Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Course Descriptions
The course descriptions below are effective for the 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog.
Educational Leadership Core
LEAD 7300 Educational Foundations
The course provides an introduction to educational leadership with an emphasis on leadership practice, development, and implementation. The work and challenges of educational leaders will be examined. The student will study the roles of servant leadership, credibility, vision, empowerment, and strategy for educational leaders.
LEAD 7303 Theories of Human Development
This course explores human development research, focusing on physical, cognitive, social, emotional, personality, (moral and faith) development from conception to death within the context of psychological and sociological theories of development with an emphasis on their contributions to the practices of Christian nurture, instruction, and leadership formation.
LEAD 7304 Theories of Leadership and Management
Leadership is essentially the ability of an individual to influence other people to achieve a purpose, attain a goal, or create a change. Contemporary businesses, educational institutions, and other organizations expect mastery of strategic leadership elements and a comprehension of motivational and problem-solving approaches from their leaders. This course provides a survey of the key components of leadership theory, concepts, and models within the context of a Christian worldview. Students will examine leadership theory, ethics, values, attitudes, character development, diversity, and leadership behavior with an emphasis on developing the requisite skills for effective servant leadership.
LEAD 7305 Theories of Learning
This course explores the major theories of and ongoing research in learning with application of these theories and research studies to curriculum design and instructional strategies in school districts, colleges and universities, and church settings. Emphasis is given to an analysis of learning styles as well.
LEAD 7306 Proposal Design
Students will be provided with an academic foundation and practical research skills essential to successfully plan, write, defend, and complete a scholarly dissertation. The course incorporates decision-making in the areas of topic refinement, related literature research and development, research methodology and statistical design and scholarly writing. The course is appropriate for students that are completing their course work, have selected a topic, and are moving into the research and dissertation phase of their study.
Research Core
LEAD 7421 Educational Research Quantitative/Qualitative I
This course introduces the language of research and examines the research process. It will familiarize students with social science research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed method, and action research approaches to education inquiry, data collection, and analysis. Students will develop skills in using research tools, reading empirical research studies, and applying these methods to become informed consumers of the research literature.
LEAD 7422 Educational Research Quantitative/Qualitative II
This course prepares students for planning and conducting a quantitative, qualitative, mixed method, or action research study. It will provide hands-on practice using industry-standard software for quantitative and qualitative projects. Students will study standard inferential statistics for analyzing data, including t-tests and ANOVAs, emphasizing data interpretation. Qualitative skills will be developed, such as designing and conducting a semi-structured interview, coding textual data, and identifying themes and patterns for analysis. Ethical considerations when conducting research will be addressed for all research paradigms.
LEAD 7423 Quantitative Methods of Research (Proposal Design Chapter 3)
Students will be equipped with the methodological skills and knowledge necessary for completing a quantitative dissertation in leadership. Topics include determining the appropriate research design, the formulation of research questions and hypotheses, evaluations of instruments, a plan for data collection, and construction of analysis procedures. The course will address sampling, test assumptions, data interpretation, validity, and reliability. Students will study correlation, regression, and other statistical methodologies as research plans require. All course deliverables must reflect appropriate research terminology and correct APA formatting.
LEAD 7424 Qualitative Methods of Research (Proposal Design Chapter 3)
This course further equips students with the methodology skills and knowledge necessary for completing a quantitative dissertation in leadership. Topics include determining the appropriate research design, the formulation of research questions and hypotheses, evaluations of instruments, a plan for data collection, and construction of analysis procedures. The course will address sampling, test assumptions, data interpretation, validity, and reliability. Students will study correlation, regression, and other statistical methodologies as research plans require. All course deliverables must reflect appropriate research terminology and correct APA formatting.
Global Leadership Concentration
LEAD 7330 Academic Reading/Writing in Global Context
This course is designed to acclimatize the learner to reading and writing scholarly texts, articles, and publications related to educational leadership. Interdisciplinary in its approach, the course will incorporate the mechanics of publication style, argumentation, and synthesis to deepen and broaden the student’s comprehension of the elements needed to begin writing an educational leadership dissertation. The approach used in this course will be text-centered, student-focused, and writing-intensive.
