doctoral students are assigned to a full time faculty member to help guide the student thru the first few courses and any questions about which concentration to take.

  • Educational Concentration - The doctoral program facilitates the professional development of teachers, specialists, administrators, and other personnel committed to the concept that those responsible for the nation's educational agenda must be innovative leaders.
  • Organizational Concentration - The doctoral program concentration in Organizational Leadership is designed for professional development of specialists, administrators, corporate trainers, higher education faculty and administrators, and other personnel who desire to become innovative leaders.
  • Higher Education Concentration - The doctoral program concentration in Higher Education Leadership is designed for professional development of higher education faculty and administrators, and other personnel who desire to pursue careers in Higher Education. The Higher Education Leadership program prepares students to translate research into effective systems of supervision and leadership. It features a core of studies, a field component, and a dissertation project. This program of studies meets the needs of educators in all post-secondary settings.

What is the application process?

Doctoral students are accepted each Fall (September) as a cohort. Completed applications packets are reviewed in January thru May to determine qualifications for a possible interview. Not all applications are accepted for an interview.

Applications are reviewed by at least two full time faculty members on a five point scale on each of the following components:

  • Undergraduate and graduate work history
  • Employment history
  • Strength of recommendations
  • ETS criterion writing evaluation

Top applicants based on two independent scorings by the EDD faculty will be invited for an interview. Applicants are then rated on a five point scale by two faculty members at the three hour session on each of the following:

  • Interview (approximately 30 to 40 minutes) with EDD faculty members
  • Task Scenario (one hour) observed and rated by EDD faculty members

Points for both phases are tabulated and students are ranked in descending order with the top applicants accepted at each of the three sites. Students are offered admission, respond affirmatively to the offer, and then matriculate during a full-day orientation session in August.

For more information on admission process please click here.

What is a cohort?

A cohort is a group of students taking the same sequenced courses together.

How many applications are considered each year?

Approximately 170 to 200 applications are reviewed each year. Approximately 75 to 90 students are admitted as a cohort each Fall for sites at Dover, Graduate Center & Georgetown.

Am I required to take placement exams?

An ETS Criterion writing evaluation link will be emailed to you once your application packet is received by the Graduate Admission Office.

What if I am an international student?

Please visit http://www.wilmu.edu/admission/international/graduate.aspx

How many courses do I need to take?

Students must complete 19 sequenced courses, 3 credits per course, totaling 57 credits (3 years & 1 block, a Wilmington University block is 7 weeks) and the dissertation or position paper. If the dissertation is not completed by the end of the second block of the 3rd year students must begin to register for EDD9004 for half the current tuition to meet with advisor to complete the dissertation. Most students finish within a 3 year to 4 ½ year time frame. Students are allowed, with approval, up to seven years to complete the program.

How many days do classes meet, what times?

  • Georgetown students odd # cohort on Wednesdays, even #cohort on Mondays
  • Graduate Center students odd # cohort on Mondays, even # cohort on Wednesdays
  • Higher Education Leadership cohorts meet on Fridays
  • Dover students odd # cohort on Tuesdays, even # cohort on Thursdays

Classes are held 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Is financial help available?

Please visit Financial Aid or call (302) 356-6955.

Can I transfer in any credits?

Once you are accepted into the program you can send to the Director a transcript and course description of courses you have taken beyond the Masters degree. These will be reviewed to determine if any course qualify for transfer.

Does completion of the Doctoral Studies program mean I am automatically certified to become Principal or Superintendent in my State?

All persons successfully completing the program will meet the Delaware State Department of Education academic requirements to be eligible for certification as a school superintendent. Assuming all other requirements (Please review these requirements on the DOE Web Site) specified by the State of Delaware are met, a person completing the program may also be eligible for certification as an elementary school principal or a secondary school principal in Delaware. However, candidates must also meet the Delaware State Department of Education experience and competency testing requirements in order to be certified. Persons out of state should review that State's DOE requirements.

What will be the difference if I just take certification courses?

Please visit http://www.wilmu.edu/education/medsl_certification.aspx to get more information about certification courses.

Internship requirements, do I need to take time from my job?

Students that take internships usually are able to take time at their district offices or place of business that meet the internship requirements.

Are there Candidacy requirements?

Candidacy for the Ed.D program requires the completion of the admission process, a grade point average of 3.0, field component requirements, completion of 48 credit hours, a grade of 3 or better on a Content Assessment.

Is Wilmington University an accredited institution?

Yes, Wilmington University is fully accredited. For more information please click here.

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2012-2013 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2012 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.