If you’ve ever dreamed of advancing your education and expanding your impact, a doctorate can help you achieve both. Dr. Stephoni Case, director of Southern Nazarene University (SNU)’s Doctor of Education in Administration and Leadership (DEAL) program, shares why pursuing this degree might be the right step for you.
The quickest answer that comes to my mind is “Because you want one!” In my own journey, a doctoral degree - a terminal degree - was a life goal. For several years, I had done my own research on subjects I was interested in because I was teaching undergraduate courses at SNU. I studied Southern Literature, Technology and Writing, and Successful Pedagogies for Writing Instruction. I really enjoyed it, but the desire to earn a degree that was recognized by myself and others never went away, so finally I talked with my husband, and he supported my dream, and then I took the next steps.
Personal goals and achievement are great reasons to earn your doctorate, but there are other reasons. A doctorate will open doors of professional opportunity that you may never have imagined. Businesses and various institutions greatly respect the learning and tenacity that a doctorate reflects. Having this degree will attract notice and interest that otherwise wouldn’t happen for you.
Some types of work require a doctorate. Many positions in education now require a doctorate as a qualification. Various leadership and administrative roles, such as Principal and Superintendent, may list a doctorate in the job qualifications.
In higher education, a doctorate is encouraged and respected in many positions in addition to the professoriate and administration. Leadership, Administration, and additional disciplines encourage a terminal degree for faculty and staff.
From my own experience, I can tell you that earning my doctorate opened doors for me that I had never imagined. The only thing I would have done differently is to begin sooner.
I LOVE this question! No one accidentally earns a doctorate. The accomplishment takes a dream, a mission, a plan, and lots of hard work. Mental work is hard work — turning those wheels in your brain can be stressful and fulfilling all at the same time.
So again, what does life look like as a doctoral student? It looks FOCUSED. Doc students must be intentional about their academic journey and recognize that it will take time. Life is busy, and you do have to eat and sleep and do life, but there must be some time every week or every day that you set aside to concentrate on working on your coursework and/or your research.
My suggestions - and I just shared this with a brand new group of students starting their journeys - are to look ahead each week and identify the blocks of time that you can do library research, read, write, and complete homework. Sometimes that might be evenings from 8 - 10 pm for five nights a week. For others, it may be 8 - 4 on Saturdays and Sundays. Find a pattern and a rhythm that works for you each week. THEN - communicate that plan with yourself on your calendar and with the people in your life that need to know how you’ll be spending your time.
When you are accepted into the DEAL program, you will have arrived with a general idea of a research topic that you want to pursue. You might be one of the few who begin with one narrow topic and stick with it right through the entire program. If so - GREAT!
Many students arrive with a general idea, and as they go through guided research activities and discussions with their Research Professor, they will find that their topic evolves into the perfectly crafted topic and approach for their interests and learning. Always listen to your Research Professor. They know the process of crafting research, and their guidance is incredibly valuable to you.
Ah… you couldn’t have asked a better question! The DEAL program operates on a cohort model. You will begin with a group of students, and you will journey through your program of study together with the same cohort. Each cohort has a Research Professor who will guide you individually and collectively through your dissertation or capstone and will teach as many as five of your doctoral courses - the research writing courses. The Research Professor is an important person in your journey because they guide your writing throughout your program - your research is embedded , and you complete your study as you move through the program.
I surveyed recent graduates, so these responses are from those who started and finished the SNU Doctor of Education in Administration and Leadership program. Their words and thoughts say it all!
