Syllabus

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

EDU 801: Preparation for the Doctoral Journey

Credits - 3

Description

The importance of building the dissertation throughout that journey is emphasized. One of the main outcomes of the course is a Literature Review Matrix based on the student’s area of research interest and working topic. The process of inquiry, research and academic writing skills are reinforced, as is the Dissertation Template and the alignment of topic with problem, purpose, research questions and research themes for the Literature Review Matrix.
3.000 Credit hours

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Preparation for the Dissertation Journey

 

• Improve writing, research, organizational, time management, and public speaking skills required of doctoral level students.
• Develop a literature matrix that aligns with the working dissertation topic.
• Demonstrate appropriate academic writing and mechanics as well as adherence to APA 7 guidelines.
• Create a presentation to synthesize elements of the research process and working study topic.
• Build a foundation for the dissertation by writing a working problem statement, purpose statement, and research questions.

Assignments

Regular Discussion Posts (whole class and small group)

You will be required to respond to prompts related to course materials and engage with your peers in the course to support understanding and the co-construction of knowledge.

Concept Map

This simple visual will be a visual representation of the major themes of your work and will help direct your searches and thus your Literature Matrix.

Literature Matrix

You will have an opportunity to submit a Literature Matrix draft in week 3 and a second Matrix draft with additional sources in week 4. You will continue to add to and revise this matrix as you progress through the program, and it will help you build your Literature Review.

APA Style Quiz

This quiz demonstrates your ability to correctly cite and write in APA Style. You will be able to use the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.) as you take the quiz. Please note: this quiz is Pass/Fail. You have two attempts and must achieve 100% to receive full credit for the quiz. 

Dissertation Template

You will download and become familiar with this template, which provides the framework for your dissertation. 

Working Topic Presentation

You will create a presentation of who you are as a researcher and a description of your working study topic.

PPRQ Form

You will begin work with crafting a working problem statement, purpose statement, and research questions. You will download, review, and complete the PPRQ Worksheet provided. 

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignment	Points
Discussions (9 x 5 points)	45
Week 2 Literature Matrix 1st Submission	10
Week 3 Literature Matrix 2nd Submission	10
Week 4 Concept Map	5
Week 5 Dissertation Template	5
Week 5 APA Style Quiz	5
Week 6 Working Topic Presentation	10
Week 7 PPRQ Worksheet	10
Total:	100

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00

Grading

The criteria for all courses in the Ed. D. program are described in the modules and/or rubrics. Assignments will include guidelines with rubrics, descriptions of expectations, or examples, and include point values. Coursework will be assessed and graded using individual evaluation protocols that are provided for the three major assignments. Final “grades” will reflect the following schema:

• High Pass (HP): Work that exceeds all or most of the criteria of the respective assignment. To receive a high pass the work must demonstrate exceptional command and display of all or most required elements;
• Pass (P): Work that meets all requirements and expectations as specified in assignments, and is fully satisfactory in every respect;
• Low Pass (LP): Work is deemed unsatisfactory.

Grade Scale: 95 = HP; 80-94 = P; 70-79 = LP

Note** The instructor will determine if an assignment may be revised and resubmitted for rescoring. Candidates may proceed to subsequent courses in the curriculum with one LP grade, and although there is no failing grade, a second LP course grade results in termination from the doctoral program.

All assignments are to be completed in a timely manner with appropriate accuracy, detail, thought and reflection fitting of doctoral-level degree candidates. All assignments (done in writing or with other media applications) are graded on the basis of faculty assessment of your ability to accurately apply concepts from readings, organization, and mechanics. Please note that you must save all submitted documents in Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint in order for them to transmit successfully. All work must be properly identified and include author(s)’ name(s). Submit all written work in APA style (Refer to the APA Publication Manual for guidance and Help with Citations on UNE Library Services web page under Research Help).