University News
Western Doctorate Approved By IBHE
December 7, 2004
CHICAGO, IL – The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) approved Western Illinois University’s first doctorate program, an Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) degree in educational leadership for elementary and secondary school administrators, at today’s (Dec. 7) meeting.
The program will be offered at WesternÂ’s Macomb and Quad Cities campuses, contingent upon approval by the North Central Association Higher Education Commission, the accrediting agency for colleges and universities. Individuals applying to the Ed.D. program will include public school administrators who have completed an Education Specialist degree or the equivalent coursework past masterÂ’s degree level and who are eligible for a superintendentÂ’s endorsement. Currently Western has more than 100 students enrolled in its Education Specialist program who are potential candidates for the doctoral program.
“Western has developed a doctoral program that will provide current administrators with the leadership skills necessary to address the rapidly changing educational landscape and distinctive characteristics of P-12 public education in the University’s service region,” said Western President Al Goldfarb. “The University is proud to offer a program that recognizes the role of schools in the local economy and integrates the use of Western’s nationally-known technology applications and innovations into the curriculum.”
Coursework will consist of 43 semester hours over a three-year time frame. Students will participate in a cohort model with approximately 20 students starting the program in the first year with additional 20-student cohorts to begin in years three and five. Each student will work with a specific low-performing school/district in the Western service region as part of the programÂ’s partnership with public education.
“Given Western’s rural setting, one programmatic focus will be on the challenges facing rural school districts, funding, decreases in enrollments, school consolidations, time management, evaluations, planning, accountability and compliance issues,” said Bonnie Smith-Skripps, dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Western. “An emphasis on integrating educational technology into schools to enhance students’ educational experiences and expand their academic opportunities will be illustrated in the program as doctoral students are required to use technology in specific coursework.”
Additional information on the Ed.D. in educational leadership can be obtained from the department of educational leadership website at www.wiu.edu/users/miedad or by calling the department at 309/298-1070.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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