2
Table of Contents
Acceptance into the Program ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Admissions Requirements ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Application and Admission Dates ........................................................................................................................... 4
Items Submitted to MU Graduate Admissions Office ............................................................................................. 4
Items Submitted to the Leadership Studies EdD Office .......................................................................................... 5
Financial Matters .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Tuition Waivers ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Graduate Assistantships .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Financial Support for Dissertation Research ........................................................................................................... 6
Program Expectations ................................................................................................................................................. 6
Doctoral Plan of Study................................................................................................................................................ 7
Library Services ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Dissertation Development and Admission to Candidacy ........................................................................................ 8
Dissertation Research Hours (LS 797) .................................................................................................................... 9
Time Limit .............................................................................................................................................................. 9
Defending the Dissertation ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Graduation Procedures.............................................................................................................................................. 10
CHECKLIST OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................. 11
Appendix A: Interview Rubric.................................................................................................................................. 12
Appendix C: Glossary............................................................................................................................................... 14
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Introduction and Program Mission
The purpose of this document is to provide faculty members and doctoral students with an understanding of
policies and procedures of the Marshall University Online Doctoral Program (EdD) in Leadership Studies (LS).
Marshall University was first granted the authority to offer a doctorate in education with a major in leadership
studies in March 2002, representing a transition from a cooperative agreement with West Virginia University,
which began in 1980. The program is administratively housed on Marshall University’s South Charleston
campus. All coursework is available online from faculty who have more than two decades of experience in
distance learning and who are skilled in integrating the various features of the Blackboard delivery system to
create a rigorous and collaborative learning environment.
The purpose of the EdD in Leadership Studies is to enhance leadership potential that will support personal and
professional growth for conscientious individuals who seek to advance their roles as leaders in a wide range of
fields. The foundational principle of the program is that the study of leadership informs the practice of
leadership – and that effective practice grows not only from mastering the skills and knowledge necessary for
decision-making, but grounding decision-making in a deep understanding of both ethics and historical and
contemporary leadership theory.
The mission of the Leadership Studies EdD program is to prepare experienced practitioners to be reflective,
ethical leaders and researchers who can contribute to their professions and their communities. Program faculty
are committed to creating a community of scholars through mentoring, engaging in collaborative research, and
maintaining a focus on sound leadership practices. Program graduates are expected to demonstrate the
following outcomes.
Goal 1. Collaboration: Collaborate and interact with faculty and peers through coursework and opportunities to
present or publish.
Goal 2. Depth of Understanding: Apply and integrate learning experiences and knowledge in the field including
theoretical models, concepts, and research.
Goal 3. Reflection: Demonstrate reflection, critical thought, and ability to analyze and synthesize information
and data from course experiences and collaborative research activities.
Goal 4. Scholarship: Exhibit evidence of scholarship in the field through course completion, submission and/or
acceptance of manuscripts for publication, or presentation at regional or national conferences.
Goal 5. Communication Skills: Demonstrate composure, professionalism and poise in writing, speaking, and
presentation; employ effective organizational skills; demonstrate a working knowledge of multimedia; and
adapt quickly and smoothly to change.
Goal 6. Professional Ethics: Understand and utilize ethical reasoning models; engage in ethical research
processes.
Goal 7. Professionalism: Continue the pursuit of expertise in the profession, thus enhancing one’s field(s) and
communities by taking courses, attending seminars and acquiring any additional professional designations.
Goal 8. Research: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of research knowledge and practices.
4
Acceptance into the Program
Admissions Requirements
The decision to admit an applicant to doctoral work constitutes a significant institutional and faculty
commitment in the form of advising, teaching, chairing or serving on student committees, collaboratively
conducting and presenting research, evaluating assessments, and guiding the successful completion of the
dissertation. The applicant should note the decision to admit students to the doctoral program is a collective
judgment of the program faculty and represents their determination of the likelihood that the candidate will
succeed in all major phases of the degree program. These judgments take into account the applicant’s
professional experiences, communication and thinking skills, and other relevant capabilities and dispositions.
