Doctor of Education Degree - LEAD Program
Leadership in Educational ADministration
Purpose
The purpose of the LEAD program is to create exemplary educational leaders for the P-12 and higher education environments. These leaders will be grounded in leadership theory, application strategies, consumption/production of research, collaboration, data-driven decision making, and the blending/balancing of knowledge, ethics, and faith in the overall leadership process.
Target Audience
The LEAD program targets currently practicing and aspiring education professionals in the P-12 and higher education environments. A diverse cohort, consisting of qualified professionals from “the trenches,” strengthens the learning climate for both the official program content and the unofficial curriculum of professional relationships and networking. The three-year program prepares graduates to engage in leadership, collaboration, decision-making, research, and reform initiatives in the P-12 and higher education environments.
Program Components & Delivery
The LEAD program is a 60-hour, cohort format program. Class sessions consist of one weekend (2 or 3 full days) each month during the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer class sessions consist of two-week Professional Institutes designed to build state, national, and international perspective and exposure. Participants will complete a core of 24 hours in leadership content, 12 hours in specialization, 9 hours in professional institutes, 9 hours in research and statistics, and 6 hours in dissertation. Graduate effectiveness will be enhanced by local, state, national, international perspective and the legitimate balance of theory, content, practice, and faith. The alternative delivery schedule and cohort format maximizes content mastery, professional experience, leadership growth, and the development of a strong network of personal and professional relationships.
Framework for Instruction, Learning, and Application
The LEAD program maintains alignment and consistency by using a framework for instruction, learning, and application. The framework aligns the 20 program courses, identifies universal themes or “strands” for delivery of content, and provides a lens to guide reflection and application of student learning. The framework includes change, decision-making, perspective, leadership, resources, systems, ethics, relationships, growth, and faith.
LEAD Reads
LEAD Reads represent a collection of seminal readings related to various aspects of educational leadership and are strategically selected for impact on perspective, application, and practice. Each LEAD Read is connected to a specific course, and is to be read independently. Cohort members are encouraged to organize formal or informal discussion and study groups. The Framework for Instruction, Learning, and Application (FILA) document serves as a valuable tool to guide LEAD Read discussion and study.
Qualifying and Culminating Examinations
The LEAD program has one (1) Qualifying Examination which serves as a prerequisite for candidacy. Candidacy refers to a formal point in the program at which time the student has officially demonstrated competence and is qualified to officially begin the dissertation process. Students are admitted to candidacy for the Doctor of Education degree only after successful completion of the research/statistics qualifying examination. The LEAD program has three (3) Culminating Examinations which serve as final prerequisites for graduation. Students are permitted to graduate only after successful completion of the professional portfolio assessment, dissertation defense, and LEAD Read culminating examination.
Dissertation Process:
The LEAD program encourages and facilitates the timely completion of high quality, relevant dissertation research. The program sequence incorporates 9 hours of research and statistics courses in the first 18 months of the program, followed by 6 hours of dissertation courses in the last 18 months. Culminating products for these courses have been intentionally and strategically aligned to the dissertation process.
CLEAR (Center for Leadership, Evaluation, Alignment, and Research)
CLEAR is designed to complement the LEAD program by implementing a model that mirrors the progression of students through the doctoral program. CLEAR is intended to facilitate and support student and faculty research. Its purpose is to serve as an outreach service for our partner school districts by providing information, training, and support regarding leadership development, program evaluation, curriculum alignment, and local action research projects.
Contact for Program Information
Dr. Austin Vasek, Director of Graduate Programs, College of Education, UMHB Box 8017, 900 College Street, Belton, TX 76513, 254-295-4185, austin.vasek@umhb.edu, or LEAD@umhb.edu.
