Ed.D. – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership
Help Close Achievement Gaps
Do you have a heart for the neediest populations in education? If you desire to make a big impact as a practitioner-scholar, then this degree will equip you with the leadership skills needed to bring about positive change. Regent’s Doctor of Education – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership degree focuses on a more inclusive approach to supporting exceptional learners by broadening the reach to populations who need it most. You’ll gain executive-level insight on championing, leading, and developing innovative programs and policies. Enjoy a meaningful career while you help close the achievement gaps for groups in these categories: Special Ed, 504, Gifted, At-risk, and Diverse.
INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL
Capitalize on a higher salary with your Ed.D. degree.
IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS
Make a lasting difference in the lives of children through innovative leadership.
EXPAND YOUR CAREER PATH
Influential job opportunities await you.
Presented from a Christian worldview, this specialty degree is supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach.
To learn more about this program, please complete the Request Information form on this page.
On completing the Ed.D. – Exceptional Education Executive Leadership degree, you will be able to:
- Understand laws, policies and regulations specific to exceptional education.
- Apply key principles in supervision, strategic planning and program evaluation.
- Bridge the gap between research and practice to understand learners.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- Exceptional Education Administrator
- Exceptional Education Consultant
- Exceptional Education Curriculum & Program Developer
Examines strategic planning and the role of program evaluation in the planning/implementation/evaluation cycle to include the curriculum planning process. Topics include various theoretical and philosophical perspectives, alternative evaluation designs and related methodologies including collaborative action research and issues related to design, measurement and utilization. The goal is to help educators become active collaborators in the evaluation process and to give them the tools to judge the value of an evaluation. Whether the task is designing an internal evaluation of a local program, contracting for an external evaluation at the district level, or critically reviewing an evaluation report as a basis for making an administrative decision, this course offers important leadership preparation. Each student will prepare an evaluability assessment related to a self-selected educational program in his/her area of concentration. Prerequisite: a graduate level research course. Cross-listed with EDCO 501.
- Adult Education
- Advanced Educational Leadership
- Christian Education Leadership
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Educational Psychology
- Educational Technology & Online Learning
- Exceptional Education Executive Leadership
- Higher Education
- Higher Education Leadership & Management
- K-12 School Leadership
- Special Education
2020-21 Semester Check-In Deadlines:
All new students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 14 | Monday, August 24 |
| Session M | Friday, September 11 | Monday, September 21 |
| Session B | Friday, October 16 | Monday, October 26 |
| Session C | Tuesday, January 5 | Monday, January 11 |
| Session T | Friday, January 29 | Monday, February 8 |
| Session D | Friday, March 5 | Monday, March 15 |
| Session E | Friday, April 30 | Monday, May 10 |
| Session F | Friday, June 11 | Monday, June 21 |
Application Process – Doctoral Programs (Ed.D.)
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
Step 1: Application & Application Fee
Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.
Pay the $50 nonrefundable application fee by check or money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.
Fee Waiver: Attend a graduate School of Education on-campus or online information session to learn how to streamline your application process, discover financial aid resources and waive your $50 application fee.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts
We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcripts from U.S.-based schools, which indicate successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, in order to review your application for an admissions decision. Please submit your unofficial transcript to our Admissions Office by email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SOE Doctoral Application Pieces.
Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. For further details, please review the International Admissions Checklist on the International Students Admissions page.
International Applicants: Please visit the International Students Admissions page for a more detailed explanation of the Regent University application information and to determine whether or not you qualify as an international student.
*Upon conditional acceptance to the program by review of unofficial transcripts, Regent University’s Admissions Office will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institutions, which indicate successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. We will notify you if your previous institutions will not release transcripts directly to us.
Step 3: Complete Your Admissions Questionnaire
Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests. This should only take a few minutes to complete, but please answer the questions completely and thoughtfully. This gives us a better opportunity to get to know you and align your objectives with our programs. The admissions questionnaire can be found here. Once completed, it will be sent directly to an admissions counselor who will be in touch with you right away to help complete the rest of your application.
Step 4: Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please email a scanned copy or photograph of it to apply@regent.edu with the subject line: Government ID.
Step 5: Admissions Interview
If an interview is necessary, the admissions office will contact you to schedule an appointment. The interview can be conducted on campus or over the phone and typically takes about an hour.
Important Information
Background Check: Students in endorsement programs are required to complete a background check because the program includes direct contact with students in field experiences. Regent University School of Education has entered into an agreement with Certified Background/Castle Branch (CB), a private vendor that conducts background checks for many universities and educational institutions. After you are admitted into the program, you will be provided instructions to set up an online profile with Certified Background and request your background check. Learn more.
