Ed.D. in Educational Policy & Organizational Design

Program Highlights

This Ed.D. degree focuses on applied research, which is more appropriate and applicable to graduates who want to engage in application of their skills and knowledge, rather than pursue a career that focuses on a traditional theoretical research agenda as a faculty member in post-secondary education settings.

Knowledge to Improve Systems: Graduates will possess the content knowledge and research skills necessary to improve educational and other systems
Blended Format: This degree is offered in a blended (i.e., asynchronous and synchronous) format for all courses
In-State Tuition for All: Students both in and out of state only pay In-State tuition rates.
Fully Online: All courses are 100% online, making them accessible from anywhere in Mississippi and beyond.

Cohort Admission: Students will be admitted into a cohort. The program provides opportunities to participate in on-campus cohort meetings
Respected Degree from an Accredited University: Earn your degree from Mississippi State University, a nationally recognized research institution and leader in online education.
Flexible Schedule: Courses are delivered asynchronously to accommodate work and life schedules.

Career Opportunities

Students will develop the skills necessary to support learning in various educational settings and work effectively in non-profit organizations, government agencies, private companies, and academia. Examples of positions graduates may achieve are:

Education Policy Analyst
School District Administrator
Director of Educational Research

Higher Education Administrator
Consultant in Educational Leadership
Nonprofit Executive in Education Reform

Degree Requirements

This 60-hour program (30 hours beyond the Ed.S. degree or equivalent) builds on a specialist degree (or equivalent) and will require a capstone or applied research project as the culminating of the degree rather than a traditional dissertation.

Curriculum

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) hours of graduate level credits from regionally accredited institutions. The decision to grant transfer credit is made by the advisor and the student’s graduate committee. If you wish to transfer credits, contact your advisor. You will need to provide an official transcript showing the courses you wish to transfer.

Commonly Asked Questions

Will the diploma say it was earned online?

No, diplomas from Mississippi State University do not show whether the requirements were met through online or in-person courses

What if I want to apply for this degree as an unclassified student?

Only NINE (9) hours of course work taken as an "Unclassified Student" can be applied toward a degree program. All Unclassified students should submit a classified application once they have reached the maximum of nine hours. Full admission into the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Policy & Organizational Design online program will be based upon successful completion of all classified admissions requirements.

What Our People Say

“Mississippi State University’s online program has been an incredibly rewarding experience, both for my family and for my career. MS State Online has given me the flexibility to balance my job and studies without having to pause my work in education.”

Koby Harris,
MS Educational Leadership - School Administration

Admissions

While applications are accepted year-round for this program, applications received by the deadlines below will receive priority review:

Fall Admission – April 15
Spring Admission – September 15
Summer Admission – February 15

Please note that your application will not be considered until all documentation and official transcripts have been submitted and your application fee has been paid.

Ready to advance your education with a flexible, fully online degree? Follow the steps below to apply for the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Policy & Organizational Design at Mississippi State University.

Attention International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the results of either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Prospective students should contact ETS (TOEFL) or IELTS for testing information. The Graduate School maintains a list of countries exempt from English language requirements. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for specific English Language test score requirements.

TOEFL Essentials	TOEFL iBT	IELTS	Admission Eligibility	Outcome
9 and above	79 and above	6.5 and above	Eligible for admission for any term and a graduate assistantship	Considered proficient in English. Applicant is not required to enroll in an ESL course unless his/her academic program requires a higher test score.
8.0-8.5	69-78	6.0-6.4	Eligible for admission for Fall, Spring, or Summer and a graduate assistantship.	Scores indicate a need for assistance in English writing, research, and editing skills. Applicant must enroll in EAP 5323 Academic Research and Writing. Student may enroll in up to 6 credit hours in his/her graduate program.
7.0-7.5	61-68	5.5-5.9	Eligible for admission for the Fall & Spring terms only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met.	Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5120, a 9-hour intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student must complete this course prior to registering for courses in his/her graduate program. The student must then enroll in EAP 5323.
6.0-6.5	54-60	4.6-5.4	Eligible for admission for the Fall term only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met.	Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5110, an intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student cannot enroll in courses in his/her program until ESL 5110 and ESL 5120 have been successfully completed. The student must then complete ESL 5120 before proceeding to enroll in EAP 5323.
5.5 and below	53 and below	4.5 and below	Not eligible for admission to the Graduate School.	Applicant can enroll in the English Language Institute on a non-credit basis after which he/she can retake the English-language test in preparation for submitting another application to graduate study at MSU.

Contact Us

Samantha Clardy

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

Assistance with Admissions Process

General Program Questions

s.clardy@msstate.edu

662-325-9092

Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

Current Student Inquires

Academic & Support Services Assistance

a.rijal@msstate.edu

662-325-8876

Alisha Milam

Division of Education

Assistant Clinical Professor

am5064@msstate.edu

601-484-0170

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Policy & Organizational Design

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Ed.D. in Educational Policy & Organizational Design

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