As a doctoral program is intended to be tailored to the individual needs of the student, the areas of emphasis listed here are commonly considered, but should not be considered exhaustive. Those interested in earning Minnesota K-12 certification as a principal, special education director, or superintendent can use their certification courses to fulfill the Area of Emphasis requirement. Likewise, students need to ensure that the courses are supportive of their dissertation topic or method and/or supportive of desired post-program employment. The area of emphasis normally encompasses at least 12 credits. Study abroad coursework can be considered as a program elective as well. These courses are offered in a variety of formats, including synchronous and asynchronous offerings, and in both semester-long and accelerated (seven-week) formats.
For those looking to move into higher education instructional roles, particularly without a K-12 instructional background, the following courses are often considered:
- EL 590 Special Topics: Artificial Intelligence and the Educator
- REDG 680 Contemporary Pedagogies for 21st Century Learning
- REDG 690 Developing Cultures for Learning
- REDG 696 Trends and Issues in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- EDFD 701 Principles and Problems of Curriculum Design
- EDFD 702 Educational Standards and Measurements
For students looking to move into leadership roles, the following courses are often considered:
- LDRS 612 Systems Thinking
- LDRS 614 Change Leadership
- LDRS 644 Managing Change, Innovation, and Transition
- LDRS 743 Leadership and Team Development
For students looking for multicultural courses, the following courses are often considered, which will offer the opportunity to earn a Multicultural Education Certificate:
The Multicultural Education Certificate Program (MECP) is designed to prepare professionals to work more effectively with diverse clientele within their respective professional sectors throughout Olmsted and Winona counties. This certificate program provides participants with the opportunity to both analyze their own cultural experiences and work more closely with both clientele and their communities to examine how services can be provided in a more equitable manner
- MECP 600 – Foundations of Multicultural Education
- MECP 610 – Home, Community, and Work Analysis
- MECP 620 – Systems of Discrimination and Social Justice
- MECP 630 – Professional Presentation of Research
For students looking for instructional innovation courses, the following courses are often considered, which will offer the opportunity to earn a Certificate in Innovative Instructional Leadership:
Instructional design is a key component to developing an engaging learning experience. This certificate stimulates thinking about instructional possibilities for teachers and educational leaders, providing innovative instructional practices, providing guidance and hands-on-experience in using emerging technologies and pedagogical concepts as a means to instructional improvement.
- EL 651 – Learning Environments
- EL 656 – Connected Educator, Connected Classroom (1-4 credits)
- EL 657 – Mindset, Motivation, and Self-Directed Learning
- EL 658 – Real World Learning Design
Students wishing to earn a superintendent license who already have a principal’s license would generally need to complete the following courses:
- EL 736 – Educational Governance, Policy, and Politics (co-taught with EDUO 808)
- EL 756 – Administrative Decision Making (co-taught with EDUO 804)
- EL 771 – Superintendent Internship I
- EL 772 – Superintendent Internship II
Students wishing to earn a director of special education license who already have a principal’s license would generally need to complete the following courses:
- EL 623 – Leadership of Special Programs
- EL 764 – Director of Special Education Internship I
- EL 765 – Director of Special Education Internship II
Students wishing to earn a principal’s license would generally need to complete more courses than typically required within the scope of the Area of Emphasis. Please contact your advisor to discuss your individual situation.
Additional courses often considered include:
- STAT 601 – Statistical Methods for Health Care Research; although listed with a health care focus, Ed.D. students have found the course a helpful review and have been able to tailor assignments to their instructional needs.