General Policies

• All current students must set up the Office 365 account and their Connections ID. Make sure to check your Webster e-mail often or have it forwarded to another e-mail address. For assistance with forwarding your email click here. Academic Advising has a full page on Student Technology to assist with setting up each account as well as what each feature is used for.

• Ed.D. students are expected to make their courses a priority. This means attending all classes and turning in all assignments completed and on time. Students must arrange their schedules so that they may arrive on time for the full eight-week term and schedule any outside engagements (work obligations, parental obligations, vacations, parties, etc.) around class time. While this program is flexible for those working full time, attendance and participation are essential. 

• Under special circumstances, a maximum of one conflict per term may be granted to a student. Be certain to discuss any potential conflicts with your instructor as early as possible to make arrangements. Note that missing two classes for any reason will result in receiving a non-passing grade (C or NC).

• Many new students in the Ed.D. program may find that doctoral coursework, going back to school, or switching into a new field is very difficult. Most of the students find that within a few weeks, this overwhelming feeling can pass. In many cases the issue is that students come in with very high expectations placed on themselves to be able to perform at as high a level as they can in what they currently do. It is more than natural for the first term or two to feel very difficult (that means that you are learning!). If you find that you are struggling, speak to your professor as soon as possible.

Duration of Program

The doctoral program was designed to be a three-year program. There are certain situations that may delay graduation, for example: quality of writing, dissertation chair on leave, change of research topic, etc. However, students are expected to monitor their progress and try their best to complete the program within three years. Students will take 10 credits of EDOC 8000 or 10 credits of EDOC 8001 and 8002 for completing their dissertation or DDP in Year 3. In the event that the dissertation or DDP is not done, students will take 1 credit of EDOC 8010 per semester until completion. Please note that financial aid recipients should complete the program within three years as loan repayment may begin when 10 credits of EDOC 8000/8001-8002 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).

Other University Policies

Graduate Catalog: https://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/degrees/doctor-of-education-edd.html

Academic Policies: https://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/academic-policies.html

Incomplete: https://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/academic-policies.html#incomplete

School of Education AI Policy

SOE (School of Education) AI (Artificial Intelligence) Use Syllabus Statement

This syllabus statement articulates an acceptable use of AI tools while maintaining academic integrity and transparency within School of Education courses. 

A. Acceptable Use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) Tools: 

1.     Faculty and students may use generative AI tools, including ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing Chat, for drafting, brainstorming, and generating ideas for course assignments. 

2.     AI tools may be used as complementary resources to enhance student learning and creativity in the assignment creation and development process. 

3.     Students are not allowed to use AI tools as the sole means of creating or developing their assignments. 

B. Human Decision-Making:

1.     Within the course, final grading, evaluation, and decision-making will be conducted by the instructor.

2.     Faculty and Students should indicate through citations, reference statements or other means where AI has been used in the drafting, writing or construction process. 

C. Programmatic Considerations

Program leads are encouraged to refine AI use policies based on their internal interests. An example from the doctoral program is presented below

EdD AI Use Policy
Students are not allowed to use AI tools, including Large Language Models (LLMs), as the sole means of creating or developing their assignments (online postings, quizzes, and any written submissions), comprehensive exams, year three project proposal, dissertations, and doctoral digital portfolios. Our EdD program requires students to follow these guidelines: a) Take ownership of the written works by i) critically reviewing the AI-generated texts and ii) fact-checking the texts and references carefully, b) Establish a healthy relationship with AI and co-construct written works, while ensuring originality, and c) Document your use of AI in an appendix for all written submissions with detailed descriptions of how AI was used and how originality was ensured. Please note that academic journals and publication venues may or may not accept any written submissions with AI-generated texts. If you are planning on submitting your written works to journals, please read their AI or LLM use policy early on. Note: “AI” in this policy includes all LLMs.