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Joint Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership
Joint Doctoral Program FAQ
What is the JDP Ed.D. degree?
The College of Education, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California, Santa Barbara, offer a field-based, professional practice, Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership for working professionals. This degree is offered through our Joint Doctoral Program, the JDP.
What is the Mission and Purpose of the JDP?
The JDP’s mission is to develop regional and distinctive capacity in the leadership of instruction among non-urban, Central California educational professionals in P-16 schools and other educational organizations. The JDP is based on three fundamental beliefs:
• Under appropriate instructional conditions, virtually all students can learn -- excellently, swiftly, and self-confidently
• School organizations control these conditions of learning success
• Educational leaders, at various levels and capacities, are accountable for these organizations
What are some of the key JDP program features?
The JDP takes advantage of the unique strengths of UCSB and Cal Poly (SLO) to provide an innovative curricular, instructional, and research program that includes:
• A focus on central coast, non-urban schools
• An accelerated 3-year time to degree
• A year-round operation, with annual summer sessions and summer and fall leadership practicums
• A cohort learning model for working professionals
• In situ research in regional schools and educational organizations
• Reflective praxis throughout all Program elements
• An internationally, nationally, regionally renowned faculty
What is the student schedule for the 3 year program?
Students, as a cohort, spend their 1st year taking courses from faculty at UCSB completing three core courses in educational leadership, policy, and organizations and three in research methodology. They spend their 2nd year taking courses from faculty at Cal Poly completing a set of advanced doctoral seminars and practicums on technology, policy and politics, learning organizations, organizational management, and financial leadership. Students spend their 3rd year with their respective dissertation advisors from either Cal Poly and/or UCSB, completing coursework and researching and writing their dissertations.
All JDP courses, whether from UCSB or Cal Poly faculty, are broadcast, by video conference and the internet, to our learning clusters – UCSB, Ventura, Bakersfield, and San Luis Obispo. Year one courses are broadcast Tuesday and Thursday nights, 4-7 or 5-8 pm. Year two classes are broadcast Monday and Wednesday nights 5-8 or 6-9 pm.
What does it mean that the JDP uses a "cohort model"?
Students must complete a minimum of 3 years of continuous, full-time enrollment (at least 8 units per quarter) and must complete each course in the order listed in this program description. Students are integral members of a cohort, eg. the same students in the same classes for the duration of the program. In the event that a student takes a leave of absence or lapses status, s/he can continue with his/her coursework but must wait to join a subsequent cohort the following year. Students must petition for reinstatement with a subsequent cohort.
Who are the students of the JDP?
The JDP admits about 18-20 students per cohort and about 60 students in total. These students are practicing professionals, currently employed in leadership positions in P-16 school organizations or related educational agencies. All hold, at the time of their admission, a Master's degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. They seek positions as: P-16 Central Office or School Site Leaders; Community College and Higher Education Administrators; County and State Educational Agents; Non-Profit Educational Leaders; and Public and Private Educational Consultants.
What does the curriculum look like?
This curriculum encompasses at least 96 total units of coursework, a minimum of 32 units each year. Each JDP student MUST register for the required courses each quarter, which is no less than two courses of 4 units. If the student desires additional elective coursework, then the student should see his/her advisor and register for additional units up to 12.
In addition to required coursework, students must participate in 1-day Leadership Practicum Experiences every June and December beginning with their 1st year and ending with their 3rd year. Students must also participate in Professional Development Practicum experiences throughout fall through spring in each of their 1st and 2nd years.
Can I transfer units into the program?
With permission of the UCSB Graduate Division and Cal Poly/UCSB Joint Graduate Group faculty, students may transfer into the JDP up to eight (8) quarter units of graduate-level methodology coursework completed with a B or above at a regionally-accredited university. Up to twelve (12) quarter units of graduate-level methodology coursework completed with a B or better may be transferred from another UC campus.
No other coursework may be transferred into the program.
What is the actual expected time to degree?
Students will be expected to progress with their respective cohorts and satisfy all requirements for the Ed.D. degree. Typically, students should expect to graduate in 3-3.5 years but have within 4.5 years (4 years plus 2 additional quarters) as an outside limit.
What are the specific admission requirements?
Prospective students must meet UCSB admission criteria. Information about these requirements can be found on the Graduate Division website (click here). Faculty will admit only those applicants who possess the highest potential for successful graduate study and who, with the benefit of doctoral education, will contribute substantially to their professional field through teaching, research, and practice. Successful applicants must have:
• Received a master’s degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited university prior to the Summer Quarter 2006
• Maintained an upper-division grade point average of 3.0 or above
• Earned Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores that indicate sufficient ability for successful doctoral study
• Shared research, practice, and/or professional goals with program faculty
• References indicating their ability to work productively with others
• Writing and speaking ability appropriate for doctoral study
What are the fee requirements?
Students enrolled in the Doctor of Education Program are considered UC students for the purposes of academic residency and fee requirements. Consequently, students pay UC graduate fees for the duration of the program. The UCSB Graduate Division fee chart is available on-line.