Doctor of Education (EdD)

EdD Purpose and Program Outcomes

The purpose of the Doctor of Education program is to prepare God- called individuals to be strategic leaders and transformational teachers in academic educational institutions or denominational Christian education ministries. This purpose is accomplished through innovative research into scientific theories of education and administration as well as practical application of biblical principles.

The Doctor of Education degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is designed to prepare qualified students for teaching and administration in colleges, universities, seminaries, and private Christian schools; for working in the boards, agencies, and commissions of the Southern Baptist Convention; and for providing specialized leadership in local churches and ministries.

The Doctor of Education degree program is designed to lead graduates to meet the following outcomes:

• Mastery of educational disciplines

• Graduate-level understanding of theological disciplines

• Capacity of engaging in administration, teaching, and research.

Majors
Majors are offered in the following areas:

• Teaching/Pedagogy

• Educational Leadership

• Ministry Leadership

Characteristics of Applicants

Applicants should manifest consistent habits of study, an unusual degree of independence, an understanding of the basic techniques of research, superior intellectual capacities, and the willingness to invest the time required for distinguished scholarly work. In addition, consideration is given to how health, finances, personality traits, and responsibilities other than graduate study might bear upon the fitness of students for scholarly research and writing.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Doctor of Education should:

• Possess a theological, ministerial or professional degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution. Transcripts must include hours in biblical and theological studies, organizational leadership/administration, instructional theory and practice, and educational foundations. Students may be required to complete additional studies for admission.

• Have academic accomplishment in previous graduate studies.

• Expect to submit a graduate research paper for a writing assessment.

• Complete and pass an Entrance Exam.

• Complete an Entrance Interview.

• Possess basic competency in research statistics based on transcript hours. However, students may take the graduate statistics course during their first year in the program.

• Demonstrate potential contribution to educational leadership in schools, churches, or other organizations. Experience is not a prerequisite.

• A GRE score is not required.

Degree Equivalency

Applicants who do not hold the appropriate prerequisite degree should contact the Doctor of Education office for information concerning degree equivalency requirements. Individuals with MEd degrees can meet equivalency requirements by taking designated biblical, theological, and ministerial courses. Students with theological degrees may be required to take additional Christian education and ministerial courses.

Entrance Exams

An entrance exam is required for admission into the program. However, the entrance exam may be waived by successfully completing an elective proficiency seminar.

Research Paper

The applicant must submit a graduate research paper for review by the division, preferably in the major area. If no paper is available, the applicant should contact the EdD Program Director for guidance. 

Entrance Interview

Applicants must interview with the Doctor of Education Oversight Committee. The interview focuses on one’s conversion experience, call to ministry, family relationships, reasons for pursuing the doctoral degree, interests and reading in the proposed field of study, and other concerns that may enable the faculty to know the applicant better and to ascertain his or her potential for advanced studies.

Christian Education Proficiency Seminar

An elective Christian education proficiency seminar may be used as a substitute for the Entrance Exam, or necessary leveling work in the field of Christian education. Students will read foundational texts and write extensively to prepare for doctoral level study. Papers produced for this seminar may be used for the research paper evaluation.

Program Overview

The EdD curriculum consists of 4 semester-length Christian education seminars offered in the Research Doctoral Program, a mentored reading colloquium, an integrated mentorship, elective seminars, and three workshops (Introduction to Doctoral Educational Research and Writing, Educational Research Models and Methods, and Teaching in Higher Education). An oral proficiency examination (at the completion of seminars and reading colloquia) and the submission and defense of a dissertation are also required. Full time students generally can complete the program in 3 to 4 years.

A student’s program is guided by a faculty mentor. Faculty guidance assignments are made by the Director of the Doctor of Education program in consultation with the EdD Oversight Committee.

Application Process

Application information for the EdD may be secured by contacting the Doctor of Education office. The application forms are available on the seminary website (www.nobts.edu/apply). Potential applicants should review carefully all degree admission requirements before submitting an application. Those requirements are enumerated in this EdD section of the Graduate Catalog. Applications must be submitted to the Doctor of Education office no later than April 1 for August admission and October 1 for January admission. The following items should accompany the application:

Admissions Documents:

• Statement of Call and Commitment

• Church Statement of Affirmation

• Proof of Immunization

• Personal Evaluations

Application Documents:

• EdD Entrance Exam

• Professional Profile

• Transfer Credits Request Form

The Doctor of Education Oversight Committee approves and denies admission to the Doctor of Education program. All relevant information in the application is considered in ascertaining the applicant’s potential for advanced research studies and making a final decision concerning admission.

