Online Doctoral Degrees

NCU knows that the need for well prepared educational leaders has never been greater. Today the Ed.D. has evolved to a terminal degree of choice for educational practitioners.

The NCU Ed.D. attracts Learners who have leadership responsibility for providing learning/training to others, whether they be in colleges, PK-12 schools, proprietary organizations, private and public businesses, or the military.

The NCU Ed.D. focuses on job-embedded and solution driven applications, providing Learners with the necessary tools and information to use research in their daily work. The diversity of the specialization offerings allows Learners the opportunity to focus on what is meaningful to their professional growth and development. The Ed.D. experience at NCU culminates in the work setting applied dissertation project.

Requirements:

Learners working toward the Ed.D. complete 81 semester credits of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree, or 51 semester credits (this includes the 24 credits of research, the comprehensive course and the dissertation) beyond the 30 transferred graduate credits with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (B) or higher.

Specializations:

The nature and purpose of the Curriculum and Teaching specialization is to provide Teacher Learners the knowledge, skill sets, and professional competencies that will enhance their instructional practice and expand their professional awareness. Learners have the opportunity to explore, examine, and evaluate contemporary teaching and instructional practices. Effective teaching methods are aligned to effective curricula design and development. Effective learning outcomes and student achievement are aligned to effective curricula implementation and assessment. This specialization offers Learners a comprehensive program of study aimed to improve their classroom performance and practice.

The School of Education at NCU is committed to preparing educational leaders and scholars through a comprehensive program of study in Educational Leadership(EL)addressing the ever-changing conditions and emerging issues within the context of education. Dedicated to the University's mission of providing excellence in teaching, research, and service the Program promotes a broad array of values, knowledge, and skills essential to renew and improve education in the 21st Century. Learners pursuing the specialization in Educational Leadership engage in study related to the setting in which they are interested in working. The specialization in Educational Leadership allows Learners to pursue a coherent set of structured learning experiences including traditional coursework, research, and professional practice to achieve learning outcomes.

Education Technology Management (LTM)is designed for education professionals who seek leadership roles in the field of educational technology. Focus of the program is in establishing a knowledge-base and application of new technologies, current research in the field and designing curriculum and instruction through technology integration and instructional planning. Learners will develop and/or refine skills and knowledge to advance their instructional effectiveness in varied settings through application of technology theory and practice.

Online teaching requires that instructors develop a new set of skills in order to teach effectively via the World Wide Web. Participants will develop an understanding of online course development and management, as well as gain an understanding of the unique needs of an online learner.

The Exceptional Student Education (ESE) specialization is designed to prepare graduates to teach and work with individuals with various types of disabilities. The specialized curriculum prepares Learners to teach students with mental, physical, behavioral and learning disabilities, as well as work in a variety of related fields. The course offerings within the ESE specialization covers a wide spectrum of issues relating to individuals with disabilities, including the development and characteristics of learners, individual learning differences, instructional strategies, social development, and language development. The curriculum also encompasses learning environments, instructional planning, assessment, professional and ethical practices, and collaboration. Learners pursuing the ESE specialization may customize the specialization so it meets their unique professional and personal goals.

The NCU Gifted and Talented Education (GTE) Specialization provides present and future education professionals with the most current research and skills necessary to foster educational reform in this field. These questions answered for Learners will help develop professionals who will serve as advocates for gifted and talented populations.

The specialization in Higher Education (LHE)offers Learners pursuing the doctor of education or doctor of philosophy degrees with an opportunity to pursue studies in higher education. Learners pursuing the higher education specialization are employed as middle-and senior-level administrators (including presidents, vice presidents and deans) and as faculty members in colleges and universities throughout the world.

The specialization in Instructional Leadership(IL) at NCU provides a solid foundation for Learners who want to improve the instructional capacity of schools and increase student achievement. Strong instructional leaders lead effective schools. Instructional leadership, not just by the principal but also by others in both formal and informal leadership roles play a pivotal role in leading instructional improvements and reform to enhance student learning and achievement. Through the efforts of accomplished instructional leadership experts, the IL specialization focuses on preparing educational practitioners, and reflective decision makers through teaching and research. Ed.D. Learners who pursue the specialization in Instructional Leadership are prepared to teach in community, 4-year colleges, and universities in the areas of their expertise. Courses in the program are designed to provide the technical, human, and conceptual skills essential to theory and practice.

Organizational Leadership (OL) appeals to Learners who are focused on developing the competencies required of organizational leaders. The strategically crafted courses serve to enhance Learner’s commitment to the understanding and practice of leadership. Grounded in research, facilitated by leadership practitioner faculty and customized for maximum professional impact, the NCU Leadership course of study is appealing to Learners who currently serve as or want to become collaborative change agents within their organization. This specialization has broad appeal among educators whose professional goal may include consulting or a generalist leadership position in corporate, educational, government, not-for-profit, or community organizations.

The SAIL (Standards-Aligned Instructional Leadership) specialization is for SAIL participants only. Participation is not open to the general public. The SAIL program provides a unique opportunity for administrators to not only participate in job-embedded learning that is fully applicable in daily tasks but also for credits toward your doctoral degree in education. ED5030 and ED5036 complete the SAIL content course work.

The Sports Management & Leadership specialization was created to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding and changing multi-billion dollar sports industry, providing Learners an opportunity to expand their knowledge. NCU's programs are delivered completely online to meet today's hectic schedules of educators and administrators.

The specialization in Teacher Leadership (TL) prepares Learners with a knowledge base, skill set, and competencies necessary to assume diverse leadership roles in the educational enterprise. Teacher Leadership is not about "teacher power." Teacher Leadership is about energizing and mobilizing the "sleeping giant" - the untapped attributes and contributions of teachers to strengthen student performance and increase student achievement. Teacher Leadership offers Learners the opportunity to develop their understanding of teaching and learning; to augment their understanding of school culture; to challenge the barriers to school reform and change; to build collaborative coalitions, and to create new system paradigms. Teacher Leadership is geared to Learners who wish to extend their professional influence beyond their classrooms without leaving the teaching profession.

The preparation of trainers, consultants, human resource educators, and program developers is addressed in this dynamic, integrative specialization. Theoretical and practical information from Organizational Leadership, Adult Education, Systems and Human Resource areas serve as the foundation and framework for this specialization. The Training and Development specialization prepares individuals to identify emerging workplace/workforce issues and to translate these issues into effective, comprehensive action-oriented learning agendas for their organization.