Program Schedule

Designed with working professionals in mind, classes are offered at times that minimize conflict with work obligations.

Times include:

• One night a week on weekdays in the late afternoon and evening (4:00-9:40 p.m.); and every other weekend on Friday evening (6:00-9:00 p.m.) and Saturday afternoons (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)

Entering students are organized into groups of approximately 20-25 students. Each group takes the core class sequence together, which helps to facilitate discussion, cooperative learning, and provides opportunities to enhance collaboration and teamwork skills. Beginning in the second year, students' course schedules vary depending on their choice of concentration area.

Off-Site Locations

In addition to USC's University Park campus, Ed.D. courses are also offered in:

Orange County

Core courses are offered at USC's Orange County Center in Irvine, California.

Honolulu and Sacramento

The program is offered every other year in Honolulu, Hawaii, and in Sacramento, California in selected years only. Concentration area offerings on these sites may differ from those offered on the University Park campus. For example, all students in Hawaii complete a blended K-12 Leadership/Higher Education Administration concentration. All coursework is completed in the off-site location, although students travel to the University Park campus for the qualifying examination and the dissertation defense in the third year of study.

All courses are taught by Rossier faculty, regardless of location.

Please check with the Rossier Office of Recruiting and Admissions regarding upcoming start dates for these off-campus locations.

Doctoral Support Center

Rossier's Doctoral Support Center provides support for students writing dissertations, proposals, and course papers. Workshops and lectures are offered that assist Ed.D. program students in improving academic writing skills, using library resources, navigating the dissertation process, and addressing non-cognitive challenges such as time management and receiving feedback on written work.

International Study Opportunities

Through Rossier's Asia Pacific Rim International Study Experience (APRISE) program, Ed.D. students have an opportunity to participate in international trips that help to promote cross-cultural understanding between educators. APRISE recently sponsored trips for Ed.D. students interested in K-12 and higher education to Beijing and Shanghai in the People's Republic of China.

Student Organizations

The Education Graduate Organization (EGO) plans social events, organizes workshops, offers financial support for conference attendance, and provides a forum for the exchange of student ideas. All education graduate students are members and are encouraged to participate in meetings and activities.

Opportunities for Professional Involvement

Many Ed.D. students are active participants and leaders in state and national professional associations for educators. Conference attendance, presentations, and committee work in associations make our students better, more successful educational leaders.