Thus, an applicant is not automatically admitted on the basis of meeting only the minimum criteria. Students’
graduate grade point averages as well as their scores on either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate
Records Examination (GRE) will also be assessed by the faculty using a weighted evaluation scale.
Application and Admission Dates
The “Marshall University Graduate Application for Admission” must be completed and submitted with the
appropriate application fee. The application may be completed here and the applicant should indicate on the
application that s/he desires to be accepted into the online doctor of education (EDD) program in Leadership
Studies. The Leadership Studies Doctoral Program reviews application files once completed, with all required
credentials submitted.
The EdD program offers a selective admission process, for fall semesters only, beginning with the 2021-22
admissions cycle. The priority deadline for full consideration is April 15, prior to the fall term for which the
applicant is seeking admission. Applications from well-qualified candidates, received after April 15, may be
considered if capacity remains in the program.
All application materials, including official transcripts and test scores must be on file in the MU Graduate
Admissions Office and the Leadership Studies EdD Office before admission requests will be considered. The
following items are required for all students applying for admission to the LS EdD program.
Items Submitted to MU Graduate Admissions Office
The following items must be submitted to the Marshall University Graduate Admissions Office. Hard copies
may be sent to 100 Angus E. Peyton Drive, South Charleston, WV 25303-1600. Electronic copies should be
sent to Graduate Admissions.
Application: The “Marshall University Graduate Application for Admission” must be
completed and submitted with the appropriate application fee. The application may be completed
online at: Graduate Admissions Application. The applicant indicates on the application that s/he
desires to be accepted into the online doctor of education (EdD) program and specifies the major
of Leadership Studies (major code GEJ0). The program major should be selected based upon
past experience, career aspirations, and personal aptitudes of the applicant. The application form
specifies the term for which the applicant desires admission. Applicants must notify the Graduate
Admissions Office if they wish to change the admission term after submitting the application.
Transcripts: The applicant must request that official transcripts of all completed undergraduate
and graduate degree programs be sent by the applicable institution(s) to the MU Graduate
5
Admissions Office. A minimum graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required in order
to be considered for admission. A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is
required for admission.
Admission Test Score: The applicant must request an official record of test scores, sent directly
from the testing agency (either the Graduate Record Examination [GRE] or the Miller Analogies
Test [MAT]), to the MU Graduate Admissions Office. Copies from applicants are not acceptable.
Applicants must reach at least the 50
th
percentile or higher on a single test administration in order
to be considered for admission and scores may be no more than five years old. Graduate
admission exams may be waived for applicants who already hold an earned doctoral degree from
a university-accepted, regionally accredited institution at the discretion of the program. Students
who have completed other graduate admissions exams (e.g., LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, etc.) with a
score at the 50
th
percentile or higher within the last five years should contact the LS Doctoral
Program Coordinator.
Items Submitted to the Leadership Studies EdD Office
The following items are to be submitted to the Leadership Studies EdD Office. Hard copies may be sent to 100
Angus E. Peyton Drive, South Charleston, WV 25303-1600. Electronic copies may be sent to Kelly Sowards,
Administrative Assistant.
Goals Statement - The applicant must provide a goal statement, written in essay format, (500-
750 words) which must address the following topics:
• professional experiences that provide a basis for considering the applicant’s
admission to the program;
• role of the EdD in the applicant’s professional growth plan;
• personal strengths that will contribute to the applicant’s success in the EdD program;
and
• additional information the applicant deems relevant to the admissions process and
decision.
The applicant’s ability to synthesize ideas to the level required for work in this advanced degree program and
the appropriateness
1
of the applicant’s goals as they relate to the objectives of the EdD program will be
assessed. The goals statement may be mailed or sent electronically as a Microsoft Word document to one of the
addresses listed above.
Resume: The applicant must provide a current professional CV or resume, including educational
and work experience and current address, phone number(s), email address, and Marshall
University Student Identification Number and/or MUID (if applicable). These documents may
also be submitted through one of the addresses above.
Interview
Upon review of the completed application materials, applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be invited
to participate in an electronic interview. Applicants will be asked to discuss their qualifications and interests
1
If it is the applicant’s goal to prepare for certification as a K-12 administrator, Marshall’s EdD is not the correct program choice. The
university does, however, offer an online master’s degree and a post-master’s certificate for that purpose.
