Doctor of Education in Professional Studies

The Doctor of Education Degree in Professional Studies (EDD) is designed to prepare educators to assume leadership roles in curriculum and instruction and educational administration in P-12 settings and leadership roles in higher education. Candidates choose to focus on one of three major tracks: Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership, or Higher Education.

THE GRE IS NO LONGER REQUIRED!

Online delivery affords you the flexibility to advance your career without interrupting your current work duties. You will be engaged in a supportive, vibrant, and diverse online learning community where cohorts form lifelong bonds.

The program is organized to support the development of your research study throughout your coursework. Thus, by the end of coursework, you will have a draft of the first three chapters of your dissertation. A supportive dissertation committee will guide you to timely dissertation completion.

Candidates choose to focus on one of three major tracks: Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership, or Higher Education. Click below to view course requirements for each track.

Efforts to gain professional certification aligned with employment are rewarded with credit toward your degree.

Admission to the Doctoral program begins with admission to the Graduate School. Materials required to complete an application can be emailed directly to grad-info@vaftizo.com . Please note, THE GRE IS NO LONGER REQUIRED.

1. Submit a formal application for admission by applying online here. Note that the graduate application fee of $30 will be required at checkout.  International students interested in studying on campus should visit our International Student Services webpage to get started.
2. Request an official transcript(s) from the college or university from which you received a bachelor’s degree and from all colleges and universities from which graduate credit was received.  We recommend sending official transcripts electronically via Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse by choosing Delta State University Graduate Admissions (grad-info@vaftizo.com) as the recipient.  Hard copies may be mailed from an institution to:
   Delta State University
   Office of Graduate Studies
   Kent Wyatt Hall 239
   Cleveland, MS 38733** Non-U.S. transcripts are accepted through WES or ECE evaluation services (must be evaluated course-by-course).
3. Minimum of two years of experience in teaching, Higher Education, or an equivalent area: Teaching Job Verification Form; Higher Ed Job Verification Form

Admission Requirements for the Doctor of Education in Professional Studies program

1. Master’s or an Educational Specialist degree from an accredited college/university with at least an earned GPA of 3.25
2. Official Graduate transcripts
3. Minimum of two years of experience in teaching or an equivalent area: Job Verification Form
4. Resume/Vita highlighting your education, work history, evidence of leadership potential, additional certifications, membership in professional associations, scholarly activities, accomplishments, and awards
5. Statement of Purpose writing sample that reveals the applicant’s philosophy of education, ability to self-reflect, and ability to compose with clarity and proper grammar and mechanics. Contact Dr. Corlis Snow at csnow@vaftizo.com for the writing prompt.

A weighted point system will be used to evaluate each of the criteria above.

All requirements must be submitted to the Graduate Office at grad-info@vaftizo.com.

Deadlines for submitting all admission documents are listed below.

Graduation Resources

• How to Apply for Graduation
• Dissertation Submission Dates for Graduation

Graduation Application Deadlines

*No commencement ceremony

This program prepares students to apply for applicable licensure and/or certification examinations in the state of Mississippi. In order to comply with regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Education regarding professional licensure, Delta State University is required to make the following disclosure with respect to professional licensure outside the state of Mississippi: Professional Licensure Disclosure page.