Morehead State's Ed.D. program prepares impactful education leaders

For nearly 140 years, Morehead State University has prepared educators to lead, inspire and make a difference in their schools and communities. MSU's online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program helps working professionals build on that foundation, developing the leadership skills and expertise needed to advance their careers while balancing professional and personal commitments.

"Although this is a 100% online program, candidates receive personalized advising from admission through graduation," said Dr. Nicola Mason (Class of 2007), dean of the Volgenau College of Education. "This is what sets MSU apart from our competitors: personalized academic support from experts in the field."

The Ed.D. offers these specializations:

• Adult & Higher Education Leadership
• Career and Technical Education
• Educational Technology Leadership
• Exceptional Child Leadership
• P–12 Administrative Leadership

The Ed.D. program attracts experienced professionals who are ready to take the next step in their careers, whether that means leading schools and organizations, mentoring others or creating meaningful change in education.

For Erik Kouns (Class of 2001, 2023, 2024), director of athletics and a math instructor at West Carter High School in Olive Hill, the program provided an opportunity to continue growing as a leader. After earning his bachelor's degree in mathematics, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and an Ed.S. in P-12 Administrative Leadership from MSU, Kouns pursued his Ed.D. to build on that foundation and better serve students and his community.

"My main goal was to learn and grow as a servant leader. I wanted a degree that would sharpen my practice, deepen my understanding of P-12 systems, and help me serve students, staff, and communities more faithfully. Morehead State's Ed.D. program did that," he said. "You will study with faculty who care about both scholarship and practice, join a cohort of educators who understand the job, and leave better prepared to lead schools and systems."

Like Kouns, Dr. Donell Murray (Class of 2003, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2017) found that the program's greatest value extended beyond the coursework. Murray, a senior instructor of communication who earned her Ed.D. with an emphasis in educational technology leadership, said the relationships she built with fellow students became one of the most meaningful parts of her experience.

"Having other students made the program not feel like it was 100% online," Murray said. "I stayed in touch with my fellow students, which has been going on for 10 years after graduation. My brightest day is seeing the accomplishments and promotions of these students due to this doctorate degree."

For others, personalized guidance from faculty members played a key role in their success. Lisa Rudzinski (Class of 2026), assistant principal at Mercer County Senior High School and a member of the Education Professional Standards Board of Kentucky, recently completed the Doctor of Education in P-12 Administrative Leadership and said she felt supported throughout the program.

"(Ed.D. Program Coordinator) Dr. Michael Kessinger (Class of 1979) was an especially important part of my journey as my advisor. In addition to the Ed.D. coursework, I was also pursuing an additional administrative certification, and he helped me navigate both in a logical, step-by-step way," Rudzinski said. "Every person I encountered across the University brought value to my experience. Faculty, staff and people in the different offices I worked with were responsive, helpful and genuinely invested in helping me move forward. I never felt like I had to figure things out on my own."

The two-part admission process for the Ed.D. program includes:

• Graduate School application
• Master's degree documentation
• Professional résumé
• Letter of introduction
• Three recommendation letters
• GRE, MAT, or GMAT scores (optional)
• Interview and on-demand writing for selected candidates

MSU is currently accepting applications to the Ed.D. program for candidates interested in beginning their doctoral journal in Spring 2027. There is no application fee to apply.

To learn more about MSU's Doctor of Education program, email Dr. Michael Kessinger at edd@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2061.

To learn more about the MSU's Volgenau College of Education and its programs, please contact Dean of the Volgenau College of Education Dr. Nicola Mason at nfmason@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2162.