Ed.D. Program: A Simple Roadmap
The program will prepare you to excel as a scholar-practitioner who is able to conduct and critically consume research to inform policy and improve learning, equity, and access for students at all levels of education.
Through our advising model, you will collaborate closely with a faculty advisor who will support your skill development in research. Coursework—a combination of content, research, and professional development courses—will provide students with a rigorous and practical learning experience.
The cohort-based model of the program provides students with a learning community and professional network. Students benefit from the resources of California State University, Stanislaus, a Hispanic-serving institution that is committed to educational equity and research that promotes the public good.
Year 1: Welcome
Begin Coursework
Students begin taking core courses, a proseminar in leadership skills, and a research seminar in the summer. Faculty support students in adjusting to becoming a doctoral student.
Faculty Advising
Dissertation advising begins alongside coursework. Faculty and students develop the foundation for a successful advising relationship and dissertation work.
Strong Foundation
By the end of Year 1, students have defined their problem of practice, acquired foundational research skills, and continue coursework. They are prepared to hone in on their research interests.
Year 2: Honing In
Refining Research Proposal
Students will refine their research proposal under the direction of their dissertation chair. This will be key to success for the qualifying exam and dissertation proposal.
Qualifying Exam
In the fall, students will complete the qualifying exam, the first major benchmark of the program. In the exam, students will present a clear problem of practice and preliminary ideas for the dissertation proposal.
Dissertation Proposal
In spring, students will defend their dissertation proposal. Students will apply for IRB approval, start the process of participant recruitment and field work. Data processing may begin.
Year 3: Advancing Solutions
Data Analysis
In the summer, students will finish collecting and analyzing data to answer their research question. This is an exciting time for students to identify their findings and write the final chapters.
The Write-up
Following data analysis, students generate original insights to address educational problems and develop recommendations for policy and practice change. Final revisions of the dissertation draft and format are due.
Dissertation Defense
Students present their dissertation, a product of original research to address an important educational problem. Findings are shared with key stakeholders.
Updated: December 13, 2024