6
and to answer questions from the faculty. Doctoral program faculty will use an established rubric (Appendix A)
to evaluate the applicant’s interview. Being invited to interview does not guarantee admission to the program.
The interview provides the faculty with the opportunity closely examine the applicant’s qualifications and goals
beyond the printed materials submitted in the application process. Interviews will be conducted electronically
and applicants will be notified within one week regarding the faculty’s decision on their request for admission.
Applicants who are denied admission to the program and wish to be reconsidered may submit a written request
to the LS Doctoral Program Coordinator. Records of applicants who are not admitted will be maintained on file
by the LS EdD Office for a period of one year.
Transfer Credits
The LS EdD program will accept up to six hours of previously earned course credits as long as those courses
1) correspond to current curricular requirements, and 2) were completed in doctoral programs at accepted,
regionally accredited institutions. Master’s course credits will not be accepted.
Financial Matters
For up-to-date information on financial issues such as tuition costs, waivers or financial aid, follow the links on
the “future students” page, which students may access from the program homepage (www.marshall.edu/lsedd).
Tuition Waivers
Employees of Marshall University are eligible for a waiver of $750.00 per term pending availability. The
waiver form must be signed by the employee’s supervisor and submitted prior to the posted deadline. A limited
number of tuition waivers are available for fully admitted non-employee students. All waiver applications must
be submitted to the Graduate College Office, 113 Old Main, Huntington, WV 25755 by the deadline posted for
each term. The student must be registered for class before the waiver application will be considered. Waiver
recipients will be notified by the Graduate College Office. Call 304-696-6606 if you have questions regarding
tuition waivers.
Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available. Applications are available through the
Graduate
College website and only students admitted to the doctoral program will be considered. Graduate assistantships
include tuition and a stipend. Graduate assistants are expected to provide services such as administrative support
and/or research or instructional assistance.
Financial Support for Dissertation Research
Students pursuing dissertation research may be eligible to apply for financial support. This request for funding
will be honored only once for each student, with a maximum value of $500. The form for applications, if
funding is available, is on the program website.
Program Expectations
To remain in good standing, and in addition to the Graduate College’s standards for good standing, students
admitted to the LS EdD Program must meet the following expectations.
7
• It is critical that the program have a working email address for you. Should your contact
information change at any point in the program, you must notify both your adviser and the LS
EdD Office.
• Maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree (i.e., completion of coursework two out of three
contiguous terms from admission to the program through admission to candidacy; after
admission to candidacy, the student must be enrolled every term (i.e., spring, summer and fall).
• Maintain a GPA of 3.25 in the doctoral program. Courses with a grade of “C” or below will not
count toward the doctoral degree.
• Identify an external committee member no later than the end of the first two courses in the
research block. Newly admitted students will be assigned a temporary adviser until a doctoral
committee is established.
Doctoral Plan of Study
A “Doctoral Plan of Study” form (Appendix B) must be signed by the student, the LS Program Director and the
LS Doctoral Program Coordinator no later than one term following admission to the program. Required content
and research/foundation and support courses may not be completed as independent study courses. All
foundations courses must be completed before students may enroll in research courses.
Completion of Coursework and Related Issues: Progressing through the Program
Students should consult with their advisors or chairpersons prior to registering for any course. All courses are
offered fully and asynchronously online. Registration for classes may be done at www.marshall.edu/mymu.
Call 1-800-642-9842 ext. 68949 or (304)746-8949 for assistance with registration if needed.
Library Services
Access to library services is available to students via http://www.marshall.edu/library/. Extensive collections of
bound volumes, digital editions, microfilms, and periodicals are available, and materials not available may be
requested from other libraries. More access information will be provided on course websites.
Enrollment
The program expects that students will be continuously enrolled from their acceptance into the program until
the completion of the dissertation and graduation. We do understand, however, that occasional hardships occur
which may make continuous enrollment difficult. The program offers these options.