LEAD 7384 Intelligence in Leadership and Learning
This course is designed to explore the depths of Emotional Intelligence (EI), Social Intelligence (SI), and Cultural Intelligence (CQ) within the realms of leadership and learning. This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these intelligences, their theoretical foundations, practical applications, and the latest research insights. Over an eight-week period, you will engage in critical analysis, reflective practice, and skill development essential for leading diverse teams and organizations effectively.
LEAD 7332 Cross Cultural Communication
This course explores the complexities and nuances of communicating across different cultures, emphasizing both theoretical understanding and practical application. Students will engage in a comprehensive examination of cultural norms, values, and communication styles, and their impact on interpersonal and organizational interactions. Students will develop skills to effectively navigate and bridge cultural differences in various contexts, including corporate, educational, and international settings.
LEAD 7331 Leadership Ethics and Values in a Global Context
This course critically examines how globalization reshapes leadership ethics and values, compelling leaders to adapt to diverse cultural settings while maintaining ethical integrity. Through a comprehensive exploration of global dimensions of ethical leadership, the course aims to equip doctoral students with the nuanced understanding and skills necessary to lead ethically and effectively in international and multicultural contexts. Leveraging a blend of theoretical insights and practical applications, students will engage with various case studies illuminating global leadership's ethical challenges.
LEAD 7335 Strategic Planning
This course explores organizational strategy from a theoretical perspective with an emphasis on the application of strategic models and tools to lead effectively within the higher education, church, business, and denominational environments.
LEAD 7336 Leading Change
This course is designed to assist doctoral students in exploring selectively, some of the key areas of the field of organizational behavior. The course examines organizations from a sociological perspective to gain a comprehensive understanding of both the theoretical and practical workings of business, ministry, and higher education organizations. Topics covered will be the field of organizational behavior, levels of analysis, and disciplines that contribute to organizational behavior and change. Human problems of adjustment, communication, and performance in business, ministry, and higher education organizational structures will be examined.
Higher Education Concentration
LEAD 7370 Academic Reading/Writing in Higher Education
This course is designed to acclimatize the learner to reading and writing scholarly texts, articles, and publications related to educational leadership. Interdisciplinary in its approach, the course will incorporate the mechanics of publication style, argumentation, and synthesis to deepen and broaden the student’s comprehension of the elements needed to begin writing an educational leadership dissertation. The approach used in this course will be text-centered, student-focused, and writing-intensive.
LEAD 7373 Higher Education Leadership
Learners will rigorously analyze and evaluate the primary administrative functions and leadership roles inherent in academia. Through a combination of scholarly readings, case studies, reflective writing, and interactive discussions, students will analyze contemporary issues facing higher education leaders and develop the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate these challenges effectively. Drawing upon real-world examples and best practices within American higher education, students will engage in reflective exercises to assess their leadership philosophies and approaches to current higher education issues.
LEAD 7372 Higher Education Finance and Law
Students will participate in a variety of authentic and research-based activities to provide budgeting and finance knowledge for higher education institutions, including issues of local, state, and federal laws and policies. The course will also survey federal and state law governing colleges and universities in the United States of America with a focus on the application of education law to fact patterns commonly presented to various academic administrators.
LEAD 7374- Intelligence in Leadership and Learning
This course is designed to delve deeply into the intricacies and applications of Emotional Intelligence (EI), Social Intelligence (SI), and Cultural Intelligence (CQ) within leadership and learning contexts. This course explores the theoretical foundations, practical implications, and latest research. Students will engage in critical analysis, reflective practice, and develop skills essential for leading diverse teams and organizations. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these intelligences can be cultivated and applied to enhance leadership effectiveness, foster inclusive learning environments, and drive positive change
LEAD 7375 Strategic Planning in Higher Education
This course explores organizational strategy from a theoretical perspective with an emphasis on the application of strategic models and tools to lead effectively within the higher education, church, business, and denominational environments.
LEAD 7376 Leading Change in Higher Education Organizations
This course is designed to assist doctoral students in exploring selectively, some of the key areas of the field of organizational behavior. The course examines organizations from a sociological perspective to gain a comprehensive understanding of both the theoretical and practical workings of business, ministry, and higher education organizations. Topics covered will be the field of organizational behavior, levels of analysis, and disciplines that contribute to organizational behavior and change. Human problems of adjustment, communication, and performance in business, ministry, and higher education organizational structures will be examined.
