Dissertation in Practice (DiP)

The Dissertation in Practice (DiP) is the culminating scholarly project for the EdD in Leadership, Learning, and Educational Change. Rooted in the principles of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED), the DiP is a rigorous, applied research study that investigates a complex problem of practice situated in a specific educational setting. Unlike traditional dissertations, the DiP is designed to generate practical, research-informed solutions that improve outcomes, advance equity, and foster systemic change across PK–20+ contexts. It reflects the student’s ability to integrate theory, inquiry, and leadership into meaningful action that bridges scholarship and practice.

For more information regarding the Dissertation in Practice (DiP), please visit: https://www.cpedinitiative.org/what-is-a-dissertation-in-practice.

LSC I	Year one (summer intersession)
LSC II	Year two (fall intersession)
EDU 954 Educational Statistics & EDU 952 Qualitative Methods	Year two (fall semester)
Comprehensive Examiniation	Year two (mid-December–early January) after successful completion of core courses
LSC III	Year two (winter/spring intersession)
LSC IV	Year two (summer intersession)
EDU 998 Dissertation Hours & Dissertation Proposl Defense	To be determined after successful completion of comprehensive examination
IRB Application	To be determined after successful completion of dissertaion proposal defense
EDU 998 Dissertation Hours & Dissertation Final Defense	To be determined after successful completion of dissertaion proposal defense

The dissertation committee must consist of at least four faculty members. The Chair (Director) of the committee must hold Graduate Research Faculty status and serves as the primary advisor and oversees the dissertation process.

Two additional members of the committee must hold Graduate Faculty status (may be Research or Professional).

The fourth committee member must come from outside the academic unit and have expertise in the area of research focus. This individual may be an external member from another department, institution, or organization as long as they posses an earned doctoral degree. The appointment of any external members is subject to approval by the EdD Graduate Program Director in consultation with the EdD Advisory Commitee and/or EdD program faculty. External committee members who do not already hold graduate faculty status will require a special appointment from the Dean of MSU's Graduate College to serve in this role.*

*External committee members who serve repeatedly on dissertation committees should be put up for a vote for permanent Graduate Faculty Status.

The LLEC EdD DiP Handbook is still under development, but will be linked here when available.