UCLA :: The ELP :: The Culminating Project

The Ed.D. dissertation is the capstone of the Leadership Program. Its goal is the primary objective of the Program—to improve educational practice. The dissertation is essentially the traditional dissertation but with some key differences. Whereas a traditional dissertation focuses primarily on theoretical research, the Ed.D. dissertation applies theoretical ideas to tangible, real-world problems. Based on the concept of action research, the dissertation is written with the intention of improving practice and policy. The dissertation enables students to work individually with the support of faculty and ELP colleagues:

	to continue to hone their own interpersonal skills. to learn and use research methods that are linked to leadership in the field, including the ability to analyze problems and solve them as well as the ability to understand the research literature and apply it appropriately. to apply concepts and theories to existing or predicted educational problems. to work with faculty and practitioners to design and carry out projects that can be put into practice to improve educational issues.