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Joint Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership

Curriculum

Because we are an accelerated program, the JDP has a relatively fixed curriculum. The following chart summarizes that curriculum.

This curriculum encompasses at least 96 total units of coursework. In the 1st year, the student takes 34 units for substantive coursework (ED 440, 442,& 447) and for methodological coursework (ED 214A, 221A, 405-01, Ed 200, 236C). In the 2nd year, the student takes 30 units for substantive coursework (ED 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, & 596) and for methodological coursework (ED 405-02). In the 3rd year, the student takes a minimum of 32 units, typically in research and independent study wth their advisor and depending on the nature of their dissertation research. Each JDP student MUST register for the required courses each quarter, which is no less than 8 units. If the student desires additional elective coursework, then the student should see his/her advisor and register for additional units up to 12.

In addition to required coursework, students must participate in two Leadership Symposia every September and February beginning with their 1st year and ending with their 3rd year. These experiences entail participation in research symposia designed, executed, and hosted by our students for the regional educational community. Students must also participate in Professional Development (PD Practica) experiences Winter quarter, year one through Fall quarter, year two.

These experiences are designed to build regional and distinctive capacity in educational leadership along the central coast.

Milestone Overview

Student progress in the JDP is assessed by the attainment of specific milestones.

Number of Units Transferable Into the Program

With permission of the UCSB Graduate Division and Cal Poly/UCSB Joint Graduate Group faculty, students may transfer into the JDP up to eight (8) quarter units of graduate-level methodology coursework completed with a B or above at a regionally-accredited university. Up to twelve (12) quarter units of graduate-level methodology coursework completed with a B or better may be transferred from another UC campus. All transfer units will be treated as Passed/Not Passed and will not be counted when calculating a student’s grade point average. No other coursework may be transferred into the program.

Doctoral students must complete one quarter of residency in the program before they will be permitted to petition to transfer units earned elsewhere.The methodology coursework must have been completed while the student was enrolled in a graduate degree program, and the units may not have been previously applied toward a degree already awarded. If the units have been previously applied to another degree, the associated coursework may be substituted for required JDP methods courses. The units for the substituted courses, however, must be made up with additional JDP methodological coursework.

Cohort Model and Continuous Enrollment

Students must complete a minimum of 9 quarters of continuous, full-time enrollment (at least 8 units per quarter) and must complete each course in the order listed in this program description. Because students are integral members of a cohort for the duration of the program, they must also take courses at the same time as others in their cohort. In the event that a student takes a leave of absence or lapses status, s/he can continue with his/her coursework but must wait to join a subsequent cohort the following year. Students must petition for reinstatement with a subsequent cohort.

Expected Time to Degree

Students will be expected to progress with their respective cohorts and satisfy all requirements for the Ed.D. Degree. Typically, students should expect to graduate in 3-3.5 years but have within 4.5 years (4 years plus 2 additional quarters) as an outside limit. If students exceed this limit, they will be required to submit Degree Progress Monitoring Reports until they complete all Program requirements and may be subject to academic probation and/or dismissal.