In addition to the core requirement, the Doctor of Education degree program allows a minimum of 15 semester hours in a minor or related field. The doctoral student is allowed to have a selection of courses that permits him or her to have more flexibility in their major area of emphasis. If there is no minor or related field, 15 semester hours are added to the major.

A minor focuses on courses in a clearly defined area of study. Related fields focus on courses from several areas of study. If a student wants to include a minor in the doctoral degree plan, there must be a representative from the minor area of study on the doctoral advisory committee, and the qualifying exam must include a focus on the minor area of study. If a student selects related fields courses, there does not have to be a representative from the related fields on the doctoral advisory committee. Including a focus in the related fields on the qualifying exam is optional.

A student must enroll in Doctor of Education8000 to take dissertation hours during the development of the student's dissertation proposal and the dissertation.