Academic Requirements and Policies

Maintaining good academic standing is essential for progression in the Ed.D. program. Students are expected to: 

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. 

• Demonstrate satisfactory progress in coursework and research. 

• Adhere to the university’s academic integrity policies. 

Failure to meet these standards may result in academic probation or dismissal. Detailed policies are available in the Graduate Program Completion Requirements. 

The Ed.D. curriculum is designed to develop scholarly practitioners equipped to address complex educational challenges. Program requirements include: 

• Completion of core and elective coursework totaling a minimum number of credit hours as specified by the program. 

• Successful completion of a comprehensive examination. 

• Engagement in applied research culminating in a dissertation or capstone project. 

Students must adhere to the progression policies outlined in the Graduate Program Completion Requirements. 

Students may request a leave of absence for valid reasons, such as personal or medical circumstances. Requests must be submitted in writing to the EdD Graduate Program Director and approved by the Graduate College. Failure to enroll without an approved leave may result in dismissal from the program. 

Dismissal policies are enforced in cases of: 

• Academic dishonesty. 

• Failure to maintain academic standards. 

• Violation of university policies. 

Procedures for requesting a leave of absence or appealing a dismissal are outlined in the Graduate College Policies and Procedures. 

Regular attendance and active participation are expected in all courses and program activities. Attendance policies are specified in individual course syllabi, which are distributed at the beginning of each term. 

The academic calendar, including important dates and deadlines, is available on the Graduate Calendar. Students are responsible for staying informed of all scheduled events and requirements. 

This transfer credit policy is designed to maintain the integrity of the EdD program while providing flexibility for students who have completed relevant graduate coursework at other accredited institutions or within other graduate programs at Missouri State University (MSU).

Transfer credits for all courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the EdD program director in consultation, as necessary, with the EdD advisory committee, and in accordance with the university graduate transfer credit policy and the university graduate program completion requirements policy.

Conditions, limitations, and exclusions for transfer credit

1. Maximum Transfer Credits: The total number of transfer credits will not exceed 16% of the total credit hours required for a student’s specific EdD plan of study (i.e., no more than 9 credit hours for a student completing a 55-credit hour plan of study).
2. Evidence of Proficiency: Proposed transfer courses must have been completed with no less than a grade of A and within five years of the student’s first semester in the program (i.e., for students beginning Fall 2025, courses taken prior to Fall 2020 would not be accepted). In addition, students must demonstrate the requisite knowledge/skills essential to the course by providing relevant documentation (e.g., transcripts, syllabi, etc.).
3. Specialized Area of Interest/Elective Courses: Transfer requests for courses that will be applied as Specialized Area of Interest/Elective Courses within a student’s specific EdD plan of study must demonstrate equivalency in content, rigor, and learning outcomes to a corresponding graduate-level course offered at MSU and must contribute to a coherent plan of study that supports the student’s professional goals.
4. Core Curriculum: The following courses will not be considered for transfer credit as they are integral to the design and aims of the EdD program:
   • EDU 900 - Introduction to Doctoral Studies
   • EDU 910 - Critical Perspectives in Education: Challenges and Opportunities
   • EDU 915 - History and Philosophy of Education
   • EDU 920 - Education Policy: Impact on Teachers, Students, and Local Communities
   • EDU 925 - Leadership and Organizational Change
   • EDU 927 - Transformative Learning
   • EDU 929 - Curriculum Change and Innovation
   • EDU 950 - Educational Research
   • EDU 952 - Qualitative Methods
   • EDU 954 - Educational Statistics
5. Dissertation/Leader Scholar Community Courses: The following courses will not be considered for transfer credit as they are integral to facilitating students’ success as scholarly practitioners:
   • EDU 956 - Leader Scholar Communities (LSCs)
   • EDU 998 - Dissertation Hours

For more information regarding the EdD program transfer credit policy, please visit: https://education.missouristate.edu/EdD/transfer-credit-policy.htm.