Dissertation and Practicum Requirements

The dissertation represents the culminating project of a doctorate degree in which the student uses existing research to discover new knowledge. However, in many doctoral programs, the dissertation process resides at the end of the course sequencing, after traditional coursework has been completed. This can lead to extended time frames for completion as students often encounter feelings of isolation and low motivation levels for taking on such a task "alone."

The UMHB Ed.D 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 5 semesters of the program, followed by 6 hours of dissertation courses in the last 4 semesters. Culminating products for these courses have been intentionally and strategically aligned with the dissertation process. Students are encourage to decide dissertation topics as early as Summer I of their program. They start writing elements of their dissertation in the fall of the first year. Therefore, students are consistently guided and mentored on their projects throughout their time in the program, from beginning to end. A high percentage of UMHB Ed.D. students complete coursework and defend their dissertation within three years.

Candidates seeking superintendent certification complete a practicum as one program requirement. Information about the practicum is included in the Internship Handbook for the Superintendent Internship.

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