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College of Education, Health and Human Services

Interprofessional Leadership

Course Delivery
100% online
Total Credits
72
Completion Time
Graduate in as little as 3 years
Apply Today
No GRE required for admission

Interprofessional Leadership Doctoral Degree Program Overview

The Doctor of Education degree in Interprofessional Leadership engages students in the study of leadership from an interprofessional perspective. Given the complexity of 21st-century education and society, educators and leaders in all fields must be prepared to address problems across organizational boundaries. The objective of the degree is to develop leaders who are scholarly practitioners. The program is framed around questions of equity, ethics and social justice to foster leadership to address to complex problems of practice. The goal is to prepare leaders who can construct and apply knowledge to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, organization and communities.

The Ed.D. degree is cohort-based and starts in the summer term. The program can be completed in three to four years.

The Interprofessional Leadership major comprises the following concentrations:

  • The Athletic Training Education concentration provides the opportunity for students to prepare for the rigors of academic positions in a college or university by blending discipline specific theory and practice strategies related to athletic training education. Students gain extensive knowledge in higher education as a whole while developing critical skills necessary to establish a strong foundation in athletic training educational leadership. Students complete a comprehensive project directly related to athletic training education that addresses a contemporary issue in the profession through purposeful research strategies to generate educational change within the discipline.
  • The Cultural Foundations of Education concentration prepares students for leadership roles in educational settings seeking to address problems of practice that reflect broad societal problems and thus defy simple solutions. Immersion in the literature of the field of social foundations of education exposes students to historical, sociological anthropological and philosophical understandings, enabling them to contextualize problems of practice within and beyond their particular institutional setting. Students develop facility with conceptual, critical and normative modes of analysis needed to unpack contemporary problems of practice and propose approaches to addressing them in ways that do justice to their complexity. This concentration will appeal to students who are already grappling with these problems in institutional settings and to those who wish to prepare themselves for such roles.
  • The Curriculum and Instruction concentration prepares students to be curriculum leaders and lead positive curricular change in their classrooms, schools and communities. Students attain the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, conceptualize and research important problems related to the practice of curriculum development, curriculum leadership and curriculum evaluation. Additionally, students learn to develop, implement and evaluate solutions that are informed by currently available theory and research in curriculum and instruction.
  • The Educational Technology concentration prepare leaders who are conversant in critical research, theories and methods in educational technology to facilitate positive change in their professional settings. The concentration is designed to help students advance their knowledge in educational technology research to implement educational technology initiatives in educational and business environments using research-informed and data-driven decisions.
  • The Leadership in Educational Contexts concentration provides education in multidisciplinary perspectives on leadership throughout the range of educational contexts. The concentration prepares students to lead positive change through their work as ethical- and social justice-oriented scholarly practitioners. Concentration coursework focuses on advanced leadership theories and skills, as well as on sociocultural contexts of education organizations and systems. This concentration is appropriate for leaders and emerging leaders in PK-12 schooling, higher education and other organizations in which non-formal, informal and formal education takes place.
  • The Special Education concentration prepares students for leadership roles in improving the practice of special education, from birth to adulthood. Students attain the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and conceptualize important problems related to the practice of special education, and to develop, implement and evaluate solutions that are informed by the best available research and theory in special education and related disciplines. This concentration provides doctoral level training to anyone seeking to lead positive change in how special education and related services are provided to learners with disabilities.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Frame questions of organizational leadership, educational change and social justice to bring about solutions to complex problems of practice
  2. Develop and demonstrate a professional knowledge base that integrates both practical and research knowledge, and that links theory with systemic and systematic inquiry
  3. Construct and apply knowledge interprofessionally to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, organizations and communities
  4. Develop and demonstrate interprofessional collaboration and communication skills to work with diverse communities and to build partnerships
  5. Analyze problems of practice and use multiple interprofessional frames to develop meaningful solutions
  6. Generate, transform and use professional knowledge in practice
  7. Integrate technology as a tool for teaching, learning, assessment, management, planning and communication
Concentration Areas:
Athletic Training
This concentration area provides graduate students the opportunity to prepare for the rigors of academic positions in a college or university by blending discipline-specific theory and practice strategies related to athletic training education. This degree program will provide the student an opportunity to gain extensive knowledge in higher education as a whole while developing the critical skills necessary to establish a strong foundation in athletic training and educational leadership. A comprehensive project directly related to athletic training education will allow the student to address a contemporary issue in the profession through purposeful research strategies to generate educational change within the discipline.

