Austin Peay State University has announced it will be offering its first doctoral program, beginning this fall.
The APSU Eriksson College of Education will offer a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership for K-12 professionals looking to advance their careers, according to information released Wednesday by the school.
Officials say Austin Peay previously had a classification that only allowed it to offer courses up to a master’s degree level, but that all changed earlier this month when the region’s accrediting body gave its nod of approval for the upgrade.
Dr. Prentice Chandler is the dean of the College of Education and says the program honors APSU’s heritage and meets a need.
The program will cater to current educational leaders in K-12 settings who currently hold an administrative license; classroom teachers who have a master’s degree who want acquire an administrative license while earning a doctorate; classroom teachers who do not wish to become an administrator, but who want to become an educational leader; current educational leaders who want to enhance their marketability or enhance their skills; and military personnel who wish to continue their education after a master’s degree.
The new degree will consist of 60 credit hours beyond a master’s degree, with students taking classes in leadership theory and practice, research and statistics, organizational analysis and analysis of educational policy, in addition to writing a dissertation.