After a decision by the Doctor of Education Oversight Committee, the Director of the EdD program will notify applicants of acceptance/ denial to the doctoral program. Decisions usually are made within a month after submission of all documentation and no later than a month after the application deadlines. Applications are valid for one year.

Enrollment and Registration

Once accepted into the EdD program, a student should begin his or her program of studies and enroll for seminars in the next regular semester. After beginning studies, the student must maintain enrollment (register and pay matriculation fees) each semester until the doctoral program is completed. The doctoral program is a continuous enrollment program until graduation. Failure to register and pay fees each semester will result in termination from the program. All students in the doctoral program have full-time status. The Doctor of Education program follows the graduate policy for drop-add and withdrawal. All requests for registration or status changes must be submitted using the designated registration form(s) and must be received by the appropriate deadlines.

Doctor of Education Degree Requirements

Program Elements (12 hours)

Required Seminars* (16 hours)

Mentorships (6 hours)

Dissertation (8 hours)

Elective Seminars (12 hours)

Total Required: 54 hours

*Required Seminars are 9000 level courses and are taken with research doctoral (PhD/ThM) students.

**See possible option for Integrated Mentorship course outlined in the Integrated Mentorship Credit paragraph below.

Continual Enrollment and Inactive Status
Students who have been accepted into the program automatically attain active status. Active status is maintained by registering for at least one workshop or seminar per year and by paying the appropriate fees. All students enrolled in a doctoral program MUST register online each semester regardless of their status. The only exception to this policy is the first semester. Students register through the EdD office in the first semester and online every semester thereafter. A late fee will be assessed for any student who does not register by the published deadline(s). Students who are not registering for at least one seminar or workshop or who are not working on their dissertation must register for Continual Enrollment status. Students are not allowed to register for Continual Enrollment status for two consecutive semesters. Students who expect to be out of the program longer, two or more semesters, should request Inactive status from the EdD program. Published fees will be assessed for Continual Enrollment or Inactive status.

Program Delay Status
Program Delay status is reserved for students in two stages of the program. First, students who have submitted a Prospectus, passed the Oral Proficiency Exam and await final approval of their prospectus should register for Program Delay. Second, students who have completed one year of writing (EDWC9600) and await the Oral Defense, final submission, or Graduation are required to register for Program Delay.

Faculty Guidance

At the time of admission to the Doctor of Education program, the program director will serve as faculty advisor. Upon submission of a Plan of Study (POS), students will be assigned a faculty member as a faculty mentor to guide the remaining stages of the program.

General Policies

• Persons seeking the doctorate need to be highly motivated scholars.

• All doctoral students must secure and maintain an e-mail address throughout the program.

• The Doctor of Education is a residential program with courses normally led from the main campus, but students may join via SYNC (a synchronous learning experience).

• Students should plan to spend minimally one full day in research weekly for each seminar. Thus, a student taking two seminars should be engaged in research minimally two full days weekly. Allocation of the necessary time in research is subject to review by the student’s guidance committee. A reduced course load may be recommended or required.

• No seminar grade below “B” (3.0) will count toward degree requirements. Students making a grade of “C” or below must consult with their faculty advisor. Two seminar grades of “C” or below will result in the student’s dismissal from the doctoral program.

• Students may be required to remove deficiencies in their preparation by taking for-credit courses from the master’s-level curriculum. In any case, students are encouraged to audit master’s-level classes in their field.

• EdD students are expected to attend all class sessions. Students may drop an EdD block-scheduled seminar or other course before the second class meeting. A colloquium may be dropped before the Friday preceding the course meeting date. To drop a course, students must contact the Office of the Doctor of Education Program.

• The period allowed for the completion of the EdD program is seven years from initial registration.

Manual for the Doctor of Education Program

Following acceptance into the doctoral program, students should download a copy of the Manual for the Doctor of Education Program from the EdD website (www.nobts.edu/edd). This manual is the official handbook for the Doctor of Education program. It includes information on current procedures and policies. Students are notified of updates as appropriate. Students should frequently consult the online EdD manual for changes each academic year.

Directed Study

A directed study provides a unique opportunity for a student to work one-on-one with a professor. In order to register for a directed study, the student should seek permission from the Doctor of Education office after consulting with the desired faculty guiding the directed study.

Program Dates

Contact the EdD office for specific dates in the EdD program for the upcoming academic year.

