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The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with a concentration in Educational Policy & Organizational Design is a terminal degree designed to prepare scholar-practitioners serving in educational settings and professional agencies. By combining educational theory with action research, students learn how to critically examine programs and provide solutions to meet the needs of their setting.

Program Highlights:

  • Graduates will possess the content knowledge and research skills necessary to improve educational and other systems
  • Courses are delivered 100% online
  • This degree is offered in a blended (i.e., asynchronous and synchronous) format for all courses
  • Students will be admitted into a cohort
  • The program provides opportunities to participate in on-campus cohort meetings
  • All online students pay in-state tuition

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour $581.00
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour $25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Who should pursue this degree?
P-12 educators and other professional staff who wish to advance their career through the pursuit of a doctorate degree and have earned an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) or equivalent in P-12 or related fields. Students holding a master's degree may be admitted, but will be required to complete 30 credit hours of electives approved by their advisor.

This Ed.D. degree focuses on applied research, which is more appropriate and applicable to graduates who want to engage in application of their skills and knowledge, rather than pursue a career that focuses on a traditional theoretical research agenda as a faculty member in post-secondary education settings.

What are potential careers?
This doctoral degree offers opportunities for students to enhance qualifications for leadership and other key positions, to increase knowledge base appropriate to a doctorate, and to enhance the graduates’ trajectory in their selected career in educational and related settings, particularly within the school and district P-12 levels, universities, and government agencies.

Students will develop the skills necessary to support learning in various educational settings and work effectively in non-profit organizations, government agencies, private companies, and academia.

Program Structure

This 61-hour program (31 hours beyond the Ed.S. degree or equivalent) builds on a specialist degree (or equivalent) and will require a capstone or applied research project as the culminating of the degree rather than a traditional dissertation.

Course Number Course Title Hours
Major Required Courses Shared hours from Ed.S. degree (Applicants should seek guidance from the EDED academic advisor regarding the selection of courses meeting this requirement) 30
 
Ed.D. Concentration Courses
EPY 8133 Crisis Prevention & Intervention 3
ED 8813 Applications of Systems Change in Education and Related Fields 3
ED 9413 Government & Agency Relationships in Education Policy 3
ED 9314 Systems- and Individual-Level Supervision, Mentoring, and Consultation 4
ED 9323 Program Development and Accountability 3
ED 9343 Organizational/ Project Design and Management 3
ED 9913 Capstone Seminar in Education 3
ED 8620 Capstone Project in Education 9
Total Hours: 61 hours beyond masters

 

Admissions Requirements

While applications are accepted year-round for this program, applications received by the deadlines below will receive priority review:

  • Fall Admission – April 15
  • Spring Admission – September 15

Please note that your application will not be considered until all documentation and official transcripts have been submitted and your application fee has been paid.

Admission Criteria:

  • A completed graduate application.
  • Statement of purpose detailing your professional goals and how those goals fit the program to which you are applying.
  • Names and email addresses for three references including two professional contacts and one instructor/professor who can speak to your academic ability. The admissions office will send them a link to an online reference form. Do not list family members and please inform your references so they can expect to be contacted by the admissions office.
  • A recommended minimum 3.4 GPA (master’s or specialist’s degree) for admission to Ed.S. and Ed.D. programs.
  • Participation in an interview.

Admission Options

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

  1. Submit online application. You will choose Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Policy & Organizational Design as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
  2. Statement of Purpose
  3. Three letters of recommendation
    • You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
  4. One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
  5. One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
    • Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
    • Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      P.O. Box G
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
    • Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      175 President Circle
      116 Allen Hall
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
  6. Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
    Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
  7. Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor

Attention International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the results of either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Prospective students should contact ETS (TOEFL) or IELTS for testing information. The Graduate School maintains a list of countries exempt from English language requirements. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for specific English Language test score requirements.

English Language Test Score Requirements

TOEFL Essentials TOEFL iBT IELTS Admission Eligibility Outcome
9 and above 79 and above 6.5 and above Eligible for admission for any term and a graduate assistantship Considered proficient in English. Applicant is not required to enroll in an ESL course unless his/her academic program requires a higher test score.
8.0-8.5 69-78 6.0-6.4 Eligible for admission for Fall, Spring, or Summer and a graduate assistantship. Scores indicate a need for assistance in English writing, research, and editing skills. Applicant must enroll in EAP 5323 Academic Research and Writing. Student may enroll in up to 6 credit hours in his/her graduate program.
7.0-7.5 61-68 5.5-5.9 Eligible for admission for the Fall & Spring terms only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met. Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5120, a 9-hour intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student must complete this course prior to registering for courses in his/her graduate program. The student must then enroll in EAP 5323.
6.0-6.5 54-60 4.6-5.4 Eligible for admission for the Fall term only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met. Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5110, an intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student cannot enroll in courses in his/her program until ESL 5110 and ESL 5120 have been successfully completed. The student must then complete ESL 5120 before proceeding to enroll in EAP 5323.
5.5 and below 53 and below 4.5 and below Not eligible for admission to the Graduate School. Applicant can enroll in the English Language Institute on a non-credit basis after which he/she can retake the English-language test in preparation for submitting another application to graduate study at MSU.

Academic Advising

After gaining admission to the university, you must contact your assigned advisor to determine the courses most appropriate to take. Before the upcoming semester, your advisor will send an email to your MSU email account, making course recommendations based on your program of study.

Mississippi State University uses email as its official means of communication with all MSU students. Please check your MSU email account (NetID@msstate.edu) daily. Information on setting up your MSU email can be found at the link for student services.


Contact Information

Photo of Samantha Clardy

Samantha Clardy

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

  • General Program Questions
  • Assistance with Admissions Process & Requirements
662-325-9092
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Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

  • Current Student Inquires
  • Academic & Support Services Assistance
662-325-8876
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Alisha Milam

Division of Education

  • Assistant Clinical Professor
601-484-0170