EdD in Catholic Social Thought in Practice

The EdD in Catholic Social Thought in Practice is offered as a joint doctoral program by USD’s The School of Leadership and Educational Sciences in close partnership with the Franciscan School of Theology (FST), provides advanced leadership formation for those working in Catholic healthcare, education, social services, chaplaincy, mental health ministry, healing ministry and dioceses. It provides knowledge, skills and networks to help them successfully lead organizations and ministry initiatives grounded in Catholic social thought. This degree program integrates practical pastoral theology and leadership studies to form the next generation of professional leaders for Catholic organizations.

This is a practice-oriented degree program and will provide advanced leadership formation for those working in Catholic healthcare, education, social services, chaplaincy, mental health ministry, healing ministry and dioceses. It will provide knowledge, skills and networks to help them successfully lead organizations and ministry initiatives grounded in Catholic social thought. This degree will integrate practical pastoral theology and leadership studies to form the next generation of professional leaders for Catholic organizations.

Candidates drawn to this program will have early-career experience in a Catholic organization and the desire to advance to positions of leadership. The program will emphasize advanced leadership formation for mission leadership, educational leadership (K-16+) and healing ministry leadership (i.e., mental health ministry, behavioral health or chaplaincy).

This 45-unit program requires three years of study in a mostly online, low-residency hybrid learning model. It is organized into three main components:

• Integral Human Development courses provide a foundation of Catholic social thought, ethical leadership, discernment, and practical organizational management.

• Pathway courses apply all this to the missional needs of Catholic healthcare, education, social services, chaplaincy, diocesan ministry.

• Capstone courses guide the student through all phases of action research to implement and evaluate an original project to advance an organization’s mission.

At the core of the program is the scholar-practitioner model, which cultivates leaders who are both academically grounded and practice-oriented.  This model incorporates each of the following elements:

• Critical thinking and reflective practice.

• Integration of research into real-world contexts.

• Ethical leadership and systems thinking.

Given the professional experience of most students, the program’s pedagogical approach embraces adult learning principles, including:

• Learning that is relevant and problem-centered.

• Collaborative learning environments.

• Emphasis on self-direction and intrinsic motivation.

Students engage in authentic problem-solving by:

• Applying leadership theories to organizational issues.

• Conducting workplace-based research.

• Leading change initiatives and evaluating outcomes.

The culminating academic learning experience is the capstone project.  Unlike traditional dissertations, the capstone project focused on a local problem of practice that has broader implications. This final project is iterative, collaborative, and consultative.

Program of Study

The program is offered in a cohort model. The cohort proceeds through the predetermined 45 unit program over a three year span.  

General Regulations

• Academic Performance Requirements
  Doctoral students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average in their coursework throughout the program.

• A grade of less than “B-” is not acceptable for credit in this program, and the courses in which the grade was earned will not count toward the doctoral degree.  USD's policy on repetition of courses will be enforced.

• Transfer of Credit
  Transfer credit is not allowed in this program.  All EdD courses must be completed in the proposed sequence at USD and FST.

• Exit Requirements

  The exit requirements entail: successful completion of all course work, successful written capstone research and oral presentation of capstone research.

• Time Limit

  This program is designed to be completed in three years.  When extenuating circumstances arise, students may remain enrolled for a maximum of five years from the first term of enrollment.

Additional Admission Requirements

See Admission page for basic admission requirements.