School Improvement, Ed.D.

Program Overview

The School Improvement Doctoral Program offers a unique opportunity for educators looking for an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based doctoral program that prepares graduates to become change agents in the schools they serve. Program goals include the graduates:

are prepared to lead improvements in educational settings
move schools and stakeholders in directions that promote and increase student learning and social development and ultimately benefit society
are able to influence others toward a shared commitment to a common purpose
understand and use the knowledge base on effective teaching and learning to initiate teacher development and school improvement
conduct research in school improvement and reform
engage in rational discussion informed by and grounded in the knowledge base

Our program has served students for 12 years as a face-to-face program. Beginning with summer of 2011, we now offer 100% of our coursework online.

There are several unique features of the Doctorate in School Improvement. These include the following:

All coursework is delivered through an asynchronous online environment, using a wide variety of instructional technologies.
Students are required to come to our Carrollton, GA campus twice during the program: (1) for an intensive 2-1/2 day Orientation during the first summer, and (2) for an intensive Dissertation Prep Seminar.
Our program not only prepares you for your dissertation, but also guides you through the process by incorporating it into the coursework.
Since we have incorporated the dissertation into the second half of the coursework, the program may be completed in three years.
Our faculty are nationally recognized, committed to school improvement, and understand your needs as an adult online learner.

Core Coursework

The core coursework in the School Improvement program falls within three curricular strands:

Teaching and Learning (9 hours)

Courses include Models of School Improvement, Instructional Leadership that Facilitates School Improvement, and Models of Professional Development.

Leadership for School Improvement (9 hours)

Courses include Leadership for Diversity in the 21st Century, Policy Analysis for School Improvement and Leadership for Change.

Research and the Effective Use of Data (15 hours)

Courses include Research Design, Quantitative Research Methods, Qualitative Research Methods, Advanced Research Seminar and Program Evaluation.

The Core also includes the following:

AoC (Area of Concentration) (12 credit hours)
Dissertation (9 credit hours)
Dissertation Mentoring I, II, and III (2 credit hours each)
The School Improvement Orientation (no credit)
The Dissertation Prep Summer Institute (no credit).

Application Process

Complete the online application for graduate studies. The online application requires a $40.00 non-refundable application fee.
Official GRE scores (Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning) to UWG. Scores must be dated July 1, 2011, or more recent to be accepted. Minimum expected scores are Verbal Reasoning 151 and Quantitative Reasoning 145.
All applicants must have earned a Master’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
A cumulative minimum graduate grade point average (PGA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for all graduate course work.
Three letters of Recommendation: At least one letter must be from a current or past supervisor. (these forms are available, once you apply online)
Vitae: A vitae listing education and employment history, experience with school improvement, and awards and recognitions. Provide your current and complete contact information, including an active e-mail address.
Official Transcripts: Request official transcripts from institutions that you have attended (must include undergraduate and graduate). Place the transcripts in this packet in their original, sealed envelopes (it cannot be treated as official if it has been opened). Or the university may send e-scripts to graduate@westga.edu.
Essay: Complete a 750-1,000 word essay that discusses your professional goals related to school improvement. In your essay, include any literature (e.g., research article) that has informed your professional practice or otherwise influenced you. (Include appropriate APA citations)
International applicants must follow procedures and timelines of the UWG Office of Graduate and International Admissions.

Finalists will be selected for a telephone or virtual interview.

Transfer of Credits

In the EDSI doctoral program, a maximum of 12 semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred from another accredited institution or applied from previous coursework at the University of West Georgia, subject to the following conditions:

work must have been completed within seven years of the date of admission to the Ed.D. degree program;
work must have been applicable toward a graduate degree at the institution where the credit was earned;
the coursework must be approved by the Ed.D. Director.
courses must have been taken post Master’s degree; (normally 7000 level courses or above)
the courses must meet the thematic requirements for the AoC; and
a grade of B or higher must have been earned in the coursework.

AoC (Area of Concentration)

The Area of Concentration (or AoC) in the School Improvement program provides a specialized, thematic concentration to the student’s studies. Made up of 12 credit hours of electives and the student’s dissertation, the AoC comprises a student’s focus within the program. Specific AoC’s are developed in conjunction with various departments within the College of Education at the University of West Georgia. Currently, the available AoC’s include:

School Counseling
Educational Leadership
K-12 Online Learning
Instructional Technology
Reading
Media Specialist
Special Education (General Curriculum)
Elementary Education

For Georgia Students only

The Doctor of School Improvement Degree is approved by the Georgia PSC for a certificate upgrade for students who enter the program with Georgia certification in Educational Leadership, English to Speakers of Other Languages, Instructional Technology, K-12 Online Learning, Media Specialist, Reading, School Counseling, and/or Special Education General Curriculum.

The following conditions/restrictions apply:

The student must enter the program with the qualifying certification area already on their Georgia certificate as a clear renewable field,
The student must select the applicable, qualifying certification area as their minimum 12-hour Area of Concentration. In order to receive a certification upgrade as a part of the Ed.D. in School Improvement, the hours must be taken at UWG as a part of this degree program,
Educational Leadership students must meet the specific position requirements, and
The program does not lead to initial certification.

General Academic Standards

Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher to remain in Good Academic Standing. Students must be in Good Academic Standing to be eligible to graduate and admission to candidacy. Student’s must also maintain good standing on major program assessments, or will face intervention and consequences.

A student will be dismissed from the program if he or she earns two C’s, one F or two U’s in dissertation hours.

Academic Standing

In addition to the University of West Georgia academic requirements, the Doctor of School Improvement Program uses a student review process to monitor student progress within the Ed.D. program.

Each student is reviewed regularly regarding the following:

Academic progress and standards,
Ethical, legal, and professional standards and performance in the program, and
Progress on major program assessments.

Students not performing at the required level, not making significant progress toward completion of the dissertation, or judged to be in noncompliance with the ethical, legal, and professional standards of the program will be notified, and may face action which includes but is not limited to completing a Student Development Plan, placement on academic or other probation, or dismissal from the program.