Fees for Doctoral Students

Fees, effective August 1 each year, are listed in the “Graduate Student Fees” section of this catalog. Students who are not members of Southern Baptist churches should note the fees for non-Southern Baptists.

Transfer of Credit

Students may request the transfer of doctoral-level courses completed at another accredited institution prior to admission. Applicants who believe they qualify should contact the Director of the Doctor of Education program during the application process.

Integrated Mentorship Credit (3 hours)

Candidates pursuing an EdD degree who have completed a dissertation or ministry project and hold a professional doctoral degree (DMin, DEdMin or similar) from an accredited institution may request credit for Integrated Mentorship (EDMN8301, EDMN8302 or EDMN8303). The permission process includes the following steps.

1. The student should submit the Credit Request Form to the EdD Office accompanied by a degree transcript and abstract of the project or dissertation. The project must reflect direct ministry experience during the project implementation.

2. The program director will confirm the project and ministry experience status using supporting documentation. The Doctor of Education Oversight Committee (EdDOC) will make the final decision. Credit will be granted upon completion of Senior Residency.

3. The student will be notified, in writing, of the decision. A copy of the request and decision will be sent to the Registrar.

Integrated Mentorship Exemption (3 hours)

Candidates pursuing an EdD Degree who have completed a dissertation or ministry project and hold a professional doctoral degree (DMin, DEdMin or similar) from an accredited institution and may request an exemption for the Integrated Mentorship.

1. The student should submit the Credit Request form to the EdD Office accompanied with a degree transcript and abstract of the project or dissertation. The project must reflect direct ministry experience during the project implementation.

2. The program director will confirm the project and ministry experience status using supporting documentation. The final decision will be made by EdDOC.

3. The student will be notified, in writing, of the decision. A copy of the request will be sent to the Registrar.

International Applicants

Applicants whose primary spoken language is not English must fulfill one of the following options as part of the application process to the Professional Doctoral Programs:

Option 1:

• Students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the Duolingo English Test (DET). Those taking the DET must achieve a score of 120 or higher. Below are minimum scores for admission approval for each TOEFL testing format. The minimum score for consideration is 550 on the Paper-Based Test, 213 on the Computer-Based Test, or 80 on the Internet-Based Test. The minimum score for the writing section is 3.5.

• Either the DET or TOEFL must be taken prior to the Admissions Council granting admissions approval. The institutional code for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is 6472.

• Pass the NOBTS English Entrance Exam. (This exam is offered during orientation each January and August.)

• All test scores must be within 2 years.

Option 2:

• Completion of an appropriate master’s degree at NOBTS (or an accredited U.S. institution).

• DET or TOEFL scores are normally required as part of the evaluation of the applicant.

The International Student Advisor for the seminary is Casey Evans. Applicants may contact him by phone at 504.282.4455 ext. 8257 or 1.800.NOBTS.01 ext. 8257, or by email at cevans@nobts.edu. However, please note that WES transcript evaluations for master’s degrees must be completed course by course.

Non-degree Students

Students may apply to take one doctoral seminar as a non-degree student. An individual desiring non-degree status must make application as a non-degree student. Non-degree students may be admitted to one doctoral seminar provided they have met the degree prerequisites. In addition, students must complete all prerequisites for the seminar. The Doctor of Education Oversight Committee must give a positive recommendation. The seminary is under no obligation to accept the credit earned by a non-degree student as credit toward any doctoral program should the student decide to apply for doctoral work at a later time.

Visiting Student

A student enrolled in a doctoral program at another accredited seminary, college, or university may enroll in doctoral seminars for credit or audit at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as a visiting student. See requirements for visiting students under the Research or Professional Doctoral Programs in this catalog.

Financial Assistance

Financial aid is available for current and new NOBTS students. Interested persons should contact the Financial Aid Office directly, at financialaid@nobts.edu.

Teaching and Research Assistantships
A limited number of teaching assistantships are available on a regular basis. Duties include grading and limited teaching opportunities.

Interested persons should contact individual professors or the chair of the division in which the student wishes to work. Research assistantships are available as required by the research projects of the faculty.

Research Fellowships
NOBTS sponsors several research institutes, such as the Center for Discipleship and Ministry Leadership, the Baptist Center for Theology and Ministry, the H. Milton Haggard Center for New Testament Textual Studies, the Youth Ministry Institute, and the Leavell Center for Evangelism and Church Health. Employment opportunities are available for EdD students based on the needs of the research institutes. Interested persons may contact the directors of the various institutes.