Inactive Status: The student who cannot meet the continuous enrollment requirement must submit a
written request for a waiver to the LS EdD Coordinator
. A student may be granted inactive status for up
to one year, providing s/he applies to the program faculty in writing, and the program faculty approve
this status. Requests for inactive status should include the reason for the request and the date the student
expects to be able to return to active status. Inactive status is permitted only once during the student’s
tenure in the program.
Voluntary Withdrawal from the Program: A student may choose to withdraw from the program at
any time by notifying the LS EdD Coordinator in writing and submitting a copy of the notification to the
LS EdD Office and the MU Graduate Admissions Office. The document requesting withdrawal must
contain an original signature: faxes, emails or copies will not be accepted by the Graduate Admissions
8
Office. A student who withdraws from the program in this manner may seek reinstatement to the
program as described below.
Reinstatement into the Program: If the student wishes to be reinstated within one year after dismissal
or voluntary withdrawal from the program, the student must file a written request to the LS EdD
Coordinator. If the student wishes to be reinstated more than one year after dismissal or voluntary
withdrawal, s/he must reapply to the doctoral program. The acceptance of the previously formed
committee, Plan of Study, and associated program materials (e.g., dissertation proposal or prospectus)
will be contingent upon the decision of the program faculty and the student’s committee. The program
faculty may consider extraordinary circumstances in enforcing inactive status, dismissal from the
program, and reinstatement.
Dismissal from the Program: If the student fails to maintain continuous enrollment or fails to show
progress toward completion of the dissertation (see “Dissertation Research Hours,” p. 9), the student
may be subject to dismissal from the program.
• The student will be notified by registered mail of dismissal from the program and given the
opportunity of due process as defined by the Marshall University Graduate Catalog in
writing.
• If the appeal is granted, the student must submit in writing a plan to complete the program in
a reasonable time.
• If the appeal is denied, the student will be dismissed from the program. A hold will be placed
on the student’s ability to register for classes.
Dissertation Development and Admission to Candidacy
A primary goal of the doctoral program is to assist students in becoming disciplined and productive researchers
who have the capacity to improve their own practices and/or the practices of their fields. Toward that end,
students who complete the program must execute and write the results of a thoroughly conducted academic
investigation (i.e., the dissertation) to demonstrate research proficiency in their professional fields.
To assist them in this process, the program has designed a six-course, three-block research core, each block of
which represents a required component in students’ admission to candidacy. The research block (i.e., the last 18
hours in the EdD program) is conceived as a series of research cycles on the problems of practice with which
students are concerned. By the time they reach the final course, students will have articulated the problem,
reviewed the existing research literature, developed research questions, identified a study method or methods,
devised instrumentation and protocol procedures, etc., as part of their research courses. The collection of data
and completion of the dissertation become the logical last steps in the cycle.
In the first two six-hour blocks, students will be introduced to fundamental research practices, such as
determination of a researchable topic and the ability to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing
research, focusing particularly on design, method, data collection, conclusion(s), and theoretical
orientations/frameworks in which current studies are situated. Basic statistical concepts and analytical processes
will be examined, as well as the skills necessary to plan and implement effective survey research practices and
design qualitative studies. A research proposal that previews the tentative purpose, design, and significance of
the planned dissertation will be developed in LS 764 for purposes of seeking committee approval prior to the
student’s beginning the full research prospectus.
9
In the third six-hour block, students will begin the development of a detailed dissertation prospectus in LS 765,
including a comprehensive review of related literature, a strong research design featuring consistency of
purpose with method(s), sample(s) or population(s), data collection techniques, and analytical processes, as well
as an explanation of the potential value or impact of the study. The acceptance of the dissertation prospectus by
the chairperson and committee and approval by the university’s review board will serve as the final assessment
for purposes of admission to doctoral candidacy. Students who receive a grade of No Credit (NC) in either LS
764 or LS 765 will be required to repeat the course.
Committee Structure
At the beginning of the second year, students will be assigned to Dissertation Research Communities involving
several students, two LS faculty members, one of whom serves as chairperson, and an external committee
member selected by the student in consultation with the chairperson to provide additional support throughout
the research phase. The external committee member must have a terminal degree and be capable of providing
research support to the student. If the external committee member is a member of the MU faculty, s/he cannot
have an appointment in the major area. The inclusion of the external member is dependent upon the acceptance
of the committee chair, and a current vita must be provided to the LS Doctoral Program Office prior to the
external member’s joining the committee.
