UNCW Gets Permission to Plan Second Doctoral Degree
4/24/2006 1:45:01 PM
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WILMINGTON, NC - The University of North Carolina Wilmington received unanimous approval April 20 to begin planning its second doctoral degree and hopes to enroll its first students in fall 2007.
The North Carolina Graduate Council in Chapel Hill unanimously approved the Watson School of Education's "request to authorize the planning process" for a doctoral program in educational leadership and administration. This is the second step in the process to establish a new degree, Robert Roer, dean of the UNCW Graduate School, explained. UNCW began the "permission to plan" in 2004 and submitted its proposal to the graduate council in August 2005. With the council's recent approval, UNCW's Doctoral Planning Committee will fully develop the program and submit the proposal to establish the degree program during the fall semester of 2006, with final authorization on the agenda for approval at the April 2007 council meeting. The program must be approved by all UNCW, UNC System and Department of Public Instruction committees.
The mission of the Ed.D. program in educational leadership and administration is to prepare superintendents and other education leaders to be informed, proactive and reflective change agents to improve public schools for the benefit of all students, particularly in southeastern North Carolina. Roer expects 15-20 people to be a part of the first class.
Cathy Barlow, dean of the Watson School of Education, said educators in the 10-county region who are involved in the Professional Development System, were involved in the planning process. "They are so excited about this program coming to UNCW," she said. "The need is so great in each of the counties we serve."
"The teacher shortage in North Carolina is fairly extreme, but the administrator shortage is just as extreme. There is a strong demand for superintendents and other educational leaders," said John Fischetti, chair of the UNCW Doctoral Planning Committee. He noted that about a half dozen individuals from each county in the region have expressed an interest in participating in the program.
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Additional information can be obtained by contacting John Fischetti, chair of the Department of Specialty Studies at UNCW, at fischettij@uncw.edu 910-962-7551.
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