School Improvement
Doctorate in Education
Program Strengths
- Program offers a unique opportunity for educators looking for an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based doctoral program that prepares graduates to become change agents in the schools they serve.
- 60-hour program includes courses focusing on leadershipfor change, teaching and learning, school reform, diversity, policy analysis, and research methods.
- The program is grounded in research knowledge and skills, technological competence, teaching and learning processes, and a commitment to diversity.
- NCATE accredited.
- Georgia PSC accredited.
- SACS accredited.
Special Opportunities
- Graduates strategically and collaboratively plan, design, implement and document the impact of educational improvement programs that bring all students to high levels of academic achievement and social development.
- Each spring, up to 25 individuals are selected to form a cohort group that begin coursework that summer. The cohort group progresses through coursework and dissertations together, although dissertation work is individualized.
Job Opportunities
- Teacher leaders
- Department and grade-level chairs
- Principals and assistant principals
- Staff developers
- School improvement specialists
- Instructional supervisors
- Curriculum coordinators
- Central office personnel
- Superintendents (and assistant and associate)
- Government agency administrators or consultants
- Private consultants
- University faculty
Faculty Specialties/Interests
- Action research
- Data-driven instructional decision making
- Legal and ethical leadership
- Research for school improvement
- Models of school improvement and reform
- Leadership for change
- State and local applications of school improvement
- Leadership for diversity in the 21st century
- Instructional supervision
- Instructional design
- School culture and climate