Ed.D. in Higher Education and Organizational Change
Course Descriptions

HEOC 705 – "Issues in Higher Education"
Students will review major issues and events influencing the history and development of U.S. education. Considerations include its purposes, variety, curriculum, diversity of students and personnel, governance, oversight, funding and quality. Particular attention will be directed to current and emerging issues, including global and online developments that students will analyze and address in the contexts of policy and practice.

HEOC 715 – "Research Methods"
Students will learn quantitative and qualitative methods for conducting meaningful educational inquiry and research. They will gain an overview of research intent and design, methodology and technique, format and presentation, and data management and analysis informed by commonly used statistical methods. They will review the use of organizational and social science theory to analyze postsecondary education.

HEOC 725 – "Policy, Politics and the Law"
Students will study aspects of education law and legal issues particularly pertinent to leadership. They will explore the design, intent, development, function and effect of policy within educational institutions. They will gain appreciation of the roles of political forces, political and governance organizations and other entities involved in policy development.

HEOC 735 – "Organizational Development, Change and Innovation"
Students will gain an understanding of organizational culture and explore the impact of leadership on the change process. They will explore group evolution and the transmission and management of cultural change especially in times of increasing diversity. Students will be introduced to frameworks, techniques and perspectives that expand current beliefs and assumptions about ways to transform practice through a strategically planned process.

HEOC 745 – "Strategic Planning and Accountability"
Students will be introduced to accreditation, assessment, institutional effectiveness and self-study issues and processes. Students will explore some of the challenges related to assessing institutions, academic programs and nonacademic programs and support services. They will examine various state, regional, national and international recognition and accreditation systems and discuss their effectiveness relative to overall improvement and accountability.

HEOC 755 – "Dissertation Seminar I: Leadership and Decisions"
Students will begin internship and dissertation planning, which includes exploration of opportunities, review of literature, identification of a methodology employing clear measurables and valid quantitative or qualitative designs. APA citation, bibliographic standards and expectations of academic presentation will be reviewed. Students will also explore personal leadership and learning styles, ethics and aspirations in the context of leadership decision-making.

HEOC 765 – "Organizational Strategy and Student Services"
The student body results from both organizational strategy and social forces. Attracting, admitting, retaining, developing, graduating and tracing its particular students are essential responsibilities of a college. Studies include theories, practices and assessments of student services, especially practices that align services for students with the mission of the college, promote student success and engage them in community. Students will recognize the range and complexity of the organization and delivery of such services and study best practices that promote institutional mission.

HEOC 775 – "Emerging Technologies"
Technology affects every phase of education, from learning and communicating to MIS, automated procedures and green controls. Students will consider the impact of technology relative to enhancing student learning and engagement, and will be introduced to major academic and administrative functions. They will explore commercial and creative applications and their potential. Cost, outsourcing and infrastructure issues are included.

HEOC 805 – "Curriculum Planning and Evaluation"
Students will be introduced to processes for planning, implementing and evaluating curriculum in higher education institutions, including the particular needs of community colleges. They will examine the social, philosophical and historical roots of curriculum planning and development in higher education, and explore assessment and evaluation practices that ensure program quality.

HEOC 815 – "Teaching and Learning"
Students will gain a perspective on the impact of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in post-secondary education. They will be introduced to current research in higher education in the areas of instructional methodologies, and will gain an understanding of teaching and learning as a field of study. Students will become familiar with leading researchers and their work, and will explore best practices that reflect the norms, tools and conventions that have remained current within this area of inquiry.

HEOC 825 – "Dissertation Seminar II: Leadership for Teaching and Learning"
Students will explore and test leadership approaches to improving teaching and learning, including leadership for curriculum and assessment. They will also present formal internship plans for approval. Through exploratory essays, students will develop first drafts of dissertation topics and intent, methodology and research sources. By the end of the seminar, students will have prepared their material for development into full proposals.

HEOC 835 – "Financial Management and Sustainability"
As administrative generalists, students will gain a basic understanding of financial structure, accounting issues, auditing procedures, financial analysis, cash management, capital structure, long-term debt, investment of institutional assets and risk management in both public and private institutions, including community colleges. They will investigate strategies for sustaining quality and growth.

HEOC 845 – "Budgets and Resource Development"
Introduced to educational budgets, including operating, restricted, capital and reserve accounts, students will learn how to manage revenue and expenditure to achieve goals and create budget flexibility. Strategies for cost-containment, reduction and reallocation will be studied, along with those for profit centers and alternative resource development, including philanthropy, grants and contracts. Enrollment and tuition management strategies are included.

HEOC 855 – "Personnel, Performance and Accountability"
Students will study practices in human resource management with a focus on how to attract and retain talent, develop and work through teams, and require optimum performance in both organized and right to work environments. Basic topics include hiring and orientation, performance evaluation including tenure reviews, discipline and separation. Special topics will include communications, faculty and staff development, incident management, wellness, diversity and succession planning.

HEOC 865 – "Management of Change"
Students will study the loci and management of power and influence in the academy, including strategies for negotiating and managing agendas successfully. They will develop skills in board, labor and administrative relations and in conflict prevention and resolution. Emphasis is placed on strategies for change management, including communication and an appreciation of the many resources available for resolution.

HEOC 875 – "Dissertation Seminar III: Leadership for Solutions"
Through case studies and group work, students will examine how leaders encourage and create solutions, execute action and operate ethically. Strategies for managing media communications will be included. Working with faculty advisors, students will prepare and present draft dissertation proposals to faculty and peers for discussion and revision. Students will be advanced to candidacy status once their final proposals are approved by the doctoral committee. Successful completion of this course is required before enrollment in the third year of the Ed.D. program.

Internship and Dissertation
Candidates for the Ed.D. combine theory and practice in their dissertation and internship, and demonstrate their experience, learning and interests.

HEOC 885 – "Internship (6)"
The internship may be completed at any time after the first year of the program. The internship is competency-based but not time-bound.

The Internship consists of the following requirements:

1. Each candidate will identify, propose and complete an internship in which he/she will apply material and knowledge pertinent to current study and future professional plans. The plan will identify the placement, mentor and objectives. Assessment of the internship will include a report, selfassessment, mentor assessment and faculty assessment of the experience, materials developed and gains in learning. Details are available in the Ed.D. Internship Handbook.
2. Each student will complete a certificate or a training course in any one of the following skills – incident management, quality management, ethics or academic assessment. The student will make arrangements either independently or with guidance from the University and with final University approval to complete the training course. All courses of study are available online. In some cases, additional fees may apply.
3. Attendance at one American Council of Education (ACE) national conference. ACE is considered the premier professional organization in higher education. ACE is comprised of academic leaders poised to affect change and respond to current trends influencing higher education. This body keeps its members apprised of critical information and provides a forum for discussing these major issues. ACE provides leadership and serves as the voice of its members relative to public policy matters in Washington, D.C. and across the nation.
4. Participation in at least two major lectures scheduled by Benedictine University.
   
   HEOC 895 – "Dissertation (6)"
   Each student is expected to complete a rigorous and robust study of a current trend, issue, organizational or educational intervention or educational inquiry that results in a professional body of knowledge that can be applied in the field of higher education. Students will successfully complete their dissertations under the direction of a dissertation advisor. The advisor will review the student’s research and writing on an ongoing basis.