This course introduces students to a variety of theories to help support the doctoral journey. The importance of building the dissertation throughout that journey is emphasized. One of the main outcomes of the course is a Literature Review Matrix based on the student’s area of research interest and working topic. The process of inquiry, research and academic writing skills are reinforced, as is the Five-Chapter Dissertation Outline and the alignment of topic with problem, purpose, research questions and research themes for the Literature Review Matrix.

Students will be introduced to several different qualitative research methods from which to explore. Students will participate in activities which align with the building of a potential qualitative study for their approved working topic of choice.

Students will be introduced to quantitative, as well as mixed methods research. Students will describe various research designs and evaluate them for appropriateness for their approved working topic of choice. Students will participate in activities which align with the building of a potential quantitative or mixed methods study.

Technology is ever-changing and the need for demonstrating the ability to construct and put into practice new knowledge about emergent technology is essential. Students will explore and demonstrate an understanding of technological principles, practices and platforms.

The ability to create the conditions to effect systematic and productive change is necessary in every profession and organization. Students will be introduced to theories and practices to inform the management of change which might occur due to circumstances beyond one’s control, as well as change which has been strategically initiated.

Students will be introduced to the importance of analyzing existing policies and revising or developing new ones where policies do not currently exist. Collaboration of multiple stakeholders will be reinforced, as will the implementation of the policy and how it will be put into practice using well-constructed procedures. The power of continuous review and analysis will also be explored.

This writing intensive dissertation development course will afford students the opportunity to expand the Literature Matrix developed in EDU 801 into a working literature review in Chapter 2. The importance of active engagement in the research process will be emphasized. Students will focus on building on their existing knowledge of their approved working topic through intensive research, analysis, synthesis, and continued alignment of topic with problem, purpose, research questions and specific research themes needed for the literature review.

This course examines traditional philosophical and ethical frameworks as well as moral development in terms of how leaders can practically apply these concepts. Students explore approaches to moral and ethical reasoning and will use these approaches to discuss ethical dilemmas related to leading change in organizations.

Organizational dynamics are complex and ever-changing, particularly as a result of a connected and global society. Each organization or organizational structure, whether it be a family, large company, or university can experience, and be required to manage, different and distinct dynamics. This course will also help students better understand the co-existing similarities that may exist across all organizational environments and structures.

This capstone course is the first of two courses combined to bridge the student’s journey of development in order to prepare a final solid draft of the first three chapters based on the approved working topic. Students will receive final approval on the topic and methodology choice in this course. Alignment of topic with problem, purpose, research questions, title, and themes needed in the literature review is reinforced using the Alignment Tool, as is the Five Chapter Dissertation Outline. Chapters 1 and 2 will be submitted as will the Introduction of Chapter 3. IRB and CITI training will also be a priority.

This is the second of two capstone courses designed to provide the opportunity for students to submit a full draft of the dissertation proposal. Students will also produce a draft PowerPoint Proposal Presentation, and a draft IRB application based on the approved topic and methodology. Intensive focus on a theoretically-grounded methodology in Chapter 3 will take place. Continued alignment of topic with problem, purpose, research questions, title, and themes will be reinforced. Students will select their affiliate and will be assigned their dissertation committee members.

This is the first of four dissertation courses designed to support and provide the opportunity for students to continue their journey and complete their dissertations within the 51-credit program. The Dissertation Completion Timeline will help guide students, and their dissertation committee. The ideal outcome of this course is intended to be final approval of the three-chapter proposal, a PowerPoint Proposal Presentation, and submission of the IRB application. The Lead Advisor is responsible for approving and submitting the student’s application to the IRB. Should students not be able to meet these goals during this course, they will be afforded the opportunity to move forward into EDU 815 if they have demonstrated they are generally making satisfactory progress, communicating with their committee, and adhering to agreed-upon deadlines.

This is the second of four dissertation courses designed to support and provide the opportunity for students to continue their journey and complete their dissertations within the 51-credit program. The Dissertation Completion Timeline will help guide students, and their dissertation committee. During this course, the ideal goal is for the students (once they have received IRB approval) to recruit their participants and begin their data collection. Should students not be able to meet these goals during this course, they will be afforded the opportunity to move forward into EDU 816 if they have demonstrated they are generally making satisfactory progress, communicating with their committee, and adhering to agreed-upon deadlines.

This is the third of four dissertation courses designed to support and provide the opportunity for students to continue their journey and complete their dissertations within the 51-credit program. The Dissertation Completion Timeline will help guide students, and their dissertation committee. During this course, the ideal goal is for students to analyze their data, report their findings and begin development of Chapter 4 and 5. Should students not be able to meet these goals during this course, they will be afforded the opportunity to move forward into EDU 817 if they have demonstrated they are generally making satisfactory progress, communicating with their committee, and adhering to agreed-upon deadlines.

This is the last of four dissertation courses in which students will finalize interpretation of their findings in Chapter 5, finalize the dissertation, and defend their research to include a PowerPoint Presentation. Students are required to revise the dissertation as needed so that it is of publishable quality and organized using the approved Dissertation Outline. Should students so choose it should also be DUNE-ready so that it can be “published” on the UNE DUNE site. Should students not be able to meet these goals during this course, they will be afforded the opportunity to move forward into the one-credit EDU 818 Dissertation Continuation course if they have demonstrated they are generally making satisfactory progress, communicating with their committee, and adhering to agreed-upon deadlines.

Students who, despite continued effort and active engagement in the process, have not made the substantive progress necessary to complete the dissertation, will be approved to take this course. During this one-credit continuation course, students need to demonstrate substantive progress toward dissertation completion in a timely way using the Dissertation Completion Timeline and by continual collaboration/communication with their committee, adhering to agreed-upon deadlines and constructing/finalizing a final publishable quality dissertation.

Students who, despite continued effort and active engagement in the process, have not made the substantive progress necessary to complete the dissertation, will be approved to take this course. During this one-credit continuation course, students need to demonstrate substantive progress toward dissertation completion in a timely way using the Dissertation Completion Timeline and by continual collaboration/communication with their committee, adhering to agreed-upon deadlines and constructing/finalizing a final publishable quality dissertation.

Students who, despite continued effort and active engagement in the process, have not made the substantive progress necessary to complete the dissertation, will be approved to take this course. During this one-credit continuation course, students need to demonstrate substantive progress toward dissertation completion in a timely way using the Dissertation Completion Timeline and by continual collaboration/communication with their committee, adhering to agreed-upon deadlines and constructing/finalizing a final publishable quality dissertation.

This course examines educational theory, as well as current best practices in educational research. It is intended to prepare professionals and leaders across all disciplines to connect these theories and best practices in their own organizations and professional environments.

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to build their conceptual and theoretical frameworks and establish a practical and theoretical positioning blueprint to serve as the foundation for their approved working topic, the literature review, and the dissertation as a whole. The benefits of visual representations and concept mapping, as well as their choice of a working methodology within the conceptual framework will be reinforced.

• Provide candidates with a student-centered interdisciplinary program that emphasizes scholarly research of publishable quality and the development of a theoretical framework related to their area of interest and professional goals.
• Examine and bridge the gap between educational theory and its connection to leadership theory, philosophical theory, and scientific theory.
• Afford students the opportunity to be actively engaged in the topic selection and construction of the dissertation throughout the program under the direction of experienced faculty and a carefully selected dissertation committee.
• Promote the use of technology that is educationally effective and academically rigorous.
• Prepare professionals who are future-focused and capable of fostering innovation and change.