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The University of North Georgia (ǧÃŬAV) has been approved by the Board of Regents to offer a doctor of education degree with a major in higher education leadership and practice, the second doctoral program available at the university.

"The program will prepare individuals who have had leadership experiences already in K-12 programs and who now seek positions in educator preparation," said Dr. Susan Brandenburg-Ayres, dean of the College of Education at ǧÃŬAV. "Candidates for the program might also be adjuncts with graduate degrees, student affairs professionals or educators with master's or education specialist degrees."

Pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the 60-hour, online program will begin in August with 12 to 15 candidates and include coursework in the following three tracks: higher education, college teaching and research.

The cohort-based program is designed to be completed in three years. After completing the required coursework, each candidate will work on a dissertation focusing on a complex problem in his or her professional discipline.

"This degree builds on our undergraduate and master's programs in education and addresses a great need for career educators who are ready for advancement. The degree will meet the needs of those with work beyond the master's degree, who may already serve as college instructors or as leaders in P-12 education and who wish to advance their careers in higher education in terms of research and practice," said Dr. Tom Ormond, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at ǧÃŬAV.  

Because few programs like the doctor of education are available completely online, ǧÃŬAV offers a competitive advantage for a wide range of potential candidates.

ǧÃŬAV's thriving international relationships through flagship language programs, the College of Education, the Center for Global Engagement, the Center for Language Education, and the Corps of Cadets program provide an excellent opportunity to reach populations all over the world who are seeking doctoral degrees from a reputable public institution.

Last year, ǧÃŬAV began offering a master's degree in education in curriculum and instruction. The two-year program has three strands: research, curriculum and instruction, and a focus area option such as English to speakers of other languages, gifted education, international teaching, and reading.

ǧÃŬAV also became the first university in Georgia to feature the International Baccalaureate Educator Certificate in Teaching and Learning as part of its teacher education program.

ǧÃŬAV's programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

More information on ǧÃŬAV's College of Education can be found on its website.