Get Your Doctor of Education at Milligan
Certify to become a principal or school administrator in this 57 hour, two-year program leading to a license in Instructional Leadership. The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership leverages the strengths of Milligan’s teacher education and business faculty, curriculum, and school partnerships to prepare system-level leaders in American preK-12 education. The program leads to the Tennessee Instructional Leader License (ILL). Eligible candidates may apply for the Instructional Leader License – Aspiring (ILL-A) while enrolled in the program.
Graduates of Milligan’s 24-30 month Ed.D. program are uniquely prepared to become principals and administrators in public and non-public school systems, nonprofits, and government agencies. The EdD is a full-time, practice-based program built on a cohort learning model of approximately 10-20 students who progress through the program together.
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES & EDUCATION
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION (EDD)
The Milligan Difference
Milligan’s reputation for producing well-prepared, creative, committed teachers is unparalleled. Administrators consistently look to Milligan as a resource for both hiring and training.
Caring Faculty & Personal Attention
At Milligan, graduate courses are taught by professors with doctorates in education or related fields who have a wide variety of experiences in education in both urban and rural settings. Graduate courses at Milligan are small, allowing professors to interact closely with students for individual attention and supervision throughout their program. Our faculty are role models and mentors, and they will challenge you and stretch your mind and spirit.
Teaching you is more than a job to our faculty—it’s a mission. They are dedicated teachers, experienced professionals, and trusted mentors who invest time, energy, and ideas to inspire you and help you reach your highest potential. It’s not just a degree. It’s your future.
Christian Worldview
Today’s schools are challenged as never before. Faced with increasingly diverse student bodies and phenomenal technological change, contemporary schools need to provide quality services for all children. Now more than ever, children need teachers who are committed to excellence in the classroom and to Jesus Christ. It is our belief educators prepared in such a way will make a difference in the school and community where they live and serve.
“Caring and Reflective Teacher,” the theme of our department, is interwoven throughout our program. Our primary goal is to produce caring and reflective professional educators who will affect the lives of children in a markedly positive manner.
Mentored Experience
There’s nothing like walking into a classroom or office and seeing how theory learned in the classroom is applied to real-world situations. So the mentored experience is a critical part of the Milligan education program and of real benefit to our degree candidates.
Working with principals and district personnel from each candidate’s school system, each degree candidate is assigned to a mentor working in a different capacity (early childhood/elementary, middle/secondary, district office) each term (EDUC 770 A,B,C).
Throughout this practicum experience, the candidate will complete projects related to each term’s coursework, as well as use the experience to develop the required portfolio. Candidates meet monthly in a professional seminar designed to enhance their experience. The seminar promotes reflection, in-depth discussion, and collaborative action research. Candidates will use the practicum experience to identify a real-world problem to be used as the basis for their dissertation.
Accreditation
Milligan is accredited by CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, which means your degree from Milligan is instantly recognized throughout the country for its quality. Research has shown that graduates from CAEP institutions significantly outperform those from other institutions on National Teacher Examinations.
The CAEP Annual Report Measures provides information on the Education Area’s performance in the following indicators: Impact on P-12 student learning, teacher effectiveness, employer satisfaction and employment milestones, completer satisfaction, graduation rates of candidates, undergraduate retention, ability of program completers to meet licensing requirements, employment and consumer information, and debt repayment.
To apply to the EdD in Educational Leadership program, complete the following:
- APPLICATION: You can apply online (select Summer term). Just call us and we’ll walk you through it.
- INTERVIEW: Interview with faculty admissions committee is required
- TRANSCRIPTS of all previous academic work at the undergraduate and graduate level
- RECOMMENDATIONS: Applicants must submit at least one letter of recommendation from someone qualified to assess the applicant’s leadership skills and academic potential. Recommendation requests will be sent from within the online application.
- PORTFOLIO: In lieu of the portfolio, the admissions committee requires all applicants to complete the Instructional Leadership Questions and Evidence and return it to the graduate office one week prior to their interview.
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: This program is NOT approved by SEVIS to admit international students.
Milligan’s program is one of the most economical education programs in our region and is even priced below the local state university rate. Students in this program are eligible to apply for state and federal tuition assistance programs and for employer reimbursement when applicable. Ask us how our costs compare to other similar institutions and programs!
Also, the state of Tennessee offers several scholarship and grant programs for undergraduate and graduate students (Tennessee residents).
Admission to the Instructional Leadership program is competitive. Admission decisions are made on a number of criteria including academic qualifications; leadership potential, experience and accomplishments; and the applicant’s fit with the program goals and objectives and the expertise of the program faculty. Those who meet stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
MASTER’S DEGREE: Hold a master’s degree in a relevant area (e.g., educational; literacy, mathematics, or science education; higher education; human services; special education; technology in education) from an accredited university by the month in which they begin doctoral work.
SCHOLASTIC ABILITY: Demonstrate scholastic ability by having achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in their master’s program (GRE or MAT no longer required).
LEADERSHIP ROLE: Recognized as a leader among fellow teachers or as having leadership potential.
All students at Milligan are expected to uphold the expectations and responsibilities for student lifestyles at Milligan University. Milligan University adopts specific rules on the basis of the belief that God’s Word, as the final rule of faith and practice, speaks on many matters pertaining to personal conduct. Therefore, behavior that conflicts with Scripture is unacceptable. Historically, communities also have developed guidelines that help put into practice basic moral and social principles. Such standards serve as a guide toward worthwhile goals relevant to one’s academic, spiritual, social, and physical well-being.
Students should consult the Student Handbook for further guidance regarding acceptable personal lifestyle and conduct while enrolled at Milligan University. A student’s matriculation and enrollment at Milligan University is their pledge to abide by the policies and expectations outlined in the Student Handbook and Catalog.
I certify that all information given in this application is true and correct. If I am accepted as a student and choose to enroll, I pledge to abide by the Christian values as reflected in Milligan’s Lifestyle Expectations.
Education Faculty & Staff
For more information, contact Melissa Dillow, Admissions Recruiter for Teacher Education Programs
Angela Hilton-Prillhart
Associate Dean of the School of Social Science and Education; Professor of Education
