Frequently Asked questions (FAQ)

1. How do I apply?

Prospective students must complete and submit the Application for Admission online through Graduate Admissions. 

2. What needs to be included in the admission packet?

3. When is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to submit all admission materials is July 1st for all applicants.

4. How long does the program take to complete?

The degree was designed to be a three-year program. Most students can expect to finish the program in three to seven years. However, individual students may take shorter or longer due to personal circumstances.

5. Is there a time limit to complete the program?

Students who enter the program must complete all degree requirements within seven years after completion of their initial course. Any extension needs to be approved by the Director of Ed.D. and the Dean on a case-by-case basis. Please note that financial aid recipients should complete the program within three years as loan repayment may begin when 10 credits of EDOC 8000 are completed, which is the end of the third year. Please check with our financial aid office for more information (https://webster.edu/financialaid/index.php).

6. What happens after I apply?

The admission packet will be reviewed, and if considered appropriate, an interview will be scheduled with the Doctoral Admissions Committee. Incomplete packets will not be reviewed. 

7. When will I begin the program?

After admission to the Ed.D. program, students will begin coursework in the Fall.

8. What if I need to take more classes to qualify for the program?

Should the committee find weaknesses in certain academic areas, the applicant will be required to take additional coursework that will not count toward the degree requirements. If an applicant needs to expand his/her research base, s/he may take those courses concurrently with the Doctor of Education curriculum.   

9. Does the program accept transfer credits?

No, the Ed.D. program does not accept transfer credits from any other university. Any previous doctoral level courses cannot be applied to Webster's Ed.D. program. 

10. What is the Written Comprehensive Examination?

The Written Comprehensive Examination is an important milestone before students can enter the dissertation stage. This is a written take-home exam that happens in Summer after all coursework has been completed. All students in the same cohort will complete the exam during the same period of time in Summer. Grading will be done by doctoral faculty through a double-blinded process. 

11. Does my Dissertation Chair have to be a Webster faculty member?

Dissertation Chairs are preferred to be full-time Webster University faculty. If there is no available full-time faculty who have the content area expertise needed for the dissertation, an adjunct, a staff member, or outside faculty may serve as Chair. A Chair who is not Webster University faculty or staff needs to be approved by the Ed.D. Director on a case-by-case basis. 

12. How much does the program cost?

The cost of tuition can be found here. The program is 40 credit hours (excludes pre-requisites, requisites, fieldwork, and service-learning).  Students admitted with an Ed.S. in hand will be waived 15 credits (based on the emphasis they have chosen to enter into). The Doctoral study tuition rate per credit hour is currently $930. A student could potentially expect to pay: $930 x 40 = $37,200. This is a rough estimate excluding program costs. Tuition rate is subject to change based on the university’s guidelines. 

13. If I am currently teaching in a school, can I receive funding for the program through my district?

There are many school districts in St. Louis that offer tuition reimbursement. Click here to view possible funding options through each school district in St. Louis. Please verify this information with your HR department. 

14. Are there outside funding options if I am not currently working in a school?

There are some potential funding options for those not currently working in a school. Click here to see additional resources.  

15. What is the salary difference between having a master's degree and an Ed.D.?

If you are currently teaching in the St. Louis Public Schools, click here for the teacher salary scale.

If you teach in the county schools or outside of St. Louis, click here for a comprehensive salary schedule created by the Missouri State Teachers Association.  

Examples of a Pay Scale Bump from MA/MS to a Doctorate at Step 7

Pay Bump at Step 7.docx

Examples of a Pay Scale Bump from Master's to Doctorate at the Highest Step

Pay Scale Bump from Master to Doctorate Examples.docx

16. Does program admission require GRE scores?

No.

17. I am an international student, will the EdD admit international students and sponsor F1 student visa?

The program will admit international students. As the program is either online or live virtual, international students are completing the program requirements in their home countries. As such, F1 student visa will not be sponsored.

18. Is the program online or on-ground?

The Transformative Learning emphasis is asychronous online. Most courses in Special Education and Educational Leadership are online but there could be some that require on-ground participation.

International students are welcome to apply to the program, but F1 international student visa would not be issued as international students would complete the program virtually in their home countries.

19. Will the program offer assistantships?

Graduate assistantships are not available at this moment.

20. Will the program offer funding or scholarships for traveling to conferences?

The School of Education will offer funding for conference travel costs on a case by case basis. Students must fill out the Student Travel Funds Request Form, include a statement which describes how a the conference supports the student's learning, as well as a statement of support from a faculty sponsor. Use the following form: https://webster.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1S8EJShU6tzaol0

21. Will the program offer research scholarships?

The School of Education does have access to the Kornblum Scholar Program through The Beatrice and David Kornblum Institute for Teaching Excellence. Students may work with a faculty member to apply for funding through the Kornblum program. Information on the program can be found here. 

22. I have an EdS degree. Will the 15 credit hours be waived for any emphasis I enter into?

No, the 15 credit hours will be waived for an emphasis area closely related to your EdS degree. For example, if you have an EdS in Educational Leadership the 15 credit hours would be waived if you enter the Ed.D. emphasis in Educational Leadership. For any other EdS degrees the decision to waive credit hours will be at the discretion of the Director of the Ed.D. and the Program Director of the emphasis area.

23. What is the difference between a Ph.D. and an Ed.D.?

Generally speaking, an Ed.D. values a well-rounded approach which focuses on theory, research, and application. An Ed.D. dissertation project is grounded in theory and research, and the findings will be applicable to an educational setting. Rather, a Ph.D. is a philosophical doctorate which might have more coursework devoted to theory building. For example, there might be more courses which geared towards knowledge of various schools of thought and particular scholars of interest. The Ph.D. usually requires a significant contribution to the knowledge base regarding theory and research, whereas the Ed.D. can be more applicational by design. But the philosophical approach varies by institution and leadership of the program. The Ed.D. is usually shorter in duration (3-7 years) and the Ph.D. usually takes longer to complete (4-9 years).

24. I work at Webster, can I receive tuition remission?

Webster University's administration made a decision to allow for one admitted student to use tuition remission in an EdD cohort. The decision will be made by the Graduate Department of Education. The tuition remission spot is called Merit-based Tuition Remission Program. All admission decisions are final. Please contact Human Resources for more information about tuition remission.