February 26, 2008
Bowling
Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University’s first independent doctoral degree program has been approved by the Council on Postsecondary Education.
The new Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership is the next academic milestone for WKU and the Commonwealth of Kentucky in addressing educational access and economic development issues in this region, according to Dr. Jeanne Fiene, head of the Department of Educational Administration, Leadership and Research.
“Education is the great equalizer and provides the access to opportunities and thinking that can further propel positive economic changes,” Dr. Fiene said.
During a meeting Tuesday afternoon in Frankfort, CPE approved doctorates in educational leadership for WKU, Northern Kentucky University and Eastern Kentucky University. All three programs stress regional stewardship and focus on improving student achievement and the economy in their areas of geographic responsibility.
WKU’s interdisciplinary program will develop “practitioner scholars” in four specialty areas – Administrative Leaders, Teacher Leaders, Postsecondary Leaders and Organizational Leaders -- equipped to assume leadership roles in the multiple venues where education takes place and to work with educational partners to improve academic performance and increased learning at all levels.
“This new program will allow WKU to help ensure that educators in our public and private schools and across the KCTCS system emerge as school leaders and role models for students,” WKU President Gary Ransdell said.
The program will produce graduates who will be effective change agents within educational and education-related environments and who will be well positioned to contribute to the improvement of education at all levels in Kentucky.
“This doctorate has been a long time in coming,” said Dr. Barbara Burch, WKU’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Our faculty and staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the academic quality of this doctoral program as we meet the needs of the Commonwealth. This is an exciting time for building greater capacity for educational leadership in Kentucky.”
WKU expects to admit at least two cohorts of 20-25 students each year with approximately 120-150 students enrolled when the program is fully operational after three years. Students should be able to complete the program in three to five years.
Using blended delivery methods, including traditional face-to-face classroom settings, distance-learning formats, online platforms and on-site practicum settings, the WKU program will make it possible for students to remain in their current professional positions while completing the doctoral degree. Administered through the dean of the College of Education and the dean of the Graduate College, the program will include involvement of faculty across a broad range of disciplines in order to meet the needs of doctoral candidates.
“For many potential students who wish to remain active in the workforce as they seek advanced degrees, it is impossible to travel to Lexington or Louisville,” Dr. Fiene said. “For example, it is not possible to drive to Louisville from Todd County and be in class by 4 o’clock without missing a significant day of work for each class period scheduled. Therefore, for the educator who does not wish to be away from their own students the program becomes inaccessible.”
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
For information, contact Jeanne Fiene at (270) 745-2942.
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