Dissertation Requirements

Doctoral candidates must write a Dissertation in Professional Practice (DiPP). The dissertation in Professional Practice process is a formal demonstration of the doctoral candidate's knowledge, skills, behaviors, scholarship, and dispositions of educational leadership. A "Dissertation in Professional Practice (DiPP)" demonstrates a doctoral candidate is capable of educational research, critical thinking, theological reflection, and organizational leadership or instruction.

Refer to the EdD Dissertation Writing Manual for specific instructions, guidelines, and timelines for completing the dissertation. You can find Dissertation Instructions on the Program Materials page of the Doctor of Education Program area of the seminary website.

Requirements for Graduation

In order to graduate from the seminary, students must meet all academic requirements set forth in this catalog, settle all financial obligations to the seminary, and maintain high standards of moral and ethical conduct. The faculty or any appropriate committee of the faculty may at any time advise the President that a student evidences spiritual, ethical, emotional, psychological, or attitudinal deficiencies which, in the judgment of the faculty, disqualify the student for continued study at the seminary. The student may appeal this determination to the President. The decision of the President shall be final.

Participation in graduation exercises is required of all students unless permission is granted to graduate in absentia. Requests for permission to graduate in absentia should be made in writing to the Registrar. Permission is granted only in emergency cases.

EdD Courses and Seminars

Program Status Options

EDDC9001 Continual Enrollment
Doctor of Education students not enrolled in at least one workshop or seminar during the current semester should register for this status. Students may not register for Continual Enrollment more than two consecutive semesters before they must register for some component of their program or request Inactive status from the Doctor of Education office. An enrollment fee is charged for Continual Enrollment (see Graduate Student Fees page in this Catalog).

EDDC9002 Program Delay
Students who do not plan to register for at least one workshop or seminar during the current semester must register for Program Delay status until they reactivate their program or request Inactive status from the Doctor of Education office. Students must pay a fee for each semester of Program Delay (see Graduate Student Fees page in this Catalog).

EDDC9003 Inactive Status
Students must submit a request and be approved for Inactive status by the Education Doctoral Oversight Committee, after which the student is registered for this status each semester and summer until they reactivate their program. A fee is charged for Inactive status (see Graduate Student Fees page in this Catalog).

Program Components and Workshops

EDMN8200 Educational Career and Context (2 hours)
Students will complete a variety of personal assessments regarding leadership style, personality, interpersonal relationship skills, spiritual vitality, and character to better understand their strengths, skills and competencies to be used in an educational context. This course is taken after the resident stage is completed.

EDOC9301 Introduction to Educational Research and Writing (3 hours)
In this course students will be introduced to the literature and techniques of doctoral research.  Special attention will be given to the development of a Plan of Study, the Dissertation in Professional Practice (DiPP), and instruction in the proper form and style of research writing. This program element must be taken in the first year and is a prerequisite for EDOC9302 Educational Research Models and Methods.

EDOC9302 Educational Research Models and Methods (3 hours)
Students will explore various educational research designs and approaches to determine which research methods and tools are appropriate for their Dissertation in Professional Practice (DiPP).  A prerequisite for this course is EDOC9301 Introduction to Educational Research and Writing.

RDOC9302 Teaching in Higher Education (3 hours)
Students in this course will develop an undergraduate or graduate course of their own choosing, from the submission of a course rationale and description through the development of the course syllabus and lesson plans. In addition, they will construct a teaching portfolio prepared to present to an institute of higher learning consisting of a personal philosophy of teaching, a curriculum vita, properly written lesson plans, a syllabus for higher theological education, and a video documentation of teaching.

EDRP9100 Research Proposal/Prospectus Approval (1 hour)

EDPE9100 Oral Proficiency Exam (1 hour)

EDWC9600 Writing Candidate/Research and Writing (6 hours)

EDDD9100 Dissertation Defense (1 hour)

Required Seminars

CEAL9400 Higher Education Leadership (4 hours)
The purpose of this seminar is to provide quality theological education for students in the area of advanced research in the context of the Christian institution of higher education. Leadership principles, philosophies of Christian higher education, and trends in curriculum are investigated through research and lectures. Also can be taken as CEAL9401.

CEAL9401 Christian School Leadership (4 hours)
The purpose of this seminar is to provide quality theological education for students in the area of advanced research in the context of the K-12 Christian schools.  Leadership principles, philosophies of Christian schools, and trends in curriculum are investigated through research and lectures.  Also can be taken as CEAL9400.

