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Doctoral Course Descriptions
For a full list of graduate course descriptions, go to our course descriptions page.
EP 8000 Emerging Perspectives on Learning and Development - 3 credits
Leaders play an important role in constructing, guiding, and improving learning in organizations. This course explores research-based discoveries and insights about the brain, learning, and development from multiple disciplines. Topics will include current developmental concepts as they are connected to understanding people, organizations, and policy settings.
EP 8010 Quantitative Methods for Program Assessment and Evaluation - 3 credits
This course engages students in understanding and using statistical concepts and procedures relevant for data collection and reporting. The application of quantitative methodology to program assessment and evaluation is emphasized. The theory and practice of program assessment and evaluation, including the effective communication of results, are investigated. Students discuss how to use data to inform decisions and to plan and assess programs. (Prerequisites: a research design course and a qualitative research course)
EP 8020 Ethical Leadership and Advocacy - 3 credits
Whether it be personnel issues, the distribution of resources or the dissemination of information, leaders are expected to exhibit and promote ethical behavior. This course focuses on ethical leadership and advocacy with an approach grounded in professional standards. Students will study and respond to cases in which ethical behavior may be challenged as they work to apply the ethical responsibilities of leaders. Topics address central issues of moral philosophy and identification and understanding of moral challenges from a leadership perspective. In addition, students will demonstrate their abilities to advocate effectively at the local, regional, and public policy levels.
EP 8030 Leadership in a Diverse World - 3 credits
Leaders often find themselves making decisions, facilitating programs, and mediating conflicts that emanate from the many ways in which humans differ, including ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, and cultural beliefs. In this course, attention will be given to central topics and critical issues that address global leadership competencies in working with diverse populations. Students will critically examine the complexity of culture, the building of community, and the promotion of social justice from individual, community, and global perspectives. Furthermore, students will consider and evaluate both reactive and proactive roles for leaders in educational, social, and political settings.
EP 8040 Resource Planning and Stewardship - 3 credits
Leaders are expected to develop policies and implement practices that maximize the financial, environmental, material, technological, and human resources of their organization. Through the investigation of case studies, site visitations, and research, students will explore exemplary practices and potential approaches for the best use of an organization's resources. Topics will include: budgetary practices with high accountability factors, energy programs, recycling resources, employing technology while containing costs, and innovative personnel practices.
EP 8050 Vision: Synergy and Synthesis - 3 credits
Leaders are expected to facilitate the creation of a vision that drives their organization forward. Through readings, responses to interactive lectures, and participation in experiential exercises and group discussions, students will explore opportunities for restructuring organizations to create dynamic workplaces and synergistic organizations. Students will also examine present and emerging paradigms in the areas of behavioral science, psychology, and neuroscience so they may ascertain the impact of these belief systems on individuals and organizations. (Prerequisite: EP 8000)
EP 8060 Doctoral Seminar: Writing the Proposal - 3 credits
In this course, candidates are expected to craft a high quality comprehensive and compelling research proposal that is tailored to their interests and discipline. The seminar topics focus on helping students design a research study and write a dissertation proposal. (Prerequisites: Doctoral candidacy and completion of all coursework for doctoral degree)
EP 8070 Dissertation Block I (Review of Literature) - 3 credits
EP 8080 Dissertation Block II (Methodology and Proposal Defense) - 3 credits
EP 8090 Dissertation Block III (Data Gathering and Analysis, Conclusions, and Dissertation Defense) - 3 credits
EP 8820 Externship - 3-6 credits
The externship represents an important stage in the preparation of doctoral candidates. The externship provides an opportunity to explore and research topics of interest related to the dissertation at domestic and international locations outside the University. Externship placements allow candidates to gain new perspectives, sample different career paths, gather practical experience related to the dissertation and network with leaders in education and related fields. Candidates work with their instructor to establish the focus and site of the externship placement. Candidates develop and present their research project at the conclusion of the externship to faculty and peers. Students should be aware that a background check might be a requirement of certain externship sites.
