JMU's New Doctor of Education Program

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D) at James Madison University (JMU) prepares graduates to lead, facilitate, and promote learning, innovation, diversity, educational equity, and the developmental needs of all within the educational setting. It is designed for professionals who aspire to pursue senior/executive level positions within their organization. The program attracts professionals from research firms, agencies, and human resources, as these professionals support employee learning within their organizations . This flexible doctorate program allows students to pursue a terminal degree while keeping their full-time jobs.

The program has two concentrations. The Curriculum, Instruction, and Educational Equity (CIEE), which prepares educators to lead curriculum and instructional initiatives through a lens of equity and inclusion. Alternatively, students may pursue the Leadership, Equity, Innovation, and Learning (LEIL) concentration prepares graduates to lead an educational organization. Both concentrations focus on educational equity, using innovation to promote inclusion and access for all learners.

The Ed.D. help students translate research and theory into practice. “We aim to prepare leaders to influence learning opportunities and resources for all learners” Dr. Monica Smith-Woofter, Program Director explains. What sets JMU’s Ed.D. apart is its focus on creating change agents. “We help leaders become change agents in their professional environments, to impact and influence the learning opportunities for all learners,” the Program Director shares. Graduates of this program take on roles in K-12, higher education, and in organizations that need experts in curriculum development and professional learning.

Social justice, equity, curriculum assessment, and evaluation are some of the topics in the program’s curriculum. Graduates develop practitioner-scholar skills needed to understand and apply these themes in various cultural contexts. This approach allows students to consider how societal, political, and cultural factors influence educational environments and how to navigate these factors. The Ed.D. program also offers students practical experiences. Students begin their first semester by identifying a “problem of practice” that is unique to their current position. “This allows them to explore potential solutions that are relevant to their roles,” the Program Director explains. For example, a student who serves as the director of a recovery high school (that serves students who are in recovery from substance abuse) may choose to explore collaborative planning and teaching methods, as well as trauma-informed practices to enhance student engagement.

As the field of education continues to grow and change, the program will remain responsive to trends and challenges. “We train our doctoral students to navigate both micro and macro politics in education,” the Program Director says. The program prepares students to critically think through solutions to the challenges they face.

Learn more about on the program's webpage Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Education.