Dissertation in Practice (DiP)
This section introduces the Dissertation in Practice—your opportunity to design, conduct, and defend an original research study that addresses a real-world problem of practice in your professional setting. Grounded in the principles of applied inquiry, your DiP serves as a bridge between theory and transformative leadership.
-
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.