Organizational Leadership Concentration
LEAD 7380 Academic Reading/Writing in Organizational Leadership
This course is designed to acclimatize the learner to reading and writing scholarly texts, articles, and publications related to educational leadership. Interdisciplinary in its approach, the course will incorporate the mechanics of publication style, argumentation, and synthesis to deepen and broaden the student’s comprehension of the elements needed to begin writing an educational leadership dissertation. The approach used in this course will be text-centered, student-focused, and writing-intensive.
LEAD 7381 Ethics in Leadership
An advanced course designed to delve into the ethical challenges and responsibilities that leaders face across various sectors, including corporate, non-profit, and public domains. This course is structured to foster a deep understanding of ethical theories, enhance critical thinking through case study analysis, and develop practical skills for ethical decision-making and leadership. Over an eight-week period, participants will engage in a comprehensive exploration of the moral complexities of leadership, the development of ethical reasoning skills, and the application of ethical theories to real-world scenarios.
LEAD 7382 Professional Leadership Development
This course explores coaching and mentoring, giving particular attention to these topics in today’s corporate world. Learners will determine qualifications of successful coaches and mentors, as well as identify how coaching and mentoring affect change, culture, learning, and relationships within organizations.
LEAD 7385 Strategic Planning in General Leadership
This course explores organizational strategy from a theoretical perspective with an emphasis on the application of strategic models and tools to lead effectively within the higher education, church, business, and denominational environments.
LEAD 7386 Leading Change in Organizations
This course is designed to assist doctoral students in exploring selectively, some of the key areas of the field of organizational behavior. The course examines organizations from a sociological perspective to gain a comprehensive understanding of both the theoretical and practical workings of business, ministry, and higher education organizations. Topics covered will be the field of organizational behavior, levels of analysis, and disciplines that contribute to organizational behavior and change. Human problems of adjustment, communication, and performance in business, ministry, and higher education organizational structures will be examined.
LEAD 7384 Intelligence in Leadership and Learning
This course is designed to delve deeply into the intricacies and applications of Emotional Intelligence (EI), Social Intelligence (SI), and Cultural Intelligence (CQ) within leadership and learning contexts. This course explores the theoretical foundations, practical implications, and latest research. Students will engage in critical analysis, reflective practice, and develop skills essential for leading diverse teams and organizations. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these intelligences can be cultivated and applied to enhance leadership effectiveness, foster inclusive learning environments, and drive positive change
Ministry Leadership Concentration
LEAD 7360 Academic Reading/Writing in Ministry Leadership
This course is designed to acclimatize the learner to reading and writing scholarly texts, articles, and publications related to educational leadership. Interdisciplinary in its approach, the course will incorporate the mechanics of publication style, argumentation, and synthesis to deepen and broaden the student’s comprehension of the elements needed to begin writing an educational leadership dissertation. The approach used in this course will be text-centered, student-focused, and writing-intensive.
LEAD 7361 Faith Formation and Generational Discipleship
Students will apply the Biblical and theological foundations of faith formation as they relate to the current generations with a view toward developing effective discipleship strategies and disciplines in the Christian development of the various age groups of preschools, children, youth, and adults.
LEAD 7363 Leadership and Current Trends in NextGen Ministries
Students will construct the vital Biblical and theological foundations and design the spiritual practices necessary to stay current with the resources and curriculum needed to lead a Christian ministry which is impactful upon future generations.
LEAD 7364 Intelligence in Leadership and Learning
This course is designed to delve deeply into the intricacies and applications of Emotional Intelligence (EI), Social Intelligence (SI), and Cultural Intelligence (CQ) within leadership and learning contexts. This course explores the theoretical foundations, practical implications, and latest research. Students will engage in critical analysis, reflective practice, and develop skills essential for leading diverse teams and organizations. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these intelligences can be cultivated and applied to enhance leadership effectiveness, foster inclusive learning environments, and drive positive change.
LEAD 7365 Strategic Planning in Educational Ministry
This course explores organizational strategy from a theoretical perspective with an emphasis on the application of strategic models and tools to lead effectively within the higher education, church, business, and denominational environments.
