Doctor of Education

The Doctor of Education degree (EdD) in Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Leadership (Tier II) is the highest professional degree offered by Piedmont University. Individuals with a master's or a specialist's degree from an accredited college or university may wish to pursue coursework that will enhance their instructional skills and/or prepare them for leadership roles in their schools or school districts or for college-level teaching.

The Doctor of Education degree (EdD) is aligned with the goals in all graduate programs at Piedmont University. It is designed to develop eminent leaders in the field of education. The primary focus of the EdD program is to facilitate transformational change of individuals and schools by preparing teacher leaders, other school professionals, and school administrators for the challenges of our rapidly changing world. The program will also serve to prepare educators for various roles in college and university teaching and in research and leadership positions in other educational institutions.

Additionally, the doctoral program allows candidates to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge base of theoretical and pedagogical issues relating to teaching and learning and/or educational leadership through adding new knowledge about their fields. (See more information below admissions requirements.)

The deadline to apply is July 1.

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Admissions Requirements:

Admissions Application: Click here to apply

1. Copies of valid professional Georgia teaching certificates at the appropriate level (Georgia-certified educators) or letters from the head of the school, Board of Trustees, dean, or department chair to verify the quality of work (Non-Georgia-certified educators).
2. *GRE Currently Waived* – Official GRE test scores that are no more than five years old at the time prospective students submit applications for admissions. The target GRE scores are the 60th percentile for the combined verbal and quantitative sections and a score of 4.0 on the analytic writing section.
3. *GRE Currently Waived* – Take the GRE at home.
4. Personal Affirmation form
5. Five years teaching experience. Your experience may be verified by the supervising principal on the online reference form.
6. Two professional references; one from the supervisor (the person who evaluates your performance) and one from a former professor or instructor. References submitted as part of the application process for previous degree programs will not be accepted. Please complete this request by clicking, Reference Form Link. 
7. Professional Activities Resume.
8. Scholarly, informative letter of intent, including goal statements. This form can be completed online: Letter of Intent form.
9. Official final transcripts from all colleges and universities attended in the past (Piedmont transcripts are on file)

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Candidates for the EdD degree are expected to engage in independent learning throughout their program. Research toward, and the ultimate completion of, the doctoral dissertation are primary examples of independent learning. Independent learning is a key component in many courses in which the aim is the development of analytical skills and critical thinking. Developing the ability to think independently leads to strengthened learning communities.

Beginning with the Fall 2021 Cohorts, candidates for the doctoral program must complete a minimum of 60 hours beyond the master’s degree. The program is built around five core areas. The academic writing core (6 hours) and research core (15 hours) form the foundation on which the doctoral program is built. The common content core (12 hours) as well as the core concentration courses provide an in-depth and advanced look at the areas affecting P-12 schools while preparing the candidate to do advanced graduate research. The dissertation core (minimum of 10 hours) supports the candidate throughout the dissertation process.

The Doctoral program in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as in Educational Leadership, is an approved program by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) and The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).