Learn more about the athletic training concentration.
Cultural Foundations
This concentration area prepares students for leadership roles in educational settings seeking to address problems of practice that reflect broad societal problems and thus defy simple solutions. Immersion in the literature of the field of social foundations of education will expose students to historical, sociological, anthropological, and philosophical understandings that will enable them to contextualize problems of practice within and beyond their particular institutional setting. Students will develop facilities with conceptual, critical, and normative modes of analysis needed to unpack contemporary problems of practice and propose approaches to addressing them in ways that do justice to their complexity. This terminal degree program will appeal to students who are already grappling with these problems in institutional settings and to those who wish to prepare themselves for such roles.

Learn more about the cultural foundations concentration.
Curriculum & Instruction
This concentration area prepares students to be curriculum leaders in their classrooms, schools, and communities. Students will attain the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, conceptualize and research important problems related to the practice of curriculum development, curriculum leadership, and curriculum evaluation. Additionally, students will learn to develop, implement, and evaluate solutions that are informed by currently available theory and research in curriculum and instruction.

Learn more about the curriculum & instruction concentration.
Educational Technology
This concentration area aims to prepare leaders who are conversant in critical research, theories, and methods in educational technology to facilitate positive change in their professional settings. It is designed to help students advance their knowledge in educational technology research to implement educational technology initiatives in educational and business environments using research-informed and data-driven decisions.

Learn more about the educational technology concentration.
Leadership in Educational Contexts
This concentration provides education in multidisciplinary perspectives on leadership throughout a range of educational contexts. The concentration prepares students to lead positive change through their work as ethical and social justice-oriented scholarly practitioners. Concentration coursework focuses on advanced leadership theories, skills, and sociocultural contexts of education organizations and systems. This concentration is appropriate for leaders and emerging leaders in higher education, PK-12 schooling, and other organizations in which non-formal, informal, and formal education takes place.
Special Education
This concentration area prepares students for leadership roles in improving the practice of special education (birth to adulthood). Students will attain the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and conceptualize important problems related to the practice of special education and to develop, implement, and evaluate solutions that are informed by the best available research and theory in special education and related disciplines. The Special Education concentration provides doctoral-level training to anyone seeking to lead positive change in how special education and related services are provided to learners with disabilities.

Learn more about the special education concentration.

Program Structure

  • 72 minimum total credits
    • 27 major requirement credits
    • 12 credits for Cognate Area - students select a cognate with advisor consultation
    • 3 credits for capstone course
    • Remaining credits for Dissertation I for the culminating requirement (completed in 2 semesters)
  • Students present a professional portfolio upon the completion of coursework. The final project is a dissertation in practice.

What is a Doctor of Education?

A Doctor of Education (Ed.D) degree is a professional degree designed for practitioners pursuing educational leadership roles. This advanced terminal degree can qualify graduates for senior education positions in school districts, universities, research, or private industries.

What can I do with a Doctor of Education?

Opportunities with a Doctor of Education degree are endless! Individuals are prepared to become educational leaders, with five concentration areas to select from. Based on the concentration area, job opportunities or advancement may vary. Examples of possible careers include:

  • Education administrators, postsecondary
  • Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

What’s the difference between an Ed.D. and a Ph.D.?

