Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership - FAQs

Why choose Manhattanville’s Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership? 
At Manhattanville, we are well-known for our highly ranked education leadership programs. Our reputation stems from distinguished, scholar-practitioner faculty, high
quality students who become part of supportive networks, a structured curriculum that guides students from orientation through graduation, and a dedicated librarian to assist doctoral students with research. Manhattanville’s doctoral program has two other strong attributes: personalized attention and sense of community among the doctoral cohorts.  

 

What is the educational philosophy of the program? 
The EdD in Leadership Education aligns with Manhattanville University’s mission “to educate students to become ethically and socially responsible leaders.” We do this by preparing change agents who can lead in various educational contexts during challenging socio-political times. The EdD program’s small student-to-faculty ratio, vibrant cohort model, and active alumni all support students’ various journeys to success. 

 

Who is this degree for? 
Our EdD program is ideal for mid-career professionals with experience in various educational contexts. This professional practice degree is purposefully designed to support educational professionals who seek to develop their leadership skills for career advancement or current job enhancement. The Manhattanville doctoral program prepares students to be responsive and effective leaders who engage in evidence-based decision-making about the many complex challenges facing education. 

 

What if I am a full-time professional with a family — will I be able to pursue the Doctoral Degree?  
The Manhattanville Doctoral program is designed for busy professionals. The vast majority of our Doctoral students successfully share the responsibilities of a career and family. The supportive cohort model requires one night a week for classes and the career-related coursework can be planned through schedules that achieve the right balance for you and your family. We are happy to arrange a conversation with a doctoral student or graduate so you can hear directly how this can be done successfully.  

 

How is the degree program structured? 
Manhattanville’s EdD program gives students a choice of three pathways to the degree:  

1. Our Signature pathway is for current and aspiring educational leaders in public and private schools and related non-profit organizations. 

3. The Higher Education Leadership concentration is for current and aspiring leaders in colleges and universities. 

4. The Dissertation Completion pathway is for advanced doctoral students who have completed all degree requirements but the dissertation (ABD) from another accredited doctoral program, and are now ready to complete their dissertation and graduate with the doctorate. 

 

Are standardized tests like GREs required? And if so, how important are my scores? 
We no longer require candidates for the doctoral program to take standardized tests such as the GRE, MAT, GMAT, or LSAT. 

 

Do I need to have my SBL and/or SDL certifications? If I don’t have them, can I pursue them while earning my doctorate? 
It is not a requirement to have School Building Leader (SBL) or School District Leader (SDL) certifications. The College works closely with NYSED and offers a Bridge Program option for candidates who wish to get their SBL or SDL certifications while pursuing a Doctoral Degree. Through the Bridge program, students can apply educational leadership courses to the doctoral program requirements and doctoral classes to educational leadership offerings. As a result, students are offered reduced credit requirements for each option and complete multiple pathways simultaneously.  

Students interested in taking educational leadership classes before entering the doctoral program cohort can begin enrolling in educational leadership classes in the spring and summer before the doctoral classes commence. These classes prepare them for the state leadership exams as well as earn credits towards certification.  

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When is the application deadline?
There is no application deadline for the Signature Pathway or Higher Education Leadership pathways. Qualified candidates are continually reviewed and will be accepted until all seats for the next cohort are filled. The Dissertation Completion (ABD) Cohort has a May 1st priority application deadline. 

The Dissertation Completion (ABD) Cohort with Online Classes has a May 1st priority deadline for the application.

 

What should the admission essay include? 
The essay functions as a letter of application. It should be two to three typed pages and it should address some of the following questions:  

• Why do you think you are qualified?  

• Why do you need this doctoral degree?  

• What will you contribute as a member of the doctoral program?  

• What is your leadership philosophy?  

• What are your research interests?  

• What areas of your leadership career are you seeking to improve?  

• What is your plan for your future career?  

• How do you believe you will benefit — professionally and personally — with the knowledge you will gain through Manhattanville University’s doctoral program?  

 

What are you looking for in the recommendation letters? Who should write them? 
Recommendation letters should vouch for your qualifications, such as competencies for advanced graduate study, leadership track record, career strengths, interpersonal skills, etc. In addition, the letters should focus on your commitment and determination to earn a doctorate as well as your scholarly writing ability, communication skills, and research experience and/or potential.  