Part Time
| Degree/Program | Cost per Credit Hour | Avg. # of Credits per Semester | Tuition Cost per Semester | Total Credits | Tuition Cost for Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career Switcher | $250 | 6 | $1,500 | 24 | $6,000 |
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $550 | 6 | $3,300 | 42 | $23,100 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $775 | 6 | $4,650 | 31 | $24,025 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $775 | 3 | $2,325 | 66 | $51,150 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $775 | 3 | $2,325 | 75 | $58,125 |
Full Time
| Degree/Program | Cost per Credit Hour | Avg. # of Credits per Semester | Tuition Cost per Semester | Total Credits | Tuition Cost for Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career Switcher | $250 | 9 | $2,250 | 24 | $6,000 |
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $550 | 9 | $4,950 | 42 | $23,100 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $775 | 9 | $6,975 | 31 | $24,025 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $775 | 6 | $4,650 | 66 | $51,150 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $775 | 6 | $4,650 | 75 | $58,125 |
Part Time
| Degree | Cost per Credit Hour | Avg. # of Credits per Semester | Tuition Cost per Semester | Total Credits | Tuition Cost for Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career Switcher | $250 | 6 | $1,500 | 24 | $6,000 |
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $550 | 6 | $3,300 | 42 | $23,100 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $775 | 6 | $4,650 | 31 | $24,025 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $775 | 3 | $2,325 | 66 | $51,150 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $775 | 3 | $2,325 | 75 | $58,125 |
Full TIme
| Degree | Cost per Credit Hour | Avg. # of Credits per Semester | Tuition Cost per Semester | Total Credits | Tuition Cost for Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career Switcher | $250 | 9 | $2,250 | 24 | $6,000 |
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | $550 | 9 | $4,950 | 42 | $23,100 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) | $775 | 9 | $6,975 | 31 | $24,025 |
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | $775 | 6 | $4,650 | 66 | $51,150 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $775 | 6 | $4,650 | 75 | $58,125 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Estimated Cost of Attendance: View the estimated cost of attendance to see an example of the total cost of tuition and fees.
Advanced Standing
Students possessing an Ed.S. or equivalent may be admitted to the Ed.D. program with advanced standing after a review of their post-master’s transcript(s). Offered in a cohort model. Students may begin the program in the spring, summer or fall semesters. Courses are delivered online with some required face-to-face components. School division cohorts are also offered in varying formats.
Faculty
Dr. Hunter is the concentration chair for Exceptional Educational Executive Leadership and is committed to your success.
Dr. Elizabeth Hunter earned her B.A. in Fine Art from Old Dominion University and her M.Ed. in Special Education concentrating in MR, LD and ED at Regent University. In 2005, Hunter became a Doctor of Education in Special Education & Communications. Her doctoral studies culminated into a final dissertation that incorporated an ethnographic documentary film about the expressed opinions of young adults with Down Syndrome about their classroom placement.
Hunter is an assistant professor in the School of Education M.Ed. K-12 Special Education and Reading Specialist programs and the Ed. S. Educational Leadership with Special Education emphasis program. She has built years of experience in the field of Special Education, as well as Communication Technology especially in television and video education production. Hunter has been involved in numerous publications and presentations in her areas of expertise and holds honors and awards for her contributions to both fields.
Using her talents as a painter, photographer and production designer, Hunter has successfully worked in film and television production since 1979. She has won several awards for her contribution to television and film, one in particular an after-school special that earned her the honor and privilege to judge for the Annual Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards. She has been a voting member of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences since 1987.
Hunter currently holds appointments and positions of leadership in both fields in her church and community. She serves as the president of the Virginia Federation of Council for Exceptional Children and represents the VA CEC at the International Council for Exceptional Children Representative Assembly and Leadership sessions.
She consults with ETS in assessment development of the Special Education and the Intellectual Disabilities PRAXIS II exams. Additionally, Hunter consults privately with schools, churches and parents in the areas of exceptional disabilities especially Developmental Delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities.
Hunter has expertise in instructional technology and media and enhances her on-line and face-to-face courses and publications with visual media technology. She presents her course curriculum using her skills to turn words into pictures and uses video streaming as an educational tool. She has also been instrumental in turning the hybrid courses into an online format providing content to students nationally and internationally.
Hunter pursues ethnographic research to produce educational and documentary film with content based on grounded research that is appropriate for use in higher education. She writes and produces educational articles and books utilizing instructional videos and documentary film that educate and entertain. She has embarked on the production of a documentary series and book called Waking Up with Jack, an autobiographical story that touches on how a family deals with Down Syndrome and all the things that go along with it. It is an ongoing examination of special needs students.