Doctor of Philosophy in Teaching and Leadership

Admission Requirements

The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies' current minimum general admission requirements as stated in the academic catalog.  A complete application meets the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and those of the Teaching and Leadership (Ph.D.) Doctoral Program. The School of Graduate Studies application requirements include:

  • Application Form and Fee. The application form and information about the fee can be found on the School of Graduate Studies website.

  • Transcripts. Request one official copy of all academic transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended, including undergraduate and graduate coursework. 

  • Recommendation Checklist. Recommenders are to complete the "Summary of Evaluation" checklist which is located on the form "Recommendation for Admission."

  • Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

In addition to the above, the Teaching and Leadership (Ph.D.) Doctoral Program requires the following documents be uploaded into the online admissions form as an additional part of your application:

  • Statement of Professional/Educational Goals. Submit an essay not to exceed three double-spaced pages explaining why a Ph.D. in Teaching and Leadership is appropriate for your professional educational goals. Indicate your potential research areas or interests. 
  • Essay. An original scholarly essay not to exceed five double-spaced pages on a controversial issue or a problem facing education today, including references. The writing will be reviewed for (a) overall suitability for doctoral-level study; (b) cohesive development of ideas; (c) support for ideas, and (d) writing conventions. The applicant must also sign a statement attesting that the work submitted was that of the applicant.
  • Professional Resume. Submit a professional resume that includes the following information: educational background, professional experience, conference presentations (if applicable), publications (if applicable), professional honors and awards, and any other experiences you believe may aid the admission committee in evaluating your application.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation. In addition to having recommenders complete the School of Graduate Studies "Summary of Evaluation," have them write a letter of recommendation. The Recommendation for Admission form allows recommenders to upload their letters electronically. The letter should address the following: academic ability, professional accomplishments related to your field of study, and positive character traits.
  • Interview. Applicants who successfully meet all the above requirements may be interviewed by members of the Teaching & Leadership Doctoral Program Admissions Committee in an online format. 

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Department of Teaching, Leadership, & Professional Practice.

  1. Completion of 90 semester credits beyond the baccalaureate degree. 
  2. With approval of a student’s Faculty Advisory Committee, up to 30 credits from a master’s degree may be included in the 90 required semester credits. 