The ideal people to write recommendation letters include (but are not limited to):  

• Current or former college professor at the graduate level 

• Current or former supervisor who has reviewed the applicant’s written work and/or presentation skills 

• Author of an extensive research project or a journal article who has witnessed the applicant's work 

 

What should the writing sample look like? Does "scholarly work" mean I must have published? 
The writing sample enables the Admissions Committee to tell whether you possess the writing and critical-thinking skills that are key to successfully completing a doctoral program. The writing sample should clearly demonstrate your writing skills. It could include, but is not limited to, a research paper that the applicant completed for a graduate course or a recently published peer-reviewed journal article. However, publications are not presumed or expected. A grant or conference proposal could also serve as a writing sample.  

 

How much is the Application fee?
The application fee is $75, but the fee is waived for students who attend an open house or information session. 

 

What is the cost of tuition?
Cost of tuition or cost per credit details.

 

How does the cost for the program compare with other doctoral programs in education?  
According to the latest information from educationdata.org, the average cost of a Doctoral Degree in Education can be up to $111,900 and can take four to eight years to complete. The three-year Manhattanville program is attractively priced and can incorporate transfer credits, placing the final cost at less than half the national average.  

 

Is financial aid available?
Yes. For financial aid information, please contact the Financial Aid Office. There are a limited number of graduate assistantships and teaching fellowships available to those who qualify. Please reach out to us to discuss your individual circumstances.  

 

Can I transfer in credits? 
For the Signature or the Higher Ed pathways, students may transfer up to 12 post-master’s credit hours earned within the last 10 years either at Manhattanville University or another college/university. Students need to provide official course transcripts (and in many cases a syllabus for each course) to allow for the course transfer. A faculty advisor will review and approve a student’s request for a credit transfer, with final approval by the Program Coordinator. 

For those in the Dissertation Completion (ABD) pathway, up to 39 post-master’s doctoral program credits may be transferred in from other accredited doctoral programs. 

 

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What is a "cohort" model? 
In our cohort model, you start your doctoral program journey with other distinguished students, and remain with the same group throughout the first several semesters of study. Your classmates are likely to be a mix of practicing or aspiring teachers, building-level or district-level leaders, higher education professionals, and others in education-related fields. As you progress through the doctoral program with these same classmates, you'll gather a variety of perspectives surrounding modern education, learn about each other's passions and research interests, and develop meaningful professional and personal relationships. 

 

How many students are typically in each cohort? 
12 - 15 students

 

When do classes meet? 
Depending on the pathway you select, classes are held on the Manhattanville University campus in Purchase, NY, or at Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES (Yorktown Heights) or Orange-Ulster BOCES (Goshen). Each cohort will meet on a specific night each week (e.g., Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) from 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM (for Higher Education Leadership Concentration courses, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM). Students typically complete two courses (or six credits) per term.  

For classes held in Yorktown Heights, the schedule adheres to the PNW BOCES calendar; for classes held on Manhattanville’s campus, students will follow the College calendar. 

See the next question for details on our synchronous learning option.

 

Are any of the classes online? 
Most coursework in our degree pathways are delivered ‘on the ground’ in face-to-face classes.  However, in spring 2020, in response to the effects and realities of COVID-19, the doctoral faculty successfully moved all courses online, using synchronous and asynchronous delivery, on Blackboard and other platforms, enabling students to continue their studies with limited interruptions. After COVID-19, most of our degree pathways will resume campus-based classes. The Dissertation Completion Pathway launched its online courses in July 2020. 

 

Are any of the classes online?
Most coursework in our degree pathways are delivered ‘on the ground’ in face-to-face classes.  However, in spring 2020, in response to the effects and realities of COVID-19, the doctoral faculty successfully moved all courses online, using synchronous and asynchronous delivery, on Blackboard and other platforms, enabling students to continue their studies with limited interruptions. After COVID-19, most of our degree pathways will resume campus-based classes. The Dissertation Completion Pathway launched its online courses in July 2020. 