Dissertation Research Hours (LS 797)
After a student has been admitted to candidacy, s/he is required to register for a minimum of nine (9) hours of
LS 797 to qualify for graduation. Should the student receive a grade of No Credit (NC) during any term of LS
797, s/he must initiate a meeting with the dissertation adviser before s/he will be permitted to enroll for another
term. Students who receive two consecutive grades of No Credit (NC) will be dismissed from the program. A
student who has acquired those nine credit hours but has not yet successfully defended the dissertation will be
required to continue to enroll for at least one (1) additional credit hour of LS 797 in subsequent terms until s/he
graduates. The student must be registered in LS 797 during the term in which her/his dissertation is defended
and approved.
Time Limit
Doctoral candidates are allowed no more than two years beyond approval of the prospectus and admission to
candidacy to complete remaining degree requirements (i.e., the written dissertation and oral defense). If a
student fails to complete the doctoral degree within two years after admission to candidacy, an extension of time
(up to one year) may be granted only by meeting requirements specified by the student's committee.
Defending the Dissertation
After the dissertation chair reviews and approves a draft of the dissertation, copies are distributed to all
members of the student’s committee. Copies are to be sent to committee members at least three weeks prior to
the defense and a request-to-schedule form, available on the program website, must be completed and signed by
the student and all committee members at that time. Upon receipt of the signed form, the LS EdD Office will
schedule the day, time, and location (i.e., either onsite or online) of the dissertation defense as agreed to by the
student and the committee. The defense will not be scheduled until the signed request form is received in the LS
EdD Office.
At the defense, two decisions are made by each committee member:
• whether the student passes the oral defense; and
10
• whether each committee member will approve and sign the written dissertation at that time.
The oral dissertation approval form must bear the original signatures of at least all but one of the committee
members. If more than one member of the committee, whatever the size of the committee, dissents from
approving the dissertation, the degree cannot be recommended. If a substitute faculty member attends the final
examination, the substitute signs the “Oral Defense Approval” form; however, the original committee member
must sign the “ETD Signature” form verifying approval of the written document.
The dissertation must be submitted to the university by the deadline of the term in which the degree is expected
to be granted. This deadline is posted on the Marshall University Graduate College webpage
. Additional
requirements for electronic submission are also listed on this site.
Dissertation Submission Process
There are four steps in the dissertation submission process.
1) At the conclusion of the successful defense, all committee members will sign the oral defense
form to be returned to the LS EdD Office.
2) The student will complete any revisions requested by the committee, after which the
dissertation signature page will be signed by all committee members and sent to the student
to be inserted into the final copy of the dissertation behind the title page.
3) Once the student has inserted the signature page and converted the dissertation into a pdf
document, it must be sent to ProQuest. The student will create an account, upload the
document, and the Graduate College Office will be notified by ProQuest that the document
has been received.
4) Once notification is received that the ETD has been approved, the Graduate College Office
will request a copy of the signed ETD final submission form from the LS EdD Office.
Graduation Procedures
Graduation Applications are located at http://www.marshall.edu/cohp/files/Application-for-Graduation_all.pdf.
Complete, print, and mail this form with payment to Marshall University, MU Graduate Records Office, 100
Angus E. Peyton Drive, South Charleston, WV 25303. Payment may also be made by phone to the Bursar’s
Office. The due dates for the graduation application and the deadlines for dissertation defense each term are
posted at www.marshall.edu/graduate/graduation-and-commencement-timetable/. Students must be registered
in LS 797 for the term in which they anticipate graduation.
Graduating students are encouraged to celebrate their achievement by participating in the MU Commencement
Ceremony, held each December and May in Huntington.
