92-98 credits
Designed to meet the needs of advanced graduate students who seek leadership roles in education and are dedicated to advancing the profession through their advanced research skills, teaching, and service. The program includes an intensive, in-depth study of education and various professional experiences through fellowship assignments.
Degree requirements
General guidelines include 92-98 graduate credits, at least 48 of which ordinarily will be completed at Ball State University. The program includes a major of 40 credits, of which 10 credits are for the dissertation. Candidates may choose cognate fields of either two 15-credit (minimum) cognates or one 24-credit (minimum) cognate. The 15-credit cognates must include a minimum of 9 Ball State University credits, and the 24-credit cognate must include a minimum of 12 Ball State University credits. One of the cognate areas must demonstrate research competence in statistical methods or research techniques. There is a residency requirement of 15 credit hours within one academic year (may include online classes), which is expected to begin within two years of acceptance to the program.
Teachers College requirements
(or another approved course)
Humanistic studies
One course from
| EDFO 631 | Philosophy of Education | 3 |
| EDFO 641 | History of American Education | 3 |
| EDFO 651 | Educational Sociology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Behavioral studies
One course from
| EDPS 600 | Advanced Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDPS 603 | Psychology of Human Development | 3 |
| EDPS 627 | Child Development | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Area of specialization
(Elementary, Early Childhood, Reading)
Doctoral seminar (2 semesters)
| EDEL 798 | Seminar in Elementary Education | 2 |
| | or | |
| ECYF 799 | Seminar in Early Childhood Education | 2 |
| | or | |
| EDRD 700 | Seminar in Reading | 2 |
Dissertation
| DISS 799 | Doctoral Dissertation | 1 TO 24 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Research cognate
Total Credit Hours: 92-98