 

What is the typical workload? What type of courses should I expect?
Full-time doctoral students enroll in two courses per semester, totaling six credits. With doctoral-level courses, students should expect a rigorous and rewarding blend of scholarly reading, classroom discussions, applied research, real-word problem solving, critical analysis, and technical writing. The doctoral program was designed for full-time working practitioners; hence, the curriculum, schedule, and workload is paced with this in mind. For more about the courses you will be taking, click the "Degree Options" tab above and review the sample program planners.

Full-time doctoral students enroll in two courses per semester, totaling six credits. For each course, students should expect a rigorous and rewarding blend of scholarly reading, classroom discussions, applied research, real-word problem solving, critical analysis, and technical writing. The doctoral program was designed for full-time working practitioners; hence, the curriculum, schedule, and workload is paced with this in mind. More information about the courses you will be taking is available below: 

Signature Pathway Courses  

Higher Education Leadership Courses 

Dissertation Completion Courses – (online)  

 

How much should I budget for textbooks?
Reading requirements vary by instructor and semester, but you should plan to spend approximately $200 on textbooks each year. If books are not available in our campus bookstore, you can also purchase new or used versions online. We do not recommend renting or borrowing textbooks, as much of the information will be beneficial both during class and as you begin work on your dissertation. 

 

Is there a comprehensive or qualifying examination required for graduation? 
No. Rather than a comprehensive or qualifying examination, other milestones serve as a student’s "advancement to candidacy." These include a reflection paper (completed at the end of Year 1) that integrates major ideas contained in coursework and demonstrates theory in practice, or an ePortfolio that reflects a student's range of coursework and demonstrates competency as a scholar-practitioner.  

 

How long does the program last? How long will it take me to complete the Doctoral Program? 
The 59 credits required for the doctorate are scheduled to be completed in three years; however, it is more typical that a student completes coursework and defends the dissertation proposal within three years, and completes the dissertation in the fourth year. The maximum time to complete the doctorate (defined as successfully defending one’s dissertation) is eight years for candidates in the Signature and HigherEd pathways, and four years for ABD students. 

 

What happens if I have to withdraw for a semester or more during the program? 
A student who wants to withdraw for a semester or more is advised to consider applying for a leave of absence. Missed coursework can be completed in a subsequent cohort. 

Please note that courses may be dropped with no penalty up to the first day of the semester. Refunds of tuition may be pro-rated after classes begin. 

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When do I start working on my dissertation?
Doctoral candidates draft components of the dissertation proposal as follows: 

Year 1: In the “Professional and Scholarly Communication” course, students begin work on the Literature Review for the dissertation proposal. Students also complete two introductory research courses to begin to explore research design and methods. 

Year 2: Students complete an advanced research course in which they draft the research design for their dissertation proposal. They also complete “Dissertation Seminar” to draft their dissertation proposal. By the end of Year 2, students should be ready to defend their dissertation proposal. 

 

What are the different options for the dissertation?
Students have choices in the structure of their dissertation; however, all share elements found in the traditional five-chapter dissertation, as follows: 

1. Introduction to the research problem 

2. Review of the literature 

3. Delineation of research design (methods) 

4. Description and discussion of results or findings 

5. Implications for practice and future research 

All dissertations are empirically grounded. Some students choose an “analysis of practice” dissertation. Similar to participatory action research or self-study inquiry, an analysis-of-practice dissertation describes and analyzes a problem within a specific context. This type of dissertation is designed and conducted by practitioner-scholars who analyze data about the chosen problem to improve their own practice and that of their organization. 

 

What is the dissertation process?
Each student works with a dissertation committee comprised of their dissertation chair and two additional committee members, selected together by the student and the chair. When the student's dissertation proposal is ready (typically by the end of Year 2), the student will defend the proposal. Once the student's proposal is accepted and they have received approval to conduct research through Manhattanville University's Institutional Review Board, the student can begin data collection. Advancement to the final dissertation defense occurs after the student's dissertation committee has approved the complete dissertation draft. 

 

What kind of writing and editing guidance or support is available to ensure that doctoral students successfully complete their dissertation?  
We offer multiple resources to support our students throughout the coursework phase in order to guide them in writing the literature review and research design. An optional coaching seminar is also available during Year 2, and we have a Finish Strong course (taught by Dr. Henry of Heartful Editor) to support students who are writing Chapters 4 and 5. The Finish Strong course focuses on presentation, description, and discussion of the research findings/results, in order to tell the compelling story that emerges from the data.

 

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