Program Objectives

"We may reject knowledge of the past as the end of education and thereby only emphasize its importance as a means. When we do that we have a problem that is new in the story of education: How shall the young become acquainted with the past in such a way that the acquaintance is a potent agent in appreciation of the living present?"

~ John Dewey

Doctoral Degree Programs…

In keeping with Harrison Middleton University's commitment to promote excellence in eduction and its desire to create highly trained scholars and professionals who have a broad, interdisciplinary perspective, the university offers two doctoral degrees, the Doctor of Arts and the Doctor of Education.

Doctor of Education Degree Program

The Doctor of Education degree program is designed for students who wish to pursue careers as leaders in education or as applied researchers. The emphasis is on application of research and theory in education and on acquisition of professional skills. Students must demonstrate superior scholarship and leadership in professional education. This program of study requires students to complete sixty (60) credit hours of graduate credit beyond the master's degree level.

The Doctor of Education degree program explores the history and development of the field of education and its foundational theoretical principles. Students are expected to acquire a thorough and comprehensive broad knowledge in the major field of education and related topics; complete extensive legal research of both federal and state laws, regulations, and rules relating to education; write a scholarly legal opinion reporting the findings of the research; and finally, plan, develop, conduct, interpret, and apply the research to a unique capstone project which will propose a solution to a current, significant educational issue or problem.

As part of the program of study for the Doctor of Education, sudents will study the means and ends of education; the kinds of education; the improvement of the mind by teaching and learning; the means and methods of teaching; education and the state; and historical and biographical observations concerning the institutions and practices of education.

The Doctor of Education Degree Program (60 credit hours) consists of the following:

  • The Great Conversation: The Cornerstone Course ~ 4 credit hours
  • EDU 720-1 ~ 5 credit hours
  • EDU 720-2 ~ 1 credit hours
  • EDU 720-3 ~ 1 credit hours
  • EDU 720-4 ~ 5 credit hours
  • EDU 720-5 ~ 5 credit hours
  • EDU 720-6 ~ 2 credit hours
  • Oral Comprehensive Examination ~ Part One
  • Student Designed Courses ~ 16 credit hours
  • EDU 720-8 ~ 5 credit hours
  • EDU 720-9 ~ 4 credit hours
  • Legal Research and Scholarly Legal Opinion ~ 4 credit hours
  • Oral Comprehensive Examination ~ Part Two
  • Doctoral Capstone Course ~ 8 credit hours

*See university catalog for course descriptions.