Explore CU Denver Programs
Use the search tool below to discover degree and certificate programs offered by CU Denver. If you are unable to find a program that is right for you, please contact Admissions or a school or college for more information.
Program Overview
Designed for those who are passionate about supporting the learning and professional development needs of K - 12 district-level teacher trainers, post-secondary educators, and workplace trainers using online and technology-based pedagogies.
Graduates of this program assume leadership positions in adult learning, instructional design, and change leadership.
Students in this concentration will:
- Apply principles of adult learning, instructional design and change leadership to professional and workplace learning
- Employ a variety of methods including mentoring, coaching, site-based learning communities, e-learning resources, and workshops to support professional growth and accountability
- Engage with faculty, worksites, and districts to address problems of practice and policy
- Become data savvy for strategic planning and decision-making
- Design and use media as a means of communication and professional development
- Culminate the program with a doctoral research project dissertation.
Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development
This program prepares students for excellence in their career as an executive leader of an educational organization. CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) is recognized for preparing leaders of distinction who value educational excellence and social justice. Additionally, SEHD is counted among U.S. News & World Report's “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.
Courses
The 54-credit program begins each summer.
The curriculum includes a combination of on-campus, hybrid, remote, and online courses.
Every student must be available to attend on-campus courses each semester, each year of the program.
The curriculum includes the following elements:
- 12 hours in EdD core courses within equity, leadership, and learning core areas (four 3-credit courses)
- Nine hours in the research core (three 3-credit courses)
- 12 hours in the concentration areas (four 3-credit courses)
- Six hours of elective courses (two 3-credit courses)
- 15 hours of seminars and the completion of a doctoral research project
The program strives to expose students to context-specific best practices, interdisciplinary connections, and applied research. This is done in an environment that stresses the application of theory to practice. The EdD program has been designed to enable students to complete program requirements in three or five years.
Why the Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity, Designing for Professional Learning program at CU Denver?
Flexible option for working professionals
Most of the students in our cohort-based program are working full-time; therefore, all courses are taught in the late afternoon, evening, or online. This 54-credit-hour plan of study may be completed in a three-year or five-year track through blended-learning courses that use online activities coupled with face-to-face sessions
Dissertation-in-practice
EdD students culminate the program with a dissertation-in-practice. During this final phase, students engage with faculty and our district and community partners on identified problems of practice and policy. This includes opportunities to learn with the support of leaders of the Center for Practice Engaged Education Research (C-PEER) and developers of the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) as students work with real data and engage in authentic inquiry. The program prepares students to problem-solve, innovate, and improve learning outcomes for preschool – higher education environments.
Commitment to diversity and social justice
CU Denver resides in the center of a thriving urban setting, creating a diverse university community. Our EdD students are prepared for the real world. This program partners with diverse, urban schools and community organizations. Many of our faculty members speak Spanish. This knowledge and skills enhance our student's ability to serve culturally diverse and underrepresented individuals and families.
Program Description
Graduates of this program assume leadership positions in adult learning, instructional design, and change leadership.
Students in this concentration will:
- Apply principles of adult learning, instructional design and change leadership to professional and workplace learning
- Employ a variety of methods including mentoring, coaching, site-based learning communities, e-learning resources, and workshops to support professional growth and accountability
- Engage with faculty, worksites, and districts to address problems of practice and policy
- Become data savvy for strategic planning and decision-making
- Design and use media as a means of communication and professional development
- Culminate the program with a doctoral research project dissertation.
Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development
This program prepares students for excellence in their career as an executive leader of an educational organization. CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) is recognized for preparing leaders of distinction who value educational excellence and social justice. Additionally, SEHD is counted among U.S. News & World Report's “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.
Courses
The 54-credit program begins each summer.
The curriculum includes a combination of on-campus, hybrid, remote, and online courses.
Every student must be available to attend on-campus courses each semester, each year of the program.
The curriculum includes the following elements:
- 12 hours in EdD core courses within equity, leadership, and learning core areas (four 3-credit courses)
- Nine hours in the research core (three 3-credit courses)
- 12 hours in the concentration areas (four 3-credit courses)
- Six hours of elective courses (two 3-credit courses)
- 15 hours of seminars and the completion of a doctoral research project
The program strives to expose students to context-specific best practices, interdisciplinary connections, and applied research. This is done in an environment that stresses the application of theory to practice. The EdD program has been designed to enable students to complete program requirements in three or five years.
Why the Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity, Designing for Professional Learning program at CU Denver?
Flexible option for working professionals
Most of the students in our cohort-based program are working full-time; therefore, all courses are taught in the late afternoon, evening, or online. This 54-credit-hour plan of study may be completed in a three-year or five-year track through blended-learning courses that use online activities coupled with face-to-face sessions
Dissertation-in-practice
EdD students culminate the program with a dissertation-in-practice. During this final phase, students engage with faculty and our district and community partners on identified problems of practice and policy. This includes opportunities to learn with the support of leaders of the Center for Practice Engaged Education Research (C-PEER) and developers of the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) as students work with real data and engage in authentic inquiry. The program prepares students to problem-solve, innovate, and improve learning outcomes for preschool – higher education environments.
Commitment to diversity and social justice
CU Denver resides in the center of a thriving urban setting, creating a diverse university community. Our EdD students are prepared for the real world. This program partners with diverse, urban schools and community organizations. Many of our faculty members speak Spanish. This knowledge and skills enhance our student's ability to serve culturally diverse and underrepresented individuals and families.
Program Features
Apply by December 1.
Application deadline
Starting semester
Summer
3 or 5 years
Time to complete
The 54-credit program begins each summer.
Credit hours
Alumni Success Stories
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As an instructional leader, I was looking for opportunities to grow professionally that would impact my school community and beyond. My doctoral studies in the professional learning and technology program achieved this goal by providing me with a strong community of practice, tangible knowledge that I implemented immediately and a passion for improvement science. Even though we completed our program during a pandemic, our professors provided possibilities to adapt so that we were successful. I would highly recommend CU Denver’s Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity program for any educator hoping to grow professionally and personally.
Ashley Gehrke
EdD in Leadership for Educational Equity, Professional Learning and Technology
(May 2022)
Cherry Creek School District, Director of Career and Innovation
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