A Doctor of Education (Ed.D) degree is a professional degree designed for practitioners pursuing educational leadership roles. The Ed.D. focuses not only on research but also on applying that research to real-world practices and complex problems. A Ph.D. in education is designed to prepare graduates for research and teaching roles, focusing only on research.

What will I learn in Kent State’s Doctor of Education program?

The Doctor of Education degree in Interprofessional Leadership promotes the study of leadership from an interprofessional perspective. Our approach is framed around questions of equity, ethics, and social justice and focuses on developing solutions to complex problems of practice. The program prepares leaders who can construct and apply knowledge to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, organizations, and communities.

Students apply to a concentration for specialized study. Examples of cognates include special education, educational technology, curriculum and instruction, athletic training education, and cultural foundations of education.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Frame questions of organizational leadership, educational change, and social justice to bring about solutions to complex problems of practice
  • Develop and demonstrate a professional knowledge base that integrates both practical and research knowledge and that links theory with systemic and systematic inquiry
  • Construct and apply knowledge interprofessionally to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, organizations, and communities
  • Develop and demonstrate interprofessional collaboration and communication skills to work with diverse communities and build partnerships
  • Analyze problems of practice and use multiple interprofessional frames to develop meaningful solutions
  • Generate, transform and use professional knowledge in practice
  • Integrate technology as a tool for teaching, learning, assessment, management, planning, and communication
What is the Interprofessional Leadership program?

Interprofessional Leadership Doctoral Degree Program Admissions Requirements

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

  • Master’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement (1-2 pages) explaining how applicant’s career intentions relate to and will be supported by the program, what they bring to the program and how they intend to use the degree to affect their practice
  • Three letters of recommendation from organizational supervisors evidencing the applicant’s leadership capacity and experience in the organization and/or from former professors attesting to the applicant’s capacity for doctoral work
  • Interview with designated program faculty (face-to-face or by video conference)
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score

Applicants are reviewed holistically based their professional experience and the requirements listed above.

1International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Important Dates

Aug
19
Classes Begin
Fall 2024 Semester
Jan
13
Classes Begin
Spring 2025 Semester
Feb
15
Priority Application Deadline
Summer 2025 Cohort
May
12
Classes Begin
Summer 2025 Semester
Aug
18
Classes Begin
Fall 2025 Semester
Jan
12
Classes Begin
Spring 2026 Semester
Feb
15
Priority Application Deadline
Summer 2026 Cohort
May
11
Classes Begin
Summer 2026 Semester
Aug
24
Classes Begin
Fall 2026 Semester
What’s the Difference between a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) and a Doctorate in Education (Ph.D.)?

Interprofessional Leadership Doctoral Degree Program Courses

Program Requirements

Major Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Major Requirements
CULT 85535 INTERPROFESSIONAL STUDIES 3
EDLE 76529 LEADING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 3
EHHS 75001 SYSTEMS THINKING IN PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP 3
EHHS 75501 THEORY AND PRACTICE OF LEADERSHIP 3
EHHS 75502 ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION 3
RMS 75550 INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH IN EDUCATION 3
RMS 78807 PROGRAM EVALUATION 3
RMS 85516 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN 3
RMS 85530 PRACTITIONER INQUIRY 3
Capstone or Individual Investigation Elective, choose from the following: 3
CI 77096
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
CULT 89596
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS
EHHS 81099
CAPSTONE I
ETEC 77496
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
SPED 73996
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
or other individual investigation course with advisor approval
Culminating Requirement
EHHS 80199 DISSERTATION I 1 30
Concentrations
Choose from the following: 12
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 72

1Upon admission to candidacy, each doctoral candidate must register for EHHS 80199. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter EHHS 80299, each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met. Student dissertation research will be aligned with the needs of their organizations, useful to their organizations and intended to effect positive change in their organizations.

