University News
WIU Doctorate Approved, To Begin Spring 2006
July 11, 2005
MACOMB, IL – The North Central Association Higher Education Commission, the accrediting agency for colleges and universities, has approved Western Illinois University’s first doctorate program, an Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) degree in educational leadership for elementary and secondary school administrators in the greater western Illinois region.
The program will be offered beginning Spring 2006. 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.
“Western has developed a doctoral program that will provide school administrators with the leadership skills necessary to address the rapidly changing educational landscape and distinctive characteristics of Pre-K-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 WesternÂ’s service region as part of the program partnership with public education.
“A focus of the program will include some of the challenges facing rural school districts, such as funding issues, declining enrollment, school consolidations, time management, accountability and compliance,” said Bonnie Smith-Skripps, dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Western. “In addition, there will be an emphasis on integrating technology into schools.”
Additional information on the Ed.D. in educational leadership can be obtained from the department of educational leadership website at www.wiu.edu/edleadership or by calling the department at 309/298-1070.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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