Instructions for Week 5 Assignment

For this assignment, you are asked to create a one-page infographic that highlights the differences between the EdS, EdD, and PhD degrees. Do not simply copy/paste from the module, but explain:

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Similarities

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Differences

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Purpose of each degree

Then, for whichever degree plan you are following, construct the following which will be the
Ed.D degree pathway

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Challenges

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Opportunities

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Support Systems to overcome areas of concern.

I will create the infographic, you just provide the wording.

See the information below to assist you:

EdS Students

The Education Specialist degree is a degree situated between a master’s degree and a doctoral-level degree and is 30-33 credits. Often practitioner-focused, the EdS degree is great for those looking to further their career opportunities or enhance their learning and practice.  However, not all states recognize the EdS degree, so you must check with your state’s Department of Education. For our educational specialist learners (EdS), a capstone course (ED-7053) is the culminating point of your journey.  Here, you’ll work to draft a framework for a problem in education. You’ll focus on the background of the issue, its current status, and implications, and work to conceptualize and describe an intervention or implementation plan to address and correct the issue. You will also explore various stakeholders and how they are impacted by the issue.  This capstone project is hosted via a video tailor-made for your faculty member. Unlike the EdD and PhD degrees, the EdS does not require you to complete a dissertation.

EdD Students

For our doctoral learners, we offer two “major” degree programs, each with specialization options: the Doctor of Education (EdD) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD). Both are considered terminal degrees, but there are many differences that you need to be aware of as you consider which degree is right for you.

The Doctor of Education (EdD) is completed using the Applied Dissertation Experience (ADE). Per the ADE handbook (2020),

The applied doctoral project or dissertation-in-practice is a substantial, scholarly work conducted independently by a candidate under the guidance of faculty members comprising the candidate’s Doctoral Committee. Following the approved final manuscript, the candidate will present the findings and contributions to practice to the Doctoral Committee as a professional conference-level presentation or poster, or demonstrate that the manuscript has been accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed, professional journal (p. 3).

Many use the EdD as a way to continue practical, applied work in their field, be it in a PK-12 school system, non-profit organization, or another setting. This “boots on the ground” degree is meant to impact change and growth not only for the doctoral student but their professional environment. The EdD is a 48-54 credit program. The EdD dissertation is split into three sections, a departure from the traditional five-chapter dissertation (found in the PhD program).  The three sections are then further split into two “phases” of document readiness, the Applied Dissertation Proposal (DP) which includes both sections 1 and 2, and the Applied Dissertation Manuscript (DM), which includes sections 1, 2, and 3.  The ADE handbook (2020) notes that the final manuscript is comprised of three Sections:

ou may be inspired to try and complete all of your coursework in the “A” courses – and that’s a GREAT goal. However, the only guarantee in research is that nothing is ever guaranteed. As a professional learner, you may have competing external demands (e.g., work, family) and internal demands (e.g., changes to your study, longer-than-expected data collection/analysis).  It’s important to remember that the B, C, and D sections are not a punishment, but rather an opportunity for you to complete your deliverable(s).

The ADE process is unique, and understanding the deliverables associated with each courses, and the progression of courses is vital to your success.

Remember, there’s a big deliverable at the end of each course – these courses will challenge you in many ways, so making use of the resources that we’ve introduced in this course will do nothing but help you succeed. While your dissertation is written only by you; it takes a monumental, team effort to reach the finish line. The more you are proactive, and the more you reach out for conversation, collaboration, and support, the easier this journey will be!

The courses are as follows:

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DIS-9911 – Section 1 

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DIS-9912 – Section 2 and approved doctoral proposal (DP) 

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DIS-9913 – IRB approval, and final Study Closure Form after data are collected

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DIS-9914 – Section 3, approved Applied Doctoral Manuscript (DM) or alternative professional contribution

You will see that we offer more than one version of each of these four courses. We offer the “A” sections which you take first which are 12-weeks long, and then supplemental (or continuation) courses, the “B, C, and D” sections, each of  which are 8-weeks long. In the end, it looks like this:

Ph.D. Students

Complimenting the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree is the Doctor of Philosophy in Education degree (PhD). While everyone has an opinion on which degree is better, or how each degree “works” – it’s up to you to do your own research and choose which degree will help you fulfill your goals. For those wanting a more theoretically-based degree, the PhD is for you! That does not mean it will not help solve a problem; it simply means that instead of focusing on applied research like the EdD, the PhD offers a contribution to the surrounding literature.

There are several differences in format and style between the Ed.D. and the Ph.D. dissertations. The Ph.D. dissertation is a standard, five-chapter document that is generally split into two parts, the Dissertation Proposal (DP) which includes chapters 1-3, and the Dissertation Manuscript (DM), which includes chapters 1-5. The Dissertation Student Experience (DSE) handbook (2021) notes expectations for each chapter. 

Much like the Ed.D. degree, the DSE courses allow students to work on the five chapters that make up their Dissertation Proposal (DP) and Dissertation Manuscript (DM).  The courses are as follows:

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DIS-9901 – Chapter 1 

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DIS-9902 – Chapter 2, Chapter 3, and final DP 

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DIS-9903 – IRB approval, and final Study Closure Form after data are collected 

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DIS-9904 – Chapter 4, Chapter 5, final DM, and Oral Defense 

Just like the EdD course, you will see that we offer more than one version of each of these four courses. We offer the “A” sections which you take first which are 12 weeks long, and then supplemental (or continuation) courses, the “B, C, and D” sections, each of which are 8 weeks long. In the end, it looks like this:

Again, you may be inspired to try and complete all of your coursework in the “A” courses – and that’s a GREAT goal. However, the only guarantee in research is that nothing is ever guaranteed. As a professional learner, you may have competing external demands (e.g., work, family) and internal demands (e.g., changes to your study, longer-than-expected data collection/analysis).  It’s important to remember that the B, C, and D sections are not a punishment, but rather an opportunity for you to complete your deliverable(s). You will notice here that DIS-9902 and DIS-9904 have a LOT going on in them in terms of deliverables – and you’re correct. Most students need to take a B, C, and sometimes D course to finish these two courses as they are the two culminating points of your dissertation proposal, and dissertation manuscript, respectively.  

Remember, there’s a big deliverable at the end of each course – these courses will challenge you in many ways, so making use of the resources that we’ve introduced in this course will do nothing but help you succeed. While your dissertation is written only by you; it takes a monumental, team effort to reach the finish line. The more you are proactive, and the more you reach out for conversation, collaboration, and support, the easier this journey will be!  

The DSE process can seem overwhelming, especially knowing there are multiple moving parts at any one time.

I will also be attaching the previous Week 3/Week 4 assignments to assist you. Of the course the work must be plagiarism free.

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