  3. Maintenance of at least a 3.0 GPA for all classes completed as a graduate student.
  4. With approval of a student’s Faculty Advisory Committee, a maximum of 30 semester credits beyond a master’s degree may be transferred from another institution that offers post-master degrees in the discipline. The graduate semester credits, earned after a master's degree, cannot be more than seven years old to be included on your program of study.
  5. At least one-half of the work must be in the major field, including: 
    • At least 10-12 credits of dissertation, which incorporates independent work that is an original contribution to knowledge in the field.
    • A minimum of 12 credits of scholarly tool courses.
  6. Successful completion of comprehensive exams.
  7. Meet one of the three residency options described below:
    • Complete a residency while enrolled in a minimum of nine semester hours of credit during each of two consecutive semesters (Fall, Spring or Spring, Fall).
    • Complete a residency while enrolled in a minimum of eight semester hours of credit during each of three consecutive summer sessions.
    • Complete a residency over a period of three consecutive years of continuous enrollment in a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit (twelve credits per year for three years).
  8. As part of your residency, the faculty also expects that you will: 
  • Communicate with your advisor on a regular basis.
  • Engage regularly in dialogue with other graduate students.
  • Attend classes, meetings, and internship/practicum assignments when they are offered, with only occasional reasonable interruptions.
  • Complete the work of a semester or summer school on schedule: Incomplete's are assigned only in cases of illness or an emergency.
  • Maintain grades high enough to remain in good standing with the School of Graduate Studies.
Teaching & Leadership Doctoral Core Courses (33-35 credits)
T&L 543Scholarly Writing3
T&L 545Adult Learners3
T&L 548The Professoriate3
T&L 549Doctoral Seminar (I and II)2
T&L 571Teacher Education: Focus on the Teacher3
T&L 586Research in Teacher Development and Professionalization Policies3
EDL 512Leading K-12 Classroom Assessment and Grading3
EDL 574Organizational Theory for Educational Leaders3
T&L 999Dissertation (or)10-12
EDL 999Dissertation10-12
Educational Research Apprenticeship (Repeatable to 7 Credits)
T&L 587Educational Research Apprenticeship (ERA)1-7
Scholarly Tools Requirement (12 credits) Six credits including:
EFR 510Participatory Qualitative Research Methods3
EFR 516Statistics II3
Plus choose six credits from the following:
T&L 569Action Research (or)3
T&L 579Inquiry into Professional Practice3
EFR 508Advanced Ethnographic Methodology: Inquiry into Culture3
EFR 511Program and Policy Evaluation3
EFR 512Survey Design and Analysis3
EFR 513Large Dataset Management and Analysis3
EFR 514Advanced Textual Analysis3
EFR 517Advanced Research Methodologies3
EFR 518Multivariate Analysis3
EFR 520Translational and pluralistic designs in qualitative research3
EFR 522Mixed-Methods Research3
EFR 523Structural Equation Modeling3
EFR 530Learning Analytics3
Choose Between These Options or Self-Design Your Own Learning Experience (12 Credits)
Option 1: College Teaching (12 credits) 1
T&L 539College Teaching3
T&L 548The Professoriate3
Pick two of the following:
T&L 545Adult Learners3
T&L 552Online Teaching Practice Innovation3
HE 544Assessment in Higher Education3
Option 2: Instructional Coaching (12 credits) 1
T&L 532Leading K-12 Educator Learning3
T&L 563K-12 Classroom Based Coaching Practices3
T&L 564Designing Professional Development for K-12 Educators3
T&L 565K-12 Instructional Coaching Clinical3
Option 3: Mastery Learning (9 credits) 1
EDL 512Leading K-12 Classroom Assessment and Grading3
EDL 513Leading K-12 Curriculum and Instruction3
T&L 579Inquiry into Professional Practice3
or T&L 569 Action Research
Self-Design Your Own Learning Experience (12 credits) Your advisory committee may recommend exceptions to these courses.
EDL 513Leading K-12 Curriculum and Instruction3
EDL 514Supervision and Professional Development3
EDL 527Legal Issues in Education3
EDL 571School Community Relations3
T&L 511Assessment in ECE3
T&L 517Social Emotional Learning Guidance3
T&L 527Curricular Foundations in Early Childhood Education3
T&L 529Language Development Cognition in Children3
T&L 554Nature of Science and Science Education3
T&L 555Issues of Motivation and Equity in STEM Education3
T&L 556Constructivism in STEM Teaching and Learning3
T&L 532Leading K-12 Educator Learning3
T&L 563K-12 Classroom Based Coaching Practices3
T&L 564Designing Professional Development for K-12 Educators3
T&L 539College Teaching3
T&L 552Online Teaching Practice Innovation3
T&L 547Technology in Higher Education3
T&L 524Reading in the Content Areas2
T&L 525Writing in the Classroom3
T&L 530Foundations of Reading Instruction3
T&L 531Early Literacy Development and Instruction3
T&L 514Introduction to Multilingual Education3
T&L 551Second Language Acquisition for ELL Teachers3
SPED 525Legal/Ethical Aspects in Special Education3
SPED 5413
SPED 5443
SPED 5454
EFR 503History of American Education Policy and Reform3
EFR 505Educational Equity and Social Change in Schooling3
EFR 506Multicultural Education3
EFR 507Gender, Education and the Environment3
EFR 508Advanced Ethnographic Methodology: Inquiry into Culture3
EFR 525International and Comparative Education3
1

The College Teaching, Instructional Coaching, and Mastery Learning options are also available as stand-alone certificates. If a student would like to also earn the certificate, they will need to either submit an application or submit the Add Certificate to a Degree form.

2

Master degree credits: 28-30 credits may be transferred from a previously earned master's degree.