ADA, Okla. – East Central University continues to see a rise in interest for the university’s inaugural doctoral program.
The Doctor of Education in Rural Education (Ed.D.) at ECU is designed to focus on the needs unique to rural school leaders and working adults.
Since the announcement of the Ed.D. in Sept., applications have been accepted for 31 students.
“We are excited about the number of students enrolled in the new Ed.D. as it shows the interest and need for the program,” said Dean of the College of Education and Psychology, Dr. Jerry Mihelic. “We are also excited for the impact these students will be making in their rural communities as they complete their applied dissertation/capstone projects”.
Rural education leaders need to know how to address the unique issues in rural communities, such as “varying access to healthcare, food security, Internet connectivity, access to advanced coursework, and high-quality educational resources” (OSDE, 2020, para. 2).
The Ed.D. in Rural Education is specifically designed to address rural education’s unique circumstances and challenges.
Optimized coursework will help educational leaders navigate curriculum development, strategic planning, supervision, organizational change and advocacy for rural schools. Courses will be offered fully online in eight-week terms so working professionals can integrate graduate study into their lives, with five opportunities to enroll each year.
This program includes an applied dissertation. The distinctive experience provided by an applied dissertation includes researching issues, challenges, or policy questions in a local rural community to develop solutions that have an immediate impact on day-to-day operations and activities in rural school settings.
For more information, contact Dr. Jerry Mihelic at 580-559-5350 or gmihelic@ecok.edu.
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