Athletic Training Education Concentration Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
ATTR 75001 EVIDENCE BASED INTERVENTIONS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING 3
ATTR 75002 ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP IN ATHLETIC TRAINING 3
ATTR 75003 CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND ASSESSMENT IN ATHLETIC TRAINING 3
ATTR 75004 TEACHING AND CLINICAL EDUCATION LEADERSHIP IN ATHLETIC TRAINING 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12
Cultural Foundations of Education Concentration Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
CULT 79575 ANTHROPOLOGY AND EDUCATION 3
CULT 80030 SOCIAL CONTEXTS OF EDUCATION: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND THEORY 3
CULT 89521 MULTICULTURAL EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE AND POLICY 3
CULT 89691 VARIABLE CONTENT SEMINAR: GREAT IDEAS IN EDUCATION 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12
Curriculum and Instruction Concentration Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
CI 71130 MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION: STRATEGIES 3
CI 77001 FUNDAMENTALS OF CURRICULUM 3
CI 77002 CURRICULUM LEADERSHIP 3
CI 77010 CURRICULUM EVALUATION 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12
Educational Technology Concentration Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
ETEC 77434 EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR EDUCATION 3
ETEC 77445 DESIGNING INSTRUCTIONAL AND PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS 3
ETEC 77491 SEMINAR: EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY 3
ETEC 87450 LEARNING WITH EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12
Leadership in Educational Contexts Concentration Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
CULT 80030 SOCIAL CONTEXTS OF EDUCATION: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND THEORY 3
EHHS 75515 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 3
EHHS 75516 GROUP DYNAMICS IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP 3
EHHS 75517 DEMOCRACY AND LEADERSHIP: PHILOSOPHIES AND PRACTICES FOR DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION. 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12
Special Education Concentration Requirements
Course List
Code Title Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
SPED 73204 LEGAL AND POLICY FOUNDATIONS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 80002 ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 80005 EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
SPED 83201 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12

Graduation Requirements

Professional Portfolio
Students present a professional portfolio upon the completion of coursework. The portfolio will include elements of selected coursework that best represents the student’s learning prior to moving onto the dissertation in practice. Students prepare the portfolio in an online format and defend to a committee of two faculty members from within the concentration. Once the portfolio has been successfully defended, the students move on to the final requirement: the dissertation in practice. Students propose a dissertation in practice that addresses a complex problem of practice. Students conduct an inquiry project to make a positive impact on the problem of practice.

Interprofessional Leadership Doctoral Degree Program Tuition and Fees

Ohio Residents

Per Credit Hour Per 3-Credit Course Approximate Tuition Cost
$594.78 $1,784.34 $31,4001

Non-Ohio Residents

Per Credit Hour Per 3-Credit Course Approximate Tuition Cost
$604.78 $1,814.34 $32,6002

1The $594.78 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time Ohio resident graduate students taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester.

2The $604.78 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour.

Dissertation I - Semester $3,233.20 (Applies to graduate students registered for Dissertation I and the first thirty hours of Dissertation)

This program is calculated at $594.78 per credit hour for 42 credits ($24,980.76), 2 semesters of Dissertation I ($6,466.40) plus the surcharge ($720). This tuition cost does not include distance a learning fee or any college, program, or course fees.

An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.

Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000 or via our website Contact Us link.

The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken.  Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person.  Program costs are subject to change without notice.

Doctor of Education in Interprofessional Leadership Careers

Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and English as a Second Language instructors

  • -10.4% decline
  • 59,300 number of jobs
  • $55,350 potential earnings

Education administrators, all other

  • 8.1% much faster than the average
  • 52,100 number of jobs
  • $87,580 potential earnings

Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

  • 3.9% about as fast as the average
  • 283,200 number of jobs
  • $98,490 potential earnings

Education administrators, postsecondary

  • 3.7% about as fast as the average
  • 190,500 number of jobs
  • $97,500 potential earnings

Education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare

  • 1.0% slower than the average
  • 69,200 number of jobs
  • $49,160 potential earnings

Educational instruction and library workers, all other

  • 4.4% about as fast as the average
  • 141,400 number of jobs
  • $41,570 potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source

* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

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