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CHECKLIST OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
1. Admission to the program and assignment of a temporary advisor
2. Annual Requirements
a. Continuous enrollment
b. Maintenance of a GPA of 3.25
3. Completion of required coursework
4. Dissertation development and approval
a. Work with chairperson and research-core professors to conceptualize study in proposal format.
b. Work with chairperson and research-core professors to develop a full prospectus.
c. Secure approval of dissertation prospectus by doctoral committee
d. Ensure CITInet certification is current.
e. Apply to IRBnet for approval of research.
f. Register for LS 797 each term while completing the dissertation.
5. Dissertation Defense
a. Completed dissertation is submitted to committee at least three weeks before defense.
b. The request to schedule the defense submitted to LS EdD Office three weeks prior to the desired defense
date.
c. Successfully defend the dissertation.
d. Submit dissertation to ProQuest for initial review.
e. Submit revised dissertation (if revisions are required) to ProQuest.
6. Graduation preparation
a. File application for graduation by the published deadline.
b. File additional paperwork and fees as specified at http://www.marshall.edu/graduate/current-students/edt
.
c. Order cap, gown and hood for commencement and hooding ceremonies.
d. Complete exit survey sent by LS EdD Office.
12
Appendix A: Interview Rubric
13
Appendix B:
Plan of Study
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE
OF EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
EdD LEADERSHIP STUDIES PLAN OF STUDY
Student: ID#:
STUDENT REQUIREMENTS: All degree students follow a program Plan of Study and must maintain a
cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0. Failure by the student to return the signed Plan of Study within 30
days will automatically indicate acceptance
of its terms.
CONTENT COURSES
SESSION
OFFERED
COURSE NUMBER/TITLE
SESSION
TAKEN
GRADE
18
CREDIT
HOURS
Fall
LS 710 Principles of Leadership
3
Fall
LS 724 Organizational Analysis
3
Spring
LS 707 Ethical Theories
3
Spring
LS 740
Legal Issues in Leadership
3
Summer
LS 720
Financial Models in Leadership
3
Summer
LS 756
Current Issues in Leadership
3
RESEARCH COURSES
SESSION
OFFERED
COURSE NUMBER/TITLE
SESSION
TAKEN
GRADE
27
CREDIT
HOURS
All
EDF 625
Qualitative Methods
3
All
EDF 703
Research Design
3
All
LS 764
Advanced Research in Leadership Studies I
3
All
EDF 676
Statistical
Methods
3
All
EDF 711
Survey
Research
3
All
LS
765
Advanced Research in Leadership Studies II
3
All
LS 797
Doctoral Research
9
Denotes that this course has met Marshall University’s faculty peer review criteria for quality assurance.
14
Appendix C: Glossary
ABD – “All But Dissertation” refers to an individual who completed everything in a doctoral program except
the dissertation and, therefore, does not have a doctoral degree
Admission to Candidacy – occurs when a student has completed all of the requirements for the degree up to
and including prospectus development; the student is said to be a candidate for the doctoral degree at this
time and the degree must be completed within three years from this date
COEPD - College of Education and Professional Development
Committee Chairperson – a major area faculty member with doctoral graduate faculty status who serves as
the student’s primary advisor throughout the doctoral process
Continuous Enrollment – enrollment in and completion of coursework at least two out of every three
contiguous terms; following admission to candidacy, the student must remain enrolled every term until the
degree is completed
Dissertation – the document representing the student’s research as evidence of her/his ability to contribute to
the research in the major field
Doctoral Committee – individuals with graduate faculty status appointed by the LS EdD Office to serve a
support role in each student’s dissertation research and defense
EdD – Doctor of Education
ETD – Electronic Theses and Dissertations
GPA – Grade Point Average
GRE – Graduate Records Examination
Handbook of Record – the “Doctoral Student/Faculty Handbook” that is current for the term during which
the student is admitted to the doctoral degree program
IRB – Institutional Review Board, which reviews research proposals to determine whether the execution of
the research poses any danger to any individuals or liability to the University
MAT – Miller Analogies Test
myMU – myMU.marshall.edu website of current information, schedules, help links, and library services for
students and faculty; the method by which the student registers for classes, pays tuition and fees, reviews
transcripts, etc.
POS – Plan of Study
Prospectus – a plan for a research project, sometimes represented as the first three chapters in a dissertation