LEAD 7366 Leading Change in Ministry Organizations
This course is designed to assist doctoral students in exploring selectively, some of the key areas of the field of organizational behavior. The course examines organizations from a sociological perspective to gain a comprehensive understanding of both the theoretical and practical workings of business, ministry, and higher education organizations. Topics covered will be the field of organizational behavior, levels of analysis, and disciplines that contribute to organizational behavior and change. Human problems of adjustment, communication, and performance in business, ministry, and higher education organizational structures will be examined.
Dissertation
LEAD 7111 Dissertation I - Dissertation Topic Purpose Statement
This course introduces students to the dissertation process and foundational elements of their dissertation. Emphasis will be given to developing a dissertation topic and purpose statement and identifying a possible population and proposed research paradigm.
LEAD 7112 Dissertation II - Prospectus Submission
This course builds on 7111 and guides students in the development of their draft dissertation prospectus, the first milestone in the dissertation process. Students will iteratively write an initial prospectus, complete with a brief literature review, ensuring the alignment of all elements of the prospectus and employing a writing style consistent with the language of research and APA formatting.
LEAD 7113 Dissertation III - Literature Review (Chapter 2)
To enroll in this seminar, doctoral students must have completed four semesters of leadership core and concentration courses, including Leadership Proposal Design. Doctoral students will be guided and assisted in the development of the dissertation proposal with an emphasis on the Literature Review, refine chapters and prepare to submit the dissertation proposal to the dissertation committee for formal approval.
LEAD 7114 Dissertation IV - Proposal Defense Preparation
To enroll in this seminar, doctoral students must have completed five semesters of leadership core and concentration courses, including Leadership Proposal Design and Quantitative Methods of Research (Quantitative or Qualitative). Doctoral students will be guided and assisted in the development of the dissertation proposal, identify the research questions, select the method of research used to investigate the problem, define, state, and justify the thesis or theory, refine chapters and submit the dissertation proposal to the dissertation committee for formal approval. Upon approval of the dissertation proposal, students will defend the proposal in a hearing before faculty and candidates. Upon completion and successful defense of the dissertation proposal, students will implement and document the research methodology outlined in the dissertation proposal.
LEAD 7115 Dissertation V - Final Defense Preparation
To enroll in this seminar, doctoral students must have successfully defended the dissertation proposal. Doctoral students will be guided and assisted in the continued development of the dissertation, implementing and documenting the research methodology outlined in the dissertation proposal, analyzing data derived from the research, and drawing conclusions from the research.
Requisites: LEAD 7114, Approval of Program Director.
LEAD 8316 Dissertation VI - Final Defense Preparation
Doctoral students will be guided and assisted in the completion of dissertation research, development and writing of their dissertation chapters, data analysis, conclusions, recommendations, and preparations for final methodology review. Requisites: Admission to EDD program.
LEAD 8117 Dissertation VII - Data Collection/Chapter 4&5
Doctoral students will be guided and assisted in the completion of dissertation research, development and writing of their dissertation chapters, data analysis, conclusions, recommendations, and preparations for final methodology review. Requisites: Admission to EDD program.
LEAD 8318 Dissertation VIII - Data Collection/Chapter 4&5
Doctoral students will be guided and assisted in the completion of dissertation research, development and writing of their dissertation chapters, data analysis, conclusions, recommendations, and preparations for final methodology review. Requisites: Admission to EDD program.
LEAD 8319 Dissertation IX - Final Defense
Doctoral students will be guided and assisted in the completion of dissertation research, development and writing of their dissertation chapters, data analysis, conclusions, recommendations, and preparations for final methodology review and final defense of their dissertation. Requisites: Admission to EDD program.
LEAD 8330 Dissertation X – Dissertation Research I
In the event that students do not complete the dissertation steps in LEAD 8318, Doctoral students will be guided and assisted in the completion of dissertation research, development, and writing of their dissertation chapters, data analysis, conclusions, recommendations, and preparations for final methodology review. Requisites: Admission to EDD program.
LEAD 8340 Dissertation XI – Dissertation Research II
In the event that students do not complete the dissertation steps in LEAD 8319, Doctoral students will be guided and assisted in the completion of dissertation research, development, and writing of their dissertation chapters, data analysis, conclusions, recommendations, and preparations for final methodology review. Requisites: Admission to EDD program.