“Stay steady. The work will stretch you, but it will also shape you. Break big tasks into simple steps and focus on one piece at a time. Protect your time and energy. You do not need long hours every day—just consistent effort. Keep going. You will reach the end, and the person you become along the way is the real prize.” - Dr. Rubera
“When it feels overwhelming, take a step back and remember why you started this journey. Sometimes your mind is blown by learning new concepts, and other times you might feel like it is redundant. Regardless, you have to stick with it and fight through the frustrating moments. When you feel like you are alone, remember your professors and your dissertation committee are there for support. Nobody else can do the hard work, but you, and it is worth it!” - Dr. Howell
“I was raised to always do things to the best of my ability. Consequently, I recognize that there is always room for personal and professional growth, and I strive to be a lifelong learner. When I found myself in a leadership role, I knew that I needed to learn and grow in that discipline in order to best serve my team, my colleagues, our students, and our families. God blessed me with the opportunity to attend SNU.” - Dr. Jarvis
“My ‘why’ for completing this degree centers on my desire to strengthen family engagement in early childhood education and to use my thirty-four years of experience, knowledge, and faith to advocate for children, families, and educators. I pursued this program to grow as a leader and educator to open doors that allow me to make a wider impact in my community. My ‘why’ for completing this program is deeply connected to my purpose and calling in the field of early childhood education. I pursued this degree because I believe that families are the foundation of children’s learning, and I wanted to develop the knowledge, skills, and leadership needed to elevate their voices and experiences. Throughout my career, I have seen how powerful partnerships between families and educators can be and how easily those partnerships can be overlooked. This degree represents my commitment to creating more meaningful, culturally responsive, and inclusive approaches to family engagement. On a personal level, earning this doctorate symbolizes perseverance, faith, and the desire to be a role model for my own children and for others who need to see that their goals are possible. My ‘why’ is bigger than a title; it is about servant leadership, impact, and using my learning to uplift the families and communities I care deeply about.” - Dr. Sevier
The beauty of this program is that you enroll ONE time — at the beginning. The entire program is 32 months and will take six terms or semesters. You make the initial application, and then an enrollment counselor will guide you through the rest of the process. You need transcripts from previously completed degrees, two recommendation forms completed, a vision statement that includes your ‘Why’ and your topic idea, and a writing sample. Once all of that is complete, you will be invited to interview with the DEAL Program Director or one of the Research Professors. During the interview, you’ll have an opportunity to share your goals and dreams for the future as well as discuss research ideas and ask questions. Once you are accepted, the Enrollment Counsellor will help you finish the process of your Registration Agreement and enrolling into the SNU email and Learning Management System.
Content and Research courses are six weeks long, and you take one course at a time. Each term you will take up to three Content and Research Courses and six Research Writing courses. The most hours you will take in a term will be 12 hours, and some terms it is 10 hours. Total hours for the program is 57 — 45 Content and Research course hours and 12 Research Writing hours. You will receive a calendar at the beginning of your program that will show you exactly how things will be scheduled for your journey. No guesswork. No classes that ‘don’t make’ — it’s a well-oiled machine that has proven to be a trusted vehicle for students as they work to achieve their goals.
A cohort is a group. In this case, a group of learners who make an academic journey together. Your cohort becomes your SNU learning community. You build relationships as you participate in Discussion Boards, as you meet on Zooms, as you join together for the introductory Orientation at the beginning — your cohort is your academic family, and you learn together and support each other through the process. Cohorts are a big DEAL!
Yes! It’s not me, but your Enrollment Counselor or I will introduce you to our specific Graduate Education Financial Aid Counselor. She is FANTASTIC! You have the freedom to pay as you go and work out payment plans with the Business Office, or you can use FAFSA to finance your doctorate. Native Americans may have access to funds from their tribes, and learners with a military affiliation may have financial benefits they can apply towards tuition. I am not a financial aid expert, but I can connect you to someone who is!
It’s a year-round program with 3 - 4 weeks off in June and 3-4 weeks off in December/January. The entire program takes 32 months if you stay on schedule, and you should plan on studying, reading, writing, and thinking for 10 - 20 hours per week, depending on where you are in the program. Second term, for example, is where Literature Review occurs, and that may take more hours than the third term.
No way. I am determined to build a community in the DEAL program that includes you. Make no mistake - you will do the work - but you will have direction, support, and encouragement. There is no hidden agenda and no surprises along the way. You’ll have regular communication with your Research Professor as well as with your cohort.
Then please know that I have answers, or I know the people who do. You can reach out to me, and in one email or one phone call, I can help. We have a Program Coordinator who works only with doc students each day, and she can also answer questions.
Ready to start? We are ready for you! Reach out and let us get to know you and help you make your dreams a reality.