Instructional Leadership, EdD—Nurse Education
The UA College of Education and the Capstone College of Nursing have combined to offer a Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership with a concentration in nurse education. This low-residency program is designed to prepare future faculty with the teaching and research skills necessary for positions in community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities.
Working within annual cohorts and employing distance-based and on-campus instruction, students typically complete coursework requirements and the dissertation study in 5 years.
The curriculum supports the competencies for nurse educators specified by the National League for Nursing (NLN) and the Southern Regional Education Board Council on Collegiate Education in Nursing (SCCEN).
Admissions
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must include:
- An unencumbered RN license in the state in which the student will practice
- A BSN degree from an accredited institution
- An M.S.N. degree or equivalent degree from an accredited institution
- A resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- A sample of academic writing (e.g., a scholarly paper presented in a previous graduate course that demonstrates knowledge of an area, powers of organization, command of language, and communication skills.)
The fall admission deadline is July 1st. An admissions committee comprised of nursing and education faculty selects the most qualified applicants.
Curricular Requirements
The Doctorate of Education requires a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the master’s degree (48 hours of coursework and 12 hours of dissertation study). Students must also meet all Graduate School degree and dissertation requirements.
The 48 hours of required coursework is normally completed in three years of full-time study through a blended format of online courses and spring-fall campus meetings (scheduled once a semester on Friday evenings and Saturdays). Summer classes are delivered online. A comprehensive examination must be passed and the dissertation completed no later than nine years after first enrollment.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Courses | ||
| BEF 667 | Multicult Soc Ed Leadershp | 3 |
| BEF 681 | Ethics And Education | 3 |
| BEF 695 | Sem Curriculum Leadership | 3 |
| AIL 600 | Integr Tech Educ & Train | 3 |
| AHE 603 | College & University Teaching | 3 |
| AIL 604 | Distance Technologies | 3 |
| BEF 641 | Studies Social Foundatn Eductn | 3 |
| BEP 541 | Learning and Cognition | 3 |
| BER 540 | Statistical Methods In Educ | 3 |
| BER 631 | Inqry As Interp: Qual I | 3 |
| BER 632 | Reflect Resist: Qual II | 3 |
| BER 640 | Adv Statistical Methods in Ed | 3 |
| Nursing Courses | ||
| NUR 531 | Nsg Fac Roles and Resp | 3 |
| NUR 532 | Instr Media Nursing Education | 3 |
| NUR 620 | Curriculum Theory & Practice | 3 |
| NUR 696 | Doctoral Seminar in Research | 3 |
| Dissertation Research | 12 | |
| Dissertation Research | ||
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Concentration in Nurse Education
| Concentration in Nurse Education | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 531 | Nsg Fac Roles and Resp | 3 |
| NUR 532 | Instr Media Nursing Education | 3 |
| NUR 620 | Curriculum Theory & Practice | 3 |
| NUR 696 | Doctoral Seminar in Research | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Transfer Credit
Due to the cohort-based model and the unique nature of specific MSN degrees, transfer credits are reviewed on a student-by-student basis.
Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.
Doctoral Plan of Study Requirement
A Plan of Study form will be submitted to the Program Coordinator and the Graduate School after completion of the first year of coursework. Students will work with the Coordinator of Student Recruitment to submit this form.
Graduate School information on the Doctoral Plan of Study.
Comprehensive Exams
A comprehensive exam is used to measure command of the content presented in the coursework portion of the degree. Students will complete the comprehensive exam during their final summer of coursework. Students will have one month to complete the exam, which consists of a written research paper followed by an oral defense. Upon successful completion, the student commences dissertation study.
Graduate School information on Comprehensive Exams.
Admission to Candidacy Requirements
Students will be admitted to candidacy once they pass their comprehensive exam. Students will work with the Coordinator of Student Recruitment to complete the Admission to Candidacy paperwork.
Graduate School information on Admission to Candidacy.
Continuous Enrollment Policy
Graduate School information on Continuous Enrollment.
Dissertation Requirements
Purpose. A dissertation—demonstrating the ability to conduct independent research, analyze, and present findings—must be prepared on a topic in the area of Nursing Education. The subject of the dissertation must be approved by the student's dissertation committee and should constitute an original contribution to the field of study. A dissertation committee will be comprised of two education faculty, two nursing faculty, and one external member. Students will choose their committee members during their final semester of coursework.
Policy. The dissertation progresses through the following benchmarks:
(i) Prospectus. The dissertation committee meets to review a brief outline (typically around 20 pages) of the proposed research project. Upon approval, the Doctoral Dissertation Committee Appointment Form is completed in the Graduate School portal.
(ii) Proposal. The dissertation committee meets to review the first three chapters of the dissertation manuscript. Where appropriate, this should include the justification and design of any proposed field research. Upon approval, the Admission to Candidacy form is signed and submitted to the Graduate School. The student can then seek the IRB approval necessary to conduct their research.
(iii) Defense. The dissertation committee meets to review the final manuscript, including analysis of the study’s findings and discussion of their significance in light of current research and policy. Upon approval, the Committee Acceptance form is signed and submitted to the Graduate School. The completed and edited dissertation is then uploaded to the ETD website.
Graduate School information on Dissertation Requirements.
Time Limit for Degree Completion
Graduate School information on Time Limits.
Student Progress Requirements
Students are expected to complete their coursework in conjunction with their cohort within three years. An alternate plan of study can be created under extenuating circumstances. Lack of satisfactory progress during dissertation hours will result in a failing grade. Students are required to pass 12 hours of dissertation research for graduation.
Academic Misconduct Information
Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Academic Grievances Information
Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.
Grades and Academic Standing
Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines
Information on Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation
Information on the Application for Graduation.
While a GRE score is not required for admission, preference for a limited number of college-funded assistantships is given to applicants for full-time study who take the GRE and achieve a composite score of 300 or better. Other competitive assistantship, fellowship, and scholarship opportunities may be available for applicants without GRE scores.
Students are encouraged to apply for College of Education scholarships (https://education.ua.edu/students/scholarships/) and scholarships offered through UA Online (https://online.ua.edu/tuition-financial-aid-scholarships/scholarships/).
Graduate School information on Financial Assistance.