CEDI9401 Discipleship and Spiritual Formation (4 hours)
The purpose of this seminar is to provide quality theological education for students in the area of discipleship and spiritual formation understandings and skills within the context of the local church. This seminar is designed to survey discipleship and spiritual formation by researching biblical and social science findings. Needs that can be addressed through discipleship definitions and terms, discipleship endeavors, and current discipleship practices in local Baptist churches are identified and researched with the consideration of personal spiritual formation. Special attention is given to the introduction and application of both pertinent and current literature in the field.

CEEF9401 History and Philosophy of Christian Education (4 hours)
A survey is made of both the historical development of Christian education as well as the philosophical foundations that influenced that development. Receiving special attention are influential personalities, significant movements, and contextual matters that have shaped and continue to shape Christian education. Consideration is given to the impact of these historical factors upon contemporary Christian education ministry and its future expressions. Current philosophical trends are observed and evaluated.

CEEF9402 Educational Psychology (4 hours)
The purpose of this seminar is to engage students in a comprehensive examination of educational psychology. Special attention is devoted to concepts which describe principles of teaching, theories of learning, motivational psychology, and instructional objectives. The study provides for an analysis of representative expressions of the teaching-learning transaction as they focus on the ministry of Christian education.

Elective Seminars (9000 level)

Elective seminars at the 9000 level are administered and scheduled through the Research Doctoral Degree Program. EdD students must select Christian Education or Christian Leadership seminars. Students may request special permission for other seminars. Each seminar is designed to lead students to wrestle with foundational constructs within the various disciplines. Specific courses and course descriptions are located in the Research Doctoral Programs section of this catalog. courses and course schedules are also listed on the Research Doctoral Programs website.

Elective Seminars (8000 level)

Elective seminars at the 8000 level are administered and scheduled through the Professional Doctoral Degree Program. Seminars are designed to lead students to wrestle with contemporary ministry issues in dialogue with the various theological disciplines. Specific courses and course descriptions are located in the Professional Doctoral Programs section of this catalog. Courses and course schedules are also listed on the Professional Doctoral Programs website.

Mentoring Courses

EDMN8301 Integrated Mentorship in Ministry Leadership (3 hours)
Under the supervision of the student’s assigned faculty mentor, this required field-based mentorship is designed to address the student’s mastery in educational and theological disciplines and capacity to engage in administration, teaching, and research in a praxis-oriented learning environment. The content and structure of the course will align with the student’s vocational ministry leadership context. Students register for the course after submitting an approved letter of intent for their dissertation topic.

EDMN8302 Integrated Mentorship in Educational Leadership (3 hours)
Under the supervision of the student’s assigned faculty mentor, this required field-based mentorship is designed to address the student’s mastery in educational and theological disciplines and capacity to engage in administration, teaching, and research in a praxis-oriented learning environment. The content and structure of the course will align with the student’s vocational educational leadership context. Students register for the course after submitting an approved letter of intent for their dissertation topic.

EDMN8303 Integrated Mentorship in Teaching (3 hours)
Under the supervision of the student’s assigned faculty mentor, this required field-based mentorship is designed to address the student’s mastery in educational and theological disciplines and capacity to engage in administration, teaching, and research in a praxis-oriented learning environment. The content and structure of the course will align with the student’s vocational teaching/pedagogical context. Students register for the course after submitting an approved letter of intent for their dissertation topic.

Mentored Reading

EDSR9301 Mentored Reading and Research in Ministry Leadership (3 hours)

EDSR9302 Mentored Reading and Research in Educational Leadership (3 hours)

EDSR9303 Mentored Reading and Research in Teaching and Pedagogy (3 hours)

Special Event Courses

EDSE8301 Special Event in Christian School Administration (3 hours)
This seminar is built around selected conferences, teaching church events, and/or meetings that support relevant practices and tenets of Christian School Administration. The purpose of this seminar is to expose the students to biblically grounded principles and practices which support church, home and school partnerships, instructional teacher practices, spiritual formation of K-12 students, supportive learning environments, and growth and development models. Special attention will be given to practices which aim for a holistic Christian school improvement plan.

EDSE8302 Special Event in Christian School Instruction (3 hours)
This seminar is built around selected conferences, teaching church events, and/or meetings that support relevant practices and tenets of Christian School Administration. The purpose of this seminar is to expose the students to biblically grounded principles and practices which support church, home and school partnerships, instructional teacher practices, spiritual formation of K-12 students, supportive learning environments, and growth and development models. Special attention will be given to practices which aim for a Christian teacher and student improvement plan.